Detroit Lions Collapse in Season-Opening Loss to Chargers
By Zac Snyder
For a while it looked like the Detroit Lions were going to be in for a fun day as they new season got underway. Ameer Abdullah took his first NFL carry for a touchdown and the defense came up with a big play when Glover Quin took an interception back for a touchdown.
Those two plays helped stake the Lions to a 21-3 lead but it was all Chargers from there.
50. Final. 33. 13. 28
Momentum turned midway through the second quarter. Danny Woodhead scored on a run to cut the Lions lead to 21-10. San Diego was on the move again looking to put up more points just before the half but Darius Slay intercepted Phillip Rivers to allow the Lions to take a 21-10 lead into the break.
Coming out of halftime, it was all Chargers as Matthew Stafford threw interceptions on the team’s first two drives of the half. Meanwhile, the Chargers offense got rolling. Including Woodhead’s first half touchdown run, the Chargers outscored the Lions 30-0 until a late Theo Riddick touchdown grab brought the game to its final margin.
Of particular concern was the performance of Rashean Mathis in coverage against Keenan Allen. The Chargers passing game got into gear with Phillip Rivers locking in on Allen, often at the expense of Mathis, en route to a career-high day for Allen.
But Mathis wasn’t the only defensive veteran to struggle. Linebacker Stephen Tulloch was also routinely a step slow, particularly in coverage. That could be chalked up to rust after coming back from an ACL injury but it wasn’t a good showing for a player getting a bit long in the tooth.
The game had the feel of last season’s Wild Card game against the Dallas Cowboys. The Lions came out strong on both sides of the ball, got themselves a nice lead, but couldn’t hold it as what was working early wasn’t working late and they couldn’t make the adjustments necessary to get rolling again.
It’s a disappointing first outing, particularly given the way the game started, and will make for a quiet plane ride home and hopefully a focused week or practice. The Lions return to action next Sunday with another road game – this time at the Minnesota Vikings.
Next: Abdullah Dazzles in First NFL Carry