The Detroit Lions are 0-2 after two close losses to the Baltimore Ravens and Chicago Bears. Now they head into their bye week with some ugly stats on the scoreboard but a loyal fan base that is not giving up hope just yet.
Tim Boyle demonstrated that no matter what your statistics suggest, you can accomplish anything. Last week, Boyle made his first career NFL start as the quarterback for the Detroit Lions, and he came close to leading the Lions to their first victory of the season.
Boyle and the Lions were defeated 13-10 by the Cleveland Browns, but he remained unflappable. We use the term “consistent” to refer to his dismal metrics. He’s accustomed to seeing ugly stats, but no matter what, he still has his own tiny fan base.
Last Saturday, Tim Boyle made his first NFL start.
On November 21, 2021, in Cleveland, Ohio, Tim Boyle of the Detroit Lions signals a first down versus the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. Getty Images/Gregory Shamus
Boyle spent the previous two seasons as the Green Bay Packers’ backup quarterback. He played in 11 games throughout those two years, but only tried four passes, three of which he completed for 15 yards. Boyle became an unrestricted free agent at the conclusion of the 2020 season. With the Lions, he signed a one-year contract.
When starting quarterback Jared Goff was unable to play against the Browns last weekend, Boyle got his big chance. With an 0-8-1 record coming into the game, the Lions were in desperate need of a win. Boyle was given the starting nod in the hopes of pulling off an upset on the road and earning his first win.
The Lions stayed in there but couldn’t get the ball moving. In the first half, the Browns enjoyed a 13-0 advantage against Detroit, who was led by first-year head coach Dan Campbell. D’Andre Swift broke away for a 57-yard touchdown run in the third quarter to trim the lead to 13-7 for Detroit.
Detroit scored a field goal in the fourth quarter to make it 13-10, but that was the final score.
Boyle passed for 77 yards on 15 of 23 passing attempts. He was also intercepted twice by the Browns. For the Lions’ Thanksgiving Day game against the Chicago Bears, Goff is still a game-time decision. If he is unable to play, Boyle will likely start for the second time in his career.
Tim Boyle’s collegiate numbers were abysmal.
For the 0-8-1 Lions, Tim Boyle is making his first NFL start today.
His college statistics were… intriguing.
UConn (2013-15): 1 pass touchdown, 13 interceptions E. Kentucky (2017): 11 pass touchdowns, 13 interceptions pic.twitter.com/d0CDihCCz9
November 21, 2021 — NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS)
Boyle’s career is remarkable not because he made his first start last week, but because he made it onto an NFL squad. Boyle’s college numbers aren’t very impressive.
Boyle attended UConn for his first three years of college. He played five games as a freshman, going 59-for-133 and passing for 621 yards. He threw eight interceptions and did not throw a touchdown pass. He also had a running yardage of minus 73.
As a sophomore, he participated in nine games and threw for 335 yards and 4.1 yards per pass. He threw three interceptions to one touchdown throw. Boyle went five games without throwing a touchdown pass as a junior. Boyle completed 48 percent of his throws and had one touchdown pass in three seasons at UConn. He threw 13 interceptions in his career.
After transferring to Eastern Kentucky, Boyle sat out the 2016 season and started 11 games as a redshirt senior in 2017. He threw for 2,134 yards and 11 touchdowns during his time there. Thirteen times he was intercepted.
He threw 12 touchdown passes and 26 interceptions throughout his four-year collegiate career.
Boyle’s dedication and hard work won him a chance in the NFL, and he still has a modest following base.
Boyle put forth a lot of effort to get to where he is now. Mark Elder, his head coach at Eastern Kentucky, also gave him a glowing endorsement. Elder informed NFL scouts that his quarterback has all of the necessary skills to succeed at the next level.
“He’s one of those people who has continued to be hit in the face and keep working,” Elder told The Athletic. “All I have to say is, ‘I’m going to make this happen.’”
He was the one who made it happen.
In front of his parents, fiancée, and his own little fan club — a bunch from Xavier High School in Connecticut who drove nine hours for the game — he made his first start last week in Cleveland.
Before the game, Boyle received some sound advise from Goff, which proved to be correct.
After the game, Boyle commented, “Obviously, a wonderful experience for me.” “Earlier in the week, Jared informed me that the first quarter of your first (start) is a blur, and he was completely correct. It occurred in a flash. You become comfortable with the game.”
When it came to his performance, he also talked like a seasoned pro.
“Overall, it was a positive experience,” he added, “but at the end of the day, (I) did not play well enough to win, and that is my fault.” “There’s a lot of space for improvement in that area.”
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