Detroit Lions need to prove they have a high compete level
By Robert Jones
The Lions missed several opportunities to bury the Cardinals in the first three-quarters of the game and the mistakes cost them. Poor offensive line play, not-so-special teams, and execution issues. All of which can and need to be cleaned up, but that happens when the majority of the starters have had very little time working together in a new offense in game situations before the season opener.
While that does need to be addressed, the point is that the difference between getting the much-deserved win, before their poor fourth-quarter, and having to live with a bad tie was taking their foot off the gas pedal.
The Cardinals competed hard throughout the whole game, while the Lions lost their edge mentally and in their play-calling and it cost them.
I’ve heard a lot of criticism about the Lions play-calling during that fourth-quarter collapse, but if the players had competed at a higher level, then they would have overcome the mistakes and complacent play-calling.
The Cardinals rolled the dice, played hard and got what should seem like a victory for themselves. The Lions lost their edge and got what they deserved. The real point is; what did Matt Patricia and his players learn from this?
If they can learn to never relax and compete for four quarters like their lives depended on it, then there will have been something very, very good that came out of that abomination last Sunday. If they collapse again this week, then the hand-writing would seem to be on the wall.
With some players having an exceptional opener like Matthew Stafford, T.J. Hockenson and even the defense for three quarters, there are plenty of positives to work with and reasons why they can turn this around, but it starts with taking care of business.
If you can’t compete for four quarters, then these things will happen. Last Sunday night the New England Patriots devastated the Pittsburgh Steelers 33-3. And all the way to the end the Patriot starters were on the field playing like they needed more points and more stops. Imagine if the Lions had played with that type of competitive intensity?