Have your expectations shifted after observing the Seattle game, given factors such as the performance of the defense, the accumulation of injuries, and the decisions made in managing the game? Many initially believed that this team could hold its own against some of the top NFC teams, but now there's concern about whether we can secure our division. Injuries are starting to take a toll, and there have been noticeable issues with the defensive strategies and effort.
One aspect that hasn't received much discussion is the game management decisions. Specifically failure to convert on fourth down late in the game giving Seattle a short field, as well as the clock management during the final drive. Opting for a field goal instead of using timeouts and taking shots at the end zone has also raised questions.
Post by Blaming Brad on Sept 18, 2023 20:26:53 GMT -6
Pretty much what I expected, although I would have thought they'd lose to the Chiefs and beat Seattle so same record as I expected. Not sure I'd go so far as to say the team is fool's gold, but I definitely wasn't buying into the win the division hype. I expected them to potentially battle for a playoff spot and I still think they will (and come up just short).
Post by snowpiercer on Sept 19, 2023 6:42:25 GMT -6
The one unknown that can happen to a team is the Injury Bug. And unfortunately, it has reared its ugly head. Houston, Gardner Johnson...Montgomery, Paschal, etc. Dropping like flies. The Lions have some depth but at this rate there had better be some diamond's in the rough that emerge. Or the expectations level will nosedive.
Not sure I'd go so far as to say the team is fool's gold, but I definitely wasn't buying into the win the division hype. I expected them to potentially battle for a playoff spot and I still think they will (and come up just short).
See, that's the battered lions syndrome in you from all the years of abuse. There was no reason to think they wouldn't win the division. A top 5 offense, improments on Defense and the top qb in the division leaving. I'd say it'd be fair to say maybe others could challenge for the division, but I certainly wouldn't call it hype. It was a legitimate possibility. Now, Lions to superbowl...that's hype...
I was confident they could win the division and go to the playoffs
After watching this defense and more questionable Campbell game management decisions, on top of the injuries that is looking more like a remote possibility.
It is certainly fun football to watch, they are a tough team and have grit. But the Lions should have done better on defense and done things much differently to win that game in the 4th quarter.
Not sure I'd go so far as to say the team is fool's gold, but I definitely wasn't buying into the win the division hype. I expected them to potentially battle for a playoff spot and I still think they will (and come up just short).
See, that's the battered lions syndrome in you from all the years of abuse. There was no reason to think they wouldn't win the division. A top 5 offense, improments on Defense and the top qb in the division leaving. I'd say it'd be fair to say maybe others could challenge for the division, but I certainly wouldn't call it hype. It was a legitimate possibility. Now, Lions to superbowl...that's hype...
Probably some battered fan syndrome in there, but for me it was more about going into the season I thought Green Bay was a better overall team and that Jordan Love would be good enough for them to win a weak division.
I think game management is fine...live and die by the sword, as they say...
Defense is my only concern at this point...and has been...
I would have punted and gave Seattle a long field versus the failed 4th down conversion in the 4th quarter, but OK I get it keep going for it, thats what we do. Makes for fun football!
My biggest beef. On that last drive in the 4th quarter, Lions with all those time outs let too much time off the clock and should have taken some shots at the end zone. You can't be ultra aggressive and go on 4th down several times a game, and just play for a field goal on that last drive. That's when you need to get aggressive to put the game away, especially with how bad your defense has been playing.
I think game management is fine...live and die by the sword, as they say...
Defense is my only concern at this point...and has been...
I would have punted and gave Seattle a long field versus the failed 4th down conversion in the 4th quarter, but OK I get it keep going for it, thats what we do. Makes for fun football!
My biggest beef. On that last drive in the 4th quarter, Lions with all those time outs let too much time off the clock and should have taken some shots at the end zone. You can't be ultra aggressive and go on 4th down several times a game, and just play for a field goal on that last drive. That's when you need to get aggressive to put the game away, especially with how bad your defense has been playing.
I definitely agree on the 4th down, assuming you're talking about the end of the 3rd quarter.
I would have punted and gave Seattle a long field versus the failed 4th down conversion in the 4th quarter, but OK I get it keep going for it, thats what we do. Makes for fun football!
My biggest beef. On that last drive in the 4th quarter, Lions with all those time outs let too much time off the clock and should have taken some shots at the end zone. You can't be ultra aggressive and go on 4th down several times a game, and just play for a field goal on that last drive. That's when you need to get aggressive to put the game away, especially with how bad your defense has been playing.
I definitely agree on the 4th down, assuming you're talking about the end of the 3rd quarter.
Yes, your probably right end of 3rd versus 4th quarter, but I would have punted there.
I think game management is fine...live and die by the sword, as they say...
Defense is my only concern at this point...and has been...
I would have punted and gave Seattle a long field versus the failed 4th down conversion in the 4th quarter, but OK I get it keep going for it, thats what we do. Makes for fun football!
My biggest beef. On that last drive in the 4th quarter, Lions with all those time outs let too much time off the clock and should have taken some shots at the end zone. You can't be ultra aggressive and go on 4th down several times a game, and just play for a field goal on that last drive. That's when you need to get aggressive to put the game away, especially with how bad your defense has been playing.
I can't say...sure, there's an argument for that, but also, you go 3 quick passes (stops the clock) and settle for a fg anyway and they get 1.5 mins left to kick a fg for the win...I can't second guess all that...it was a strategy, it didn't work, but I'm OK with it because I see the logic in it...it wasn't like something stupid for no reason
Post by icouldblion on Sept 19, 2023 18:35:48 GMT -6
Good lord, this fan base just kills me. The difference in this game was giving them 14 pts off 2 turnovers. Those don't happen, and it ends in a 28-17 win, or 28-24 with Seattle scoring a garbage TD as time expires. That happens and no one is bitching about the defense, game decisions, etc. So much loser mentality around here. The fucking sky is falling. SMH
Even with all those injuries that have all the grannies clutching their purses, we still came back from 10 down in the 4th. We fell victim to a gassed defense in OT. Sometimes I think you guys go out of your way to find fault. Smartest guy in the room syndrome. Maddening.
Good lord, this fan base just kills me. The difference in this game was giving them 14 pts off 2 turnovers. Those don't happen, and it ends in a 28-17 win, or 28-24 with Seattle scoring a garbage TD as time expires. That happens and no one is bitching about the defense, game decisions, etc. So much loser mentality around here. The fucking sky is falling. SMH
Even with all those injuries that have all the grannies clutching their purses, we still came back from 10 down in the 4th. We fell victim to a gassed defense in OT. Sometimes I think you guys go out of your way to find fault. Smartest guy in the room syndrome. Maddening.
I see your point and understand what you are saying
But the Lions did give up two turnovers. Also the defense could not stop anything, also there was some questionable game management decisions...and these issues costs us games last year as well. Also now there are many injuries to key players. These things DID happen and have been an ongoing issue!
Let's say the Lions didn't have the two turnovers and won the game, you don't think people would be concerned about the defensive performance and injuries? That would not go away.
This team has grit, I have said that...the come back was awesome. Now Campbell, who went for it on multiple 4th downs in the game, defense is sucking wind and sucking ass... don't be a pussy now and play for a field goal! WTF!
Let's just ignore that shit because we are a bad fan base...
I think we have great passionate fans, in fact so much so we perhaps had a little of the Koolaid blinders on, especially with the Dline.
Good lord, this fan base just kills me. The difference in this game was giving them 14 pts off 2 turnovers. Those don't happen, and it ends in a 28-17 win, or 28-24 with Seattle scoring a garbage TD as time expires. That happens and no one is bitching about the defense, game decisions, etc. So much loser mentality around here. The fucking sky is falling. SMH
Even with all those injuries that have all the grannies clutching their purses, we still came back from 10 down in the 4th. We fell victim to a gassed defense in OT. Sometimes I think you guys go out of your way to find fault. Smartest guy in the room syndrome. Maddening.
Let's just ignore that shit because we are a bad fan base...
I'm not trying to say we have a bad fan base...at all. Just manic.
We squeak out a win at Kansas City, not because we played great, but because we took advantage of a defensive TD and KC's open receivers dropped a lot of critical passes. Suddenly everyone is talking about deep playoff runs and "every game on the schedule looks winnable".
We drop a game we should have won easily because we gave them 14 pts off turnovers and had some stupid penalties, and we get a poll asking if this team can compete?
The defense was going to be a work in progress all along. You cannot expect a bunch of rookies and free agents to step in and instantly gel. That takes more than 2 games to figure out (see 2022 season). The D-line had several opportunities at sacks and Smith was able to elude them. We shut their running game down pretty effectively, with the exception of a couple goal line carries. Sutton is proving to be a true #1 CB, as Metcalf had a pretty quiet day.
Obviously there are still some concerns on the defensive side of the ball with coverage schemes and tackling, but those were there for the KC game too, we just managed to win anyway.
The injuries are a concern, but we said at cutdown time this is the deepest team we have had in years. Time for next man up. The CJGJ injury sucks, but Tracey Walker is waiting in the wings and Branch has shown he is ready to step into that role as well. St. Brown injury sucks, but LaPorta has shown he can be Goff's safety blanket. Our first two scoring drives of the game on Sunday saw St. Brown catch a total of 1 pass.
This team will continue to be competitive. It may cause a lot of strokes and heart attacks for our delicate fans, but I love the GRIT of this team.
Last Edit: Sept 20, 2023 5:04:17 GMT -6 by icouldblion
Let's just ignore that shit because we are a bad fan base...
I'm not trying to say we have a bad fan base...at all. Just manic.
We squeak out a win at Kansas City, not because we played great, but because we took advantage of a defensive TD and KC's open receivers dropped a lot of critical passes. Suddenly everyone is talking about deep playoff runs and "every game on the schedule looks winnable".
We drop a game we should have won easily because we gave them 14 pts off turnovers and had some stupid penalties, and we get a poll asking if this team can compete?
I dont think that's right. I said before the season started, and after KC game, that every game on the schedule is winnable (and still hold to that, except maybe dallas now), do you not agree?..i didnt say theybwere running the table, just that they looked as good as any team on the shedule.
This thread asked if expectations changed, not if we can compete. And I think it's fair if expectations have changed, the D has looked terrible. I know i was expecting to see better from the D. Did you really expect the D to look this bad with all the additions on the back end?
The way this team finished last year why wouldn't we expect that to continue and in fact take some steps forward, especially on defense.
That hasn't happened and the scheme changes make things look worse. We all knew we needed help at DT, what was shock was the horrendous pass coverage and lack of QB pressure that was evident last year. Now Houston is out...
Now we have major injuries to key players. Why wouldn't our expectations be tamed down a bit?
Also this game was NOT an easy win with the exception of the two INTs. Seattle came in and physically kicked ass and took out half the roster in the process. There was nothing easy about that game. Old Lions would have folded late in the game..but we came back. We have a tough team but the defense again failed to seal the deal.
Post by badnews3123 on Sept 20, 2023 9:11:13 GMT -6
It’s week 2. The D was pretty solid week 1 against the defending Super Bowl champs. They were bad week 2 against a decent but lesser team. Offense was decent week 1 and good week 2.
Look around the league. There’s been a lot of sloppy inconsistent football, even by good teams. It’s what happens every year. Relax. If these inconsistencies and issues are popping up after the bye. Then it’s time to talk.