The Thursday Night Football clash between the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys had seismic implications on the NFC playoff picture. However, it was clear which side wanted to win more very early in this contest.
Detroit played with a palpable sense of energy from the jump, while the Cowboys didn't meet the intensity of their opponent. If you ask retired NFL quarterback-turned-analyst Ryan Fitzpatrick, the Lions' unmatched energy had everything to do with their "inspirational leader," Amon-Ra St. Brown.
St. Brown suffered a low-ankle sprain in Detroit's previous game and managed to suit up for their 44-30 victory over the Cowboys. Most players are missing time with this issue. Yet on a short week, the star wide receiver played and performed admirably, which Fitzpatrick made sure to acknowledge.
Ryan Fitzpatrick gives Amon-Ra St. Brown well-deserved flowers for fighting through injury when Lions needed most
Fitzpatrick gave credit where it was due during Amazon Prime's halftime show. He acknowledged St. Brown for gutting through the injury and helping the Lions take a 20-9 lead at the break in more ways than one:
"[St. Brown] knew it was important to step up and play in this game, and when we were watching him in warmups, we knew this was gonna mean something for this football team, getting him involved. But it’s not just his involvement in the pass game; it’s also his involvement as a leader, willing to do the dirty stuff. He plays with toughness and grit. He’s a tone-setter. Amon-Ra St. Brown is what this team represents."
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There's a reason St. Brown has a "C" on his chest. He talks the talk and walks the walk, earning the respect of his peers. The Lions named the two-time All-Pro a captain because of selfless instances like this, literally throwing himself in harm's way for the collective.
Detroit was on the outside looking in on the postseason entering their pivotal primetime showdown with a surging Cowboys squad (and still is despite prevailing). They needed St. Brown, and he delivered.
Even while hurt, St. Brown had his fingerprints all over the Lions' massive defeat of Dallas. Not only did he catch six passes for 92 yards, but we saw him laying down blocks and pushing piles. Albeit borderline irresponsible, the "Sun God's" willingness to put his body on the line made all the difference.