The Detroit Lions claimed their first win of the season in a big way, thrashing the Chicago Bears 52-21. The offense and defense for Detroit seemed to have found their stride, with both units looking significantly improved compared to their performance in Week 1.
There are many players who are deserving of a game ball for their heroics in this game, but one veteran receiver put up record numbers to help the Lions secure the win.
Game ball: Amon-Ra St. Brown
Stats: 9 receptions, 115 receiving yards, 3 TD, 2 carries, 7 rushing yards
Even before he posted his three-touchdown performance, St. Brown made some big catches that helped Detroit’s offense get in position to score. His first came on the opening play of the game, Goff hit St. Brown on an in-breaking route that the receiver took for 19 more yards after the catch. His 34-yard catch and run put Detroit within 26 yards of the endzone, where Jahmyr Gibbs was able to score just a few plays later.
Later on in the first quarter, Goff hit St. Brown again on a similar route, this time putting Detroit’s offense at the one-yard line and setting up a David Montgomery score.
St. Brown went on to score his first of the season in the second quarter and found the endzone two more times near the end of the game.
The All-Pro wide receiver reached some major benchmarks for his outstanding performance as well, including:
- His highest receiving yardage total in a first half of a game with 100
- First Lions player to have over 100 yards and three touchdowns since Calvin Johnson did it in 2010
- His fourth career game with at least 100 yards and two touchdowns
- His 20th career game of over 100 yards
- Extended the NFL record for games where a trio of players scored at least one touchdown (with Gibbs and Montgomery)
St. Brown’s performance against the Bears was hopefully the first of many for this season, and he comes away with the Pride of Detroit game ball for Week 2.
Honorable mention: Brian Branch
Stats: 6 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack, 1 pass defense, 1 QB hit, 1 forced fumble
Detroit’s secondary looked like a whole different group compared to what we saw the week before.
Versatile defensive back Brian Branch was everywhere on the defensive side of the ball and made a handful of big plays for the Lions.
His first big play of the game came on a run by former Lion D’Andre Swift. Swift took a handoff and ran to the outside while Branch was lined up as a deep safety. In under three seconds, Branch made his read and barreled down eight yards to knock the ball loose.
Branch was used more as a pass rusher in this game as well. He got a sack on Caleb Williams in the fourth quarter on a designed safety blitz. He later made another hit on Williams, which was called back as a roughing the passer penalty.
If he’s able to keep up this level of play, hopefully the broadcast crew will start getting his name right.
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