5 Detroit Lions whose stock is rising following first win
Following the Detroit Lions surprising win over the New England Patriots on Sunday night, here are five who’s stock is rising in Motown.
The Detroit Lions produced one of the most shocking outcomes in the NFL in Week Three of the regular season, defeating the New England Patriots handily, 26-10 Sunday night. It was a game of many firsts for the Lions.
After suffering losses to the New York Jets and the San Francisco 49ers, Detroit was able to get their first win of the season against the unlikeliest of foes, the Patriots. It was also the first victory for new head coach Matt Patricia, and versus his former team none the less.
This matchup also featured the Lions’ first 100-yard rusher of the year. We’ll cover that player as well as four others whose stock is certainly rising after Detroit’s improbable victory over New England on Sunday night.
Kerryon Johnson, RB
November 28, 2013. That’s the last time the Lions had a running back rush for over 100 yards in a game. Now, rookie running back Kerryon Johnson has put an end to that embarrassing drought, rushing for 101 yards on 16 carries against the Patriots. Johnson split carries with veteran back LeGarrette Blount, and the two buried New England to the tune of 149 combined rushing yards on 32 carries.
Eli Harold, LB
Late last month, the Lions traded a conditional seventh-round pick to the San Francisco 49ers for linebacker Eli Harold. The former third-round pick had disappointed in The Golden City. But in the Motor City, the 24-year old has found new life as a pass rusher, recording 3.0 sacks in his first three games in Detroit. And two of those sacks were posted against Patriots quarterback Tom Brady on Sunday night.
Kenny Golladay, WR
In his second season, wide receiver Kenny Golladay is starting to really emerge as a reliable weapon for quarterback Matthew Stafford on an offense that’s chock full of stars. The 2017 third rounder has now posted 19 receptions for 256 yards and two touchdowns through three games. That’s an amazing start considering Golladay recorded a total of 28 catches in his entire rookie year.
Matthew Stafford, QB
Anyone worried about Stafford’s shaky start to the season likely exhaled a sigh of relief Sunday night, as the 30-year old gunslinger looked like his old self. Against the Patriots, he threw for 262 yards, two scores, and horrible one pick. Stafford completed 27 of his 36 passes, for a completion percentage of 75 percent. That was much higher than the 61.6 percent he was completing through his first two games.
Next. The Detroit Lions All-Time Defensive Team. dark
Matt Patricia, HC
After the Lions’ Week One’s 48-17 routing by the upstart New York Jets, many fans promptly jumped off the Matt Patricia train. And for good reason. But those same fans were peaking around the corner in Week Two as Detroit started showing signs of improvement against the Niners on the road. And after the team’s victory over the Patriots in primetime, the line to buy a ticket on the Patricia train is starting to circle the block.