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Detroit Lions: 2018 midseason report, awards, top plays

By Payne Schanski

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 4: Kerryon Johnson #33 of the Detroit Lions runs with the ball in the first quarter of the game agains the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 4: Kerryon Johnson #33 of the Detroit Lions runs with the ball in the first quarter of the game agains the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images /

Top plays from the first half

#3. Da’Shawn Hand sack/fumble recovery on Aaron Rodgers vs Green Bay

It’s rare to see someone thoroughly get the best of Aaron Rodgers like the rookie defensive lineman did on this play. Hand slipped past a double team, knocked the ball loose, gave Rodgers a pile drive into the turf, and then got back up and grabbed the recovery. On top of that, the offense capitalized on the great field position and scored one more TD before halftime to go up 24-0.

#2. Kerryon Johnson 71-yard run @ Miami

It’s been a long time since the offensive line has opened up that type of running lane for anyone. Already leading 7-0, Kerryon took off on the first play of the second quarter, flipping field position and leading to Detroit’s second score of the day. This run validated that Kerryon is no mere one-game wonder, and set the stage for Detroit’s best team rushing performance for a single game in over 20 years.

#1. Kenny Golladay touchdown/Matt Patricia challenge flag throw vs New England

Matt Patricia does a lot of curious things. If he ends up winning big in Detroit, those things will be endearing personality quirks. If he doesn’t, he’s going to get made fun of a lot, it’s that simple. While things have tilted towards Door #2 more often than not so far, against the Pats on Sunday Night Football, Patricia’s team was firing on all cylinders, and he made sure you knew about it.

Kenny Golladay caught a pass near the goal line, tried to twist away from a tackle, extended the ball, and was originally marked just short of the end zone on a third down. When the video board in Ford Field showed that Golladay broke the plane, Patricia rejoiced his good fortune by angrily and unnecessarily launching the challenge flag about 50 yards onto the field.

Patricia won the challenge, the Lions went up 10-0, ended up crushing the Patriots, and for one night at least, this whole “Patriot Way Blueprint” was starting to look like a great idea.

Best Moment

Trotting off the field at halftime with a 24-0 lead over the Packers. In a wild first half against their bitter rivals, the Lions took advantage of timely turnovers and a barrage of missed field goals to take a massive lead into the locker room. For the second time in three games, the Lions’ defense had managed to keep a first ballot Hall of Fame quarterback out of the end zone for the entire first half.

Honorable Mention: The “Let’s go LI-ONS!” chant that took over Hard Rock Stadium in the final minutes of the 32-21 road win over Miami.

Worst Moment

Matthew Stafford’s 4th interception on opening night. This one was force-fed into three defenders and made it perfectly clear that a vintage Stafford comeback wasn’t in the cards for Matt Patricia’s head coaching debut. This one was accompanied by that sinking feeling that all the negativity from the off-season that lasted through preseason was being confirmed.

Honorable Mention #1: The Seattle fake punt from nine yards deep in their own end zone.

Honorable Mention #2: That Stafford lateral play to end any thoughts of a comeback against Minnesota on Sunday.

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