Team of Destiny

It was one of those experiences where you sit back in your chair and ask yourself a simple question. “Did that just happen?” this is what I was asking myself after the game had ended, and the Detroit Lions had won over the Atlanta Falcons, 22-21. It was one of those moments that you think about long after it happened and you still get goose bumps. The game was a so called tale of two halves from a Lions standpoint. There were a lot of things that played a role into how the game unfolded, so I should probably start from the beginning.

            First off, let me state that in order to watch the start of the Lion’s game, I had to set my alarm clock for 9:00 AM on a Sunday! That’s right, the event was starting in the morning, but not in the United States. Instead, the game was being played across the pond in beautiful London, England. Even though they had been practicing over there for a few days, I had a feeling that both teams might not have their ‘A’ game because of the early start. This turned out to be true for Detroit, but not so much for Atlanta. They dominated the Lions in the first half, moving the ball across the field with ease, and scoring three touchdowns in the process. It was an embarrassment in the first half, as the Falcons led at halftime 21-0.

            When the second half began, it was clear that Lions coach Jim Caldwell got after his team, and tried to light a fire in them. It started with the defense, as they began to display their toughness and intensity for the rest of the game. They began to stop the run, pressure the quarterback, and get a huge interception that led to a Lions score. The offense also stepped up, making big play after big play to stage a comeback. One play that definitely had a major impact on the outcome occurred with five minutes to go in the third quarter. Facing a 3rd. and 25, quarterback Matthew Stafford scrambled out of the pocket and threw a rocket pass out to receiver Golden Tate, who caught the ball and ran into the end zone for a Lions touchdown. This was no question the turning point in the game, but the ending was something I won’t soon forget.

            With less than two minutes left and Detroit down 21-19, the Lions knew that it was now or never. Facing all sorts of pressure, Matthew Stafford and the rest of the Lion’s offense stayed calm, and quickly drove down the field on a shocked Falcon’s defense. With four seconds to go in the game, kicker Matt Prater lined up for a 43 yard field goal for the win. The snap was good, the hold was good, the kick, everything but good as it missed off to the right. The game was over, or was it? Before the play began, an official threw a flag on the Lions for a delay of game. Could it be that a penalty had just saved Detroit? With almost no time left on the clock, Prater lined up to attempt a 48 yard field goal to test this theory. As before, the snap and hold were good. When the ball left his foot, it was as if everything was in slow motion. It seemed like an eternity, but after the heart stopping moments, the ball found its way through the goal post. The kick was good!! The Detroit Lions had just won a game that at one point seemed impossible to win. With this in mind, I’ve come to a conclusion that this is a team of destiny, there’s no question about it.