Detroit Lions Week 10 Review: The Good and the Bad

Nov 9, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions kicker Matt Prater (5) walks off the field after a field goal was blocked and return to the five yard line during the third quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

The Bad

Special Teams

Poor play from the Lions’ special teams unit continues to be a problem as they cross the halfway point of the season. Matt Prater did an okay job making two of his three kicks, but the one that he missed was blocked and led to a huge return and eventual touchdown one play later.

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You can blame Prater for his low kick or the interior line for letting a defender run through the middle unblocked, but either way, the result is the same.

The Lions have to clean up their mistakes on special teams, because it nearly costed them a win.

Red Zone Offense

The Detroit Lions have no problem getting into opponent’s territory, but they do have a problem scoring points and turning a long drive into six points. For whatever reason, the offense loses it’s focus in the red zone and squanders too many opportunities. They completely avert from what got them there in the first place and try to get a little too cute, which ultimately leads to a field goal attempt or a punt.

Joique Bell was running over Miami all game, so why are you running the smallest man you have in Theo Riddick on third-and-two? This is what frustrates me when watching this team as a football fan.

Brandon Pettigrew

Pettigrew struggled a bit today after coming back from an injury. He was called for two penalties and had no impact whatsoever on offense. I’d like to remind everyone that Pettigrew’s deal is for four years, but the Lions have the option to cut their losses after two years without losing any money if he continues to struggle.

I’m just not so sure that Pettigrew even fits on this team anymore. His ability to block has gone downhill, and he’s the third-best receiving tight end on the team right now.

Glover Quin

I wouldn’t necessarily say Quin had a bad game, but I honestly don’t remember seeing his number once all game. This could be due to the Dolphins giving a ton of respect for him as a pass defender, or maybe he just wasn’t that active today.

Honorable Mentions:

Larry Warford (injury), Jeremy Ross, Kellen Davis, Joe Lombardi, Referees (from a viewership standpoint), tackling, Ashlee Palmer