The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Week Nine

The Lions once again won a game it looked like they would lose.  After the Vikings offense methodically moved the ball down the field for the go-ahead touchdown with 23 seconds left, the game was destined to end with a Lions loss.  But then Matthew Stafford happened.

With 23 seconds to go in the 4th quarter, Matthew Stafford was 16/28 for 111 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception.  When the game finished, his stats line was 23/36 for 219 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception.  Stafford drove 35 yards in 23 seconds with no timeouts to allow for the game-tying field goal from Mr. Clutch himself, Matt Prater.  The Lions won the toss in overtime, elected to receive, and then Stafford flipped the switch.

This team might take years off our collective lives, but dammit if they aren’t a joy to watch almost every week.  Take a glorious look back at the game with this week’s good, bad, and ugly.

The Good

Eric Ebron

This team seems hell-bent on leading the league in something; it’s just too bad it is dropping passes.  However, Eric Ebron is thriving in this area while his cohorts are dropping the ball (*ahem*).  He and Stafford are beginning to develop a connection this season.

Kerry Hyder

Two more sacks on the season.  Seven on the year.  Kerry Hyder is making an impact in every game, even if announcers and commentary alike can’t get his name right.  Kerry is not the same as Corey, guys.   Hyder is not an unknown anymore, so it’d be best to get this correct.

Defensive series after INT

After Matthew Stafford made an uncharacteristically bad decision on his first interception in the last five games, the defense was asked to stop the opposition from their own 18 yard line.   Three plays later, the Vikings were punting.  The drive summary: 4 plays, -22 yards.  That series was especially crucial for what happened next.  Speaking of which….

Offensive drive after INT

17 plays, 84 yards, 9:45 seconds off the clock to end the half.  Not to mention the seven points scored.  Stafford shook off the ugly interception on the previous drive to lead a steady, clock killing touchdown drive to take the lead.  Drives like these make one wonder, what is Jim Bob Cooter doing in between them?  We’ll get back to that though.

Defense?

Sam Bradford did end up with a 31/40 for 273 and 1 touchdown line, so it’s easy to be skeptical about how efficient this defense was.  The Vikings offense is one of the worst in the league, but holding a team to 16 points is something.  Josh Bynes and Ezekiel Ansah are starting to play well.  The bye should help the rest of the defense get healthy.  Stunningly, things could be looking up regarding the worst defense in the league soon.

Stafford 4th quarter comeback (TM)

I’ll admit, I didn’t think Stafford could pull this one off.  With 23 seconds left, needing at least 33 yards for a reasonable field goal try with no timeouts left, the game was all but over.  I was foolish, because Stafford can do whatever he wants.

To save my shame, I was confident in the overtime drive.  After he helped tie the game, there was no way he wasn’t leading this team down the field to score.

This quarterback is special.

Matt Prater

3/3 on the day, with two 50+ yard makes, including a 58-yarder to tie the game in regulation.  Tell ‘em something, Prater. 

The Bad

Stafford INT      

Normally, an interception won’t be mentioned in the bad or ugly section.  Interceptions happen to everyone, occasionally.  This one in particular was bad, though.  Theo Riddick did no favors with his missed block, but Stafford should know better than to try and force that pass for a meager gain.  Throw it away and move on.  I wouldn’t expect these types of passes to happen often though.

Pass defense

The redundancy department of redundancy would like to remind you that the Lions’ pass defense is putrid.  Bradford: 31/40 for 273 and 1 touchdown, including a passer rating of over 100.  DRINK.

The Ugly

3rd quarter offense

When this offense stalls, they do it like a 16-year-old learning to drive stick for the first time.  It seems to happen every game, once a game, for an entire quarter.  The offense will just fall asleep.  Jim Bob Cooter will call 18 screens, the line will give up sacks, the team will commit penalties, and the receivers will drop passes.

This particular quarter was the 3rd.  The Lions offense did not gain a first down in the 3rd quarter.  The longest play was a penalty for five yards.  Sure, the Vikings defense is stout, and they give every offense fits when they are on top of their game.  But this is a trend that has been gaining traction since week 1.  Sometimes, Cooter needs to just open it up and let Stafford sling it.  Results usually are positive.

The Lions, thankfully, get a bye next week.  With Nevin Lawson and Sam Martin sustaining injuries in this game, the bye couldn’t have come at a better time.  Guys like Darius Slay, Nevin Lawson, Jon Bostic, Brandon Pettigrew, DeAndre Levy, and others will likely be making appearances soon.  Going into the bye over .500 with how injury-riddled the team has been is admirable.  The way the NFC North is going this year; the Lions are fighting for a playoff spot after the bye.  Soak that up.

Next: Lions steal one in Minnesota, Win 22-16 in Overtime