Two mistake-filled losses to sub-.500 teams later, and they’re back to being, well, the Lions. As usual, they have poor quarterback play to thank for it — it’s just shocking it’s coming from their $76.5 million man, Matthew Stafford.
After losing to then three-win Steelers in Week 11, the Lions blew it against the now three-win Buccaneers on Sunday, falling 24-21 at home. Their last play of the game — a potential Stafford touchdown pass to Calvin Johnson that turned into the game-sealing interception for the Buccaneers — summed up the day quite nicely.
Stafford's fourth interception of the day capped a second consecutive bad game. Forget the fact he’s thrown for 659 yards and five touchdowns the last two weeks. He also has been horribly inefficient with five INTs and has completed fewer than half his pass attempts (48.9 percent).
No, the Lions’ defense doesn’t apply a good pass rush despite a marquee front four, and can get burned by big plays by fast receivers (see Antonio Brown last week, see Tiquan Underwood this week). They’re also an inconsistent rushing team with a so-so offensive line.
But the Steelers' and Bucs' pass defenses were asking to be burned by Stafford. He had a hot first half in each game, only to cool off badly once the passes didn’t go as easily to Johnson in the second half. Tampa Bay even gave him a big break, as top cornerback Darrelle Revis was knocked out with a groin injury.
Stafford just got a megacontract and is supposed to deliver. He’s relied too much on Megatron going up and catching the ball for him.
He had something going with returning No. 2 Nate Burleson working over the Bucs’ slot coverage in the first half, but didn’t go that direction in the second half. He also has had a disconnect in setting up running back Reggie Bush to make the big open-field plays after the catch that were there earlier in the season.
You wonder how this season would be without Johnson bailing out Stafford as often as he has.
For his big arm and experience, Stafford shouldn’t be this uncomfortable when under pressure. Look at where his picks came on Sunday. At the Tampa Bay 22. At the Detroit 46 for a Bucs pick six. At the Tampa Bay 25. At the Tampa Bay 28. That’s at least a 16-point swing in a three-point loss.
No team is perfect, but the ones with savvy, good decision-making quarterbacks — and that win divisions — overcome those mistakes in games they should win against inferior teams.
Stafford has failed at a most critical time for his team. Instead of gaining ground in the NFC North on a day the Bears (6-5) lost to the Rams and the Packers (5-5-1) tied the Vikings, the Lions remain tied with the Bears and just a half-game ahead of the Packers before the teams’ now much bigger matchup on Thanksgiving Day.
This also was the window for Stafford to put the Lions in full control while the Bears, without Jay Cutler, and the Packers, without Aaron Rodgers, try to survive with inferior backup quarterbacks. Instead, there’s no breathing room with Cutler and Rodgers possibly returning soon to help the bridge the minimal gap.
There’s even talk about Rodgers talking himself into playing on Thursday.
The Lions blew their big chance, and they should be looking most at their veteran quarterback who’s playing like a rookie and was outplayed by one (the Bucs' Mike Mike Glennon) on Sunday.
MORE: Buccaneers-Lions game highlights | Top 5 runs | Top 5 catches
title: “Struggling Stafford Behind Lions Latest Blues” ShowToc: true date: “2023-01-06” author: “Jeanette Clayton”
After losing to then three-win Steelers in Week 11, the Lions blew it against the now three-win Buccaneers on Sunday, falling, 24-21, at home. Their last play of the game — a potential Stafford touchdown pass to Calvin Johnson that turned into the game-sealing interception for the Bucs’ defense — summed up the day quite nicely.
Stafford's fourth interception of the day capped a second consecutive bad game. Forget the fact he’s thrown for 659 yards and five touchdowns the last two weeks. He also has been horribly inefficient with five INTs and has completed fewer than half his pass attempts (48.9 percent).
No, the Lions’ defense doesn’t apply a good pass rush despite a marquee front four, and can get burned by big plays by fast receivers (see Antonio Brown last week, see Tiquan Underwood this week). They’re also an inconsistent rushing team with a so-so offensive line.
But the Steelers' and Bucs' pass defenses were asking to be burned by Stafford. He had a hot first half in each game, only to cool off badly once the passes didn’t go as easily to Johnson in the second half. Tampa Bay even gave him a big break, as top cornerback Darrelle Revis was knocked out with a groin injury.
Stafford just got a megacontract and is supposed to deliver. He’s relied too much on Megatron going up and catching the ball for him. He had something going with returning No. 2 Nate Burleson working over the Bucs’ slot coverage in the first half, but didn’t go that direction in the second half. He also has had a disconnect in setting up running back Reggie Bush to make the big open-field plays after the catch that were there earlier in the season. You wonder how this season would be without Johnson bailing out Stafford as often as he has.
For his big arm and experience, Stafford shouldn’t be this uncomfortable when under pressure. Look at where his picks came on Sunday. At the Tampa Bay 22. At the Detroit 46 for a Bucs pick six. At the Tampa Bay 25. At the Tampa Bay 28. That’s at least a 16-point swing in a three-point loss.
No team is perfect, but the ones with savvy, good decision-making quarterbacks — and that win divisions — overcome those mistakes in games they should win against inferior teams.
Stafford has failed at a most critical time for his team. Instead of gaining ground in the NFC North on a day the Bears (6-5) lost to the Rams and the Packers (5-5-1) tied the Vikings, the Lions remain tied with the Bears and just a half-game ahead of the Packers before the teams’ now much bigger matchup on Thanksgiving Day.
This also was the window for Stafford to put the Lions in full control while the Bears, without Jay Cutler, and the Packers, without Aaron Rodgers, try to survive with inferior backup quarterbacks. Instead, there’s no breathing room with Cutler and Rodgers possibly returning soon to help the bridge the minimal gap. There’s even talk about Rodgers talking himself into playing on Thursday.
The Lions blew their big chance, and they should be looking most at their veteran quarterback who’s playing like a rookie and was outplayed by one (Mike Glennon) on Sunday.
