Detroit Lions: 10 thoughts from week 3 loss to Falcons

The Detroit Lions played a gritty game against the Atlanta Falcons but came up short in a very difficult loss. Let’s take a look at the game.

The Detroit Lions didn’t play efficiently. The Lions were out-gained by over 100 yards and scored one offensive touchdown. Despite all the struggles, the Lions had the ball at the 2 with a chance to win the game against the Atlanta Falcons.

The Lions did not finish the job thanks to questionable play calling and substandard officiating. Let’s take a look at an exciting game at Ford Field.

1. Let’s go ahead and talk about officiating

To get the elephant out of the room, this will be the only talking point about the officiating. Golden Tate was down before crossing the goal line and the officials enforced that rule correctly. I have two main thoughts on the play. First, the ten-second runoff rule is very dumb. It is not fair to the Lions that an official’s mistake cost the Lions a chance to win the game. Second, it was very clear Brian Poole held Golden Tate before the ball arrived and it was not close. In conclusion, you have to see that and make that call as an official.

Furthermore, the offensive interference call on Marvin Jones on the final drive was absolutely bogus. Those two missed calls are unfortunately a common theme with NFL officials missing calls on a consistent basis. It’s a big problem in the NFL and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell continues to ignore it. The Falcons were the better team and I have no issue saying that. However, the Lions deserved a chance to win that game and it was wrong that bad officiating took the opportunity away.

2. I did not like the last play call

Now that we have vented about the officiating and can move o, let’s break down the last play Jim Bob Cooter decided to go with. With zero timeouts and twelve seconds left, I hate the decision to go short. I could be wrong on the play call and it could have been the execution. Golden Tate might not have ran the route correctly. Matthew Stafford could have made a better throw and lead Tate a little more. Kenny Golladay didn’t exactly pick enough of Brian Poole to get Golden Tate free. Either way, that was a failure on the Detroit Lions. You have to know the situation and make sure that ball is in the end zone.

3. The Lions are in trouble without Jarrad Davis

This was an obvious point after watching the Falcons run all over the Lions defense. The defense was inconsistent pressuring Matt Ryan and shedding blocks against the run. The Lions linebackers did not finish plays, missing tackles and blowing assignments throughout the game. Jalen Reeves-Maybin was lost in his first career start. Paul Warrilow struggles in pass coverage and was a step behind all day. I thought Tahir Whitehead played a decent game but he is better as an outside linebacker that does not play on passing downs.

Jarrad Davis would have cleaned up a lot of mistakes from the Lions front four and without his presence, the Lions were never comfortable on defense. Davis is a superb athlete and he is showing that his instincts are elite. Without Davis, the Lions defense cannot get to another level and is limited in their potential. Hopefully, this was a one-week injury and Davis will be ready to play against Minnesota in week four.

4. There is not enough diversity in the run game

This was a tough week for the Lions run game going against a good Atlanta defense, along with a short week after the Monday night game. Jim Bob Cooter wanted to use the run game and there were positives but I believe there is too much predictability when trying to run the ball. There was a nice draw resulting in a first down for Ameer Abdullah but nobody on the offensive line could get a consistent push.

Not having Travis Swanson in week 3 was a blow, but the Lions line is good enough to spring Abdullah for better than 3.4 yards per carry. The Lions are primarily a zone running team, but it would be nice to see some guards pulling and overloading a side. I would like to see some counters mixed in also. The Lions running attacks feels a little too bland so far. This might have been a bad week and it could improve against Minnesota, but I would like to see a different game plan from Jim Bob Cooter.

5. Third downs efficiency was the difference in the game

The Lions were splendid the first two weeks of the season on third down, going 15-31 and staying in front of the chains. Conversely, week three was a different story. Detroit was an abysmal 3-13 on third down and was continuously facing third and long situations. Stafford is usually consistent creating plays on third down and making conversions but the execution was off. The Falcons did a great job covering Golden Tate and preventing big plays. The Falcons were impressive in their ability to contain the Lions wideouts on third down.

WIth that in mind, the Lions shot themselves in the foot. They had to kick four field goals and Jim Caldwell trying a 54-yard field goal on a 4th and 2 was beyond infuriating. The lack of third down conversions cannot happen against such an explosive offense like the Atlanta Falcons. I also thought the play calling was shoddy on third down and short in particular. The Lions had to settle for field goals and it bit them in the ass.

6. The Detroit Lions’ biggest weakness? Pass coverage from the linebackers

It was a concern before the injury to Jarrad Davis and it was exploited by the Falcons with Davis out. Tevin Coleman and Devonta Freeman had 6 catches and 75 yards combined. They also had trouble in the 5-10 yard range with Matt Ryan utilizing dump offs for easy passes. The screen pass to Taylor Gabriel for a touchdown was terrible coverage by the Lions. Ryan sold the play action and the linebackers were lost on the play.

I do not have an answer as to what the Lions can do to help the linebackers out. Teryl Austin adjusted and played a lot more nickel than he normally does but it did not matter. The Falcons had the middle of the field open all game and Ryan took advantage. The Lions had no answer and if not for the interceptions the Falcons would have put up 40 points.

7. Player of the Game: Darius Slay

Yes, the two interceptions by Slay were absolutely crucial and he had great awareness to locate the ball and pick the football off. However, we Lion fans can all agree the two interceptions were the benefactor of luck thanks to two easily catchable footballs Falcons ended up dropping. Regardless, I thought Slay was formidable when facing Julio Jones.

Darius Slay was outstanding on Sunday and was fabulous in containing Jones. Jones is a great wide receiver and played well with 7 receptions and 91 yards. Jones is special finding holes in a zone defense and his connection with Matt Ryan is the best in the NFL. Slay played exceptional in the red zone matching up against Jones, while allowing just three catches versus Jones for the entire game. He prevented the big play and kept Jones out of the end zone. Slay was fantastic in the open field, keeping everything in front and not missing a tackle. Having an elite cornerback like Darius Slay is a blessing for the defense.

8. Miles Killebrew earned his starting spot

Miles Killebrew is still young and did struggle some against an elite passing offense in the Atlanta Falcons. However, Killebrew was a huge factor in preventing big plays in the run game with his tackling.  Killebrew brings a lot more athleticism than Tavon Wilson and Killebrew has a knack for being in the right spot. He is young and will make mistakes, but Detroit needs to continue with him as the other starting safety.

9. TJ Jones deserves a shout out

Usually, the fourth wide receiver in the NFL is a thankless job. The three best wide receivers play every down along with an every down tight end and running backs play more as the position has improved its pass-catching abilities. Usually, a fourth wide receiver is a returner and special teamer. Normally that is the role  TJ Jones is given, but on Sunday he was a playmaker. He made two really tough catches on the last drive for the Lions to have a chance to win the game. Jones also made a fantastic catch on a wheel route for a key third-down conversion on the only offensive touchdown drive. Jones deserves major praise for making clutch plays and giving the Lions a spark.

10. The Detroit Lions are a good football team

I do not believe the Detroit Lions were impressive against the Atlanta Falcons. The Lions had many deficiencies and it was surprising the Falcons could not put the Lions away. We know a Jim Caldwell team is going to show guts and fight to the end. You have Matt Stafford with the ball at the two and nineteen seconds to go against the defending NFC champions. Give me that situation every time.

All things considered, the Lions need to play better situational football and finish drives. While the defense gave up a lot of yards, they arguably the best offense in football. There are no moral victories in the NFL and it was a disappointing finish. The best takeaway from this game is the Lions are a good football team. The Lions were a yard away from beating the defending NFC champions and staying undefeated.

Next: Lions game balls for week 3

A big road divisional game awaits the Lions in Minnesota. The Vikings will not feel sorry the Lions. Jim Caldwell needs to regroup the team and focus on getting win number three.