Handing out 2 game balls for Lions’ preseason win over Falcons

I want to start things off by saying we are sending out all of the positive thoughts and prayers to Detroit Lions safety Morice Norris. Football is a beautiful game, but as we know, it is also a violent one. Respect to Lions coach Dan Campbell and Atlanta Falcons coach Raheem Morris for recognizing the situation in the preseason, and agreeing to leave the game as it is.

Prior to the game ending early in the fourth quarter, there were some good moments from some promising young areas of the Lions roster—including the first two draft picks from their 2025 draft class. On offense, right guard Tate Ratledge looked at home against Atlanta. He was really strong in pass protection, consistently stonewalling would-be pass rushers. And on the ground, he flashed shades of dominance, including on this run where he looks like he is throwing somebody out of the club.

On the defensive side of the football, Tyleik Williams got plenty of run in the first half, and displayed a lot of what we saw on his Ohio State film—power at the point of attack and heavy hands.

However, I am going with another member of the 2025 draft class for my first game ball: wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa.

Lions game ball: Isaac TeSlaa

Credit to the young player for steadying the ship after a rocky start that included two first quarter penalties—one for an illegal block below the waist, and another for an illegal pick play on a pass where running back Craig Reynolds got blasted. The hit ended up being flagged for unnecessary roughness, but was offset to the offensive pass interference called on TeSlaa.

Instead of getting in his own head in what was only his second preseason game of his career, TeSlaa just kept at it and began making plays as the half wore on. He converted a fourth down in the red zone early in the second quarter, and made a fantastic high-point catch for a score just before the two=minute warning that gave the Lions a 7-3 lead.

He also had a big-time block on a screen to Tom Kennnedy that resulted in a first down for the Lions’ offense.

My other game ball is going to a player who is clearly doing everything he can to make the active roster, defensive end Nate Lynn.

Game ball #2: EDGE Nate Lynn

Lynn registered a sack where he was able to beat the tackle’s hands off the edge, and logged another tackle for loss, two tackles, and a quarterback hit in what was a really productive night for Lynn and others along the defensive line.

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