Detroit Lions: 3 Takeaways from loss to Packers not related to officiating
Officiating has been the focus for the Detroit Lions after their loss to the Packers on Monday night but there are takeaways beyond bad calls.
Everyone knows the Detroit Lions got the short end of the stick from officiating against the Green Bay Packers. Two phantom illegal use of hands penalties called on Trey Flowers allowed Aaron Rodgers to make a late-game comeback and ultimately give the Packers a home win at Lambeau Field over the Lions, 23-22.
Rightfully so, much of the conversation about this game has been dominated by the officiating. It was disgraceful and worthy of outrage. Having said that, there was much more that happened on Monday Night Football in Week 6 than the Lions getting taken to task by the referees.
That’s what we’re going to look at — three major takeaways for the Detroit Lions that have nothing to do with the yellow laundry that hit the turf.
More from NFL Spin Zone
- Dallas Cowboys made the trade everyone else should have made
- Pittsburgh Steelers rookie sleeper everyone should be talking about
- Anthony Richardson putting jaw-dropping talent on display immediately
- Denver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a while
- Washington Commanders: Three takeaways from win over Ravens
3. Run game must be more consistent
Even though Matthew Stafford had only 18 completions on 32 attempts, he was Detroit’s offense on Monday night. He threw for 265 yards and committed no turnovers despite being under a barrage of pressure from Green Bay’s front all night.
While Kerryon Johnson may have scored the Lions’ only touchdown on the night, he was bad for his fourth game this season. He averaged only 2.6 yards per tote on his 13 carries (34 yards), though he did contribute 27 receiving yards on two catches. But this comes down to the run game in the Motor City.
Johnson’s presence behind a strong offensive line was supposed to ignite the run game to respectable degrees. We saw signs of that last season but, outside of rushing for 125 yards against the Chiefs, that hasn’t been the case in the 2019 season. Whether it’s the line, Johnson or a combination of the two, Detroit needs to get some actual balance in their offense right now.
2. Defense is good but not perfect
Despite playing without Quandre Diggs last night, the Lions defense actually performed quite well. They forced three turnovers (one was a special teams fumble) and limited the Packers to only two touchdowns. However, this defense also showed that they have their shortcomings.
Detroit could not muster a consistent pass rush against a Packers offensive line that has been a bit of a rollercoaster this season, sacking Aaron Rodgers just once. Yes, the late-game penalties limited those numbers but it was still not a consistent force that Patricia’s team needs it to be.
On top of that, the run defense was gashed all night long. The Packers averaged 5.9 yards per carry on the night and it felt like more as Green Bay gashed through the Lions defense whenever they handed the ball off.
There are few superstars on this Lions defense, if any. Having said that, they have the pieces in place to be good enough to win, especially under the direction of good coaching. But that can be true and while they can also not be an elite unit. That was on full display in the loss at Lambeau.
1. Nobody should want to play the Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are the scariest 2-2-1 team in the NFL. Okay, so they’re the only 2-2-1 team in the NFL but the point still stands. Patricia’s team has the pieces in place to compete with anyone. They’ve lost their last two outings but those games also came against the Chiefs and Packers, two teams who most would consider Super Bowl contenders. And they lost by a combined five points.
Next. 2019 NFL picks, score predictions for Week 7. dark
Stafford is playing some of the best, most consistent football of his career and has a deep group of pass-catchers. As mentioned, the defense is talented and well-coached enough to succeed to the point that the team can be in position to win. And that’s not going to change no matter who this Lions team is matched up with.
Are they a contender? It’s too soon to definitively say. But it’s not too soon to say that the Lions are the farthest thing from an easy victory right now.