Detroit Lions Week 2 Report Card: A frustrating loss with a familiar script

The level of excitement for the Detroit Lions heading into their home opener reached unprecedented levels. The Lions were 1-0, facing an opponent that was 0-1. Detroit was relatively healthy heading into the game, while their opponents were beaten up. The arrow was pointing straight up, and everyone was excited. Then the teams actually took the field.

Similar to last year, Detroit came into this matchup with Seattle, a very beatable team, feeling like they could win. Last year, it was a combination of questionable defensive play calling, poor defensive execution, and a pick-six that ultimately was the difference. This year … was not too far from the same.

Once again it was a very frustrating loss, only made more so by the fact that it was the same type of mistakes we saw at the start of last season. The Lions without a doubt deserved to lose this game, but there was such a clear path to victory. 

Offense: 3.5/5 Stars

Is it fair to criticize an offense that scored 31 points? Probably not. That being said, the offense had opportunities to put up even more points in this game. Between a couple of failed fourth down attempts, some questionable third down play calls and playing too conservative at the end of regulation, this could have been a 40-plus point game for the offense. 

Again though they still had a good game. The passing attack was clicking with efficiency, despite Amon-Ra St. Brown dealing with injuries throughout the day. The ground game wasn’t phenomenal, but David Montgomery was running hard and creating yards after contact up until he left with an injury. 

It was a good day for the offense, so to say that it could have been even better just proves how high the ceiling is for this unit. 

Offensive player of the game: QB Jared Goff 

This game was something of a tale of two halves for Goff. In the first half, he completed 12 of 15 passes for 188 yards and two scores with a perfect passer rating (158.3). In the second half he still played well for the most part, but a few mistakes proved costly. 

Truth be told though, despite the pick-six and a few inaccurate passes, Goff was really good. He was playing so well that it would be frustrating to see the Lions take the ball out of his hands in short-yardage situations. 

Goff’s command of the offense cannot be questioned. He is in control, he is comfortable, and he will find his rhythm as long as he is kept clean in the pocket.