The Detroit Lions tried to make it interesting at the end, but it was too little too late. The New Orleans Saints imposed their will, running all over the Lions, eventually beating them 35-29.
The Lions’ record now drops to a dismal 1-3 as they head into their bye week.
Once again, the Lions started the game hot, scoring on their first drive. Then, on the ensuing Saints possession, the Lions intercepted Drew Brees on the first play, giving the ball right back to Matthew Stafford. The Lions wasted little time punching it in for a 14-0 lead.
And that’s where the good news ended for the Lions, as they would go on to blow yet another double-digit lead, surrendering the next 35 points to the Saints.
But the pivotal play of the game came when the score was tied 14-14.
With a little over eight minutes left in the first half, the game was tied and the Lions were putting together a nice drive. Aided by an insane Jesse James catch and a pass interference call bringing them within striking distance in the endzone, the Lions had a chance to take the lead.
Then this happened…
🔒 P-ROBBED 🔒@PatRobinson25 » #Saints ball!!
📺 Fox // 📱 #Saints App pic.twitter.com/tz4y3pcS7Z
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) October 4, 2020
After squandering an opportunity to walk away with points and the lead, the Lions gave it back to the Saints, and they would go on to score three consecutive touchdowns, putting the Lions in an unrecoverable hole.
There were plenty of other mistakes that occurred throughout the game, but this play was the beginning of the downward spiral.
Don’t let the box score fool you. The Lions were in way over their heads and ill-prepared for this matchup. If you didn’t know any better, you may have thought it was the Lions who were missing six starters instead of the Saints. Saints coach Sean Payton could’ve closed his eyes and point to any play on his sheet, and it probably would’ve worked.
Even though the Lions have their bye next week, the number of issues affecting this team is overwhelming. From the defense looking like swiss cheese, to questionable offensive play-calling, there is no way around it: this team needs change and needs it quick.
Even though it is only Week 4, it is hard to see the Lions pulling themselves out of this hole.