Normally the Detroit Lions win the special teams battle. It’s been one of the few things the Lions have reliably done well in 2019. But in Washington, the special teams not only failed to be an asset, they also bore a significant portion of the blame for the loss.
Matt Prater missed his first field goal attempt. His 39-yard attempt into the wind fluttered wide right like a hummingbird getting blown by an industrial fan. Missed field goals in inclement conditions happen to everyone, even Prater, but it was still a critical miss for a team that lost by three points.
Prater made his next attempt, but the ensuing kickoff was an unmitigated disaster. Normally Sam Martin kicks off, and he’s one of the best at placing the kicks. Prater left this one a few yards shorter than ideal, and the tackling and containment on Steven Sims was simply dreadful,
Martin wasn’t healthy enough to handle the kickoff duties. He wasn’t particularly good at his regular punting gig, either. His first punt–from the Washington 39–pinned the Skins at their own 5-yard line. He couldn’t pin them inside the 20 on any of his other three punts that were well within the distance of making that happen.
It wasn’t just the guys who make their living with their feet who struggled.
Detroit fielded six Washington kickoffs. Ty Johnson had two returns, getting the Lions to start at their own 24 and own 30. It’s not awful, but it’s not helping.
With Jamal Agnew inactive due to injury, speedy Marvin Hall took over as the primary punt return man. He probably won’t get that opportunity again. Aside from Hall leaving the game on crutches, his decision to field a punt inside his own 2-yard line while running backward cost the Lions 18 yards. That’s an extra first down the team couldn’t afford to surrender. Being reminded of Stefan Logan is never a good thing for a Lions return man.
