Lions @ Colts
Final Score: Lions 27, Colts 26
Writer: Chuck Steele (@ChuckSteele_T2T on Twitter)
We had a fantastic game between the Detroit Lions and the visiting Indianapolis Colts. With each passing game, with most starters still resting, some of the players are still trying hard to earn spots on the roster with cuts beginning to happen. In this game, many players played their hearts out to win one of those spots. Let’s see who stood out in this exciting game.
Detroit Lions
| Preseason Week 1 |
Quarterbacks
David Blough: 16/22, 76 yards, TD, INT, 2 Sacks | 3 carries, 18 yards
Tim Boyle: 12/15, 99 yards, TD, Sack | 2 carries, 8 yards
David Blough got to start the first half of the game, and though the Lions finished with 27 points in the game, Blough was only accountable for one touchdown when he hit wideout Tom Kennedy on the very last play of the first half, bypassing the field goal to try for the touchdown to tie. Other than that Blough was carried by a fantastic run game. Blough did not show off any kind of arm in this one as he only averaged 4.75 yards per pass.
Tim Boyle had more success for the Lions. Boyle took advantage of a strong run game and hit the wideouts with more accuracy. Boyle completed 80% of his passes and also connected with Tom Kennedy for the score. There is no competition here in Detroit at QB. The job still safely belongs to Jared Goff.
Running Backs
Justin Jackson: 7 carries, 54 yards
Craig Reynolds: 7 carries, 37 yards | 1 target, 1 reception, 5 yards
Godwin Igwebuike: 7 carries, 32 yards, TD
Jermar Jefferson: 7 carries, 25 yards | 2 targets, 2 receptions, -1 yards
Craig Reynolds got the start. He, along with every other Lions running back, looked great in this one. Hitting open holes being created by their offensive line with strength and speed, the Lions running backs as a unit averaged 5.3 yards per carry, with all backs having seven carries each. Justin Jackson was their most efficient runner with his carries, notching 54 yards to a tune of 7.7 yards per carry. However, the only rushing score of the night came late in the 4th quarter when Godwin Igwebuike punched it in from only a few yards out to give the Lions the final lead of the night. The Lions will be looking for their RB3 to serve behind DeAndre Swift and Jamaal Williams.
Wide Receivers
Trinity Benson: 5 targets, 4 receptions, 44 yards
Shane Zylstra: 6 targets, 5 receptions, 34 yards.
Tom Kennedy: 7 targets, 5 receptions, 24 yards, 2 TD
Kalil Pimpleton: 5 targets, 3 receptions, 23 yards
Maurice Alexander: 4 targets, 3 receptions, 18 yards.
The Lions QBs spread the ball around to a bunch of the receivers on the team; however, it felt more of a peewee league “everyone gets to touch the ball” kind of thing with very few explosive plays. Trinity Benson faired the best of the bunch turning 4 receptions for 44 yards but the only excitement came from the touchdown receptions from Tom Kennedy who scored on 2 of his 5 receptions, one from each quarterback. The Lions will be looking for depth at wideout this year as Jameson Williams continues his comeback from injury.
Indianapolis Colts
| Preseason Week 1 |
Quarterbacks
Sam Ehlinger: 9/11, 136 yards, 2 TD | 1 carry, 2 yards
Jack Coan: 7/11, 83 yards, TD | 1 carry
Nick Foles: 5/6, 56 yards
Former Superbowl Champion Nick Foles played the first drive in this one. He reminded us why he’s one of the best backups in the league at his position. He led the team down the field with ease, looking confident in the pocket and making the right throws. The drive stalled and the Colts settled for a field goal.
Sam Ehlinger took over after and was electric. Letting it rip, Ehlinger saw success spreading the ball around, throwing all over the field, and connecting on 2 touchdowns. His first one came just after the 2-minute warning in the first half, throwing a beautiful 15-yard over-the-shoulder pass to Mike Strachan. The 2nd was a 50-yard bomb just under thrown to a wide-open Dezmon Patmon who was able to make the catch and still get into the endzone.
Jack Coan finished out the game, with a successful 7/11 for 83 yards. Coan threw for a late 4th-quarter touchdown when the Colts decided to go for the win with the 2-point conversion. Ultimately, the Lions’ pressure got to Coan and missed all receivers on his throw into the endzone.
Running Backs
D’Vonte Price: 6 carries, 13 yards | 3 targets, 2 receptions, 10 yards
Phillip Lindsey: 4 carries, 8 yards | 2 targets, 1 reception, 5 yards
Deon Jackson: 5 carries, 7 yards
Ty’Son Williams: 1 carry
Unlike the Lions, it was a quiet day on the rushing front for the Colts, mainly airing it out in this one. The Colts’ leading rusher was D’Vonte Price, who only had six carries for 13 yards. With a non-existent running game, there isn’t much to talk about here without star running back Jonathan Taylor.
Wide Receivers
Dezmon Patmon: 6 targets, 5 receptions, 103 yards, TD
Michael Strachan: 3 targets, 3 receptions, 45 yards, TD
Samson Nacua: 2 targets, 1 reception, 26 yards, TD
D.J Montgomery: 2 targets, 1 reception, 22 yards
Kylen Granson: 3 targets, 1 reception, 18 yards.
De’Michael Harris: 3 targets, 2 receptions, 17 yards.
Wideouts came to play today for the Colts! Even receivers with one catch ended up with a big play of 20+ yards or a touchdown, sometimes both! Dezmon Patmon was the most electrifying today. It wasn’t just a lone 50-yard touchdown, it was all game. Patmon was able to find openings, or make contested catches. The same went for Michael Strachan. After off-season knee surgery he looked great in this one. He ran a beautiful 15-yard route into the endzone making an over-the-shoulder catch for his only score of the day. Along with the touchdown, he finished with 3 receptions and 45 yards. Samson Nacua had the last touchdown of the game. A tough, contested catch where he was able to maintain control and get into the endzone. It was his only grab for 26 yards.