The Green Bay win over the Lions 45-41 on Sunday the final day of the regular season is hard to figure. When you score 41 points you should win. The Lions did not win. Offensively, the Lions were virtually unstoppable. Sadly, so were the Packers, and that, for me, is hard to figure.
The reason it is hard to figure is that the week before, the Lions defense held the very hot and very potent San Diego offense in check, and actually shut them down. They did it with baically the same guys they were playing with against the Packers. The Chargers game wasn't a fluke either, because in their finale against Oakland, they destroyed the Raiders by putting up nearly 40 points. Explain that one to me!
I can't figure it. Clearly, the Lions defense played badly in Green Bay. I am a big fan of Gunther Cunningham. He has schemed his way to a very good year defensively by covering up some shortcomings with his strengths on defense. Against Green Bay nothing worked. The biggest issue I have is with the defensive line. We know that is the strength of this defense. They have got to get more pressure on the quarterback just rushing four guys. That is on the players. They've got to get back to being a dominant disruptive force. Everything on this defense flows through that front four. Without big contributions from them, this defense will struggle. The secondary which was torched by the Packers Matt Flynn will play better if Flynn is running for his life.
While this loss is disappointing, I still find it difficult not to look at the big picture. Maybe thats just the nature of the beast, in other words, you are only as good as your last game. So everyone is out there now gnashing their teeth, and looking at the worst of things. Well, this Lions team is still in the play-offs. How many folks thought they would be there when the season started. It has been a very good year for this team coming from where they were. And, I'd like to remind all of you, they are still playing! 20 of 32 teams in this league have begun their off season. Let's just keep some perspective.
Going forward, you can say they would have been better off winning and playing in New York as the five seed than in New Orleans as the six seed. Probably right, but, to get where you want to go, you are going to have to beat good teams. The Lions get a good one in their opening round. Their weren't going to be at home anyway, so what's the problem?
With the offense that the Lions have shown the last few weeks, they have a chance. Like in boxing, they have a punchers chance against the Saints. Defensively, they must play better. I'm not telling you they can get into a track meet with Drew Brees and win. No, they have to play better on the defensive side of the ball. They won't have an all new group of personnell out there either. Thats not the way this league works, you can't trade out a defense like in fantasy football. You play with what you got. Yes, Louis Delmas will be back, but overall, the key to this team winning in the play-offs is the guys that are out there have to play better. It is simple as that.
The other team is trying just as hard and they have really talented guys too. That's why we love this game. It's the best of the best against each other.
Don't kid yourself. The Lions have a chance to win against the Saints in New Orleans. They can score with anybody. Stafford is as hot as any quarterback in the play-offs. This offense is very explosive, and with Titus Young making big plays it adds another weapon to the already very dangerous group of Calvin Johnson, Brandon Pettigrew, Nate Burleson, and Tony Sheffler. Don't think for a moment the Saints aren't worried some by the prospect of that group.
Pressure on Brees, and win the battle of the line of scrimmage are the two factors the defense must accomplish. They've got a chance. The Lions are in the tournament. In the big picture, they've done really well. Now, expectations have been raised. Isn't that what we've all wanted? Let's enjoy it. The Lions are relevant again. I can live with that.
