Win Probability Added: +20.71
NEP: +6.89
Not only is Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate part of a balanced breakfast, but he’s also an intriguingly impactful playmaker for the NFC North division leaders. Tate had a rough start to the year, but he has begun to grow into his role as the reliable possession option for quarterback Matthew Stafford. Still, who says slot receivers can’t break the game open from time to time as well?
Early in the fourth quarter of Detroit’s contest with the New Orleans Saints, Tate lined up wide right. Stafford took the snap as Tate ran a fly route straight downfield. The Saints’ defensive front crashed into Stafford as he threw, creating a wobbling, lofting duck the 5’10” Tate would have to contest for. As it turned out, there was no safety help over the top and Tate had left his cornerback in the dust. He secured the ball and turned on the jets to evade his pursuers, scoring a 66-yard touchdown to put the Lions up by two scores.