Detroit Lions: Latest blowout has fans calling for David Blough

A week following yet another heartbreaking loss, the Detroit Lions were obliterated 34-11 by Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals.

Lions head coach Dan Campbell might be teary-eyed again during his postgame press conference but more out of disgust this week instead of genuinely heartbroken after last week’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

After nearly beating Minnesota a week ago and seeing an emotional Campbell address the media, I quickly mentioned on our social media platforms that the players would respond well to Campbell’s presser, and then Sunday happened.

The Detroit Lions totaled one yard of offense in the first quarter of Sunday’s game against the Bengals.  The team was once again shut out in the first half of the contest for the third time over the last four weeks.

Quarterback Jared Goff played his worst game of the season, often failing to see Lions receivers running the intermediate routes flash open; instead continued to settle for a check down.

I felt that Lions offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn ( who I really like and respect) didn’t call his best game either.  Both parties are limited with the talent they have at their disposal due to Detroit’s lackluster roster, but neither helped their cause.

The Lions totaled 51 total yards of offense after the first half, only gaining four first downs.  After three-quarters, Detroit totaled five first downs; that’s how bad it was Sunday.

As the offense continued to struggle, it hampered a defense that had played exceptionally well through three quarters, only allowing 10 points at the half and 20 through three quarters.

When you consider how thin Aaron Glenn’s secondary is and defense in general, that is quite impressive.  The Bengals offense is arguably one of the best in football, having the ability to roll out Joe Mixon, Tee Higgins, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tyler Boyd.

Burrow is no slouch and will only improve over time, but those weapons are like jumping into a Ferrari.  Goff, on the other hand, is trying to win the race with a Ford Tempo.

That is not an excuse, Goff was atrocious Sunday, but he doesn’t have much to work with.

Detroit Lions fans are calling for David Blough after the latest blowout loss.

I understand the fans banging the table for David Blough, but you can’t really think the quarterback change will make a difference, do you?

Over his career, Blough has averaged 5.6 yards per attempt and 172 passing yards per game while completing just 54.3% of his passes.  In comparison, Goff has totaled 203 and 202 yards in each of his last two starts without throwing a touchdown and only averaged 4.8 yards per attempt against the Bengals. Mind you, most of those stats came in garbage time when the game had already been decided.  So I understand your frustration.

Basically, what I am saying here is that Blough doesn’t project as any type of upgrade.  Blough put up his numbers with the likes of Marvin Jones Jr, Kenny Golladay, and Danny Amendola, and I’d be terrified to see what those numbers would look like with Kalif Raymond, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and KhaDarel Hodge.

And one more thing, remember that Blough couldn’t beat out Chase Daniel last season to be the primary backup quarterback.

On the other hand, what do the Lions have to lose?

I’m all for whatever works, and if Campbell thought Blough could have given the Lions a much-needed spark, I would support the change, but I feel the right time for the move would have been the first series after the half.  Detroit was still in the game, but the coaching staff elected to remain with Goff.

Cincinnati outgained the Lions to the tune of 398 to 228 and outrushed Detroit 142 to 36.  The Detroit Lions’ strength is supposed to be their rushing attack. Still, with Taylor Decker and Frank Ragnow out and Penei Sewell playing hurt, the Lions struggled to maintain any type of consistency running the football.

Next up for Detroit is a trip to Los Angeles to take on Matthew Stafford and the Rams.  It would be an ironic time for a potential quarterback controversy if you were to ask me.