Detroit Lions: Studs and duds from dramatic walk off win vs. Falcons
By Tayyib Abu
Stud: Matt Stafford, quarterback
Matt Stafford had a quiet game until that last drive. I felt Stafford had to throw as much as possible in this game for Detroit to win. Though frustratingly, the Detroit Lions were hell-bent on establishing the run, which almost cost them. Stafford didn’t get to throw a lot but, when he did, he looked outstanding.
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He had a clean game as he threw for 340 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. The Lions offense looked anemic when Detroit tried to run the ball but it looked spectacular when they threw it. Stafford is special when the game is on the line and he displayed all his ability and mental skills with this comeback.
A bullet throw on the outside to T.J. Hockenson started the drive. A laser to Kenny Golladay to get Detroit in the red zone was incredible as he threw into a tight window. Lastly, the touchdown pass was special. He evaded the Atlanta pressure, stepped up and was calm to find the wide-open Hockenson for the tying touchdown. Yes, the Lions want to run the ball, but this offense still needs to go through Stafford.
Dud: Adrian Peterson, Running Back
It was not a good day for Adrian Peterson. The future Hall of Famer had a bad day. 11 carries for just 29 yards as the Lions repeatedly dialed up first and second down run plays. The Lions went nowhere with this plan.
Peterson looked like an older man as he found difficulty finding the open hole and making cuts to attack it. The over-reliance on the 35-year-old back nearly cost Lions this game as they couldn’t make headway on first and second down. This left the offense in third-and-long far too often and the Lions had trouble converting.
Detroit was unable to move the chains, and they left points on the field. Peterson’s fourth-down run play got blown up behind the scrimmage line while they were in the red zone. If Detroit continues to rely on this plan, they will lose games.