After the first five minutes this ‘game’ trans-mutated into a no holds blowout. Three Lion’s game stats define the overall finality: 645 yards of offense, 38 first downs and almost 2 to 1 time of possession. Every one joined in the melee. J. Gibbs and D. Montgomery slashed, dashed and burned their way generating about two thirds of 196 yards rushing yardage. J. Goff found his ‘groove’ targeting nine separate receivers showing favoritism to A. St. Brown and J. Williams.

Meanwhile, Lion’s defense throttled the Jaguars to a paltry 129 yrds passing and 41 yrds rushing. Most unfortunately, the party was dampened by the injury loss of A. Anzalone reported to be a broken fore arm.

Rear view mirror introspection leaves no doubt that our 66th year of rebuilding has legitimized believing in a solid chance to escape from the tunnel of wannabe oblivion.

J. Goff’s nightmares came to fruition. Lion’s defensive efforts kept the game from being be a ‘blowout’ by holding Texans scoreless the second half. Houston’s J. Mixon was held to 46 yards rushing. In an antithesis to ‘smash mouth’ football, this game’s outcome was left to the field goal kickers. However, the winning field goal was placed in jeopardy by ‘clock management’ in the last few seconds of the game.

Even though ‘time of possession’ favored Houston, J. Gibbs speed on wide-out runs were effective late in the game made possible by offensive line execution. D. Montgomery’s timely pass reception continued to augment his N/S game efforts.

Overall, Lion’s defense, not of classic purity, prevailed and made a “W” possible.

Classic ole time brutal weather football game not fit for man or beast. Nothing fancy but Lion’s brutal running and controlled passing. For a team regaled for executing under brutal weather conditions, Green Bay failed the test across the board: dropped passes, bad snaps from center, sorry run game and an ill advised desperation pass. To bad so sad.

All Packer’s mistakes do not diminish yeoman Lions’ defensive efforts and ‘meat grinder’ running game made possible by precision offensive blocking. Time of possession under weather conditions did take it’s toll. Saving D. Montgomery for a close-out effort in 4th quarter was a classic N/S tactic. J. Goff made the most of weather limited pass opportunities.

Kickers did what was expected and penalties was kept low. B. Branch’s hit was called according to the rules. Slo-mo replays could have indicated that he was trying to avoid head on collision. Ejection could be disputed. Consistency and functional discipline ruled the day regardless of putrid weather.

Continued display of execution, minimal mistakes and improving down field pass defense could portend bight things for Lion’s remaining schedule.

Usually, game stats correlate extremely high with the game outcome. This game was an extreme outlier. Titans dominated in almost every category except for the dreaded ‘turnovers’. Lions cashed every opportunity check gifted to them. Initially, the game’s opening portended a classical ‘slug fest’ validating pregame hype. Then the ancient axiom of “on any given Sunday” reared its ugly head and wheels fell off Titans wagon never to be righted.

J. Goff had a rather ‘ho hum(?)’ 12/15 passing effort for a measly 85yds but managed to squeeze in 3 TDs. Passing targets included everyone except the cheer leading squad. J. Gibbs scooped up 137 yards with excellent OL line execution and downfield blocking. Feeling left out after a TD run, running back D. Montgomery demonstrated some passing acumen passing for a TD. Beside catching Montgomery’s TD pass S. LaPorta executed his after catch style of a N/S running fullback.

As often viewed as perfunctory, but not today, special team players had their highlight moments. K. Raymond weaved and sprinted his way to a punt return TD. On the kicking side, J. Fox boomed 60yd punts to keep Titans deep.

Defense had a good day containing M. Rudolph’s passing game if you ignore C. Ridley’s offensive production. Deep downfield coverage continues to be iffy. Titans also gifted critical penalty yards mostly beneficial to Lion’s timing.

Stats reflected games’ final score. Lion’s inspired tenacity won the day. Singular turnovers on either side appeared destined to decide the games’ outcome. No doubt this game could be the ‘hallmark’ of more performance consistency by the Lions for seasons’ duration.

Goff maintained disciplined control avoiding ill advised ‘passes. Rushing was balanced between slashing speed and brutish N/S assault. Lion’s offensive line mostly held Vikings pass rush at bay and set up running lanes. Menu of passing targets can still be broadened.

Defensive efforts stymied Viking’s full out productivity in spite of A. Hutchinson absence. Refresher lessons are required illustrating what constitutes ‘holding’. And, in spite of the failure, an unexpected ‘trick’ play has it’s time and place but maybe not deep in your own territory.

All in all, the ‘grit’ of Detroit Lions defeated a dangerous Viking’s effort. We can expect more ‘cake walks’ like the Dallas game and repeats of the Minnesota game. Injuries and replacement depth will define coach’s talent and skills to the max. .

Professional football is between inordinately skilled, physical human specimens at the ‘edge’ of capabilities. Physical injuries will happen, even as gruesome as suffered by A. Hutchinson. We all hope for the best recovery possible in his own best interest.

In summery, Dallas Cowboys got run over by Lion’s rushing game and stymied by Lion’s defense across the board of Dallas’s rushing and passing. When was the last time Dallas Cowboys failed to score a touchdown in a game? AI responded with ” 11/22/92 vs NY Giants”. One could but wonder what if A. Hutchinson had played the entire game.

Balance in run and passing was text book execution. Montgomery and Gibbs were in perfect balance. Goff spread receivers’ choice across the entire selection of target opportunities. When necessary he ‘ate’ the sack and avoided risky desperation ‘quail quality’ pass attempts. Fundamentally, Lion’s offensive line was linchpin key to both rushing passing attacks. Continuity as demonstrated in this game could potentially be a harbinger of ending the Bobby Lane ‘curse’.

Game stats would tell you the final score was an inversion of reality. Almost every stat favored the Seahawks., except for one. You guessed it. Stupid penalties chipped in an additional 30 yards on top of the other 516 yards by Seahawds just for the ‘hell’ of it. Deep pass defense needs remedial education on basic rules, especially what constitutes ‘holding’.

In an almost schizoid manner, Lion’s offense made almost every opportunity count. J. Goff warrants all the kudos cast in his direction. Beside pass completions, he took ‘sacks’ rather than making ill advised pass attempts. Balance of attack was augmented with great rushing efforts by Gibbs and Montgomery.

In what has become fashionable as part of Lion’s play, at least one ‘razzle-dazzle’ play is expected and fans were not disappointed. Surely, Vince Lombardi is turning over in his grave with the oscillating Lion’s performance half to half and or game to game.

Maybe the Lions have created a new paradigm on how achieve the ultimate NFL goal. Not for the faint of heart who have watched the last 66 years of rebuilding.

The first half of the game made the Lion’s offense look like a well oiled machine. Not so much after that. Lion’s defense aroused in second half to put the game away. Looking at the stats, especially time of possession, Goff’s pass completions and offensive blocking was text book game ‘blow out’ predictor.

Then game’s tenor shifted and then that old sicking feeling bubbled to the surface. Seen this before. With efforts by A. Hutchinson and D. Montgomery the slug-fest emerged. Lots of ball movement but very little production by the Lions. Compounded by the unseemly stupid penalties.

Taking into account the see-saw overall performance balance one has to conclude this is what the entire season will look like. Always on the knife’s edge with the outcome uncertain. Injuries, current or future, will make or break the season’s outcome. Unplanned depreciation in QB, RB, DL or OL leaves no room for redemption in the season’s long run.

Reviewing the game stats you could conclude the Bucs were a great team or the Lions played ineptly. Marvinudy leans more to the latter. Lion’s aerial assault was genuine but futile. Thirty four completions out of fifty five attempts gets the games’ ending result. With a little less than 500 yards of offense and A. Hutchinson’s defensive efforts, one would expect a blow-out.

Without delving into historical misery, we’ve been here before. Tampa’s net offense peaked out at 216 yards. What happened you ask? Lion’s lousy ‘red zone’ productivity. March up and down the field and settle for a field goal. Maybe J. Goff had a really off day. Let’s hope he cleansed his system. If not a plan “B” better be in Campbell’s s hip pocket.

In spite of the macabre insult penalty for having approximately 20 men on the field resulting in the first half ending loss of a field goal, the Lion’s were saved from “Dufus” of the week award going to Green Bay with the center ‘barfing’ on the ball just prior to the snap.

On to our next game with the Cardinals remembering what they did to LA Rams.

Let’s start with a circumstantial view. This game should take the “bloom off the rose” from all the press falderal about the Detroit Lions waltzing into the Super Bowel. Stafford may be older but as the Terminator said, “not obsolete”. Even hindered by losing two of LA’s major weapons, they still produced over 300 yards of offense.

On the Lion’s side, it was just nostalgic beauty to watch the seasoned offensive line seamless mesh with D. Montgomery for some old time N/S ‘smash mouth’ football. Gibb’s speed to the outside was a welcome asset. Goff’s performance was adequate but 18/28 will not carry the team unilaterally in every future game scenario.

Stupid penalties at critical moments seem to be a Lion’s specialty. Hutchinson gets a pass because he stumbled before hitting Stafford low. Fortunately, LA reciprocated late in the game to keep the game close.

Downfield pass defense was exposed by LA’s C. Cupp. Even acknowledging that he is a premier receiver is not an excuse to allow him to perform as he did. It’s trite to acknowledge but future opponents saw the same game we did.

Even with the seasoned OL and very good running backs, J. Goff and the offensive coaching has to successfully exploit better execution to open pass routes for good hands’ potential receivers. Limited one dimension offense will not carry the day.