Lions pivotal play of Week 6: Key stop turns into scoring drive

The Detroit Lions beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 34-16. With a key stop, the Lions scored on their next drive and rode to victory.

The Detroit Lions did what they needed to do in Week 6 and secured their second victory of the season, taking care of the Jacksonville Jaguars by a score of 34-16.

The Lions looked like a brand new defense after the bye week, only allowing 44 yards on the ground to the Jaguars, where the Lions were previously averaging 170 rushing allowed on this season. Additionally, they dialed up several timely blitzes, found a way to pressure Gardner Minshew, and forced two turnovers.

On offense, the Lions leaned on rookie running back D’Andre Swift, who put together a 116 rush yard, two-touchdown performance, leading a newfound resurgence in the running game.

The pivotal point in the game came in the third quarter, with the Lions leading 17-3, and Matthew Stafford had just thrown an interception deep in their zone. If the Jaguars were able to rally and score, it would’ve brought the contest to a one-score game.

Thankfully, the defense continued its stout play and helped keep the Lions chances of winning this game alive. After forcing a Jaguars to a fourth down, Jacksonville opted to go for it due to their kicking woes. Amani Oruwariye was able to break up the pass intended for D.J Chark and force a turnover on downs.

On the ensuing drive, the Lions would begin 86 yards from paydirt but the offense was up to the task. After a pass to Marvin Jones, a couple of short runs from Adrian Peterson, and a nice catch and run from Danny Amendola, the Lions were looking to be in business.

A Stafford hard count was able to draw the Jaguars offsides giving them a free play, and he was able to find Kenny Golladay 48 yards down the field setting up the offense right at the goal line.

Stafford found Golladay again, putting the ball at the one-yard line and two plays later the Lions punched it with a T.J Hockenson fourth-down touchdown catch — the 265th touchdown pass of his career, giving Stafford at least one touchdown pass versus all 31 NFL opponents.

The Lions were up 24-3 after that score and controlled the rest of the game thereafter, nailing down the win.

Between the shutdown run defense and a commitment to the running game, there was plenty to like from the Lions victory over the Jaguars. The Lions will be heading to Atlanta next week to face the Falcons and hope to continue this upward trajectory.