Sep 8, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) celebrates after catching a pass in the end zone for a touchdown in the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field. The play was ruled no touchdown after being reviewed. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Last week the Detroit Lions receiver Calvin Johnson, also known as ‘Megatron’, was pretty much missing from the box score. He had just four receptions for 37 yards. He did however have two touchdowns taken away by close calls that appeared to be correctly ruled. Ironically, he was done in by the rule established because of him a few years ago, keeping possession throughout the catch.
Last season against the Arizona Cardinals, he had 10 receptions for 121 yards but also without a score. In that game he was targeted 17 times. His longest reception was 30 yards. Last week he was targeted nine times and his longest reception went for 13 yards.
In the Lions loss to the Cards in 2009, ‘Megatron’ had just three receptions for 35 yards and in their loss to the Cards in 2007, he also had just three receptions. So, the Cards have proven they can contain him, however the Cards young group in the defensive backfield may have a tough time containing him on Sunday. By far his best outing against the Cards was last season. If not for the missed opportunities last week, he would have been considered to have a great week.
He gets the attention that Cards receiver Larry Fitzgerald gets but sometimes even that is not good enough. Ask the St. Louis Rams. Fitz seemed tied up at times but last week he found a way to get free for a couple of touchdowns. I would not be surprised to see ‘Megatron’ get his first touchdown against the Cards this week, especially given the way the defense allowed Rams quarterback Sam Bradford move up and down the field last week. It’ll be one of the matchups I’m most interested in watching this Sunday.