Detroit Lions’ Season Ends With Playoff Loss To Seattle
Thomas Rawls leads charge for Seattle offense
The Seahawks had struggled to find consistency on the ground all season, but Thomas Rawls provided a spark on Saturday, gashing the Lions for 161 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries, including 107 yards on 15 carries in the first half.
Russell Wilson was efficient as well, completing 21 of 28 passes for 201 yards and a touchdown pass to Paul Richardson, who made three amazing catches for 48 yards and a score.
The Lions were nowhere near as effective, Matthew Stafford completing 18 of 32 passes for 205 yards and the Lions rushing for a combined 49 yards on 15 attempts.
Missed facemask helps Seattle to early lead
Seattle scored the first points of the game on a two-yard pass fourth-down from Russell Wilson to Paul Richardson despite Richardson grabbing Tavon Wilson‘s facemask. Wilson was called for a pass interference penalty on the play, which was declined. Michele Tafoya reported at halftime on the NBC broadcast that officials spoke to Detroit head coach Jim Caldwell about the call, saying that they had missed the call.
Lions struggle on fourth down in first half
The Lions did not make a single play on fourth down in the first half. They punted once on fourth and one at the Seattle 49-yard line then failed to convert on a fourth down attempt at the Seattle 38-yard line. On defense, they were unable to stop the Seahawks as they converted on fourth and one in Detroit territory then scored a touchdown on another fourth down at the two-yard line.
Drops, penalties plague Lions
Perhaps more importantly, four different Lions dropped five total passes during Saturday’s game, three of which, by Golden Tate, Eric Ebron and Anquan Boldin, all came on third downs in the first half. Ebron had a second drop and Marvin Jones had one in the second half.
The Lions committed 7 penalties for 68 yards, including four personal fouls. Two of those were called on veteran receiver Anquan Boldin while defensive tackle Haloti Ngata and safety Tavon Wilson both picked one up as well.