The Detroit Lions 12 best and worst moments of 2018

Playcalling Decision

Best: Matt Prater touchdown pass vs Green Bay

For the second straight year, the Lions crushed Green Bay on the final day of the season. Also for the second straight year, Jim Bob Cooter waited to be safely out of playoff contention before dialing up his finest trickery.

Last year, it was Golden Tate on a reverse pass to Matthew Stafford, a play that was then ripped off by the Eagles on a crucial 4th down conversion in the Super Bowl. This time around, it was an unlikely player throwing the ball, rather than catching it.

Leading 7-0 early in the second quarter, Prater lined up for what appeared to be a chip shot 27 yard field goal. Instead, tight end Levine Toilolo hung out near the sideline, no Packers defender followed him, the snap went straight to Prater in the shotgun, and the kicker calmly airmailed his first career TD pass.

Imagine if the Rams get a look at that play and use it to K.O. the Patriots on Sunday…

Worst: Fade route to Michael Roberts vs Chicago

End result: the pass gets EASILY intercepted, the Bears entire defense does a Motown song and dance celebration, the Lions toss away an opportunity at an upset win on Thanksgiving.

Did someone forget to tell Jim Bob that nobody runs the fade route anymore? Not even Michael Roberts, because he looks like he ran the wrong thing anyway and was expecting the ball somewhere completely different.

Furthermore, if some cosmic deity visits you in your sleep and ordains that you absolutely must run a fade route, wouldn’t you at least throw it to Kenny Golladay??