Same Old Song

Lions fans celebrate during home

opener vs. Kansas City. 

(Photo: Robin Buckson/The Detroit News)

This NFL season got off to such a great start for Detroit Lions fans.  The team jumped out to a 5-0 start.  Something that I had not previously seen since the last time it happened was 1956, eight years before I was born.  Lions fever was running at high pitch.  The fifth win came against the division rival Chicago Bears before a sellout crowd at Ford Field on Monday Night Football.  But, despite the wins and the euphoric feeling the Lions were creating in the City of Detroit, it was becoming clear that the team was heading for some bumps.


I just finished watching Detroit's second consecutive loss, this one to the Atlanta Falcons, who started the season with big struggles.  Last week, it was the San Francisco 49ers who got the best of the Lions.  Following that game, I prayed the loss was not the beginning of a deflating slide.  I don't think my prayers were answered.

Aside from the home opening blowout of the Kansas City Chiefs, the Lions have not-- in the words of the head coach Jim Schwartz-- played a complete game.  Detroit hasn't scored on an opening drive since the season opener at Tampa Bay.  The team's only halftime lead was against the Chiefs.  Against the Falcons, the Lions managed only one third-down conversion.  ONE!  You won't get too many-- if ANY-- wins like that.  And, how many times will the Lions shoot themselves in the foot with drive-killing penalties?

RB Keiland Williams (#34) vs. Atlanta
(Photo: DetroitLions.com)

When will the Lions find a running game?  When will they successfully shut down an opponent's running attack?  When will Detroit's special teams learn how to tackle on punt return coverage?  Hell, as good as Detroit's defense is, overall, they still have moments of sheer ineptitude when it comes to tackling.  I'm just shaking my head.

While the 5-2 record is certainly nothing to laugh at, particularly with the Lions, with each passing week, this team-- with all of its promise and potential-- is looking more and more like the Detroit Lions of old and that's VERY DISAPPOINTING!

Oh, Good Evening!