Death, taxes, and the Detroit Lions being booed off of the football field. That is exactly how the organization and new regime were greeted by the Detroit faithful Sunday afternoon exiting the playing surface down 31-10 to the 49ers. After nearly completing a tremendous comeback, the Lions fall 41-33 in the season opener.
Although patience will be needed during this rebuild, all we can ask for is hope as fans. Hope is exactly what the Detroit Lions provided their fans in the second half of Sunday’s opener.
Sunday was a tale of two stories. It reinforced that rebuilds absolutely suck. Also, regardless of what the Lions brass prefer to call this season, it’s clearly a rebuild. But I will say, this team under Dan Campbell will not quit, and that in itself is admirable.
Also, we can safely confirm that starting quarterback Jared Goff is nothing more than a bridge-quarterback until the Detroit Lions draft, who they hope is their eventual franchise signal-caller at some point over the next two seasons. Goff can be released after next season without much salary repercussion. The cost in 2023 is $10 million in dead cap, plus $5 million in 2024.
That being said, the Detroit Lions have not done Goff any favors. Aside from T.J. Hockenson, Jamaal Williams, and D’Andre Swift, the Lions don’t have much help for the 26-year old quarterback on offense.
Sunday was always expected to be tough sledding for the Detroit Lions. The 49ers are expected to be a Super Bowl contender despite playing in the leagues’ toughest division.
The Detroit Lions defense seemed to be on roller skates for the majority of the football game. The defensive front failed to get any sustained pressure on quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. Even with Raheem Mostert injured early on in the ball game, rookie Elijah Mitchell stepped in and gashed the Lions’ defense.
Detroit’s no. 3 overall pick from just a year ago, Jeff Okudah, struggled mightily in the season opener. Lions defensive backs coach Aubrey Pleasent was caught on the sideline laying into the young corner in the first half after he caught inside on a run play to his side that ended with a Mitchell 38-yard touchdown. Later in the second half, Okudah was burnt badly on a 79-yard Deebo Samuel touchdown reception. Safety Will Harris was also in a position to help on the play but seemed lost as Samuel cruised past both after making the catch.
Believe it or not, there were a couple of positives to take away from the Detroit Lions loss to the 49ers.
With Taylor Decker starting the season on the shelf, the Detroit Lions elected to start their no. 7 overall pick, Penei Sewell, at left tackle. Sewell struggled right out of the gate but settled in and played exceptionally well despite being forced to block Nick Bosa for most of the afternoon.
Detroit’s running game proved to be a strength on the offensive side of things. Jamaal Williams runs with relentless authority and appears to be the perfect compliment to D’Andre Swift. Both running backs will also see a fair share of targets in the passing game.
It should not come as a surprise that a plethora of Goff’s completions will be short, underneath attempts. Goff was shaky early, misfiring on a few short should-be simple completions but eventually settled in to complete 11 pass attempts in a row before throwing an awful pick-six late in the second quarter.
The Detroit Lions also successfully recovered an onside kick with under two minutes to go down 41-25 and had the potential to make things slightly uncomfortable for Shanahan and the 49ers. It was 38-10 in favor of the 49ers.
Late in the fourth quarter on third and long, Samuel caught a first down pass that would seal the contest, but Trey Flowers, 15 yards away from the line of scrimmage, did not give up on the play and punched the football out, forcing a turnover.
The Lions marched into San Francisco territory needing a touchdown and their third successful two-point conversion to force overtime and came up just short. But those are the types of efforts that show up on film. When your leaders out there making plays late, it translates down throughout the lineup.
Week One Detroit Lions player stats.
And although Goff appears to be a bridge quarterback, as mentioned earlier in the article, he did show toughness and a willingness to hang in and make plays. Goff finished the day throwing for 338 yards, going 38/57 and three touchdowns, plus that one awful pick-six.
Williams galloped for 54 yards and a score on nine totes, making eight catches totaling 56 receiving yards. Swift earned 39 yards on 11 carries and added eight grabs for 65 yards and a score.
Hockenson led the way with eight catches and 97 yards with a touchdown and caught a two-point conversion. Kalif Raymond made three grabs totaling 50 yards.
Tracy Walker led the Detroit Lions’ defense with seven tackles and a sack. Flowers made four solo tackles plus three assists plus a massive forced fumble.
When it comes to the 49ers, Garoppolo went 17/25, totaling 314 yards and a touchdown, plus Trey Lance was good on his only attempt throwing a five-yard touchdown. Mitchell galloped for 104 yards and a score on 19 carries. Deebo Samuel made nine catches totaling 189 yards and a touchdown. George Kittle made four catches for 78 yards and was a force as a run blocker.
The Green Bay Packers are next on the docket for the Detroit Lions on Monday night.