More

    Alex Anzalone etched himself into Detroit Lions lore on SNF

    By Tayyib Abu
    3 min. read

    In another reality, Alex Anzalone would not have needed to suit up for the Detroit Lions in Week 18.

    The hard-hitting Linebacker suffered a nasty forearm injury six weeks ago.
    At the time, it felt like Anzalone would miss the rest of the regular season.

    And had Sunday Night’s Football Week 18 finale not been for the NFC North title, Anzalone would have sat out.

    But such were the stakes, the former New Orleans Saint had to suit up.

    What Anzalone preceded to do on the Ford Field turf has cemented his place in Detroit Lions history.

    Anzalone’s Return for the Ages

    The Lions were coy all week on Anzalone’s status for Week 18. But the whole world knew the Lions needed their defensive captain on the field.

    Anzalone’s status trended positively throughout the week, and the Lions listed him as questionable on Friday.

    However, doubt still lingered. On Saturday afternoon, the Lions activated Anzalone. Sunday morning, Ian Rapoport stated that Anzalone would be on a ‘snap count.’

    Hours before kick-off, Anzalone took to social media to share the wound on his forearm.

    The former Florida Gator put a cast over his arm and was the last Lion to run out of the tunnel for player introductions. Ford Field erupted. And Anzalone was ready to go.

    A Performance To Remember

    As the game settled into the first quarter, it was clear that Anzalone was not on a snap count. The veteran flew around the field in trademark kamikaze fashion. He was an integral part of the Lions’ 31-9 win.

    Whether blitzing Sam Darnold, rallying to tackles or playing in coverage, Anzalone did it all. ‘Thor’ played 64 snaps out of a possible 65. He led the team in tackles, with seven and notched one quarterback hit and one defended pass.

    But Anzalone’s impact went beyond his box-score statistics. The veteran’s presence helped inspire the Lions to an outstanding defensive performance.

    Anzalone worked brilliantly with fellow Linebacker Jack Campbell. In particular, the duo worked excellently when rushing the passer. Anzalone would blitz first.

    He attacked gaps with speed and occupied the Minnesota Vikings’ linemen. That allowed Jack Campbell to loop around, create pressure and get to Sam Darnold.

    Furthermore, Anzalone did not miss a beat in pass coverage. He manfully defended TJ Hockenson on several reps; while many pundits expected Hockenson to have a big performance, the former Lion tallied two receptions for nine yards.

    On Monday Night Football, the Lions saw George Kittle rumble for yards. Kittle attacked Detroit’s Linebackers and exposed them. Anzalone’s return provided the safety blanket the Lions required.

    That was partly down to how Anzalone and Campbell communicated. You could see the tag team constantly communicating with one another.

    The pre-snap communication was spot on. It was admirable how they passed off receivers, went through their checks, and managed their teammates in a deafening environment.

    Lions fans have experienced eras where players would find a reason not to play. Others would find a reason not to go the extra mile. It was easy as it was Detroit, and the team did not matter.

    Two years ago, Dan Campbell told his players that it would not matter if they had ‘one ass cheek and three toes’. Anzalone exhibited that with a busted forearm and game rustiness.

    He energized his teammates, energized the fans and played with pure grit. He deservedly earned a game ball.

    Alex Anzalone joined the Lions in 2021. He has witnessed this journey from the start. He was adamant that Detroit’s defense was good enough to win a Super Bowl. The 30-year-old delivered on Sunday night.

    At the post-game press conference, Anzalone summed up the performance in one sentence:

    “That was a statement.”

     

     

    Latest articles

    Related articles