Undisciplined, embarrassing, pathetic. Take your pick as to how to describe the Lions’ performance against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday Night Football.
Even with defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh suspended, Detroit still didn’t learn any type of lesson as they took a total of 107 yards worth of penalties in the 31-17 loss to the Saints.
What may make matters worse though is the Lions were unable to make any type of stride towards the NFL postseason with Chicago and Atlanta both losing today.
Saints quarterback Drew Brees took full advantage of the undisciplined Lions carving them up for 342 yards and 3 touchdowns. Brees’ performance Sunday night gave him 4,031 yards on the season, making him the first quarterback in NFL history to eclipse the 4,000-yard mark in the first 12 games of a season.
On the offensive side of things for the Lions, Matthew Stafford was able to put together a pretty good game for himself despite embarrassing play of his teammates.
Stafford passed for 408 yards and one touchdown as the Lions fall to 7-5 on the season and are 2-5 in their last seven games.
The Majors Detroit Player of the Game: Drew Brees, QB
Tonight Drew Brees showed why you can’t commit too many penalties against a good team with an excellent quarterback.
The Majors Detroit Cryin Lion: Jim Schwartz
When you’re dealing with undisciplined play it all falls back on the coach. It’s vital that Jim Schwartz takes the proper measures to stop this type of play now, especially considering the Lions still have a chance at the postseason.
Looking Ahead
The Lions head back home next weekend to take on the 2-10 Minnesota Vikings who dropped a heartbreaker to Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos Sunday. The team will still be without defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh as he serves the final game of his suspension however this is a game the Lions SHOULD win despite his absence.
The Bottom Line
It doesn’t matter how good of a team you are but if you have to play yourselves as well as your opponents you’re more than likely not going to come out on top in the end. Now no can say that if the Lions didn’t take the penalties they did they would’ve won the game but what is certain is they are a much better team than what we saw on the field Sunday night in New Orleans.
Ref: WXYZ, ESPN, Freep.com (image)
