The Detroit Lions suffered their first loss of the season Sunday. Despite the defeat, there’s reason for optimism. Here are three positives from the game.
The Detroit Lions faced their toughest challenge of the young season so far, having to face the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. Yet, the Lions went toe-to-toe with the heavily-favored Chiefs, possessing the lead with less than 30 seconds left in the game.
Unfortunately, the Lions couldn’t make one last defensive stop and lost the game in a heartbreaker, 34-30. Although the sting of defeat always hurts, there were plenty of positives to draw from the game. Here are three of them …
Matthew Stafford’s play
In his 11th NFL season, the 31-year old Matthew Stafford is having a career-performance so far this year. Against the Chiefs, Stafford made some very difficult throws and looked confident despite playing through a hip injury. He completed 21 of his 34 passes for 291 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions.
More importantly, Stafford put his team in position to win. He threw a touchdown pass to wide receiver Kenny Golladay with just 2:31 left in the game, giving Detroit a three-point lead.
Kerryon Johnson hits 100-yard mark
For only the third time since 2013, the Lions had a running back post a 100-yard rushing total in a game. For Kerryon Johnson, it was his third time to hit the century mark in just 14 career-contests in Detroit. Johnson racked up 26 rushing attempts for 125 yards, averaging 4.8 yards per carry on the ground against the Chiefs.
Depleted secondary limits Mahomes
Without two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay on the field due to a hamstring injury, the Lions’ secondary was able to hold 2018 NFL MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes without a single touchdown pass. That’s the first time that’s happened this year. In fact, Mahomes hasn’t been held scoreless since Week Five of last season.
Without Slay, the Lions’ secondary stepped up with safeties Tracy Walker and Tavon Wilson leading the Lions with a combined 22 tackles. Cornerback Justin Coleman had a big game as well, racking up four total tackles, two pass defends, one forced fumble and recovery. It was a total team effort and one that nearly resulted in an upset win.