Detroit Lions Week 13 Game Ball: Golden Tate

When the Detroit Lions visited the New Orleans Saints in week 13, several players stood out but it was Golden Tate who performed the best and took home this week’s DJC Game Ball.

The Detroit Lions (8-4) entered New Orleans looking to take a commanding lead in the NFC North. This was supposed to be a critical game that would show us the kind of team the Lions really were. Their answer was emphatic.

The Lions have now won seven of their last eight games and hold a two game lead in the division with tie breakers in hand. Their experiences in close games throughout the season are paying off down the stretch.

The Lions executed their game plan to perfection, completely controlling this game from start to finish. Their defense was improved and the offense owned the ball, holding it 36 minutes and 52 seconds (Saints 23:08).

Golden Tate

Golden Tate had himself quite a day. It was his 10th career 100 yard game and he reached 5,000 career receiving yards. He finished his day with eight catches for 145 yards and a score.

After finishing the 1st quarter with a three-point lead, the Lions needed a spark to get their offense going. Enter Golden Tate and this amazing catch:

Heavily involved over the next three-quarters, Golden Tate all but put this one to bed with this 4th quarter catch and run. Watch him find a soft spot above and outside the cover-two zone. Then he showed off his agility and awareness to cut it back across the grain of the defense for the score.

MVP

Props to Matthew Stafford for hanging in there and delivering that pass (above), he continues to show his toughness. It’s games like this that really illustrate why Stafford is in the league MVP conversation. He ended his day with 30 of 42 for 341 yards, two touchdowns, zero interceptions and 22 yards rushing.

But Stafford’s impact isn’t just in his stats. His poise, intelligence and awareness are on another level this season. He didn’t need to execute a 4th quarter comeback today, but he was still amazing. Not only did he have those beautiful passes to Golden Tate above, but he also routinely threaded the needle all game.

It’s not just the analysts and fans that are left in awe of Matthew Stafford this season, his boss also likes what she sees.

All the Interceptions

The Lions defense continues to improve. They kept Drew Brees on the bench, and limited his play when he was on the field. They found a way to step up their defensive execution despite not having DeAndre Levy or Tahir Whitehead available.

Drew Brees had eight interception over the first 11 games, yet the Lions snagged three from him today. Glover Quin got the party started, then Tavon Wilson shut down the Saints comeback attempt. Rookie Miles Killebrew secured his first career interception as time expired.

All the Field Goals

Matt Prater had five opportunities to add points to the scoreboard and he successfully executed all five of them. With field goals of 27, 29, 32, 27, and 52, Prater had the first five field goal game of his career. He is now 13 of 13 on field goals over the last four games, after going 13 of 16 over the first eight.

Welcome back TJ Jones

TJ Jones made his 2016 debut in this game, and he wasted no time getting involved. He finished the game with three catches for 49 yards and drew some drive extending penalties. It was a nice showing for the third year wide receiver who deserves to see more snaps in the future.

Quick Hits

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• Stafford has already eclipsed his career high in rushing yards with four games remaining.
• With Tahir Whitehead out with an injury, Rookie Antwione Williams and Josh Bynes split the headset to make play calls.
• A’Shawn Robinson has now deflected (6) passes on the season.
• According to the Fox broadcast the Lions lead the league in fewest missed tackles (41).
• This was the first time this season the Lions didn’t trail in the 4th quarter.
• This was the first time this season the Lions game didn’t end within one score.
• Despite Tahir Whitehead missing the game, he was with them in spirit. And on Twitter:

Next: Glover Quin's impact goes beyond the stat sheet

Regular Season Game Ball Winners:

Week 1: Theo Riddick
2: Devin Taylor
3: Marvin Jones
4: Andre Roberts
5: Darius Slay
6: Matthew Stafford
7: Matthew Stafford… Again
8: Theo Riddick
9: Matt Prater
11: The Safeties
12: Darius Slay

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