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.

Game of momentum shifted ‘to and fro”. Disparate stats in third and fourth down efficiency converted into more Lion’s total offensive opportunities. In spite of the ‘wounded’ defensive line J. Love was mostly held in check. Deep Lion’s pass coverage is still suspect.

The real “drama” occurred at the game’s end. Against prevailing SOP D. Campbell spurned a field goal attempt on forth and one. Initially, everyone expected an attempt to draw a defensive ‘encroachment’ call against the Packers. Nope, J. Goff took the snap, stumbled and completed a hand-off the D. Montgomery who slashed through for a first down and enabled team Lions to run down the clock to almost nothing before J. bates put a ‘chip shot’ through the uprights for a tumultuous “W”.

Looking back on the season this was not out of character for the Lion’s team culture. No more playing ‘not to lose’ even if the risks are high.

Classic game tale of two halves. First half viewing portended a second half lopsided ending. Not to be however. Lion’s inability to ‘slam the door shut’ allowed Bears to claw their way back crowned with a comical but heart wrenching farce of game clock management.

Lion’s lack of Bear’s quarterback containment coupled with an asinine, childish, churlish school-yard display by J. Williams almost produced a stunning upset. However, not to be outdone the Bears ‘fumbled’ clock management preventing the possibility of an overtime extension. Almost right out of the ole Lion’s classic playbook.

Detroit’s rushing stats were a bright light in an otherwise ho-hum performance. Settling for field goals as touchdown replacements are generally fatal to a positive outcome.

Going forward, resurrection of ‘walking wounded’ and performance of their backups are keys to reaching deep into potential playoff success.

Not a classical battle. Key stats demonstrated balanced offensive attack via first down achievements. Ultimately played into time of possession advantage. Colts made callous errors when most beneficial to the Lions. Dropped passes, holding calls and other errors were timely and costly for the Colts.

J. Goff had a good day but not stylish by any standards. Pass target distribution and J. Gibb’s rushing kept Indy guessing. Lion’s kicking efforts were suburb as usual.

All in all, backups for starters did their job. Future game schedule will not find as much charity in favor of the Lions. But a stodgy win is still a win.

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.