Another weekend in the books for the Detroit Lions and yet another loss. This time though that loss came in tremendously embarrassing fashion as Detroit fell to an Arizona Cardinals team who themselves where embarrassed the week prior losing to the Seattle Seahawks 58-0 which would go down as the worst loss in that team’s history. But not only that the Lions were coming into this this game, under much scrutiny of their own and facing a an opposing quarterback in Ryan Lindley who has had zero NFL success prior to this game. In fact a six yard drive after a muffed punt in the first half was Lindley’s first ever touchdown drive in the NFL.
So what went wrong? Well lets take a look at five things we learned about the Lions this week which may provide some answers.
1. Calvin Johnson can’t do it by himself
It’s unfortunate. It’s unfortunate that yet another spectacular NFL season by Calvin Johnson has been marred by losses and disappointment by what’s going on around him.
Sunday, Johnson tied an NFL record with his seventh straight 100-yard game and became the first player in NFL history with back-to-back 1,600 yard seasons.
Despite 10 catches for 121 yards and needing to average just 91 yards over the next two games to break Jerry Rice’s single-season receiving record Calvin Johnson can’t do it by himself. During the course of the game the Cardinals introduced a new coverage package on Johnson that saw two defenders lined up against him on the line of scrimmage. This was similar to what the Saints did last season but it’s clear teams can adapt plans to limit Johnson especially if other aspects of the Lions’ offense isn’t good or performing that particular week. This of course leads to a one-dimensional offense something that isn’t destined for any long-term success. Now many are probably thinking that the remedy here is more high draft picks used on offensive play makers which simply cannot be the case. It’s time for the front office to begin to make their draft in the later rounds, finding those sleepers much like many other successful teams in the NFL do. They’ve got their big play makers, it’s time though for a quality support staff not rooted early in the draft.
2. The offensive line has reached the end of it’s rope
Yes Matthew Stafford had a horrendous game, maybe the worst of his career which we’ll get to in a bit. But the performance of the Lions’ offensive line Sunday cannot go overlooked as a contributor of the team’s overwhelming loss.
Over the past several years the offensive line has come under tremendous criticism most of it being more knee-jerk and reactionary than objective. And despite the line’s relative inability to provide consistent run blocking, they were very good at providing pass protection for Lions quarterbacks more notably Matthew Stafford. However now you can’t really lie on that defense anymore.
Much of the pressure Sunday coming Stafford’s way was off the edges against tackles Gosder Cherilus (who isn’t making much of a free agent case) and longtime starter Jeff Backus. Furthermore Calais Campbell who much like the rest of the Cardinals’ defensive front four aren’t known for their pass rushing abilities disrupted the Lions’ game plan all day long and prevented any type of quality rhythm to get established.
But it goes beyond that, well beyond that.
Yes the NFL has become a more passing league and yes the importance on the running game has somewhat gone down. But again the struggles in other areas of the offense, notably the passing game and running game can be attributed to an aging and declining offensive line. No offensive line, leads to no chance of a running game which in turn will limit and weaken what you do through the air. Again the drawbacks of having a one dimensional offense.
3. Chris Houston is a piece worth keeping
Aside from Calvin Johnson another bright spot in an overall disappointing day was corner back Chris Houston.
Houston drew the assignment of All-Pro wide out Larry Fitzgerald and did a phenomenal job in pass coverage all day long. The Lions’ top corner held Fitzgerald to just four catches for 22 yards with his only drawback being a phantom pass interference call.
Sure, Fitzgerald was and has been without a quality QB all season which may have benefited Houston Sunday, however strong play has been something Houston has been very persistent with all season.
Bottom line, Houston is definitely a piece worth bringing back next season.
4. The coaching staff should be on the hot seat but in turn should be brought back next season
To say that the Lions coaching staff and especially Jim Schwartz have had an awful season may be an understatement. We’ve seen plenty of mistakes come from the sidelines, unprepared and ineffective game plans and un-disciplined play something that is directly attributed to the coaching staff.
But something I ask all fans screaming for the heads of Schwartz and the rest of the coaching staff is was this team improved by the front office in the offseason?
I think the simple answer to that question is no, especially when it comes to the defense. The front office continues to fail to address the defensive shortcomings which may have not had a huge impact in Sunday’s loss but certainly hasn’t set them up to win or preserve a win in weeks leading up.
Now there’s no question that the coaching staff needs to be on the hot seat. But after a playoff appearance last season and nice improvement since the 0-16 year up until now the staff should get a chance next season to right the wrong. But it should be their last chance no question.
5. Stafford was the biggest difference between winning and losing Sunday
If the question who would be more responsible for their teams loss Sunday Matthew Stafford or Ryan Lindley the overwhelming answer would probably be Lindley.
We now know that wouldn’t be the correct answer.
Stafford’s performance against the Cardinals was in one word dreadful and it was for the most part his fault. Stafford threw away more points in pick-sixes than his team scored on offense and not one of those interceptions could be justified. Not only that one of those interceptions came within the Lions’ own end zone effectively giving the Cardinals a 28 point swing the same number the Lions ended up losing by.
Needless to say though bad quarterbacks don’t throw for over 9,000 yards in two years no matter how many drop backs they may have. Stafford is a good NFL quarterback and in need of a bounce back year next season. Still though that doesn’t excuse his performance Sunday and his need to showresiliency in the final games this season.
h/t: Detroit Free Press