The Lions have to be really wondering entering the bye week… Wondering what they have, what they have done right, and what they have done wrong.
In reality, though, what they have is a 14% chance of going to the playoffs after a disappointing 1-3 start. What they have done right is next to nothing, while what they have done wrong is not something you can explain in just one sentence.
However, I will say, I was shocked at how well the defense played last week against the Vikings. Yet I’m still disappointed with this defensive front we all heard so much about 3 years ago as it gets less and less productive.
And, when you move on to the special teams, there’s more questions. One for example: how does special teams coach Danny Crossman still have a job? It’s becoming more clear why the Carolina Panthers let him go as his unit in Detroit’s game gave up a kickoff return for a touchdown. They also allowed a punt return for a touchdown for the second time in back-to-back weeks. To further highlight this anomaly of consecutive awfulness, a NFL team hasn’t given up a touchdown on a kickoff and punt return in consecutive weeks since 1940.
Quite frankly I never thought I’d miss Stan Kwan.
Furthermore, Coach Schwartz continues his best Brian Belichick impersonation with the media, playing coy and not giving up much. Schwartz even supports Crossman and just reiterates that the Lions need to execute better No kidding.
I will say, I admire how his team seems to follow his lead, but the bottom line is this is year four and we see regression everywhere.
From Stafford and the tight ends, to the coaching, the draft moves and a defensive front that never delivered the hype, I do wonder what happened with the “plan”. Or, if this is simply it. Their wide nine defense was ripped apart to close out 2011, while Mayhew did absolutely nothing in the draft to remedy it. He instead opted for the high powered offense. To me, this seems like a case of the Lions brass thinking they’re the smartest men in the room.
Fans shouldn’t abandon hope just yet. Looking down the schedule, the Eagles aren’t as good as their record says. Quarterback Michael Vick could single handedly give the game to Detroit. Also, the Chicago Bears are not that impressive given the fact that you don’t know what Jay Culter you’re going to see.
However the the season could also continue to get real ugly real quick. With two games left against the Green Bay Packers, and upcoming games against the Houston Texans and Atlanta Falcons, things certainly won’t be getting any easier on the schedule.
Again, Lions fans have plenty to question but a recovery now and revisiting what made them successful last year could get them right back on track.
