It has been a while since I put the digital pen to the virtual paper and there have been a few reasons why. First, I have to admit, the Lions first game for the season was more than a little dispiriting for me. I avoided listening to the local sports radio channel (97.1 the Ticket) for two weeks after that shocking, miserable and utterly perplexing loss. Second I have been both busy at work, and sick (literally) and as a result I have been even more tired than usual. The biggest reason is that I have suffered from the usual depression and apathy that I go through on a regular basis. I am still here (as the title of this blog states) and I want to give a few through from the first 6 games of this season and finish up with where I think this team is going this year.
First game counts, but doesn't matter
I actually tried to write a blog about this game as it was happening (made possible by it being played on Monday, my day off) but by the third quarter I gave up after writing Lions go 3 and out or another interception ends the team's drive. The Lions played awful against the Jets. In fact the Lions played like it was still the preseason and were not taking their opponent or the game seriously. This is bad, but the not end of the world for the Lions as some of the problems they showed were so bizarre that it defied logic and explanation. I saw Golden Tate drop passes. Golden Tate does not drop passes. I look at things like that and think that while this game does count on the team's record, it does not matter. I say that because it tells me nothing of what the team is capable of, its strengths or weaknesses. The further away for that game we get, the more convinced I am of this thinking. Stafford threw four interceptions that game and has thrown one since then. I simply choose to believe (based on the evidence) that that game should not be viewed as a meaningful barometer of the team.
Losses to 49ers and Cowboys, Win against Packers
As go Kerryon Johnson's participation, so go the Lion's scoring, and winning. When the team uses its rookie running back more, they score more, they keep more drives alive, they control the clock more, and they win more. When they use Johnson less, they do all of the above mentioned things less. The loss against San Francisco is a good example of that. The Lions got dominated in the first half and in the second half they almost came from behind to win it, almost. The difference is that Kerryon Johnson was barely used in the first half an heavily used in the second. The team also has a problem playing complete games, something that they showed in all but one game this season. This was on display in their loss against the Cowboys in Dallas as they were dominated in the first half, came from behind to take the lead but loss to a last second field goal. The Lions did not play a complete game and did not use its star in the making running back Johnson nearly enough. The offense could not sustain drives and it could not put enough points on the board to make up for its weak defense. I am putting the Lion's week 5 win against the Packers in this section as well as the team once again did not play a complete game. the Lions dominated the first half and nearly fell apart as a injured Arron Rodgers nearly complete a come from behind win against them. The difference between this and the other two games (other than the win) is that the Lions were able to score just enough in the second half to keep their heads above water. It also helped that the Packers had the worst kicker since Nate Freese and Alex Henry for the Lions in 2014 as Green Bay missed 3 field goals.
Wins against Patriots and Dolphins
Rookie head coach Matt Patricia only took 3 games to get two big monkeys off of his back. His signature win against a winning team and a 100 yard rusher for the Lions for the first time in almost 5 years. Both of these feats alluded his predecessor Jim Caldwell for the entirety of his 4 years as Lions head coach. Both of these accomplishments came at the expense of the New England Patriots, Patricia's old team and still the favorites to represent the AFC in the Superbowl this season. This win was the first complete game the team has played this season. They scored in every quarter and dominated on offense and defense all the way from start to finish. The Lions repeated this feat in their win against the Miami Dolphins in week 7 (after their bye week) and ran the ball for nearly 250 yards (158 by Kerryon Johnson alone) and stayed ahead from their first possession to the final kneel down in victory formation. The Lions defense continue to get sacks (racking up another 3) and Stafford continues to be efficient and effective with only one interception since the first game (which as I have already stated counts but does not matter). Both of these wins came against teams with winning records and both were complete games for the Lions. More importantly both games featured heavy use of Johnson, netting him over a hundred rushing yards in both games. As the Lions use of Kerryon Johnson goes, so do the Lions drives, points, and wins.
Where is this team really going
I do discount the meaning of that first game against the New York Jets as I do not see it as meaningful. I will look at the other 5 games the team has played as of the time I am writing this (some of which was written while watching the Lion's road game in Miami). We see the team with 3 incomplete games in which they only won one and tow complete games in which they dominated and won. The difference is Kerryon Johnson; the more they use him, the more they win. The team's defense will continue to be inconsistent ad will fall of in the second half ( unless they get some more talent on the D line or if Ziggy ever comes back) so it is up to the teams offense to sustain drives, take time off the clock and put at least some points on the board to stay ahead. The defense does well in the first half and that allows the Lions to jump to an early lead but the offense can not let off the gas completely in the second half. If the Lions play more complete games, they will win nearly all of their remaining games, win the division and at least one playoff games. Looking at their schedule, the only game that looks unwinnable is the Rams (who I expect to be in the Superbowl against the Patriots). The other 8 games are completely winnable. Lets just see if the Lions actually win them.
