Detroit Lions vs. Washington Redskins: The Good and The Bad

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The Bad

Aug 15, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Detroit Lions right guard Larry Warford (75) as quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws a pass against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Injuries

Injuries come first because there was nothing that happened in this game that was worse than that. Both Caraun Reid and Larry Warford went down with injuries in Thursday nights game. Both injuries appear to be ankle related but unfortunately little is known about the severity at this point.

Caldwell says Warford and Reid were "nicked up." Waiting for further medical evaluations
— kyle meinke (@kmeinke) August 21, 2015

The good news if there is any at all, is that Caldwell has labled both players nicked up. Makes it seem less severe.

Penalties

It’s enough to make you want to scream at the TV and throw things around the house. The Lions had a solid showing against the Jets last week accruing only two penalties. This week the Lions found themselves with nine penalties for 73 yards.

It was nothing new for the Lions. They made sure to work in the classics like holding and roughing the passer. Teams like Seattle have shown the you can win in the NFL despite committing so many penalties. But for the Lions, this just stop and stop now. The Lions have no more excuses in 2015, shooting themselves in the foot can not be accepted any longer.

Defensive reserves have a bad night

After the Lions beat the Redskins first team offense into submission, the second and third team defense made sure to let Washington catch up. Most notably was the reserves rush defense woes. Allowing the Redskins to gain 165 yards on the ground was not what Jim Caldwell had in mind when the reserves went in.

Along with the rush defense, the rest of the reserves made sure to look just as bad allowing the Redskins to score all 21 of their points and secure the win. It seemed as though no one knew what their assignment was and players looked unprepared and got turned around multiple times for their troubles. The reserves must have a better showing in the final two games of the preseason, many jobs are on the line.

Kellen Moore

Aug 20, 2015; Landover, MD, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Kellen Moore (17) is sacked by Washington Redskins linebacker Houston Bates (45) in the fourth quarter at FedEx Field. The Redskins won 21-17. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

It’s been a very underwhelming preseason for Kellen Moore. Once thought of as a lock for the backup quarterback job, Moore has since lost that battle and maybe more. Dan Orlovsky looked better than he’s looked maybe ever on Thursday night. Putting the ball in window that no one thought Orlovsky could put them in. Going 13 of 17 for 118 yards and two touchdowns.

Meanwhile Moore looked like h was making his career debut by going three for seven for 31 yards and making all the bad throws you can handle. The question now is will Moore make this team at all? The Lions certainly aren’t permitted to carry three quarterbacks, and the Lions could use the extra roster spot for a player they can’t make the decision on.

Kellen Moore has one more chance against Buffalo in two weeks. He has to be better or the tough decision ay not be so tough anymore.

Mike Payton is an Editor at SideLion Report. He is from Holland, Michigan by way of Warren, Michigan. He considers himself to be obsessed with the Detroit Lions. Mike’s work has been featured on ESPN Radio, Fox Sports Radio, CBS Sports Radio and si.com. Mike is also a recurring guest on It is what is with Sean Baligian on ESPN 96.1. Follow Mike Payton on Twitter @SLR_Mike

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