Despite the loss, Detroit Lions heading in right direction

Despite suffering a heartbreaking loss Monday night, fans of the Detroit Lions should have hope that this team is heading in the right direction.

Overreaction Tuesday is in full swing. And if you are a fan of the Detroit Lions, you’re likely still steaming over the Pride’s heartbreaking 23-22 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football. And the main source of your ire is probably due to some terrible calls made by the referees in primetime.

The number of questionable calls and non-calls by the zebras on Monday night approached ludicrous status on Monday night. The two terrible hands to the face penalties called on defensive end Trey Flowers, the non-call for pass interference against wide receiver Marvin Jones, and the unnecessary roughness penalty called on safety Tracy Walker (who was clearly going for the ball) all hurt the Lions in what was a one-point contest.

Those glaring errors aside, the Lions didn’t do themselves any favors (I’m looking at you 12-men on the field penalty). Despite leading in the turnover category, 3-0, Detroit was only able to muster three field goals after each takeaway, equally just nine points.

Quarterback Matthew Stafford struggled with accuracy at Lambeau, only completing 18 of his 32 passes for 265 yards. Stafford failed to throw for a touchdown for the first time this season. Of course, the fact his first-round tight end, T.J. Hockenson, the Iowa product who was touted as having dropped only two passes during his entire college career, dropped a pass in the endzone didn’t help.

Running back Kerryon Johnson was sent crashing into concrete walls all night, posting a 2.6 yards per carry average. Johnson did have a rushing score, although just barely. All respect to the leg of kicker Matt Prater (all praise be), the offensive star of the show was wide receiver Kenny Golladay. The third-year wideout posted five receptions for 121 yards, including a 66-yard bomb off a flea-flicker to start the game.

Defensively, cornerback Justin Coleman looked like a stud. The free-agent signee racked up five total tackles, three pass defends, and an interception that he returned for 55-yards. Coleman also allowed a touchdown pass to Packers wide receiver Allen Lazard in the fourth quarter. But it was on a perfect throw by quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Despite the loss, I’m not sure many are pointing a finger at Lions general manager Bob Quinn, head coach Matt Patricia or the roster they constructed this morning. In fact, it appears this group is on the cusp of making a real impact in 2019 … if they can only put a complete game together at some point. Without those terrible calls by the officials and some mental mistakes by the Lions, Detroit should have easily won against this now 5-1 Packers squad.

The 2-2-1 Detroit Lions now have to claw their way out of the NFC North basement in the toughest division in the entire NFL. Yet, this pesky group continues to prove they can go toe-to-toe with any team in the league. And they are capable of defeating the NFL’s best on any given Sunday. The Lions seem to be heading in the right direction, even if it doesn’t feel that way after a loss like this.