Winners and Losers for NFL Week 15: Patriots, Colts, Browns, Dolphins and more
By Andrew Garda
WINNER: Detroit Lions
It’s like it finally all came together for the Lions.
For a long time the secondary has been the Achilles’ Heel for Detroit, but this year it might be the strongest part of the team.
Sure they have a fantastic front seven, Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate, but it’s been the play of guys like Glover Quin, Darius Slay and James Ihedigdo which has carried this team much of the season.
That Quin and Slay both capped off a solid game with interceptions against Minnesota in Sunday’s 16-14 victory just drives home the point that this is not your dad’s Detroit Lions. This is a team which has finally found a way to put together skilled players everywhere on the field, not just in a few places.
Of course, the defensive line and pressure helps the secondary, just as the secondary helps the line create pressure. It’s often been a one-sided process for Detroit, who has survived on a combination of high-powered offense and solid defensive line play.
But too often the secondary has allowed a last-minute touchdown or big play which lost a game.
That’s not the case anymore.
Next: LOSER: Miami Dolphins