Detroit Lions: Matt Patricia should feel warmth from hot seat

After a disastrous first season as the head coach for the Detroit Lions, shouldn’t Matt Patricia be feeling at least a little warm from the hot seat?

When the Detroit Lions inked former New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia as their new head coach earlier this year, they likely felt as if they landed the top coaching prospect available. It was a very good sign that his signing in Motown was delayed due to the fact he was helping to lead the Patriots to yet another Super Bowl run.

The Lions had to feel as if they were one key piece away from playoff success. Under former head coach Jim Caldwell, Detroit had recorded winning seasons in three of the past four years and had two playoff berths. The Lions never posted a record worst than 7-9 and had a passing offense that was the envy of the majority of the league.

Adding a defensive mastermind in Patrica, plus a renewed commitment to securing the offense a more consistent rushing attack should have been the formula to postseason success in Detroit. Instead, the first-time head coach’s rookie season has been a turbulent one.

After the Lions were thwarted by the upstart New York Jets and a rookie quarterback making his professional debut to the tune of 48-17 at Ford Field in Detroit’s home opener, the hope of a dream season quickly faded. And despite big wins over teams like the Patriots, the Carolina Panthers and the Green Bay Packers, the Lions never looked quite themselves in 2018.

Their best win of the season could arguably be in Week Seven when Detroit traveled to the Sunshine State and trumped a hot Miami Dolphins team 32-21. And surprisingly, it was the Lions’ rushing attack that ruled the day posting an impressive 248 yards on the ground.

It was a statement win that gave Detroit a 3-3 record and made it appear as if this was a team on the rise. Unfortunately, the Lions would go on to lose their next three contests, and ultimately the next seven out of their last nine games.

Now the Lions sit with a record of 5-10 about to play the Packers at Lambeau Field with both squads out of playoff contention in a meaningless matchup that only impacts Detroit’s draft position in 2019.

Obviously, this has been a disappointing outcome for a year that had so much inherit hope built into it because of the moves made by the Lions in the offseason. And Patricia is facing criticism for his coaching choices, harsh practice methods, and even his punctuality.

Although it has never appeared as if the Lions were going to pull the plug on their plans and Patricia after just one season, this is a franchise that is notoriously tight-lipped. The introduction of former Patriots like general manager Bob Quinn has made the franchise even more reticent to share any kind of information. So who knows what might happen.

Yet, after this disappointing outcome, Patricia should be on the hot seat. And deservedly so. He should at the very least be feeling a little warm. Here’s what Patricia told The Detroit News about the potential of this being a one-and-done season for him in the Motor City and how safe his job feels.

"“I’m pretty confident. Everything for me, right now, is just keep moving forward and getting ready for the game this weekend. Like I said, I meet with Mrs. Ford every week, so they’ve been great. Her and her family have been great.”"

Because of his history of success and relationship with Quinn, it’s very unlikely the Detroit Lions opt to part ways with Matt Patricia at the end of the season. Instead, they’ll double-down in 2019 hoping some new faces on both the coaching staff and the roster are the key to turning things around. But I’m fairly certain Patricia cannot afford to post another season like this one in Detroit.