MNF Week 15. Lions vs Ravens

***MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL AT FORD FIELD***

The Detroit Lions control their own playoff destiny. Here's what's at stake with tonight's Lions-Ravens game on Monday Night Football. 

If the Lions win they move back into a tie with Chicago for first place in the NFC North and own the tie-break against the Bears.

If the Lions lose tonight they are going to fall all the way back to third place behind Chicago and Green Bay with only two games left. As we've been saying, Lions must win all remaining games. A Wild Card berth is not an option with several other divisional teams having better records than the Lions..

The Ravens are in desperation mode as well. They must win all their remaining games just to have a hope of winning their division and making the playoffs.

The Lions are more productive than the Ravens with 346 points while the Ravens defense is slightly better allowing fewer points (261).

The Lions are asking everybody attending tonight's game to wear their Honolulu Blue for a "Blue Out" for Monday Night Football!

Ravens are (1-5) away from their bird cage, Lions should win this comfortably by 10!

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DETROIT LIONS ANNOUNCE "ONE PRIDE BLUE OUT" FOR MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

The Detroit Lions encourage fans throughout Michigan to wear blue apparel on Monday, Dec. 16 to celebrate Monday Night Football at Ford Field.

in celebration of Monday Night Football at Ford Field, the Detroit Lions have announced a “One Pride Blue Out” for Monday, December 16, 2013. 

In conjunction with their broadcast partners WXYZ Channel 7 and 97.1 “The Ticket”, the Lions ask fans throughout the state of Michigan to participate in the “Blue Out” by wearing blue apparel all day on Monday. Companies and schools are asked to encourage their employees and student to participate.
 

Fans attending the Monday Night Football game at Ford Field are also asked to wear blue.

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LIONS FAST FACTS

Career Franchise Passing Record
QB Matthew Stafford threw for 362 yards at Pittsburgh and set the franchise record for career passing yards previous set by Hall of Fame QB Bobby Layne (15,710). With 362 yards against the Steelers, he now has 16,005 in 55 career games. He broke the record on his 79-yard touchdown pass to WR Calvin Johnson in the second quarter.

Stafford is now the first player in team history to throw for 16,000 career passing yards.

Stafford broke Layne’s record, which has stood for 55 seasons (1958), in only his 55th career game. Layne reached 15,710 yards in 97 career games.  

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Lions Fast Facts - Week 10

NFL RECORD ALL-TIME RECEIVING YARDS PER GAME

At Chicago (11/10), Calvin Johnson played in his 100th career game and qualified (minimum 100 games) as the NFL’s all-time leader in receiving yards per game with an average of 87.4 (8,740 yards). He broke the previous mark of 81.5 held by Texans WR Andre Johnson. 

SECOND-MOST RECEIVING YARDS THROUGH 100 GAMES

Johnson’s 83 yards at Chicago increases his career receiving yards to total to 8,740. He has now accumulated the second-most receiving yards in NFL history by a player in his first 100 games. 

With 83 yards, he moved past WR Randy Moss (8,680) for second on that list. The all-time record is held by Hall of Fame WR Lance Alworth with 9,019. 

RECEPTION IN FIRST 100 GAMES

With six receptions at Chicago, Johnson has now caught one pass in each of his first 100 games. He is the sixth player in NFL history to catch a pass in their first 100 games (Marshall Faulk, Marvin Harrison, Keyshawn Johnson, Randy Moss and Jeremy Shockey). 

CATCHING TWO

Johnson extended his franchise record of career games with 2+ touchdown receptions at Chicago (11/10) by recording the 12th of his career. This marks his third game of the 2013 season with 2+ touchdown receptions. 

With three games with 2+ receiving touchdowns, this marks the second time in his career he has at least three games with 2+ receiving touchdowns. In 2011, en route to a team-record 16 receiving touchdowns, Johnson had two receiving touchdowns in five different games. 

The Detroit Lions visit the Pittsburgh Steelers in a Week 11 road matchup this Sunday with kickoff set for 1 p.m. ET.

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DETROIT LIONS VS. DALLAS COWBOYS POSTGAME NOTES

In the Detroit Lions’ 31-30 comeback win vs. the Dallas Cowboys, WR Calvin Johnson recorded the second-most single-game receiving yards in NFL history with 329 on 14 receptions (23.5 avg). His 329 yards set a franchise record for most yards in a single game as he broke the previous best set by E Cloyce Box (302) vs. Baltimore October 27, 1950. He finished just seven yards shy of the all-time record set by Los Angeles Rams WR Flipper Anderson vs. New Orleans November 26, 1989. Johnson’s 329 yards are the most by a player in NFL history during a regulation game. In Anderson’s NFL record 336-yard game, 40 yards occurred in overtime. Anderson finished regulation with 296 receiving yards. Johnson is the fifth player in NFL history to record 300 yards in a game and the second in Lions history (302, E Cloyce Box vs. Baltimore 12/3/50). Among his 14 receptions, Johnson recorded catches of (order of longest) 87, 54, 29, 26, 22 and 21. He now holds five of the Lions Top-7 single game best in terms of receiving yards. NFL RECORD TWO-GAME TOTALS With 155 yards last week vs. Cincinnati and 329 yards this week vs. Dallas, Johnson set a new NFL record for the most receiving yards in a two-game span with 484 yards (courtesy of Elias Sports Bureau). Johnson’s 484 yards the past two games broke the previous record set by Houston WR Andre Johnson in 2012. MEGATRON 200 With 329 yards today in the Lions’ win, Johnson registered his fifth career 200-yard receiving game and tied Hall of Fame WR Lance Alworth for the most in NFL history. He has registered a 200-yard game in each of the past three seasons, including two in 2011 and two in 2012. All five of Johnson’s career 200-yard games have occurred in the past 26 games he has played, dating back to a 214-yard outing at Oakland December 18, 2011. JOHNSON’S 150-YARD GAMES With 329 receiving yards vs. Dallas, Johnson registered his 11th career game of 150+ receiving yards. Johnson is the fifth player (tied for fourth-most) in NFL history to record 150 yards 11 times in the player’s first 100 games. His 329-yard game marked the first time in Johnson’s career he has registered 150+ yards in back-to-back games. He joins Lions E Cloyce Box (172 vs. Chicago Bears 12/7/52; 202 vs. Dallas 12/13/52) as the only players in franchise history with back-to-back 150+-yard games. JOHNSON’S 100-YARD GAMES By reaching 100 yards today vs. the Dallas Cowboys, Johnson (329) recorded his 36thcareer 100-yard game and become the third player in NFL history to collect 36 100-yard receiving games in his first 100 games. Today’s game marks Johnson’s 99th career game. He trails only WR Lance Alworth (40) and WR Randy Moss (39) for the most in a player’s first 100 career games. So far in 2013, Johnson has four 100-yard games this season. TALE OF BOTH HALVES Johnson recorded 150+ yards in both the first and second half of today’s game, with 156 in the first half and 173 yards in the second half. Johnson’s 156 yards are the most he has accumulated in the first half of game during his career. It surpasses the 119 yards he gained in the first half at Chicago October 4, 2009. His 156 yards in the first half are the most by a Lions receiver since WR Roy Williams had 167 yards at Philadelphia September 23, 2007. His second-half total of 173 registers as a career high in the second half, breaking the previous high of 171 accomplished twice (at Green Bay 1/1/12 and at Minnesota 11/11/12). SINGLE-GAME RECEPTIONS RECORD Not only did Johnson break the franchise record for receiving yards in a game, he also tied the team record for receptions in a game with 14. He tied the single-game record set by WR Herman Moore vs. Chicago December 4, 1995. Johnson now holds three of the team’s nine games with 12+ receptions, which also surpassed Moore and WR Brett Perriman (2) for the most in team history. TALLY OF 10 With 14 receptions today, it marks Johnson’s 10th career game with 10+ receptions, setting a new record for the most games with 10+ receptions in team history (WR Herman Moore, 9; 1991-2001). JOHNSON’S LONG CATCH In Johnson’s 329-yard record breaking performance, he registered an 87-yard reception on his first catch of the game. The 87-yard reception led to his two-yard touchdown catch four plays later to give the Lions a 7-0 lead. The 87-yard reception is tied for the second-longest of his career and was his third reception of 85+yards. It was the longest of his career that did not result in a touchdown and the longest in team history that did not result in touchdown. Now with four career receptions of 75+ yards, Johnson tied WR Leonard Thompson (4) for the most in franchise history. He now has two 70+-yard receptions on the season (72t at Arizona 9/15). Today was the second time in Johnson’s career he recorded two catches of 50+ yards in a single game. At Houston (10/19/08). Johnson had a 96-yard touchdown and a 58-yard receptions LEADERS THROUGH 100 Johnson’s 329-yard effort vs. Dallas moved him up the list of receiving yards by players in their first 100 career games. After 99 games, he has netted 8,657 yards, the third-most in NFL history. Today, he passed WR Torry Holt (8,598) for third place and Hall of Fame WR Jerry Rice (8,488) for the fourth-most receiving yards in NFL history among players in the their first 100 games. TOTAL CAREER TOUCHDOWNS Johnson’s two-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter vs. Dallas (10/27) was the 62nd touchdown (receiving and rushing) of his career. He tied WR Herman Moore (62) for the second most total touchdowns in team history. In 99 career games, Johnson has 62 total touchdowns, including 61 touchdown receptions. His only rushing touchdown occurred on a 32-yard rush vs. Tampa Bay October 21, 2007. STAFFORD’S CAREER COMEBACKS QB Matthew Stafford led the Lions to a last-minute 31-30 win over the Dallas Cowboys today as he completed 33-of-48 passes (68.8 pct) for 488 yards and one touchdown. He also scored on a one-yard dive with 12 seconds left to play in regulation after he led the team on a six-play, 80-yard drive in 50 seconds (took possession with 1:02 left). Stafford has now tallied 12 career game-winning drives when trailing or tied in the fourth quarter or in overtime. He has now engineered eight game-winning drives after the two-minute warning in the fourth quarter or in overtime, with five of those drives completed with game-winning touchdown passes. Game-Winning Drives (Trailing/Tied) with 2:00 left in 4th Qtr or OT FASTEST TO 15,000 Stafford’s 488 passing yards vs. Dallas moved him past 15,000 career yards as he did so in his 53rd career game. He reached 15,000 career yards faster than any player in NFL history, surpassing the previous high of 56 games set by Hall of Fame QB Dan Marino, QB Kurt Warner and QB Marc Bulger (Courtesy Elias Sports Bureau). Stafford is now the second player in Lions history to pass for 15,000 yards, joining Hall of Fame QB Bobby Layne (15,710) as the only Lions passers in team history with 15,000 yards. He went over 15,000 career yards on his 87-yard connection in the first quarter to WR Calvin Johnson. STAFFORD’S 488 PASSING YARDS In the Lions’ 31-30 win over Dallas, Stafford passed for 488 yards, including 79 on the game-winning drive with less than one-minute to playw. It was as the second-highest single-game total in team history and the most in a Lions’ win. Today’s tally trails only Stafford’s 520 yards at Green Bay January 1, 2012. His 488 yards are also the most at home by a Lions quarterback in team history. Stafford now has six career games with 400+ passing yards in his first five NFL seasons, trailing only Hall of Famer Dan Marino (7) for the most such games in the first five seasons of a career in NFL history (courtesy NFL and Elias Sports Bureau). Today’s 488 passing yards by Stafford was his sixth 400-yard game and 21st 300-yard game of his career. Stafford holds six of the team’s nine 400+-yard games in franchise history. Since the beginning of the 2011 season, Stafford has now registered 300 yards in 20 of his 40 starts. He also accumulated his 14th career 350-yard game. 33 PASS COMPLETIONS In the Lions’ 31-30 win, Stafford completed 33 passes against Dallas, which ties for the sixth-highest single-game tally in Lions history. Of the 11 games in Lions history where a passer completed 33+ passes, Stafford now owns six of those games. TEAM OFFENSIVE OUTPUT In Detroit’s 31-30 comeback win over Dallas, the Lions set a franchise single-game record by accumulatin 638 total offensive yards (143 rushing, 480 passing). They broke the previous record of 583 yards set last year at Tennessee (9/23/12) in an overtime game. Today’s game marked the first time in team history that the Lions offense accumulated over 600 total yards in a game. NET TOTAL YARDS DIFFERENTIAL Detroit garnered 623 total yards vs. Dallas and allowed 268 total offensive yards by the Cowboys. The net yards differential equates to 355 yards, which represents the most tallied by the Lions since they netted a 376-yard difference (509 yards; 133 yards allowed) at San Francisco November 3, 1963 120 TOTAL YARDS RB Reggie Bush rushed for 92 yards and registered 30 receiving yards to tally 122 total yards from scrimmage. In seven games played this year, he has totaled 120+ yards four times. Detroit running backs have now tallied 120+ total yards in five of the team’s eight games, including RB Joique Bell’s 132-yard game at Washington (9/22). GREAT TIMING WR Kris Durham, who finished the game with four catches for 54 yards, picked a great time to record his career long reception. With 40-seconds left to play and trailing 30-24, the Lions faced a 2nd-and-10 at the Detroit 37-yard line. Durham streaked down the sideline and registered a career long 40-yard reception that moved the ball down to the Dallas 23-yard line. LIONS LONGEVITY C Dominic Raiola played in his 196th career game today against the Dallas Cowboys. In Week 4 vs. Chicago (10/29), Raiola moved past T Jeff Backus for the third-most career games played in team history. He also set a new franchise record for the most games played by a Lions offensive player and the most games played by a Lions interior (offensive or defensive) lineman. LB Stephen Tulloch played in his 120th consecutive game today vs. Dallas. Tulloch now has the second-most consecutive games played among active defensive players in the NFL. Washington LB London Fletcher has the most with 246.

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Detroit Lions to Play in London England in 2014

2014 INTERNATIONAL SERIES GAMES CONFIRMED JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS vs. DALLAS COWBOYS, ATLANTA FALCONS vs. DETROIT LIONS, OAKLAND RAIDERS vs. MIAMI DOLPHINS AT LONDON’S WEMBLEY STADIUM The 2014 International Series games are set and an unprecedented six teams will play a regular-season game in London next season. The JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS will host the DALLAS COWBOYS, the ATLANTA FALCONS will host the DETROIT LIONS and the OAKLAND RAIDERS will host the MIAMI DOLPHINS at London’s Wembley Stadium next season. NFL Commissioner ROGER GOODELL confirmed the match-ups today at a luncheon with sports journalists in London. The dates and times of the games will be announced at a later date. “Our fans in the UK continue to demonstrate their passion for more football,” Goodell said. “Next year for the first time we will play three regular-season games in London. We have scheduled three attractive games with four teams playing in their first International Series game. The growing enthusiasm for the NFL internationally is exciting and we look forward to continuing to respond to this interest in our game.” The Jaguars, who face the San Francisco 49ers in London on Sunday, committed to playing a home game in the UK in 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016, all at Wembley. Miami will make its second visit to London for a regular-season game after hosting the New York Giants in the inaugural International Series contest in 2007. Atlanta, Dallas, Detroit, and Oakland will all play their first international regular-season game next season. The International Series has increased NFL fan interest in the UK, with a current fan base of more than 12 million, including 2.5 million avid fans, a 30 percent increase in avid fans in the past two years. The Minnesota Vikings’ thrilling 34-27 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in London on September 29 drew a crowd of 83,518 to Wembley. The day before, more than 520,000 people attended a football festival on London’s famed Regent Street, enjoying football-themed games and attractions, including visits from Vikings’ and Steelers’ players and coaches. Television ratings have shown substantial growth in the UK since 2006 – with Sunday viewership of NFL games almost doubling and the Super Bowl audience having increased 75 percent. The league also has developed new and stronger business partnerships. Participation in amateur football in the UK has risen since the start of the International Series, growing by approximately 15 percent per year since 2007.

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LIONS HIGH SCHOOL COACH OF THE WEEK 3

Detroit, MI—The Detroit Lions have named Mike Smith of Lapeer West High School the week three recipient of the 2013 High School Football Coach of the Week Program. Smith led his Panthers to a 19-13 victory over cross town rival Lapeer East on September 13 to claim their third victory of the season. This game marked the final game in the 39 year rivalry as both schools will be merging at the end of the school year. In his 29th season at Lapeer West, 16th as head coach, Smith has directed Lapeer West to 11 state playoff appearances. Smith was the defensive coordinator at Lapeer West when the Panthers won the 1995 Class A State Championship. This Friday, Lapeer West, ranked #7 in Division 3, will look to go 4-0 as take on Flint Metro League foe Swartz Creek. In addition to his accomplishments on the field, Smith and the Lapeer West Athletic Department are proactive in terms of promoting player health and safety. ImPACT Concussion testing is administered for every athlete during the pre-season of their 7th, 9th and 11th grade year. Coaches and the school athletic trainer have implemented a thorough return to play protocol for concussions as well a heat and humidity policy endorsed by the Michigan High School Athletic Association. All coaches are concussion, CPR and AED certified.

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LIONS TO HOST MNF THIRD STRAIGHT SEASON, HOST PACK ON TURKEY DAY

LIONS ANNOUNCE 2013 SCHEDULE


Detroit to host Monday Night Football Game for Third-Straight Season; Set to Face Green Bay on Thanksgiving for 21st Time

Allen Park, Mich. – The Detroit Lions announced their full 2013 season schedule today. For the third-straight season, Detroit will host ESPN’s Monday Night Football when the defending Super Bowl Champions Baltimore Ravens travel to Ford Field Monday, December 16 at 8:40 p.m.

This season marks the first time the Lions will play on MNF in three-straight seasons since 1994-96 and will host a MNF game three-straight years since they had MNF games each season from 1981-84.

The schedule also features the Lions’ 74th Thanksgiving Day Classic Thursday, November 28 at 12:30 p.m. ET vs. the Green Bay Packers. This year’s game marks the 21st meeting between the Lions and Packers on Thanksgiving and the sixth time since 2001. Detroit has played Green Bay more than any other opponent in the Thanksgiving Day series and holds an 11-8-1 (.579) advantage.

In Week 1, Detroit will kick off the regular season at home for the second-consecutive season when they host the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field (September 9, 1 p.m.; FOX) in an NFC North clash. The last time the Lions opened at home in back-to-back seasons was 2005-06.

The 2013 season opener is just the second time in franchise history the Lions will host the Vikings on opening day. The teams have played four previous times on opening day, with the Lions traveling to Minnesota three times (1986, 1987 and 1996) and once at home (1971).

The Lions Bye Week occurs during Week 9 (Sunday, November 3) of the NFL season.

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DETROIT LIONS NAME MARCUS ROBERTSON SECONDARY COACH

Allen Park, Mich.—The Detroit Lions announced today that they have named Marcus Robertson as the team’s secondary coach.

This year marks his 23rd season in the NFL and his seventh season as a coach, specializing in the defensive backfield. From 2007-11, he coached five NFL seasons with the Tennessee Titans where he started as an assistant secondary coach (2007-08) and finished as their secondary coach (2009-11).

Robertson’s first season assisting with the secondary was 2007. That season the Titans improved from 27th to 10th in pass defense and from 32nd to fifth in overall yardage allowed.

In 2008, three of the four Tennessee secondary players (CB Cortland Finnegan, S Chris Hope, S Michael Griffin) were invited to the Pro Bowl for the first time in their careers. Overall, the defensive backs collected 19 interceptions, which ranked second in the NFL in interceptions by a secondary. The Titans ranked ninth in pass defense and seventh in total defense.

Robertson was promoted to secondary coach in 2009, and the Titans finished that season eighth in the NFL in interceptions (20) and second in interceptions returned for touchdown (4). Over the span of his three seasons coaching Tennessee’s secondary (2009-11), the Titans were second in the NFL in average passing yards/completion (10.55).

Robertson played 12 NFL seasons after being drafted out of Iowa State in the fourth round by the Houston Oilers in 1991. He played his first 10 seasons in Houston/Tennessee and finished his career with Seattle (2001-02). Robertson’s NFL career was highlighted by All-Pro seasons in 1993 and 1997. He played in 157 games (144 starts) with 851 tackles, 24 interceptions and 1.5 sacks.

After Robertson’s playing career ended with the Seahawks, he returned to the Titans as their Director of Player Development (2003-06). He spent the next four years assisting players with their career transition into and out of the NFL through continuing education, financial education and dealing with family matters through player programs. Robertson and his staff won the Winston and Shell Award in 2006 for their innovation and commitment to player development in the NFL

Robertson was inducted into the Iowa State Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009, where he starred as a cornerback and totaled 257 tackles, six interceptions and nine forced fumbles during his four-year career.

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LIONS HIRE BRIAN XANDERS AS SENIOR PERSONNEL EXECUTIVE

Allen Park, Mich.—The Detroit Lions announced today that they have hired Brian Xanders as Senior Personnel Executive.

Xanders joins the Lions following a five-year stint with the Denver Broncos, including the last four seasons as the Broncos general manager. This season marks his 20th season in the NFL that includes him serving in a variety of player personnel, football operations and coaching roles while with the Broncos and Atlanta Falcons.

“As I indicated following the season, we are re-evaluating all aspects of our football operation," said Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager Martin Mayhew. “As part of process, we are thrilled to announce the hiring of Brian Xanders who has a wealth of experience that will benefit our organization.

“Brian’s addition, given his diverse background, positively impacts all aspects of our team's football operations. He brings experience as a general manager and has worked in both pro and college scouting. In addition to his personnel background, he has experience in contract negotiations and expertise in the development and use of technological resources in player personnel.

“Brian will effectively improve on the structure we have in place and will add another set of eyes to the evaluation process.”

At the time of his promotion in 2009, Xanders was the youngest general manager in the NFL at the age of 37.

During his tenure as the Broncos general manager, Denver claimed the 2011 NFC West Division title. From 2009-11, the Broncos acquired 25 players through the draft and free agency that ended the 2011 season on the active or reserve roster. Denver became only the third team since the 1970 NFL merger to win its division and a playoff game with a new head coach following four or fewer wins the previous season.

In 2011, with the assistance of the college scouting and pro personnel departments, Xanders navigated the 2011 offseason that lacked organized team activities and acquired 19 newcomers that made the opening-day roster and helped Denver capture its first AFC West Division title in six seasons. Two of those newcomers—running back Willis McGahee and linebacker Von Miller—made the Pro Bowl, making Denver the only team in the NFL in 2011 to have a free agent acquisition and a draft choice make the league’s annual All-Star Game.

Nine rookies saw playing time for the Broncos in 2011, including seven individuals that started at least one game. Miller was named AP Defensive Rookie of the Year and made the Pro Bowl after tying the franchise rookie sack record (11.5), and right tackle Orlando Franklin opened all 16 regular-season games and two playoff contests for the club.

The Broncos also signed several players through free agency in 2011, including regular starters in McGahee and tight end Daniel Fells. McGahee rushed for 1,199 yards and tied for the NFL lead with seven individual 100-yard rushing games in 2011. Defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley, who was acquired via trade, solidified Denver’s interior and helped the Broncos improve in nearly every defensive statistical category from 2010.

During his tenure in Denver, he also supervised the day-to-day operations of the Broncos' equipment, medical, video, football systems and turf operations departments. He was originally hired by Denver as assistant general manager in 2008.

Before the Broncos hired him in 2008, he worked 14 seasons (1994-2007) with the Atlanta Falcons. Xanders served as director of football administration/ player personnel analyst (2006-07), director of football administration/ salary cap analyst (2002-05), director of football systems/ player personnel (2000-01), quality control – defense (1997-99) and systems information (1994-96).

Xanders was a member of the Falcons' defensive coaching staff on their 1998 team that became the first in franchise history to earn a Super Bowl berth (XXXIII). Selected by the Falcons to attend Stanford University's NFL Program for Managers in 2005, he has given speeches at several universities on NFL player personnel issues.

During his previous 19 NFL seasons, Xanders has worked with 11 different head coaches, including Dan Reeves, Wade Phillips, Jim Mora, Mike Smith, Mike Shanahan and John Fox. He also trained under several different player personnel executives such as Ron Hill, Bobby Beathard, Rich McKay, Tim Ruskell, Billy Devaney, Phil Emery and Thomas Dimitroff.

A former middle linebacker who played for Bobby Bowden at Florida State University from 1989-92, Xanders was a member of four bowl-winning teams with the Seminoles that had a 42-7 combined record. He was an All-Atlantic Coast Conference academic team selection and graduated from FSU with a master's degree in business administration and a bachelor's degree in business management.

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LIONS LONG SNAPPER DON MUHLBACH ADDED TO NFC PRO BOWL TEAM

Allen Park, Mich.— Detroit Lions LS Don Muhlbach was added today to the 2013 NFC Pro Bowl team. Muhlbach’s addition as the squad’s long snapper was made by Green Bay Head Coach Mike McCarthy and the Packers coaching staff, who are serving as this year’s NFC staff.

Muhlbach, the ninth-year long snapper, is the first-ever Lions specialist who did not kick, punt or return to play special teams in the Pro Bowl.

“Don is a huge part of my success and a significant part of our kicking game,” said K Jason Hanson. “He is as accurate and consistent as there is in the League. With the field goal process, it all starts with him. He works hard and takes great pride in what he does. This is a great honor for him and is well deserved.”

In 2012, Muhlbach was a key piece to Hanson breaking the team’s all-time single-season scoring record, as he snapped for 32 field goals and 38 PATs. Muhlbach proved exceptionally valuable on long distance kicks this year as his steady snaps aided Hanson when he connected on 18 40+-yard field goals, the second-highest single-season total in NFL history.

Muhlbach’s velocity and accuracy places him among the best in the league in his specialty, and he is a critical part of the Lions’ snap-hold-kick trio. During his career, he has played in 132 career games and recorded 32 special teams tackles.

Since Muhlbach has snapped for Hanson on the field goal team in 2004, that unit’s accuracy has improved with the most significant increase coming on long-range field goals. Hanson’s field goal accuracy with Muhlbach as the snapper has increased 5.8 percent on overall attempts. That improvement is 12.7-percent for field goals of 40-49 yards, 14.2-percent for field goals 40+ yards and 19.4 percent for field goals of 50+ yards.

With Muhlbach snapping, Hanson is 59-of-73 (80.8 pct) on field goal attempts of 40-49 yards, 81-of-107 (75.7 pct) from 40+ yards and 25-of-37 (67.6 pct) on 50+-yard field goals.

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