Detroit Lions News: Darrell Bevell’s play-calling leads to feeling nauseous

The Carolina Panthers shutout the Detroit Lions 20-0 Sunday.  Apparently, rookie running back D’Andre Swift is extremely valuable to the Lions’ offense.

The Detroit Lions were flat out embarrassed Sunday in Carolina by the Panthers.  There is no denying this, and to think a team with a backup quarterback, backup running back, and a defense that has struggled to stop anyone this season shutout the Lions.  Go figure.  It’s the first time the Lions have been shutout since 2009.  It was yet another inexplicable team performance all around.

That 20-0 score could have easily been worse if not for a pair of Panther drive-stopping end zone interceptions by Amani Oruwariye and Desmond Trufant.

It seems only the Detroit Lions, or maybe the New York Jets could make XFL phenom quarterback P.J. Walker look like a starting NFL quarterback.  Not only that but also make Mike Davis look like a top-20 running back and D.J. Moore like the reincarnation of Jerry Rice.

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Both teams entered the day short-handed, but I still thought Matthew Stafford, despite having an injured right thumb, would be able to lead Detroit to a road victory. The Panthers would be without their best player running back Christian McCaffrey, and starting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.

Detroit had an opportunity to leave Carolina as a .500 team heading home to take on the Houston Texans this Thursday.  Instead, the Lions couldn’t have looked worse, and with it being a short week, I don’t think anyone should be confident this coaching staff will be able to right the ship before Thursday’s kick-off.

As expected, Lions offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell opted to use the corpse of Adrian Peterson in favor of Kerryon Johnson for the most part in D’Andre Swift‘s absence.  Bevell predictably continued to call Peterson’s number on first down and rewarded the Lions with a mere 2.6 yards per carry.  Peterson led the team with seven carries to Johnson’s six.

I have no issue with Peterson playing on this team, but please use him on a situational basis for the love of everything holy.  I don’t understand how Bevell doesn’t see that Peterson doesn’t have the same juice as he once did.  Peterson is a reliable goal-line back, short-yardage, and a pawn that should be used for deep play-action passing attempts on first down.

Defenses continue to stack the box with Peterson in the backfield on first down, they know what is coming, and they are ready for it.  Forget about anything else Bevell calls; that first-down run to Peterson is by far the most frustrating and obvious play call.  It’s such a waste of a first down; if Bevell wants to operate with just three downs, he should look for a coaching gig somewhere in the Canadian Football League (CFL).

The Detroit Lions entered Sunday’s matchup without star receiver Kenny Golladay, Danny Amendola, or D’Andre Swift on the offensive side of the ball.

Johnson only managed six carries totaling 17 yards, along with making two receptions for 21 yards.  Johnson should have been utilized in the same manner as Swift, but instead, it was Peterson leading the backfield in touches.

Matthew Stafford completed 18 of his 33 passing attempts for a mere 178 yards.  An awful effort from the franchise quarterback.  Tight end T.J. Hockenson made four receptions totaling 68 yards, followed by Marvin Jones, who also made four grabs totaling 51 yards.

It’s an offense that is getting used to playing without Golladay, but Sunday, it became evident that the Lions can ill-afford to perform well without both Golladay and Swift.  Swift’s status will remain in doubt Thursday after being placed into the leagues’ concussion protocol this past Thursday after suffering a concussion.

Golladay performed some activities last week off to the side, on his own at practice. Hopefully, he has a chance to return in time to play against Houston this week.