Detroit Lions Week 5 Game Ball: Darius Slay

When the Detroit Lions hosted the Philadelphia Eagles in week five, several players stood out but it was Darius Slay who performed the best and took home this weeks Game Ball.

Darius Slay won this game for the Detroit Lions, in a matter of 90 seconds.

With a two-point lead and less than three minutes remaining, the Eagles were trying to run the clock out. On a second down play, Ryan Matthews ran to the right and Slay met him at the edge, lowered his shoulder and dislodged the ball. Anthony Zettel made a highly intelligent play insuring the ball didn’t go out-of-bounds, by tapping it back to Tyrunn Walker for the recovery.

Matthew Stafford moved the Lions into field goal range and Matt Prater put the Lions ahead with a 29-yard kick. With 1:28 left in the game, the Lions left fans wondering if they had left Carson Wentz too much time on the clock.

Then Slay did this:

Slay didn’t get much TV time before the fourth quarter as Wentz often looked away from him. He finished the day with three tackles, two pass break-ups, a forced fumble, and an interception.

We don’t often get to appreciate a cornerbacks performance when watching games live unless they’re giving up plays. But Slay is proving every week, that he is worth every penny of his contract extension.

Who Showed Up on Offense?

Theo Riddick carved up the Eagles defense in the first quarter, scoring twice on passes from Stafford. He would come up injured later and didn’t look quite the same afterwards. It also seemed like he was used less. Overall it was a solid day, finishing with 49 yards rushing, caught all six of his targets for 33 yards receiving and two scores.

Graham Glasgow replaced Laken Tomlinson at left guard in the second quarter. And while they rotated in the second half, Glasgow appeared to get the majority of the snaps. Jim Caldwell said in a post-game press conference that it was a planned rotation, not a benching of Tomlinson.

At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter if it was a benching or a scheduled rotation, Glasgow looked good, and that’s bad news for Tomlinson.

Corey Robinson was used as a 6th offensive lineman in run situations and moved much better than I remember him capable. He opened several holes for Riddick in the first half.

Who Showed Up on Defense?

Middle linebacker Tahir Whitehead was once again put in a difficult situation because of the injuries in the linebacking unit. Whitehead is being asked to make all defensive calls and adjustments, as well as pick up the slack for the weakness around him. It shouldn’t be surprising when Whitehead gives up some plays, because he is being stretched so thin. That being said, Whitehead had an impressive 12 tackles and two pass break-ups today.

Newly signed defensive end Armonty Bryant made an impact rather quickly, collecting a sack in his first few snaps. He would show up again on Devin Taylor‘s sack, by forcing Wentz to the left side. I wouldn’t be surprised if they split the sack on the stat sheet when this game is reviewed.

Defensive lineman Kerry Hyder continues to make plays. While the stat sheet only credits him with one tackle, Hyder played all over the field. He blew up screens, collapsed the pocket on draw plays, and he took snaps at both defensive end and defensive tackle.

Quick Hits

• Slay’s two forced turnovers were the Eagles first two on the season.
• This was Stafford’s 22nd career fourth quarter comeback.
• A’Shawn Robinson collected his first career sack.
• The Eagles had 14 penalties. The Lions had 2.
• Jim Caldwell showed emotion.

Next: Draft Watchlist - Washington vs Oregon

Regular Season Game Ball Winners

Week 1: Theo Riddick
Week 2: Devin Taylor
Week 3: Marvin Jones
Week 4: Andre Roberts

Preseason Game Ball Winners:
Week 1: Zach Zenner
Week 2: Tahr Whitehead
Week 3: Haloti Ngata
Week 4: Kerry Hyder