Detroit Lions unable to kick past Steelers, 20-15
The Detroit Lions were regulated to only kicking field goals as the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated them on Sunday Night Football, 20-15.
Earlier this week, the Detroit Lions signed their kicker Matt Prater to a three-year, $11.4 million contract extension that will make him a Lion through 2020. Little did the organization know he would go one to earn that extension in their game against the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday night.
Prater was a perfect 5 for 5 hitting field goals against the Steelers, scoring all of Detroit’s 15 points. Unfortunately, Pittsburgh’s offense would find a way to score 20 points, handing the Motor City it’s fourth loss of the season.
In the Lions’ third straight loss, this one following their bye week, Detroit’s starting quarterback Matthew Stafford would complete 27 of his 45 passes for a whopping 423 passing yards. Unfortunately, all that yardage did not yield any touchdowns.
The Lions continue to struggle running the ball. Starting running back Ameer Abdullah rushed for just 27 yards on 11 carries. Theo Riddick had four carries for 21 yards as well as two catches for 24 yards, a relativity quiet night for one of the league top receiving threats out of the backfield.
Wide receiver Golden Tate led the team with seven receptions for 86 yards. That’s despite playing with a shoulder injury that had him questionable for the game. Wide out Marvin Jones Jr. had six catches for 128 yards.
Defensively, the Lions were unable to record a single sack on Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Safety Tavon Wilson led the team with 11 combined tackles. Fellow safety Glover Quin was able to record the only interception of the contest.
The 3-4 Lions failed to make any headway in the NFC North division due to the loss. They are still firmly sitting third in their division, under the 4-3 Green Bay Packers and just above the 3-5 Chicago Bears.
Next: Should Jim Caldwell assume play-calling duties?
The Detroit Lions will hop from one primetime matchup to another, as they’ll face the Packers next Monday night, November 6th, at their home stadium, Lambeau Field.