Detroit Lions: The play that ended the game
By Rob Kish
Matt Stafford’s third interception, the pick six by Darron Lee, was the play that most changed the game and sent the Detroit Lions spiraling to a 48-17 loss.
For this series, I will be wrapping up every Detroit Lions game by identifying the play that either inflates or punctures fan confidence in the team.
In every game, there is a play you can point to that changes the course of the game. If you’ve ever looked at one of those win probability charts it’s the point in the game where one team’s line spikes (or tanks in the case of the opponent). It’s the point in last night’s game where you knew you’d be hearing “J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS” echoing from the Ford Field ceiling coffers by the end.
The Jets-Lions matchup didn’t go how anybody expected. No one expected a 4 interception game from Matt Stafford or a 31 point loss. ESPN even cut to the Rams-Raiders pregame with about 5 minutes left in the early game, something I have never seen before.
Before I get too far into this piece, I have to emphasize something: that game was an anomaly. The Lions are not the worst team in the league. Remember the past two seasons, where it seemed like every game came down to the last drive? That is still what we should expect from this team.
They have their flaws, they are well documented and they will hurt the team. The Jets looked better than the Lions in every facet in week 1, but 4 interceptions from Stafford is what turned a potentially close game into a blowout.
The Play
Things were looking up for the Detroit Lions when they came out of the half and immediately put a touchdown on the board. The Jets answered right back, but the Lions were only down 7 and the offense seemed to be looking up. Until a 3rd and 1 at the Detroit 34 yard line. Stafford dropped back to pass looking straight downfield, Theo Riddick darts outside of left tackle Taylor Decker and cuts back across the face of the Jets linebacker corps on an angle route, Stafford’s eyes shift to Riddick, and Jets LB Darron Lee jumps Riddick just as Stafford throws, Lee picks it off and takes it in for the score.
This was Stafford’s third interception of the night and it felt deflating. The glimmer of hope that was found in the Lions first drive out of halftime was snatched by Lee when he jumped the route and took the ball in for the score.
On this play, the Lions went from down 7, one drive or a big play away from tying the game, to down 14 and crushed. Consequently, the next time the Jets touched the ball was when former Lion, Andre Roberts torched the punt team for 6. From there, the route was on.
dark. Next. Lions failing in their attempt to change
For the Jets, the win means a lot. The AFC is wide open and any win that gets them closer to a wild-card spot is huge. For the Lions, the loss hurts. This was a game that most predicted as a sure win for Detroit. With so many good teams in the NFC, every game matters a bit more than usual.