Detroit Lions: Week 3 game balls in loss to Atlanta Falcons

The Detroit Lions suffered their first loss of the season in week three against the Atlanta Falcons. Some big defensive plays kept the team alive.

The Detroit Lions offense had issues moving the ball for most of the game. Until the final minutes of the game, the team struggled in all aspects. Matthew Stafford was off target, Eric Ebron was dropping balls and Lions backs were seeing few holes, and not hitting them when they were there.

Greg Robinson conclusively proved that he is not an NFL caliber offensive tackle. There will be no offensive game ball for the Lions this week. I am giving two to the defense. They are the reason that this game was even close.

Glover Quin

On the Defensive side, the secondary was the strength of the team, as it has been for this entire season. When that is the case there can be only one person that we look to as the reason. Glover Quin is the recipient of the first game ball this week.

Not only did he return an interception for a touchdown, but he did so at a time where nothing was going right for the Lions. The offense was sputtering and Quin’s pick six put the game back within reach. That defensive score made this a game, and breathed life in to a team that looked deflated.

Miles Killebrew

The second game ball goes to Miles Killebrew. With the linebackers in front of him giving the Falcons yardage at will in both the running and passing game, Killebrew did his job, and stopped plays before they became huge gains.

The combination of Nick Bellore, Paul Worrilow and Tahir Whitehead was not going to supply good pass coverage. Killebrew led the team in tackles as their safety net.

Matt Prater

The Special teams game ball goes to Matt Prater. There is no kicker in football more reliable than Prater from long range. He set the NFL record for most consecutive field goals from 50 yards or longer in this game, hitting two of them.

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Prater has hit 14 consecutive 50+ yard field goals. He added others from 35 and 40 yards, in addition to making both of his extra point attempts. Matt Prater is always one of the Lions best players, and he gets this week’s special teams game ball.