Lions vs Cardinals: Detroit wins a defensive struggle in Arizona
Third Quarter
Opening up the second half, David Johnson gained 3-yards. On the next snap, Johnson was held to a gain of only one. On 3rd & 6, the Cardinals completed the pass for the first down and after what was originally ruled as a fumble recovery by Detroit after the catch, the call was reversed and resulted in a first down for Arizona.
Up until this point of the game, the Lion defense continued to maul all of the Cardinal runners that came out of the backfield. Detroit’s defense kept Arizona from moving the chains and they earned the ball back for their offense.
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After tight end Luke Willson limped his way off of the field, running back Zach Zenner gained two-yards on the ground. On the subsequent third down play, Stafford used an impressive pump fake to throw off the defenders as he hit Toilolo for 16-yards through the air.
Detroit wideout Andy Jones gained another five-yards after catching a Stafford pass but Michael Roberts dropped a catchable pass on third down which would have undoubtedly gained a new set of downs for the Lions. Another stall on offense for the Lions led to another punt.
After moving the chains, Cardinal legend, Larry Fitzgerald came down with his 1,282nd reception which is an NFL record for catches by a receiver with a single team.
On 3rd & 14, Darius Slay intercepted Arizona’s rookie QB for a 67-yard pick-six, 10-0 Detroit.
On a 3rd & 12 play on their next series, the Cards gained 11-yards but they opted for a punt instead of going for it on fourth down.
After losing a yard on his first carry, Blount was held for no gain on his second carry of Detroit’s eighth possession with the football. That play served as the final one of the game’s penultimate quarter.