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Three Lions That Deserve More Credit For 2016 Success

By Matt Urben

Dec 4, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram (22) runs past Detroit Lions free safety Glover Quin (27) during the second quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram (22) runs past Detroit Lions free safety Glover Quin (27) during the second quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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At 8-4, with an NFC North lead, the Detroit Lions are in unfamiliar territory.

Anytime a team wins in the NFL, particularly when it is not expected, people rush to assign credit to one or two players. When you have a great quarterback, you can bet that’s where most of it will go. In this case, Matthew Stafford has been playing some of the best football of his career and has seven comeback wins. He deserves his fair share of credit, but football is a team game. With that in mind, l want to give three players credit that have not received the attention their play has warranted.

Travis Swanson

Lions
Aug 15, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Detroit Lions center Travis Swanson (64) during the game against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Lions 27-26. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

The third-year center came into the season with his starting job in serious doubt. Swanson struggled in 2015, his first as a starter after Dominic Raiola retired following the 2014 season. In the third round of the Draft, the Lions drafted center/guard Graham Glasgow out of Michigan to battle for the starting job. This was enough to wake up Swanson and he’s been a bright spot for the Lions’ young offensive line. Swanson has routinely graded out highly by Pro Football Focus (probably the best place for offensive line statistics). He’s likely played his way into the team’s long-term plans. –Editor’s Note: Swanson has been ruled out for Sunday’s game against Chicago

Glover Quin

Lions
Dec 4, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Detroit Lions free safety Glover Quin (27) tips the ball away from New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks (10) in front of teammate Nevin Lawson (24) during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Detroit defeated New Orleans 28-13. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports /

Quin has been one the team’s best defensive players since signing with Detroit in 2013. This year, he’s really embraced his role as the leader on the back end. When you look at how much better the Lions’ secondary has played over the past 6-7 weeks, a lot of the credit should go to Quin. The new pieces — Tavon Wilson, Miles Killebrew, and Rafael Bush — have been able to make plays because of the position they’ve been put in. He made the call on Thanksgiving when Darius Slay jumped the route and picked off Sam Bradford to seal the win over the Vikings. He has two interceptions, 1 forced fumble, and 43 solo tackles. Quin is having a Pro Bowl-worthy season.

Sam Martin

Lions
Sep 1, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions punter Sam Martin (6) kicks the ball during the second quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

Punter Sam Martin has been spectacular this season. His 48.6-yard average is good for second in the league. People don’t generally think of punting when they go to assign credit for wins. But there is no question that Martin has helped the Lions mask a lot of things on defense. Great field position goes a long way. This is especially true when you’re playing in close games (which the Lions have been in every game except the Saints game). Martin isn’t likely to be a player of the game anytime soon, but there’s no question he is valuable.

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