Detroit Lions must change to avoid heartbreaking losses

Yet another week of the Detroit Lions not running the ball has resulted in another loss. When will this team finally commit to running the ball?

The Detroit Lions last second 26-24 loss on Sunday to the Dallas Cowboys was gut-wrenching. Quarterback Matthew Stafford and the rest of the offense did a beautiful job of coming back in the fourth quarter with a go-ahead touchdown.

But with two minutes and change left on the clock, and clinging to just a one-point lead, it was obvious what would come next.

In that final two-minute drive by the Cowboys, defensive tackle Da’Shawn Hand made a beautiful strip of the ball from quarterback Dak Prescott.

Unfortunately, Prescott was athletic enough to pick up the fumble and heave the ball out of bounds. Not only avoiding a turnover but what would have been a major loss of yardage that might have killed the drive.

This defense simply can’t make the big stops. It is the biggest problem facing this franchise if they ever truly want to be a contender. But, while the offense played well overall, it certainly had its role in this defeat.

RUN THE BALL

In terms of time of possession, this game was evenly split. Dallas had the edge with 10 more seconds, which is minuscule. But if the Detroit Lions want to win, time of possession needs to be much more in their favor. More in the “two to one” range, where Detroit possesses the ball for close to 40 minutes.