Cardiac Cats Return, Detroit Lions Ride The Roller Coaster in Win

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Best Calvin Johnson Impression: Theo Riddick

Yes, I’m aware Riddick is a RB. I’m also aware that Tate had the better day. But nobody made a better catch than the grab Theo Riddickulous made to move the chains late in the game. Catches that don’t make sense are usually reserved for the one they call Megatron.

Least Worst Running Back: Theo Riddick

Deserving a mention again, Riddick was clearly the least bad running back in London. Bell played an amazing fourth quarter, but he needs to do more than that to be a legitimate threat in my eyes. Riddick needed more touches and did more with the ones he got.

Best Defensive Play That Didn’t Count: Rashean Mathis

Mathis had the best defensive play of the day when he took a Matt Ryan interception from one end zone to the other, a 103 yard return that would have been his second pick six on the season. Unfortunately, he had to commit a penalty to do so and the return was nullified.

Goat of the Game: Rashean Mathis

Mathis had his worst game as a Detroit Lion and possibly his worst as a pro against Atlanta. His interception stole the highlight reel, but he was constantly out of position and gave up several big catches by losing his assignment or failing to pass off in zone. On two separate occasions he was standing only a few feet from another Lions defender while his man sauntered uncovered to the sideline for a catch. Mathis should hope to put this game behind him.

Facepalm Moment of the Game:  Devin Taylor

It’s rare that I think a Detroit Lions player does something worthy of ejection.  It’s football, let them play.  That said, Devin Taylor made a tackle out of bounds that could have very well stayed just that. Instead, he decided to drive the Falcons player into the ground, resulting in a 15 yard penalty that would have made Jim Schwartz blush.

Best In Game Substitution:  Jason Jones

Starting defensive end Jason Jones has always been a better interior rusher than exterior.  I had become so accustomed to Jim Schwartz that I didn’t expect the team to swing him inside when Nick Fairley went down with a serious injury.  Jones proceeded to then wreak havoc from the interior and was a big part of the sudden defensive resurgence in the second half.