I’m sorry for buying into this team. For one offseason I forgot who the Lions were and got a little slappy.
The Lions went to Minnesota this past Sunday, but never really left their Allen Park head quarters. If you watched this game you’re probably disgusted and wondering how the score was only 26-16, as it felt like a 42-10 drubbing. The Lions did nothing well this past weekend so let’s take a look at five things that not only went wrong but way wrong.
Lose in the trenches and you lose games
The Lions got absolutely dominated Sunday up front. Stafford was seven for 20 under pressure which in my book is job one well done.
The Vikings got up in the face of the Lions offensive line and they buckled. The run game was taken away early and it forced Detroit to throw, throw, throw. I don’t care who you are, if your team doesn’t run block it puts the run game at an extreme disadvantage. Shariff Floyd continuity ate the interior of the o-line up allowing Brian Robison and Everson Griffen to have play dates in the Lions backfield.
Offensive tackles Riley Reiff and Cornelius Lucas looked more like turnstiles than NFL tackles. This goes back to the lack of giving your team what’s needed. Right tackle Joseph Barksdale who was a good run blocker for the Rams last season was available late in free agency and Lions didn’t even go after him.
Then you look over the past two drafts where the Lions took a tight end in Eric Ebron while passing on offensive tackle Taylor Lewan then draft Laken Tomlinson… a guard that isn’t ready while still failing to address right tackle in the third round this past draft when TJ Clemmings was available.
On the d-line front, defensive end Ziggy Ansah had a decent game but that was it. It’s clear Baltimore knew Ngata was on his last leg and looks so far toasted you have to question whether it’s his age, missing camp or both? The rest of the line looked like what they are, rotational or backup players.
Fumbles kill drives
That’s you Lance Moore and Theo Riddick. Both of these were daggers to any chance of Detroit being in this game. I can live with a fumble, it will happen but Lance Moore had the ball taken from him, not stripped, ripped from his hands.
Matthew Stafford
By now it should be clear this is Stafford and the Lions are stuck in limbo with him.
He isn’t good enough to put the team on his back and carry them. Stafford’s play can’t hide flaws throughout the team which is usually the sign of a great quarterback.
Yes, Stafford has a big arm but the lack of field vision has hurt the Lions over and over.
The Lions so far don’t have a passing play over 20 yards and there were six passes with no pressure Stafford under threw Sunday.
Stafford is at his best in two minute drills but asking him in-game to lead drives and control the ball is something he hasn’t grasped at all for the seven years he’s been in the league.
Lions fans would have you believe offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi is asking Stafford to drop back on a seven step drop every pass play which isn’t the case. The gunslinger still lacks touch on his passes to the flats and finding the open receiver. If the an opponent doubles Megatron and blitzes a linebacker, someone is open and your quarterback isn’t finding them. Do you not remember Phillip Rivers killing Detroit’s blitz? Peyton Manning with no arm and stiff neck will remind us this week.
Detroit is always a step behind
Aren’t Lions fans tired of always being at the end of NFL trends? The Tampa Two, West Coast Offense, Saints Offense, Run and Shoot. It always seems like Detroit is late to the party. This season is it Lombardi, Stafford or both? I’m inclined to believe both. This offense continues to look poor.
Teams don’t respect the Lions
Look at the way the Vikings bullied the Lions. Was there a Lions fan that ever felt like Detroit was in the game? The Vikings continued to deliver hard hits throughout the game especially on Stafford. Minnesota won every aspect of the game. They also ran the ball between the tackles without any doubt.