Tag: Pivotal play

Lions pivotal play of the game: Matthew Stafford’s costly red zone mistake

The Detroit Lions drop to the New Orleans Saints 35-29 and it was a Matthew Stafford red zone mistake that started the downward spiral.

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…

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.

Lions pivotal play of the game: Dagger time comes up dull against the Bears

The Detroit Lions dropped their season opener against the Chicago Bears after a heartbreaking play that will be felt by every Lions fan

Well, Detroit Lions fans, this wasn’t the start we were looking for to start the season.

Another 4th quarter implosion, the Lions dropped their fifth straight against their division foe, the Chicago Bears, and start the season 0-1. After several critical injuries to the secondary and the patchwork that was implemented, the Bears took advantage. They picked apart the Lions through the air after shredding them on the ground for the majority of the game, handing them their first loss of the season.

There were a few bright moments in the game like the ageless wonder Adrian Peterson showing a resemblance of a running game almost rushing for 100 yards and Trey Flowers bringing the pressure. However, the Lions still manages to find ways to lose games.

Unfortunately, there were a few plays that ultimately sealed the deal for the Lions heartbreaking loss. You can either choose the Aikem Hicks sack on Stafford, which led to Prater attempting a 55-yard field that sadly donged so loud it echoed in the empty stadium. Then, there was the tipped interception that led to the Bears taking the lead late in the game.

Woefully, there wasn’t more a heartbreaking moment than this one:

You can hear the pain in Lomas Brown and Dan Miller’s voice when rookie D’Andre Swift had the game-winning touchdown in his hands and failed to secure it to give the Lions the victory. This play could’ve been the dagger that sealed the deal, but it ended being the dagger that is felt by every Lions fan who watched the game. The drop is a tough pill to swallow for the rookie.

The Lions will have to put this one behind them because next week, they have the Green Bay Packers, another division foe on the docket, and it won’t be easy after the Packers beat the Vikings 43-34. Hopefully, the Lions can recover from the multiple injuries in the secondary, because they will need to be healthy against the high powered air attack of Green Bay with Aaron Rodgers slinging the rock.