It was a game that sure resembled a Joe Louis fight in the Motor City. The Detroit Lions stood toe to toe with a legitimate Super Bowl contender only to come up just a little bit short. The Lions lost 34-30.
It was a day that saw quarterback Matthew Stafford best the reigning MVP Patrick Mahomes, but Mahomes would have the last laugh. The Detroit Lions played a terrific game at home, nearly upsetting a team that will surely see themselves in an AFC Championship game later in the year.
Despite being short-handed on defense, the Matt Patricia led group battled all day long, nearly pulling off the upset. It was the defense that would let the Lions down late, but clock management skills don’t seem to be Patricia’s forte. Detroit played without one of the best cornerbacks in the game, Darius Slay who was sidelined with a hamstring injury. The secondary also lost another vital part in Qunadre Diggs who was forced to leave the game.
It was a defense that was already missing Mike Daniels, and Da’Shawn Hand, yet minus all that talent they held Patrick Mahomes touchdown-less all game long. It was the first time since his first career start that Mahomes wasn’t able to score a touchdown. A pretty impressive performance if you ask me.
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On the offensive side of things, the Lions were finally able to run the football. It was the first time this season Stafford could confidently turn and hand the ball off without a back promptly tackled in the backfield or lunging for a minimal gain. Kerryon Johnson entering the game had a total of 126 yards on the ground for an average of 2.6 yards per carry through the first three weeks of the season. Yesterday Johnson galloped for 125 yards and averaged 4.5 yards per tote.
Entering yesterday’s game the Kansas City Chiefs were allowing a league-worst 6.2 yards per carry so while it’s encouraging to see the Lions run game have some success they certainly didn’t break any records. It’s still an area that needs some improvement.
Danny Amendola was unable to play today, he’s a sure-handed pass catcher, and a player Matt Stafford relies upon in the intermediate passing game and to convert on third down attempts. He would have definitely helped yesterday especially late in the game after tight end T.J. Hockenson was forced to leave the game with a concussion.
Hockenson tried to leap over a defender and ended up landing head first on the turf. It looked as though he actually knocked himself out. It seems like a trend more this year than in the past with these pass catchers trying to leap defenders, and it was only a matter of time before something terrible happened. Hopefully, the young TE, who caught a touchdown earlier in the contest will be good to go following the Detroit Lions bye.
The passing attack was once again led by Marvin Jones Jr who reeled in 3 catches totaling 77 yards. Kenny Golladay brought in 5 balls for 67 yards and 2 scores. He really should have had 3 touchdowns but couldn’t maintain full control to the ground on a scoring play. The ball remained in his possession but the replay, in fact, did prove the ball was moving within his grasp.
The difference in the football game was two Lions’ fumbles in the RedZone. Kerryon Johnson lost a fumble at the one-yard line which was returned 100 yards for a Chiefs touchdown. Matthew Stafford also lost a fumble inside the 20 while he was scrambling on the very next play after that overturned Golladay touchdown that was previously mentioned.
We must note that the Chiefs were also without star receiver Tyreek Hill and starting running back Damien Williams so perhaps the injuries on the Lions defense basically cancel out. I would have loved to see Darius Slay and Tyreek Hill match up.
It was a game Lions fans should be proud of. There is nothing to be ashamed of from yesterday. Rest assured this is NOT the ‘same old Lions.’ This is a team that will compete for an NFC North title.