Tom Greene | December 16th, 2019
It simply rolled on. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a team that looks to be on the come-up, beat a Detroit Lions team that looks simply defeated. There’s no doubt that injuries have plagued this team. There’s also no doubt that the Lions will not quit, despite elimination on Thanksgiving. Just about everything that could go wrong did, and there isn’t too much more to it. But, like every other game, there are three points to take from it. Let’s look at them now.
1. No Quit in Detroit
Let’s face it, The Lions are now 3-10-1. The season, for all intents and purposes, is lost. Ford Field was noticeably empty.
But still, through all the adversity, David Blough had the ball in the 4th quarter with a chance to win the game. Sadly, he was intercepted twice in that case, but the previous sentence writes the point. Matt Patricia and the Lions do not care if you want him fired. They do not care if you want the top pick. And, Martha Ford does not care if you want her to sell the team. What they care about now is preparing for next season. And the preparation for it involves playing to win now to see what players should be kept for next year.
2. Despite No Quit, Injuries Lingered
With the first point being stated, anyone can try with all their might. The talent still has to be there at the end of the day. The Lions, unfortunately, lack that due to injuries.
Bo Scarbrough has been the focus of recaps past, but now he’s injured. J.D. McKissic suffered a stinger during the game. The Lions had to sign Wes Hills just to put a runner on the field. And try, he might… he scored twice! But, the Lions only had 45 yards rushing on the day. Try if you might, but 45 rushing yards won’t win you a game. Not even in today’s NFL.
Danny Amendola had a second consecutive great game in what I consider “auditions”. Eight catches for 102 yards certainly satisfied Draft Kings players, especially @theriot326 with his Cash Game Plays. (Even I had him in my lineups!) Blough threw for 260, which also is formidable. Only scoring 17 points isn’t quite enough to win in this league, but like the first two points have outlined, it’s not like they’re not trying. Now, to point three.
3. The Same Problems on Defense
Jameis Winston torched the Lions Defense like I would torch through a pack of Famous Amos (Or Famous Jameis?) Cookies. 458 yards and two scores with a pick was his final stat line. It showed, once again, that the Lions defense has certainly regressed from the end of last season.
On the Draft Kings side, Chris Godwin did his diligence with owners by hauling in five catches for 121 yards. But, the steal of the game was Breshad Perriman. Five catches for 113 yards and three scores described his day.
It’s apparent that the Quandre Diggs trade has not played out in Bob Quinn and the Lions’ favor, for now. The secondary has been burnt to a crisp. The defense looks like it needs a fresh start, to say the least. It’s been a long season for that crew. Only two games to go!
What’s Next?
Drew Lock and the Denver Broncos are next up on the schedule. The last time these teams met, both teams looked destined for a playoff run and Peyton Manning certainly made a difference.
The stakes may be low in this game, but the pride will be high. We hope that I’ll have a winning report to provide you in one of these last two weeks. Let’s enjoy them, for all that it’s worth!
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