1. The Detroit Lions were out coached and it’s not even close.
First up was offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi. The San Diego Chargers had no answer for running back Ameer Abdullah yet the best defense for him was Lombardi keeping him out of the game plan. Seven carries and only four targets in the passing game is not enough. In fact the Lions as a whole ran it only 16 times and can easily attribute to losing a 21-3 lead and allowing 30 straight points. You have to control the ball.
Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin failed to adjust to the Chargers scheme. He continued to bring the blitz while quarterback Philip Rivers and the short passing game was beating it without a problem.
2. Loyal to a fault.
Can the Joique Bell love stop? What’s he really bring to the offense? He is pushing 30 years old and coming off an Achilles injury. Bell is prone to fumbles and dropping passes. There is no reason he is taking touches away from Ameer Abdullah.
Stephen Tulloch being on the field in third down passing situations. Tulloch has never been strong in pass coverage, he is now a year older and coming of injury. Tullouch has been a good tackler and solid support against rushing attacks but it’s a time in his career he should come off the field.
3. Ameer Abdullah is for real.
The Chargers had no answer him, yet Detroit only gave him the ball for seven rush attempts and four receptions. He is good at making defenders miss and finding holes to run through. It is unacceptable for Detroit to not give him the ball at least 15 times a game.
4. Stafford is tough but leaves us wanting more
The guy gets up and is willing to take a big hit. But will he ever get past this Jekyll and Hyde style? There is no doubt the talent of his arm but his decision making is poor at times. The progression reads leave fans wondering, and how coming Calvin Johnson only saw the ball his way four times? New flash folks, Lombardi isn’t throwing it. What about those passes to Golden Tate, sure didn’t look like Tate was mad at himself.
5. It’s only week one, we are all prone to overreact.
It was a West Coast game, the weather was 105 degrees on the field. Lions are a dome team and most teams don’t travel well to four P.M. games. The Lions were missing key cogs like DeAndre Levy and Larry Warford. And frankly the coaching failed them. How do you lose a game game your up 21-3? You don’t make adjustments and let the other team score 30 straight. It’s week one for you.