Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson: They're for Real and They're Spectacular

What a great pair.  A combination of above average size and perfect shape, they are what every fan hopes for.  Matthew Stafford, 32-of-46 for 378 yards and Calvin Johnson, seven catches for 108 yards with two TDs for both, were nothing short of amazing on Sunday.  What?  What’d ya think I was talking about?!

Sunday in Minneapolis, the Detroit Lions exercised their nearly 14-year demon with a victory under the Metrodome roof and remained undefeated as they blind-sided the Minnesota Vikings with a 26-23 overtime thriller.

The vexing Viking Horns fell silent as Jason Hanson’s 32-yard field goal attempt slid just inside the left upright less than two minutes into overtime sending the stunned East Dakota fan base home in disbelief as their Vikings had now led in every game this season at halftime, only to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory for the third consecutive week and tumble to 0-3.

Matthew Stafford struggled in the first half with only 64 yards passing at halftime.  Jared Allen and Brian Robison tormented the young quarterback early and often and chased right tackle, Gosder Cherilus out of the game in the first quarter.  Calvin Johnson had only one catch for seven yards in the first half and the script was becoming eerily familiar to Lions’ fans. 

How bad was it?  In the last minute of the second quarter Lions rookie punter, Ryan Donahue, was called for a personal foul face-mask penalty.  Really?  A face-mask penalty on a punter?  Three plays later, Donovan McNabb hit Visanthe Shiancoe for an 8-yard touchdown.

The score was 20-0 Vikings and you had to wonder what happened to the team that embarrassed the Kansas City Chiefs just one week ago?

The battle cry at halftime must have been, “last call for flight three dash zero heading to Detroit,” because after halftime the Lions showed up, but more importantly, Stafford and Johnson blew up. 

Less than six minutes into the third quarter, Stafford lobbed a perfect 32-yard fade-route that Johnson leaped and caught at its apex, putting the Lions on the board 20-7.

After a short Hanson field goad cut the lead in half, the Lions next possession was highlighted by Stafford’s screen pass to Jahvid Best, sprung by Johnson’s block on CB Husain Abdullah, that gained 60 yards and put the Lions 1st-and-goal at the 5-yard line.  The next play Stafford looked-off his primary receiver, Nate Burleson, slid to his right, and found Calvin for their second TD of the afternoon and cut the lead to 20-17.

As the comeback was on; Stafford stayed cool and poised, working his tight end Brandon Pettigrew into the game plan with an 11 catch, 112 yard performance.  More importantly, he remained unfazed by the rally.

"The dude, for missing two seasons (with injuries), he's so calm and collected and that whole attitude goes over the whole huddle," Johnson said. "He's our coach on the field. He's a great leader for us and he makes big plays." (NFL.com)

Big plays were plentiful in the second half, but just as impressive...no turnovers.  Stafford was sacked five times by Minnesota along with countless hurries and pressures that left him on his backside.  Sunday, he passed his physical.

 A 4th-and-1 stand by the defense  on the Lions' 17 was sandwiched between a Hanson 50-yard bomb to tie the game and the 20-year vet's third field goal of the day from 40 yards out that gave the Lions their first lead of the game 23-20.

On the ensuing possession; Donovan McNabb, who is now a mere facsimile of his Philadelphia Eagle, Chunky Soup schilling self, drove his Vikings into field goal range and faced a 3rd-and-5 from the Lions' 31.  Instead of gaining yardage for a game-tying field goal, McNabb launched a spirit-killing spiral to the end zone for Bernard Berrian.  Could it be?  Another loss in the Twin Cities?  After this type of comeback?

Not this team, not this time. 

The ball sailed harmlessly long and Ryan Longwell’s  49-yard boot tied the game at 23.

With a little over one minute to play, the Lions received the kickoff and promptly began moving backwards.  Jeff Backus gave his best impersonation of Jimmy Two Times from Goodfellas, with false start penalties on consecutive plays.  A punt and a failed Cal vs. Stanford play later, we were in overtime.

At the end of the game the TV camera panned over to Calvin Johnson and he had the look of a hungry boxer, just waiting for his chance.  His eyes were hardened and he carried a defiant look.  He had been on the short-end of so many games like this one and now with Stafford at the helm, he seemed to know what was about to transpire. 

From near midfield, Stafford launched a go-route to Calvin that left Megatron one-on-one against a Cover 3 Zone.  Calvin ran underneath the throw and cradled the ball with Say Hey Willie style that will be talked about throughout the season.  The 40-yard connection set-up the game winning kick by Hanson and the Lions stayed perfect at 3-0.

I’m sure Terri Hatcher never thought her famous line, or any derivative, from Seinfeld would ever make its way to a sports column, but it sure does fit.  Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson, they’re for real and they’re spectacular.