Quick peek at game stats do not tell the real story. This was not not one of J. Goff’s better games. Not bad but ordinary. Receivers missed a few catches but not devastating to the final score. Credit due to Buc’s secondary. Lion’s offensive line held long enough and opened running lanes at opportune moments. Game’s entire tempo was generated by J. Gibbs breakout run for ‘big’ yardage.

Lion’s ‘banged-up’ defense did not get the ‘memo’ declaring them feeble and unable to stop B. Mayfield. As the game progressed, defensive pass coverage and defensive ‘rush’ limited Mayfield’s options until his time expired resulting in some reckless decisions. Somewhere in third quarter, Tampa’s offense became more undisciplined.

Lion’s rushing and pass receiving executed at most of the ‘right’ moments. J. Goff spread his targets effectively across six receivers. Available threat of an explosive ‘rush’ kept Tampa defensively ‘honest’.

Still disappointingly absent was the early ‘dagger move’ to ice the game beyond doubt.

Overall game’s stats are not despicable. Noticeable differences exist in total yards and penalties. Execution differences between first and second half were drastic. Chiefs adjusted and Lions did not.

P. Mahome’s mobility tilted the games tenure. Kansas City receivers held onto passes they dropped in the first half. Chief’s linebackers seemed to have free range in Lion’s backfield. Lion’s pass defense left gaping holes for easy receptions. T. Swift’s boyfriend proved he still has his mojo.

Second half Lion’s execution seemed to never move from ‘second gear’ into ‘high’. In spite of pressure J. Goff remained poised in spite of Chief’s relentless rush. A. Hutchinson was mostly held in check on defense.

Now onto the UGLY. Yes the refs missed what could have been obvious penalties but speculation does not change final scores. However, letting juvenile ‘school yard’ taunts effect your personal performance is unilaterally unacceptable. B. Branch needs to wise up or seek alternate employment before he reaps unseen retribution at Lion’s expense.

OK, we’ve had another demonstrative game with exceptional execution by unique team elements producing a win. J. Goff pass execution, defensive turnovers and unique play calling carried the day.

In retrospect this game should have been a total blowout. Failure to execute the “kill shot” sealing game’s outcome, Lion’s faltered and allowed Bengals to attempt a heroic result. A ‘backup’ QB managed 250+ yards passing and team rushing of 85 yards. And ‘undisciplined’ penalties continue. Ref calls tend to ‘zero’ out over a season.

J. Goff had superb offensive support from S. Laporta, D. Montgomery, J. Gibbs and A. St. Brown. Defensively, Lion’s line backers executed as an fully integrated unit all earning kudos. A. Hutchinson did limit Bengal’s offensive options with ruthless pass rushs. J. Fox’s punting was excellent by pinning Bengal’s offense at field disadvantages.

Lion’s upcoming schedule demands level consistency by every team element. Yes, games have ebb and flow but sure fire execution and overall team performance will negate needless desperate opponent’s last minute heroics.

Game stats deceptively do not portray game’s overall tenor. Concisely, passing, running, defense and special team’s executed when it mattered most. Final score concurred.

J. Goff’s completion rate not exemplary but effective when most mattered. J. Gibbs rushing kept Brown’s defense perpetually occupied. A. Hutchinson’s relentless rush and successful QB sacks kept J. Flacco’s pass completion rate below 50%. K. Raymond’s special team’s contribution was the ‘dagger to the heart’ blow.

Brown’s team errors more than offset Lion’s penalty lapse in discipline. In summary, Lion’s breadth of options, offensive or defensive, more than offset any Brown’s singular defensive strength.

Lions finally figure out how to corral a running QB. Beside containment, offensive blocking was text book illustration. Wide receivers participated in down-field blocking on run plays to extend yardage gains. Ends were sealed for sweeps by J. Gibbs. And where did the three tight end formation spring from?

D. Montgomery had a ‘highlight reel’ evening. Straight up N/S running with a touch of slash and dash. J. Goff targeted sticky finger receivers from his Chinese menu of choice.

Defensively, Lions just swarmed the Ravens to throttle L. Jackson causing 7 QB sacks. A. Hutchinson seemed more frenetic as the game progressed. Rush defense somewhat muted D. Henry and saw L. Jackson scramble mostly in ‘self defense’ for yardage.

Ugly scab of penalties and deep down field pass defense still are an issue.

Future scheduled opponents are just as formidable as the Ravens, so repetition of an overall game is a key for successful season.

This complete team performance was impeccable in timing and bearing. Passing, running, receiving and blocking were almost textbook in execution. Opening game’s tenor signaled finality at 2nd quarter’s end.

J. Goff spread 334 yds of almost precision passing everywhere except the cheer leading squad. Seemly, by agreement, J. Goff ‘telegraphed’ last TD pass to A. St.Brown in 4th qtr.

Blocking allowed J. Gibbs to sweep ends at full ’tilt’. Also, in a ‘naked’ backfield, D. Montgomery ‘stood-up’ a pass rusher giving J. Goff time to execute.

Pass receiving was punctuated by I. TeSlaa’s finger tip snatch by a ‘C. Johnson’ quality reception.

Keep in perspective Da Bears generously contributed to their own misery with turnovers and deleterious penalties with impeccable timing. They had a bad day but are not to be discounted in the season’s long run.

Look at the game stats and it appears to be a close game. However, mine own eyes saw a complete debacle from start to finish. If changes in offensive line quality were totally responsible, we’re in deep ‘do-do’. But other “warts” stuck out like a new case of an STD.

Goeff was to hesitant in passing decisions, running backs had no offensive holes or slants to run through, outside sweeps were ‘romper room’ design, and pass routes were flimsy. On defensive side of the program, tackling regressed, deep field pass coverage made Ray Charles look all pro and passer pressure took the day off.

In general, two up the middle and crossing slant pass was all that was on the menu. Green Bay had the Lion’s play book by first quarters end. Packers collapsed pass coverage with no fear of any deep threat.

Ok, done with the venting, let’s see if a coherent team is still there or we’re in our 68th year of rebuilding.

Answer: Defence. Question: Who did not ‘show-up’? Spectacle of defensive failures by both teams. When is the last time you saw a 1,000 yard offensive game? Down field completions by Commanders complements of Detroit’s pass defence would have made Stevie Wonder proud. Lion’s season long scandalous containment of a ‘running QB’ was an open, fetid wound. Also cannot disregard sloppy tackling by the Lions. Yardage after first defensive contact appeared excessive.

On Lion’s offensive side, their huge total yardage was negated by Lion’s ugly turnovers. J. Goff hesitated a fatal extra second on pass/throwaway decisions to many times. Offensive line seemed to have ‘brain fart’ blocks at most inopportune times.

Get involved in a ‘shoot-out’ and make more mistakes than your opponent and this is how it ends. You lose by beating yourself.

Solvable issue are wide open for fixing as we embark on our 67 year of rebuilding.

Lions feast on Viking’s really bad day. Hints of what was to come began with the first errant throw by S. Darnold and pass drop by usually reliable J. Jefferson. Down hill until games’ end. Timing was just a ‘little off’ on everything the Vikings tried. Credit the aggressive ‘balls out’ Lion’s defensive rush. Not many ‘sacks’ but minimal maneuverability for execution by S. Darnold.

On game’s offensive side, the Lion’s offensive line paved the way for J. Gibbs to sprint, slash, dash and bully his way for a personal best effort. Downfield blocking aided in J. Gibbs’s success.

The best Lion’s defensive effort was holding Vikings 0-4 red zone opportunities.

As reported elsewhere, coach D. Campbell expressed that Lions and Vikings would see each other for a rematch in the near future. Detroit’s old QB M. Stafford may not be onboard with his assessment.

Game stats provide all the gory details. Over 900yds of total offence. Titanic defensive effort (sarcasm} by both teams. Lion’s run game offset 49ers passing effort. Without a doubt, Detroit’s two pass interceptions determined the game’s outcome.

Lion’s ‘deep’ pass defense is still an open ugly wound. Some San Francisco’s receptions could have been made by Ray Charles. Lion’s offensive line generally gave J. Goff time to work progressions for completions. For the most part, passes were ‘bullets’ devoid of ‘dying quails’. Lion’s receivers developed ‘sticky fingers’ when it counted.

J. Gibbs need some help with run game work load. Durability requires more than a single game’s performance. Coverage of ‘running’ quarterbacks and some sloppy tackling need remediation.

Lastly, less focus on juvenile celebrations and more steely dedication to the end product of a winning final score.