Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions finished the season with a 5-11 record and missed the playoffs for the fourth straight year, but at least their fans will have something to drown their sorrows in thanks to kicker Matt Prater.  

As Michael Rothstein of ESPN explained, Bud Light issued a challenge to Prater and Denver Broncos kicker Brandon McManus in July to see which one would make the longest field goal this season.

The winner's city would get free beer.

Prater's 59-yarder to defeat the Washington Football Team in Week 10 stood up as McManus finished the season with a long of 58. McManus could have won the challenge and Sunday's game for the Broncos, but the Las Vegas Raiders blocked his 63-yard attempt in the final seconds.

This is yet another accomplishment for Prater, who also holds the NFL record for the longest made field goal at 64 yards. He made that one in 2013 with the Broncos.

Lions fans surely enjoyed this one more.

A brutal roughing-the-passer call might have cost the Detroit Lions a chance to win their Week 17 game against the Minnesota Vikings, and a Lions family member vented her frustration.  

The wife of Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford, Kelly Stafford, ripped the officials on social media (warning: NFSW language):

The play in question occurred in the fourth quarter on a 4th-and-goal from the 1-yard line. Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins dropped back, and Lions safety Tracy Walker got what appeared to be a clean sack.

The referee immediately called a roughing-the-passer penalty, turning what could have been a turnover on downs into a first down for Minnesota. Cousins scored on a quarterback sneak two plays later, giving the Vikings a nine-point lead in what became a 37-35 final.

After the game, referee Adrian Hill told reporters that he believed the play in question was a "clear-cut penalty":

Detroit had nothing to play for but pride Sunday and ended the season 5-11 after four straight losses, but the circumstances of the latest loss certainly had to sting.

The Detroit Lions are reportedly interested in Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert to fill the same role in their organization, but the chances of convincing him to make the move are "beyond slim."

Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reported Sunday that Colbert signing another one-year contract extension with the Steelers is a "mere formality" following the 2021 NFL playoffs.

Colbert, a Pittsburgh native, has been with the Steelers organization since 2000. He started as the team's director of football operations before being named the first general manager in the storied franchise's history in 2011. The team had never previously used the job title.

He added the role of vice president to his responsibilities in 2016 but also remained the GM.

Colbert, who's viewed by members of the Lions organization as a candidate "uniquely positioned to get the long-suffering franchise back on track," has preferred to sign a series of one-year deals to maintain control over his future with retirement on the horizon, per La Canfora.

Instead, it sounds like he'll remain in Pittsburgh to navigate a potentially tricky offseason with the uncertain financial ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, outside linebacker Bud Dupree, inside linebacker Avery Williamson and offensive tackle Alejandro Villanueva headline the team's group of potential free agents, and there's some uncertainty at quarterback, as well.

Ben Roethlisberger, who's 38 and underwent elbow surgery in 2019, struggled to throw downfield during the Steelers' recent three-game losing streak. It raised questions about his NFL future, but he did bounce back with a three-touchdown performance in a win over the Indianapolis Colts last week.

At a minimum, Pittsburgh will likely start the hunt for Big Ben's successor during the offseason because it doesn't appear that person is already on the roster.

It all sets up a busy offseason in Pittsburgh, and it sounds like Colbert is set to remain in control of the front office throughout the process.

For now, the Steelers are focused on trying to chase down another Super Bowl title. They've already clinched a playoff berth heading into Sunday's regular-season finale against the AFC North rival Cleveland Browns, but their seeding could still change.

The Detroit Lions are expected to pursue Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider to fill the same position in their organization.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported the Lions are prioritizing Schneider in their search, hoping for a "blockbuster" move to turn around the team.

Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reported the Lions also "covet" Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert. However, the odds of Colbert leaving are "beyond slim."

Former Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff, Vikings VP of Player Personnel and assistant general manager George Paton, Colts assistant general manager Ed Dodds, Seahawks VP of Football Operations Scott Fitterer, Steelers VP of Football Administration Omar Khan, Cowboys VP of Player Personnel Will McClay and Patriots front-office consultant Eliot Wolf are also considered in the running.

The Lions and other teams would not be violating NFL tampering rules by negotiating with Schneider because coach Pete Carroll currently has the final say on football moves. Pursuing Schneider and giving him full control over personnel would amount to a promotion, which allows him to exit.

Schneider and Carroll have worked together since 2010, winning a Super Bowl and building one of the sport's most consistent franchises over the last decade. With Russell Wilson at the helm for the foreseeable future, there's no reason to believe the Seahawks will find themselves out of contention for at least the next half-decade.

The Lions would present the challenge of what could be a full-scale rebuild. Quarterback Matthew Stafford looks like a strong trade candidate this offseason after 12 seasons in Detroit, especially given the lack of blue-chip talent elsewhere on the roster. Whoever takes over as general manager will at least be tempted to strip the Lions down to their bare parts and end the wheel-spinning that's taken place the last couple of seasons.

If Schneider is intrigued by the idea of reshaping an organization in his image, the Lions job could be attractive. That said, there is something to be said for job stability, and Schneider could use outside interest to land a lucrative long-term extension in Seattle.

Paton, who has been a candidate for several top jobs in recent seasons, could be a fallback option for Detroit if Schneider chooses to stay put.

Detroit Lions head coach Darrell Bevell told reporters Thursday that wide receiver Kenny Golladay, who hasn't played since Nov. 1 because of a hip injury, will not take part in the team's season finale against the Minnesota Vikings.  

The 27-year-old has provided terrific value for the Lions since they selected him in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft. He topped 1,000 yards receiving in both 2018 and 2019 and led the league with 11 touchdown catches last year.

Golladay recorded 20 receptions for 338 yards and two scores in five appearances in 2020.

The Northern Illinois product missed five games as a rookie with a hamstring injury before playing 31 of a possible 32 games over the last two years. He was again sidelined by a hamstring issue before his hip injury this season, though.

Marvin Jones Jr. takes over as the Lions' No. 1 receiver whenever Golladay is out of the lineup. Danny Amendola, Mohamed Sanu and tight end T.J. Hockenson will also be involved in the aerial attack.

The timing of Golladay's injury-plagued season is unfortunate for both himself and the Lions as he'd started to push toward the upper echelon of wideouts over the past two years.

The high-end talent remains, but it's possible that he's played his last game in Detroit as he enters free agency this offseason.

Detroit Lions quarterback Matt Stafford suffered an ankle injury during the first half of Saturday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported he was ruled out for the remainder of the game, noting "down 34 points in the second half, this makes sense regardless of the injury."

Stafford was replaced by Chase Daniel.

Stafford, 32, has dealt with injury issues in 2020, battling through rib cartilage damage. Despite that injury, Stafford appeared in the team's first 14 games, throwing for 3,774 yards, 23 touchdowns and nine interceptions. 

After injuries affected him early in his career, Stafford didn't miss a start between the 2011-18 seasons, a remarkable run of durability. That came to a close in 2019, however, as the one-time Pro Bowler missed eight games with a back injury. 

For the Lions and Stafford, 2020 was yet again a disappointing campaign, as head coach Matt Patricia was fired following a 4-7 start, and the team will miss the postseason for a fourth straight year. Major changes are coming in Detroit, though Stafford seems entrenched as the team's starter. 

As for the short-term impact of Stafford's injury, Daniel will step into the lineup. The career backup is a step down from Stafford, though with Detroit already out of the playoff picture, it's basically a moot point. 

Detroit Lions interim head coach Darrell Bevell will miss Saturday's Week 16 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers because of COVID-19 protocols.

Wide receivers coach Robert Prince will take over as head coach, and quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan will handle offensive play-calling responsibilities.

Bevell took over the Lions' staff Nov. 28 after the franchise fired Matt Patricia following a Thanksgiving Day loss to the Houston Texans that dropped the team's record to 4-7.

Detroit scored a 34-30 victory over the Chicago Bears in his first game leading the staff. It's since dropped matchups with two of the NFL's title contenders, the Green Bay Packers and Tennessee Titans, and been eliminated from playoff contention.

Bevell told reporters Detroit requested the game against the Bucs be moved to Sunday, which would have allowed the coaches to clear quarantine, but the NFL denied the request.

"Obviously kind of disappointed with how this information came back to us. But it's kind of the times we're living in right now," he said. "And so it was not unexpected. Have to be ready for everything, be ready to adjust."

Prince, 55, will be operating as a head coach for the first time in his 31-year coaching career, which began as a graduate assistant at Humboldt State in 1989.

He's worked as the Lions' wide receivers coach since 2014 after spending the two previous seasons as the offensive coordinator at Boise State.

While he's not a household name, Prince has gained the respect of Detroit's wideouts with an unmatched ethic and by helping them improve.

"One of the best coaches I've ever had," Danny Amendola told Kyle Meinke of MLive in September.

"He brings the energy," Marvin Jones Jr. said. "Everything we do in terms of running, whether it's after-practice conditioning and all that stuff, I'm sure you've seen it. He runs with us. He's training with us.”

Kenny Golladay, who developed from a 28-catch rookie in 2017 to become the NFL leader in touchdown catches in 2019, told Meinke that Prince was a major reason for his growth.

"Man, to be honest, it's huge," Golladay said. "RP played a huge role in just believing in me from the jump. He wasn't fillin' up my head with smoke coming in as a rookie. ... It was teaching me how to be a professional. How to come into work every day, you know?"

Now Prince is being thrust into the spotlight on short notice to lead the Lions' makeshift coaching staff against a championship contender in Tampa Bay. It's a tough assignment to say the least.

Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday at 1 p.m. ET on the NFL Network.

The Detroit Lions won't have several coaches with them for the time being because of contact tracing stemming from COVID-19 test results. 

"This morning our COVID-19 test results yielded no new positive tests," the team said in a statement. "As a result of the contact tracing process, several coaches will remain away from the team facility until further notice."

The Lions are planning to conduct virtual meetings on Wednesday morning and "anticipate conducting an outdoor practice" in the afternoon. 

Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, interim head coach Darrell Bevell is among the coaches considered a close contact and may not be available for Week 16 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

Rapoport noted the team is "still determining" who will be able to coach this week. 

The Lions announced on Tuesday they were informed that two members of the organization tested positive for the coronavirus, and they were closing their facilities as a precaution to undergo contact tracing protocols. 

Later in the day, the team placed Anthony Pittman on the reserve/COVID-19 practice squad list. 

The reserve/COVID-19 list is used for players who have either tested positive for the virus or have been deemed a high-risk close contact of someone who tested positive. 

The Lions are preparing to host the Bucs on Saturday at Ford Field on a short week after playing Sunday. 

The Detroit Lions announced they have closed their practice facility after two members of the organization tested positive for COVID-19.

The team will conduct meetings virtually for at least Tuesday. Meetings are conducted virtually, unless approved by the NFL, by all teams under the league's intensive COVID-19 protocols. 

Defensive end Everson Griffen, quarterback Matthew Stafford, linebacker Jarrad Davis, practice squad safety Jalen Elliott and a team staff member were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list earlier this season. The NFL does not disclose whether a person has tested positive or had been in close contact with a person who had tested positive.

The Lions' statement Tuesday did not indicate whether the positive tests were players or staff members.

Detroit plays the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday. If further positive tests are found, the NFL could move the game to Sunday or into the following week. Games have been played as late as Wednesday this season due to COVID outbreaks. 

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is preparing to play Sunday, a week after he sustained a rib injury in a loss to the Green Bay Packers, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

The 32-year-old was hurt on a scramble in the fourth quarter. He stayed on the field for Kerryon Johnson's two-yard touchdown run but came to the sideline holding his left side. Chase Daniel took over at quarterback for the rest of the game.

Interim head coach Darrell Bevell told reporters Monday that X-rays of Stafford's chest showed no fractures.

Stafford, who also has a partially torn ligament in his thumb that he suffered in Week 10, missed practice Wednesday and Thursday and was limited Friday.

He told reporters Wednesday he was assessing his injury ahead of the trip to face the 9-4 Tennessee Titans:

"I think it kind of boils down to being able to operate, you know? Don't want it to be one of those things where you go out there and do something weird early, and you're out after the first series of the game or something.

"I'm gonna have to rest, but I'm not counting myself out. Just trying to see how it progresses throughout the week."

Through 13 games, the Lions' franchise star has thrown for 3,522 yards with 22 touchdowns, nine interceptions and a 63.9 completion percentage.

Daniel has collected 123 yards on 11-of-19 passing with one score and one pick through his two appearances.

The Titans can secure a playoff spot Sunday if they win and the Baltimore Ravens lose or with a win and a Miami Dolphins loss plus a Cleveland Browns win or tie. The Lions would need to sweep the rest of their games and get some major help to make the postseason.