Scanning the Savanna: Detroit Lions Victory Edition

On his first snap of his first game, Andy Dalton was knocked over by Ndamukong Suh — and that wasn’t even the worst part of the play.

Immediately before being hit, the Cincinnati rookie threw a long pass up the right sideline that was intercepted by Detroit’s Chris Houston.

OK, let’s get this out of the way right now — Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz does not like it when his team commits personal foul calls. He doesn’t like giving the opponent first downs and he doesn’t like surrendering 15 yards.

Got that? Are we good there?

OK, having said that, Schwartz couldn’t help but smirk a couple of times when asked about the back-to-back personal foul calls on his defense in Friday’s 34-3 preseason win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

For those looking for some measure of sunlight after a stormy Bengals offseason, Friday’s preseason opener at Ford Field against the Lions saw more fire and rain.

As exhibition openers go, the Lions couldn’t have asked for much more from Friday night’s 34-3 win over the Bengals at Ford Field. Their offense was crisp, their defense opportunistic, and most important, their quarterback stayed healthy.