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

Special teams

Briefly, placekicker Matt Prater was solid, he continues to uphold the strong kicker tradition in the Motor City.

The Lions blocked an extra point and a field goal. While those plays were very nice, even the special teams managed to jump off-sides on a field goal block, which they blocked and returned for a touchdown, but had called back. Darius Slay, a starting cornerback, best defender on the day, and the player off-sides, swore that he was cheated on the play. That allowed the Vikings to kneel out the game after the penalty.

Final Analysis & Lions injuries

The loss puts Detroit three games behind the Vikings, almost ensuring that they have no shot at the division title. It is possible to get a wildcard spot, but it’s hard to imagine feeling positive about that opportunity after this loss.

How many times can you ask your quarterback not just to make up for a lack of running game, but for a defense that can’t get a stop until the other team is sitting on a big lead? If you look around the NFL, no good team does that to their franchise quarterback.

Bob Quinn and the whole coaching staff need to re-evaluate their roster and make some changes; if not now, during this upcoming offseason.

The Lions did sustain a couple of injuries during the loss. Matt Stafford was hobbled, but finished the game, after having his right ankle rolled onto. How that injury may affect the team, we don’t know yet.

Travis Swanson, the starting center, left the game with a knee injury. Tavon Wilson, the starting strong safety, left with a shoulder injury. No update on their status has been given.

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Graham Glasgow moved to center, and Corey Robinson came in at left guard when Swanson left, while Mile Killebrew finished at strong safety.

Who, or what, was most disappointing about the team to you?