Detroit Lions: 10 observations as the Lions finally win again at home

10 takeaways as the Detroit Lions snap their year-long losing streak at Ford Field.

With starring performances from Matthew Stafford, D’Andre Swift, and Matt Prater, the Detroit Lions improved to 4-5 with their third last-second victory of the season.

Once again proving that no lead is safe with them, the Lions required two clutch fourth quarter drives from their franchise quarterback and two clutch swings of the leg from their kicker to finally put this one away at the final bell.

Still, in coming away with the 30-27 win, the embattled Lions continue to bob back to the surface and keep any flickering hopes of a winning season and playoff contention alive in 2020. Here are my 10 observations from Sunday’s win over Washington.

1. The offense starting things off a little differently lately.

Just when I’d resigned myself to Adrian Peterson bulling into the middle of a crowded line for no gain on the first play, the Lions have shown some different looks the past two weeks. Against Minnesota, it was a deep throw off an up the middle run fake to A.D., then today we finally saw D’Andre Swift officially given the start.

Swift’s first carry was a big run around the edge to pick up a first down, and the sensational rookie out of Georgia was just getting started (see below).

2. D’Andre Swift has some serious skills.

So far this year, Swift has been like that fresh new pair of all-white kicks that you refuse to walk outside with. Eventually you just have to say screw it and wear the things; that’s what they’re made for.

After a half-season of reluctance to give him more than a few touches here and there, the coaching staff finally seems ready to break in their new running back. As we’re learning more with each passing week, when you get the ball to D’Andre Swift enough, good things are going to happen.

On the way to 148 yards from scrimmage, Swift showed off a dazzling array of skills as both a runner and receiving threat: hurdling defenders, nasty route running, soft hands, power at the goal line, breakaway speed, impeccable vision and timing between the tackles, and the ability to step up and perform with the game on the line.

Sunday was an A+ in all areas for Swift, and it’s hard to justify anybody else in the backfield for any down when he gets rolling like that.