Detroit Lions get stuffed on Thanksgiving, season outlook has familiar theme

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DETROIT, MI – NOVEMBER 23: Darren Fells #87 of the Detroit Lions appears to score a touchdown that was later overturned on a review during the third quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on November 23, 2016 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images) /

Offense

Lest you start to feel that the defense did more than their share in eating that L, the offense was about the same. Matthew Stafford, the Lions quarterback, and company only had one drive that was more than three plays during the entire first half. They did manage to score ten points, but were playing from behind all game. In fact, had the referees not made a couple of calls, the Lions might not have scored at all.

Stafford faced a lot of pressure, but seemed uncharacteristically inaccurate, beside. Golden Tate, the Lions usual best wideout, was practically a no-show for the game. Tate managed a whopping seven yards receiving on four targets for the day.

Ground to a halt

The ground game was its usual self; 53 yards on fifteen attempts. Although the Lions offensive line was healthier than it had been all season, the Lions had a total of one first down running the ball all day. ONE.

Ameer Abdullah, Lions running back, fumbled again, which the Vikes converted to their second score. Our leading rusher was Theo Riddick, who managed twenty yards on five carries.

Taylor Decker, the left tackle who came back last week from an extended injury, struggled with Vikings end, Everson Griffen, all day. Decker had a poor game, in particular, of the Lions front.

By contrast, the Vikings had eleven first downs on the ground. Twenty-eight first downs to only seventeen for the Lions, for the game.

That’s not to say that the offense made no plays. They did make some.

Marvin Jones, Jr., made a great catch over two corners when the Vikings had twelve men on the field. Up until the tipped pass for an interception, he got the best of All-Pro caliber corner back, Xavier Rhodes, all day. Jones gathered six receptions on nine targets for 109 yards and two trips to pay-dirt.

It wouldn’t be a Lions loss if those big plays only came to keep it close, but never to take the lead. Stafford haters got what they wanted, a very mediocre game from him.

Similarly to the defense, when the offense needed a big play, they fell short. The stars: Tate and Stafford, fell when they needed to shine.

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