The Lions closed out the 2012 campaign with yet another loss this time to the Chicago Bears by a score of 26-24 from Ford Field. At this point though as Lions fans we aren’t learning anything new about this team. And what more is there to say that hasn’t already been said at this point? It is week 17 and the Lions lost again with the only thing being accomplished was them picking no lower than No. 5 in April’s Draft.
The Lions didn’t see Calvin Johnson get 2,000 yards or Matt Stafford get to 5,000 yards passing. Stafford did get the passing attempt record eclipsing Drew Bledsoe’s 1994 record of 691 in a season. A week earlier Megatron passed Jerry Rice’s single season record for yards but each was all for nothing as the Lions ended with a 4-12 record. Essentially I have more respect for records that are broken on a good team as putting up numbers on a team that is going nowhere and throws it more than anyone in NFL history is a little jaded. I would compare it to an NBA player putting up 30+ points game on a team under .500 simply to pad his own stats.
Now don’t get me wrong I don’t feel Calvin Johnson is that type of player and think he would gladly trade his numbers for a playoff win or appearance.
The Bears took control of this game pretty quick after the Lions took a 3-0 lead. From there Chicago rattled off 20 straight points to back up the talk the week prior to the game. The Bears were able to capitalize on the Lions’ poor ball security as Detroit had 4 turnovers in the game (3 fumbles and 1 INT) and created none themselves. In two games against the Bears this season the Lions have 8 turnovers which isn’t a recipe for victories in the NFL.
Chicago beat the Lions slowly to the tune of Olindo Mare field goals from 40, 44, 28 and 20 yards out which usually isn’t a winning formula in the NFL but it may just go to show just how many problems the Lions have as a whole. And as the clock struck midnight on a tremendous letdown of a season fans were left wondering just exactly what Schwartz and his coordinators are building here?
This season is worse than the 2008 0-16 year. To follow a year that saw the team make the playoffs is further proof of getting lucky last season.
NOTES: Before the game a story broke by ESPN’s Chris Mortensen that the Ford Family is looking into buying out the contract of Jim Schwartz.
