Who’s to blame for the Detroit Lions slow start?

Sep 20, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; A general view of the line of scrimmage in the first half in a game between the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit:

-USA TODAY Sports

First of all, the offensive line needs to block better and provide better protection for Stafford in the passing game.

There were only 2 offensive players who scored a positive score with Pro Football Focus in the Vikings game and those were fullback Michael Burton and left guard Manuel Ramirez. You simply can not have negative blocking scores from both tackles, center, and the right guard. Because of this terrible blocking, Stafford was beat up on virtually every play he dropped back to pass. It’s a miracle he was even able to finish the game with the amount of pain he was in.

"“That’s one thing I’ll never question about Stafford is he is very, very tough. Now that it’s over with, there was a couple times where he got in the huddle and he could barely speak the play. That’s how much pain he was in, and he just fought through it. He seems to be okay right now and in high spirits, ready to get back to work. That’s what you’ve got to love about him.” Golden Tate"

In a CBS Detroit article, Golden Tate was quoted as saying that Stafford was in so much pain, he could barely speak out the play. A beating like that just can not take place again.

Next: Joe Lombardi