Sports fans in Tampa Bay proved their futility once again by leaving large areas of their cavernous stadium empty despite their home team entering this game with a 8-5 record. This is one reason why the Red Sox and Yankees are set to regain control of the AL East (just like old times, but that’s another discussion)
The approximately 48,000 who did show were treated to some efficient if not fantastic football by both sides. The Detroit Lions were led by two in-state products, who played their college football just two hours from Ford Field as Michigan State Spartans.
Former Spartans Quarterback Drew Stanton (Farmington Hills, MI) (23-37-0, 252, 1 TD, 2 rushes, 24 yards) and placekicker Dave Rayner (3-3 FG, long 41, Game winning kick in OT) gave football fans in the state of Great Lake Splendor something to be excited about.
But the biggest hero was Calvin Johnsonm with big catches near the end of regulation and in overtime. His numbers (10-152) show what a huge factor that he was for the Lions offense.
By Patrick Herbert
Stanton was able to consistently use him as his go-to guy throughout Sunday afternoon.
The teams’ featured running backs had almost identical statistics. LeGarrette Blount and Maurice Morris were each able to attain a 7.3 yard average per carry while accumulating fifteen rushes a piece. This is a tremendous feat in the NFL any week against any opponent.
It was the reason both offenses were able to stay competitive in the game. Tampa Bay quarterback Josh Freeman -like his counterpart- had an efficient day managing the offense. He threw for a touchdown while no interceptions hurt him.
Blount ran through and over the Detroit defenders all afternoon long. It is actually amazing he didn’t acquire more carries throughout the contest considering how effective he was. Cadillac must have been in the shop because he only had seven carries for thirty-eight total yards. That is an impressive average, but it just demonstrates the struggles that the Lions had more than anything.
I had the pleasure of watching the tilt with some friends and one mentioned that he was just pleased that Blount decided not to punch anybody in celebration after his touchdown. It did, however, seem like his excessive celebration was close to causing an injury when he slipped near the stands. Apparently, no amount of athlete injuries will persuade others behind them to take the Barry Sanders approach after a successful play.
As mentioned earlier, a lot about this game was extremely even. Even the total time of possession differential was about a minute. Statistics don’t always tell the full story, but they were a pretty accurate barometer on Sunday afternoon. When this is the case, the most blatant difference is usually apparent in the turnover differential. Neither team had an interception or fumble lost.