By: The Polish Prince
There is no doubt in my mind that this team will kill me. Despite trying to give away the game at every turn, they managed to pull out the win. I had to watch the game while at work, and it was almost impossible to not break the entire clubhouse. I said repeatedly that “I hate this team,” and I still believe it. However, a win’s a win and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t let out a loud “YES” when Prater hit that field goal.
THE GOOD:
I’m sure there was a lot more ugly in the game, but they won, and that blankets a lot of holes on this team. The Lions take on Tennessee (0-1) next week in their home opener. They should win that one, but as we saw today, they are still the Lions and nothing will ever be easy for them. I said it 100 times this week, and I know I’ll say it another 100 before the end of next Sunday, but I hate this team. GO LIONS!
WEEK 1 OVERREACTION: Theo and Ameer constitute the best RB tandem in the league.
THE GOOD:
- Matt Stafford: Holy shit, this guy looked good. I mean really, really good. 31/39, 340 yards, and 3 TDs. That is a 79% completion rate with no turnovers. This is possibly the best we have ever seen Stafford play, and it is really encouraging to see him play smart. That being said it will be interesting to see how he plays against a good and/or healthy secondary. But for now, SUCK IT Stafford H8erz.
- Running Backs: This game would have been lost without Abdullah and Riddick. Only 108 yards between them on the ground, but they came up big when we needed it. That 3rd quarter drive to go up 28-18 featured Abdullah heavily, and he really flashed the reason we drafted him. Speaking of “showing why the Lions get him”, Theo really demonstrated why he got paid this offseason. The drive to put them up 34-28 had Riddick showcasing that he can do it through the air, like we saw last year, and between the tackles. Great showing from the backfield duo.
- O-Line: Kept Stafford clean all day except once. They also did a nice job blocking for the backs. Despite returning 4-5 starters from one of the worst lines in the NFL last year, they looked great.
- JBC: The name (obviously) and the play calling were on point today
- Prater: Yeah, I know he hit the game winner but that missed extra point almost got me fired so he can’t go in the Good this week.
- Penalties: Didn’t have many penalties (only 8), but there were some dumb ones. Particularly Levy’s, after he forced Andrew Luck out of bounds to bring up a 4th and 1. That drive they scored the go-ahead touchdown. What the hell are you doing, man? As a leader on the team, he can’t pick up a taunting penalty in that situation.
- The Defense: The entire defense was atrocious. No pressure on the QB, wide-open receivers on almost every drive, and they couldn’t guard the double move from a white guy. WHY THE HELL ARE YOU BITING ON A MOVE WHEN THE SAFE OPTION IS TO GIVE UP THE UNDERNEATH ROUTE? Also, where the hell was the pressure? On some of the most important drives of the game Andrew Luck had all day to throw. No pressure and a bad secondary lead to giving up 35 points. For this team to go anywhere, the defense has to force turnovers, and we just couldn’t get it done today. Also, Slay is a good CB but we are paying him like an elite one. He has to get better at playing the ball in the air instead of just letting his guy catch it and tackling him instantly.
I’m sure there was a lot more ugly in the game, but they won, and that blankets a lot of holes on this team. The Lions take on Tennessee (0-1) next week in their home opener. They should win that one, but as we saw today, they are still the Lions and nothing will ever be easy for them. I said it 100 times this week, and I know I’ll say it another 100 before the end of next Sunday, but I hate this team. GO LIONS!
WEEK 1 OVERREACTION: Theo and Ameer constitute the best RB tandem in the league.