Lion’s fans were treated to a genuine flashback of a ‘come from behind win by J. Goff. Bears had this game won except for the remaining 4:15 of playing time. Taking points via a field goal was the ‘safe bet’. Bears had a running game and Lion’s offence was sputtering.

Hats off to Detroit’s defense and offence for waking up. Execution on both sides of the ball was textbook for the remaining minuets. Goff passes were caught and D. Montgomery had a tad more ‘tempo’ on running plays. Overall once Chicago was as they say, ‘put on their heals’, Lions maintained pressure and momentum.

No matter what the pundits conclude, a ‘plus’ still goes into the win column.

Delusions of grandeur were brought into clear focus at game’s end. It’s not easy for two teams to generate almost 1,000 yards of offence. Entertaining yes but not suitable for seasonal success. One can expect every team for the rest of the schedule to replicate the same passing attack as the Chargers implemented.

On the other side of the coin, Goff and his cadre of receiving targets are any opponents nightmare. Kudos to the offensive line allowing Goff time to execute and D. Montgomery appearing to back into full form. With Gibbs in tandem soft pass coverage will not end well.

In summary, giving up huge point numbers and staggering yards will not allow survivable post season progression.

This turned into a fan favourite game. Start the game getting field goals instead of touchdowns, inexplicable interception pass and jammed up the middle runs. On the other side of play, Lion’s defence had a very good day. Raiders could not score if the Lion’s had the ball almost twice as long. Aside the pick six and a Raider’s TD run, Detroit dominated across the board. Final score in no way reflected on entire tenor of game play.

Generating three times the offensive yardage, over two times as many 1st downs, two net positive on turnovers coupled with dominate possession time made the game a ‘blowout’ by any metric.

Savior the game’s memory as deserved after so many historical debacles. The ‘ghosts’ of seasons’ past smiled broadly for the way Detroit’s Honolulu Blues played in this game.

After about 5 minutes into the game, an ending was clear and inevitable. The Lions could not contain a running QB and Raven’s defence overwhelmed Lion’s offensive line. Coupled without any appreciable running game Goff suffered an interminable afternoon. Allowing the opponents over 500 yards of offence and time of possession will take its toll.

Baltimore Ravens had a near perfect game on both sides of the ball. Their execution made the Lions look totally unprepared and discombobulated. Every team has a ‘bad day’ no matter what the pundits proclaim. Put this game in the ‘lessons learned’ column and get on with the season.

No denying this game against Tampa’s bucs was J. Goff’s best performance as a Lion’s QB. He compensated for the loss of the Lion’s run game in superlative fashion. Passes were spread across receivers and throws were eloquently threaded between defenders. Receivers adjusted to variations in pass trajectory and maintained control for completions. Textbook execution.

Do not succumb to the fever. Repetitive expectations in upcoming games is just unrealistic. Revive your memories of opponent’s defensive schematics against the great B. Sanders. Stop Barry and you beat the Lions. Aside from the RB position, performance degrading injuries are spread through out the team. Ugly is still in the Lion’s repertoire within the remaining schedule.

Healing time and potential ‘hidden jewels’ amongst the practice squad can bolster a seasons optimistic outcome.

Classic way of ‘getting it done’. Stat’s differential are similar until you get to the ‘rushing’ and ‘turnover’ column. Built upon the back of Montgomery’s running, Goff distributed the passing game all around. He refrained from desperation tosses and took some classic hits from Panther’s defence. Good sign of toughness and game ‘smarts’. Lion’s offensive line created good pocket protection and created picture perfect running opportunities for D. Montgomery.

Overall Lion’s defence effort kept Panther’s offensive efforts from getting into ‘high gear’. Maybe ‘off balance’ is a more germane moniker.

Overall it looked like the entire Lion’s team was enjoying the fruits of effort throughout the game. Now comes the consistency part of the schedule. No time rest on your laurels. Been there and would rather not endure another replay.

The Lion’s game at Green Bay started with a cruel, sadistic ‘poke in the eye’ miscue. Then the Lion’s defensive tide rolled in to drown Green Bay’s perpetual 12th man stadium crowd. Oh how bitter the bile of watching your Packers manage 20 yards of offence and 2 first downs in the game’s first half. It took an entire third period to remind the Lion’s the cost of resting on your laurels. By game’s end, Lion’s defensive rushers spent as much time in Green Bay’s backfield as the ball in play. .

D. Montgomery had a splendid performance with individual effort and maximising use of running lanes created by the offensive line. Goff had good protection and absorbed some hits from lingering decision making. No doubt, the rushing game coupled with Lion’s first down performance were keys to success.

Now, repetition is key to validating our 66 year of rebuilding is finally more than a fantasy. You shall be judged by the iron clad W/L statistic.

This was a genuine ‘fun’ game to watch even though trepidation lurked in the background of seasoned Lion’s fans. What prompted the frenetic, swarming defence to show up for the Lion’s game against Atlanta? Let’s hope it was the resolution and resurrection of execution from days of yore. Repeat performances against seasoned, strong offensive schemes can alleviate the past raptures of seasons long gone.

In spite of injuries, most notably, D. Montgomery, the offence was in sync. Repeat rushing results with Montgomery in the lineup will add significant dimension to the offensive scheme.

Goff had ‘pocket’ time for pass selection thanks to offensive line rearrangement. On the other side of the ‘ball’, A. Hutchinson, B. Branch and supporting cast controlled the game’s tenor. Also of note, the lost art of ‘sure’ tackling was evident as a priority.

Looking at game stats, the game was a ‘toss-up’ until you factor in turnovers. Both teams posted large passing yardage with modest running games. Detroit Lion’s glaring weakness in the defensive secondary against Seattle’s passing game was on full display. This is not to say the Seahawks did not prove much of a barrier to Goeff’s passing game. Hats off to the Lion’s offensive line for giving Goeff great protection and time to optimise receiver selection. Hurriedly, threading the needle proved costly.

Seattle ‘gifted’ the Lions in penalties but were reciprocated with Lion’s turnovers. It’s going to be a long excruciating season if Detroit’s pass defence is not ‘fixed’. Hopefully, Montgomery’s injury is not critical.

Rebuilding marches on into year 66.

Well, well, well, hell can freeze over and the Detroit Lions can play football. Who could have guessed. For beleaguered Lion’s fans this performance shaped up to be an all to familiar scenario. Then the haunting legacy ‘Demons’ were seemingly, at least temporarily, put out to pasture and our Lions defeated last year’s Super Bowel champions, the Kansas City Chief’s Andy Reid’s juggernaut on prime time television. Kinda like an alternate universe.

First off, you play with the hand you are dealt. The win-lost column, despite talking heads imaginations, are not complete with asterisks or footnotes of what coulda, shoulda, woulda, maybe happen. Get over it! The Lions played a complete game with an air of “trying to win” and “not trying to lose” as we’ve seen off and on over the last 65 years.

No denying the absence of key KC players effected both teams play strategy. However, KC should acknowledge their lack of depth is a genuine long term weakness. Relying on Hahomes as rushing leader is clarion warning sign. Notable thanks should be extended to the ‘brick hands’ of KC receiving corps.

Overall, the Lions previewed realistic expectations for the season ahead. One may have seen a glimmer that old style “smash mouth” football is back in vogue in Detroit. Mongo would be proud. Watch ‘Blazing Saddles’ again if this one slipped by you.