Detroit Lions: Game balls for week 13 loss to Baltimore Ravens
By Ash Thompson
The Detroit Lions had a disappointing performance in week 13. They dropped the game in Baltimore 44-20 in a game that was always just slightly out of reach.
The Detroit Lions repeated their season-long tendency to win against bad teams and lose to anything resembling a good team on Sunday afternoon. As has become their standard procedure the Lions spotted their opponents a multi-score lead in the first half. This week they failed to dig their way out of the hole.
On offense, there really was only one option I have seen a lot of people saying a lot of good things about Tion Green‘s debut. Frankly, he had two nice runs and a lot of bare minimum level proficiency. It is only because other backs have done such a poor job of getting back to the line of scrimmage when the blocking blows up in their face that Green’s lack of carries for negative yards is impressive.
Green made it back to the line every time, something that the Lions backfield has been unable to do. On a day like Sunday, you have to celebrate the little things. Matthew Stafford does get an honorable mention for completing 20 straight passes. In the end, he also fumbled twice and threw an interception, while only throwing for one score. I love Stafford’s toughness and grit, but Green gets the nod.
On defense, I can’t give it to anyone this week. Everyone on the gridiron for the nine men on the field play is automatically disqualified for not calling a timeout. When a team gives up 44 points to one of the worst offenses in the NFL, there is literally nothing to celebrate.
Ziggy Ansah made five tackles. That is about the most often he has been on the stat sheet this year. It is also about as close to an honorable mention as I think anyone deserves. It was nice to see him around the ball. Unfortunately, he visited the trainer’s table yet again to deal with an injury during the game.
Next: Lions fall apart in loss to the Ravens
Sam Martin had a decent day punting the ball. He did so six times for an average of 41.2 yards. He boomed one 54 yards, and he pinned the Ravens inside their ten once. With Jamaal Agnew injured for yet another week and Matt Prater seemingly unable to hit anything in the first half, Martin gets the game ball by default.