Stats say not a horrible defensive performance

[Chopper0080]

I didn't watch the game but I found this very odd.

These are the top six defenses this week in yardage allowed

-127 yards given up by the 49ers D against the Bears.
-158 yards given up by the Redskins D against the Jets.
-231 yards given up by the Steelers D against the Ravens.
-232 yards given up by the Chiefs D against the Chargers.
-239 yards given up by the Bills D against the Pats.
-261 yards given up by the Cardinals D against the Lions.

Folks, according to the stats for yardage allowed we are the number 6 ranked defense. Now am I saying that we are that good on the defensive side of the ball, HELL NO! Am I saying that we don't need to make adjustments on the defensive side of the ball, HELL NO! Am I saying that our defense was not in a position to succeed for most of the game, HELL YES.

The Lions had only 1 SCORING DRIVE that started in their own territory, and it was at their own 42 yard line(their 2nd drive). Where did their other scoring drives start? At our 29, 35 and 36 yard lines. Speaking of which, 67% of teams that started in opposing territory this weekend scored (37-55). Guys, our defense performed very similar to the rest of the leagues.

-Baltimore's D got scored on all 3 times.
-Giants D gave up 2 of 3.
-Miami's D gave up points 3 of the 4 times.

Now lets talk about resting time. Here is the ammount of plays between Lions offensive series that we ran. (To explain: plays ran inbetween one non-scoring possession to a scoring one for the Lions). These are TD's our defense gave up.

1st score(between Lions 1st and 2nd drives)-11 plays-6min 39 se

2nd score(between Lions 2nd and 3rd drives)-4 plays-2min 13 sec

3rd score(between Lions 5th and 6th drives)-11 plays-4min 3 sec
*the punt return TD was between these 4 plays, then 7 plays*

4th score(between Lions 7th and 8th drives)-1 play-7 sec.

AND THAT IS PATHETIC! Of course our defense gave up points, almost any teams would if they were put in these types of situations.

Once again, I'm not saying we are great, but definitely not that bad or the worse by any means.

 

[Wild Card]

Chopper:

This was a game the Cards led 21-14 early in the 3rd, before a punt return and a muffed punt gave the Lions the lead for good. Blake was the leading passer (363 yds), Smith the leading rusher (63 yds), and Boldin the leading receiver (217 yds). The Cards had more first downs (21-16), total yards (439-261), and dominated time of possession (34:06-25:54).

Special teams play lost this game.

WC

 

[cardzfan]

It looks as if we have alot of pieces, and that is good. Protect the ball and we are in good shape.

 

[WisconsinCard]

Originally posted by Wild Card
Chopper:

This was a game the Cards led 21-14 early in the 3rd, before a punt return and a muffed punt gave the Lions the lead for good. Blake was the leading passer (363 yds), Smith the leading rusher (63 yds), and Boldin the leading receiver (217 yds). The Cards had more first downs (21-16), total yards (439-261), and dominated time of possession (34:06-25:54).

Special teams play lost this game.

WC

I agree special teams and TURNOVERS lost this game!!!!

 

[Divide Et Impera]

Geez. Did you guys not watch the game? The yards allowed stat does not make us the 6th best D in the league. That is a very misleading stat to guage our team on. The Lions consistantly started on the Cardinals side of the field. In the 35-40 yards they did have to travel to score, they did it with ease (note the 2-play, 35 yard drive ending in TD pass to Schlesinger). If the Lions had to start at their own 20, they would have had 500 yards. The Cards could not stop the passing game. Yes, the running game was non existant, but with no pass rush whatsoever, Harrington was able to sit back and pick his spots. Get real....

 

[Russ Smith]

Originally posted by Seeds Of Hate
Geez. Did you guys not watch the game? The yards allowed stat does not make us the 6th best D in the league. That is a very misleading stat to guage our team on. The Lions consistantly started on the Cardinals side of the field. In the 35-40 yards they did have to travel to score, they did it with ease (note the 2-play, 35 yard drive ending in TD pass to Schlesinger). If the Lions had to start at their own 20, they would have had 500 yards. The Cards could not stop the passing game. Yes, the running game was non existant, but with no pass rush whatsoever, Harrington was able to sit back and pick his spots. Get real....

True but you said it yourself the Lions had short fields.

2 of the TD's were scored with the defense on the sideline, the punt and INT return. Then you had the 30 yard drive, and the relatively short drive after Blake's fumble.

Not a great defense yet by any means but the defense didn't give up 42 points yesterday.

 

[seesred]

I think you all make solid points. This game was very winable. We out ran, out passed and beat them in all ways but the score due to three major mistakes. Fumble, Intercept, special teams play.

We have some things to look foward to. I'm over my anger. I'm sure the rest of you will get over yours. Mac needs to have a coaches meeting and discuss coaches mistakes in this game. We need to evaluate our D- line rotation. We need to evaluate our O-line personal. I think we will be better when Garcia comes abck until them by Dishamn you are in the way. Big needs to play big and Clement needs to earn his bucks.

I look foward to next week with 25,000 fans screaming our heads off and hoping it gets better. At least we didn't have to go through what Denver did win yes but how does the future look

GBR.

 

[conraddobler]

Strangely I'd rather be us than Denver.

Yeah we lost but last year we won some games like the Dallas one and yet even though we won it was like wow that was really bad.

This gives a lot more hope I think management will address the special teams issue it isn't that hard we have to have good athletes in there it was mainly dropping the kickoffs in at the 10 and Boldins muff that cost us.

Player also had an awful day.

Sometimes you just lose heck we beat the Raiders year before last anything can happen.

Bottom line is that the offense is much much improved and the defense wasn't that bad just had short fields to work with all day we'll see what happens when teams have to drive the length of the field on them.

I also think Detroit is much better than given credit for I'd say a 7 win team or so they can't run so that will limit them but they are only a running back away from being a playoff team.

 

[MAKTEN]

Our secondary in the red zone was horrific

 

[Goldfield]

Originally posted by Mike Rogers
I agree special teams and TURNOVERS lost this game!!!!

AND no pass rush...

 

[jf-08]

Originally posted by Chopper0080

The Lions had only 1 SCORING DRIVE that started in their own territory, and it was at their own 42 yard line(their 2nd drive). Where did their other scoring drives start? At our 29, 35 and 36 yard lines.

therein is the game outcome.

When you only have to go 60 yds, you almost will be assured a FG.

Filed Position sucked on Sunday.

 

[who_me?]

Very interesting Stats! I Believe that WE did outplay Detroit and should have Won this game. It's hard to actually know what is going on when you follow the game through NFL Game Center w/o Audio. Thanks to everyone for your input! It helps to get a better sense of things.

I too was very upset after the game. The word ":F-U-D-G-E" (all you "Christmas Story " and Ralphy fans understand) was utilized serveral times during the 4th quarter. But do you know what calmed me down? Emmitt Smith! I read and heard him say that we WILL be back! and for some unknown and reassuring reason ?I believe him. Plus, one of the other posts that stated that the Lions knew everyone of the our calls and blitzes, also helps. It shows Poor coaching and management, but it too is an area that can be corrected. Hopefully.

 

[Chopper0080]

I will agree that special teams was horrible, but one thing that I never understood was our drift away from the run. In my opinion, if we stick with the run, even when down 1 touchdown, we avoid those turnovers. With a line that hasn't worked together, I'm not sure that I would comfortable passing as many times in the game as we did. Also, why not slow the pace of the game down and run the ball? I thought that we had success running after the first drive or two. Alot of questions that need to answered by next week.

 

[Chopper0080]

Bringing this thread back up in relation to this weeks game.

Again, I do not believe that our defense had a really poor day.

-We gave up 3 drives of more than 3 plays two of which resulted in scores (1 td, 1 fg). The defense forced 5 punts, 4 of 5 which were 3 and outs.

-3 of the 5 scoring drives were of more than 50 yards. The other two were of 6 yards (touchdown) and 50 yards (field goal).

-2 touchdown scores off big plays. The first immediately after our missed field goal, and the other to start the second half. Yes this is bad, but again we have a poor secondary and this will happen.

-In essence I will credit the defense with giving up 3 td's and 1 fg for a total of 28 points. This is not bad when you realize that we are playing the Seahawks with one of the most potent offenses in the league.

What does bother me is the lack of sacks but I didn't see the game so I don't know how much pressure was put on Hasselbeck. We gave up 323 yards, 130 yards rushing and 193 yards passing. Once again, not horribly bad.

This is another loss that can be, in my opinion, laid at the feet of the offense. I think that we all expected to give up around 28 points to the Seahawks and we pretty much did. What caught us all off guard is the fact that our offense did nothing and I again question the play calling. 8 rushes in the first quarter is sad, and it doesn't get better with only 4 rushes in the second quarter. yes we were down by a couple but we have to run the ball especially with Blake going out of the game. Once again I feel that our play calling was horrendous and did not help out our defense in the least. At what point do we say that we play to our strength and run the ball as much as we throw because 18 rushes is apparently not enough.

Oh yeah, fumbles aren't returned for touchdowns as often as interceptions, so it might be best if we run the damn ball.

 

[jf-08]