Detroit Lions stock watch: Stumbling out of the gate
By Matt Bosko
The Detroit Lions’ disheartening loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Thanksgiving Day was a result of problems that have lingered for most of the season.
There is no sugar-coating the impact of the Detroit Lions‘ most recent loss.
It virtually erased their chances of winning the NFC North crown – an accomplishment that has evaded the franchise since 1993, back when the division was still the NFC Central. Additionally, it has put their playoff hopes in general in jeopardy.
The frustration lies in that the circumstances seem all too familiar.
Back in 2013, Aaron Rodgers missed seven games due to a fractured collarbone to his non-throwing shoulder, while Jay Cutler missed five games with various injuries, and the Vikings were a non-factor.
This season, with Rodgers nursing a fractured collarbone to the opposite shoulder, the Vikings led by a journeyman backup quarterback, and the Bears in rebuilding mode, the division was once again for the taking.
Needless to say, the Lions squandered that opportunity.
The loss to the Vikings was a culmination of a series of problems that have plagued the Lions for most of the season, and is the reason I have the team trending down this week.
STOCK DOWN
Slow Starts
The Lions have simply not come out swinging since their thrashing of Green Bay four weeks ago. Since then, they have played the still-winless Cleveland Browns, the Chicago Bears, and the Vikings. Let’s look at how the team has come out of the gate against each of those teams.
Fair warning: it’s ugly.
Browns
On the Lions’ first possession, Matthew Stafford was sacked for a four-yard loss, Ameer Abdullah was leveled for a six-yard loss, and Theo Riddick caught a pass for a three yard loss.
The Browns kicked a field goal on the ensuing possession after gaining 42 yards on just five plays.
The Lions responded with an interception on their next offensive series, which led to a three-play, 31-yard touchdown drive for the Browns.
The Lions trailed 10-3, but were fortunate to take the lead before halftime.
Bears
The Bears drove right down the field on the game’s opening possession. While the Lions defense ultimately held the Bears to a field goal, the Bears ran 13 plays and gained 70 yards on a six minute drive.
The Lions’ first offensive possession lasted seven plays before Stafford fumbled the ball away while being sacked. The Bears promptly traveled 55 yards on three plays for a touchdown.
The Lions’ next drive stalled after five plays.
D.J. Hayden recovered a fumbled snap and ran it back 27 yards to put the Lions on the board, but the Bears immediately responded with an eight-play, 78-yard touchdown drive.
The Lions trailed 17-7, but eventually rallied to take the lead before halftime.
Vikings
The Lions went three-and-out on the game’s first series, while the Vikings turned in a 14-play, 80-yard touchdown drive that lasted nearly seven minutes. On the drive, the Vikings converted on three third-down situations.
Stafford and Abdullah sabotaged the Lions’ next drive by fumbling away a handoff on the second play of the series. The turnover led to another Vikings touchdown drive.
Two of the Lions’ next three drives combined for zero yards on six plays.
Before the offense found the end zone near the end of the first half, the Lions trailed 20-3.
Diagnosis
The Lions are victimized by their own play.
The turnovers, although there have been few, have come at devastating times for the offense.
The run game – both offense and defense – is putrid.
The Lions’ inability to run the ball is so pitiful, not only does it hamper Stafford’s ability to make plays, but the constant negative plays do not allow for the offense to get into any type of rhythm.
Defensively, teams are using the run game to wear down an already thin front four. It is nearly impossible for even the best defensive team to make stops late in the game if they are on the field for long stretches of time. The longer teams possess the ball, the less time for Stafford and Co. to have an impact on offense.
It is a vicious cycle, and the Lions must find a way to break it.
Next: Lions game balls in Thanksgiving loss to Vikings
At this point, the only productive running the Detroit Lions have managed is to run out of playoff contention.