Raiders 31 Lions 24: Game # 8 ( 2019 )

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www.mlive.com/lions/2019/11/observations-lions-defense-wooped-again-season-already-on-brink.html

Thoughts in ****


Observations: Lions defense wooped again, season already on brink

The Lions put their playoff hopes on the line Sunday in Oakland against the Raiders.




Observations: Lions defense wooped again, season already on brink

Updated Nov 03, 2019;Posted Nov 03, 2019

Week 9: Detroit Lions at Oakland Raiders

By Kyle Meinke | [e-mail]

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Matt Patricia was supposed to win, and he was supposed to do it with defense.
Neither happened in Year 1.

And barring a miracle, neither will happen in Year 2 either.

The Lions defense has been among the worst in the league, and got run off the field Sunday in a 31-24 loss against the Raiders at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum -- dealing a critical blow to whatever’s left of their fading playoff chances. Which isn’t much.Both Minnesota and Green Bay lost on Sunday, giving the Lions an opportunity to make up ground in the competitive NFC North. Instead, they fell to 3-4-1 and remain buried in the bottom-third of the conference.

Considering Jim Caldwell was fired because “9-7 is no longer good enough,” according to Bob Quinn, their fall is disappointing. And that it has come because of a defense that was supposed to be so good, especially so.

The Raiders were playing without starting center Rodney Hudson, then lost starting right tackle Trent Brown on their first series. That didn’t stop them from running the ball eight times for 51 yards on the opening series alone, with Josh Jacobs punching it in from 2 yards out.

Jacobs gutted Detroit’s defense for 120 rushing yards on 28 carries and scored two touchdowns. The Lions allowed 171 rushing yards and 450 yards overall -- the fourth time in five weeks they’ve allowed at least 430 yards in a game.

That’s just atrocious defense. That’s losing defense. And the Lions have now lost four of their last five games because of it, leaving their season spinning around the drain.They were so bad, not even a 400-yard day from Matthew Stafford could save them.

Still, he almost did.

Stafford led a nine-play, 76-yard drive that brought Detroit within 1 yard of a tie game. They had one shot at it, a fourth down from the goal line with 8 seconds left. But the Lions went with an unusual playcall, taking Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones off the field -- both of whom had already hit 100 yards receiving -- in favor of a play-action pass to the tight ends.

Jesse James was marked on one route, so Stafford tried to throw over the top to Logan Thomas in the back of the end zone. The ball sailed through his fingertips -- and so too, maybe, did Detroit’s season.

**** The Lions Defense deserves more than its share of the blame for this loss. Yet, with the Lions Offense turning the ball over twice in FG range and failing to score a TD on two other Red Zone reached drives ( including the final one ), this loss was because of the failure of both units. With the 4th and Goal at 1 play call a huge part of the loss equation as well. There were many positives in this game. But they are overshadowed by the final score. ****

Some more instant observations:
-- That final fourth-down playcall is going to be scrutinized. That often happens when a play doesn’t work, but taking your two best receivers off the field -- when they’ve lit up the Raiders all day -- is a curious decision. So is dialing up a play-action pass where the first two reads are tight ends -- and your top tight end isn’t available. T.J. Hockenson played better against Oakland, but was removed from the game after hitting his head on the turf earlier on the drive. Still, Detroit went to the play-action pass for the tight end. It didn’t work. And Darrell Bevell, who has been so good this season, is going to catch some heat for it. -

**** With Obay Aboushi in the game at Guard for the first time in the regular season on the final set of downs ( after LG Joe Dahl suffered an injury ) and the Lions struggling running the ball in short yardage and goal line situations when attempted in recent games, I would have been very surprised if a conventional running play was called on 4th and Goal at the 1. The Raiders clearly felt the same way. When your best weapons on Offense ( excluding Matthew Stafford aren't in the game with everything on the line, questions should be asked. Also, what was Aboushi doing pulling on the 4th Down play action pass??? It looked like either he or someone else made an assignment mistake. ****

- After trading for Snacks Harrison last season, the Lions allowed 3.76 yards per carry the rest of the way. That was second in the NFL. This year, they were allowing 4.74 yards per carry heading into the weekend. That was 24th. In this game, they were gashed for 171 yards on 36 carries -- 4.8 yards per carry. What a disaster. Matt Patricia was hired for his defensive expertise, and it’s just not working. You can understand it when Patrick Mahomes or Aaron Rodgers is doing the damage, but they still can’t get stops against the 3-4 Raiders. That’s a problem. And it has Detroit’s season on the brink.

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**** IMHO, Snacks Harrison had his best game of the season through 8 games. One major issue is because he's dealing with a groin injury, his snaps are limited more than they woukd be if he was healthier.

The Lions got pushed around by the Raiders blockers on their first drive of the game. After that, there was improvement vs. the run until the Raiders go ahead/ eventual game winning TD drive. The Lions were playing pass and got burned at least twice by Jalen Richard. Many of the 3 to 4 yard gains the Raiders had after their first drive was because Josh Jordan's high caliber ability and effort. ****


- The Lions didn’t force a punt until Oakland’s first drive of the second half, but the Raiders kept their streak alive by pulling off a successful fake. Derek Carrier took the pitch and ran for 27 yards on a fourth-and-3. The play turned out to be a big one, too, because Da’Shawn Hand -- in just his second game back from an elbow injury -- went down with another injury three plays later. Then the Raiders kicked a field goal.-

**** Losing Da'Shawn Hand for most of the 2nd half was huge. Thankfully, he returned to the game at or near the end of the Raiders eventual game winning TD. For the Lions to have a realistic chance of putting together a sizable winning streak, Hand will be needed at a relatively healthy level. ****

- For the second time this season, Detroit’s defense squandered a fabulous game from Marvin Jones. He caught four touchdowns against Minnesota, a franchise record, but the Vikings had their best offensive day in a half-decade and won anyway. Jones went off again in Oakland, including catching a 49-yard pass with a defender draped all over him, and a 2-yard touchdown pass on a critical fourth down early in the game. He finished with eight catches for 126 yards -- but the Lions lost anyway. If only he could tackle a running back, I guess.

**** Another reminder of the mistake of Marvin Jones not being in the game on the Lions final play on Offense. ****

-- The Lions defense was ripped again, and the Lions running game was trash again. Yet they almost won anyway. They have Matthew Stafford to thank for that. He threw for 406 yards, which moved him past Kerry Collins for 18th on the all-time passing list, one week after he passed Joe Montana, one week after he passed Johnny Unitas. Busy guy. And man, has he been good. After completing all 12 passes in the second half against the Giants, he picked up where he left off in Oakland, connecting on 11 of his first 14 passes, two of which scored touchdowns to Marvin Jones and Kenny Golladay -- the latter of which came on a 59-yard bomb. The rediscovery of the deep ball has been a revelation this season, and has made Detroit competitive despite profound problems pretty much everywhere else on this team.-- Stafford was so good, he actually passed for 93 yards on one drive that began at his own 27-yard line. Not bad. He wasn’t perfect against Oakland, though, including fumbling an early handoff to McKissic and throwing an interception in the end zone. Those plays both occurred in Raiders territory, and Oakland turned them into 14 points, the difference in a game so close.

- **** The fumble was 'credited' to Matthew Stafford. However, it looked like a good handoff.

There were times in this game that Stafford could have made better throws and decisions. A major problem though was the Lions struggles with pass blocking assignments in this game. Particularly, on blitzes and or/ stunts. When the Lions were sound mentally with pass blocks, the execution was as good as it's been in any game. There were several plays in which assignments/ communications was problematic. It affected some of Stafford's throws. Including, the interception in the red zone and a 3rd Down incompletion to Kenny Golladay. ****

- Running back Kerryon Johnson went on injured reserve with a knee injury, forcing Tra Carson into the starting lineup last week. Then he went on IR with a hamstring injury on Saturday, forcing J.D. McKissic into the starting lineup against Oakland. It didn’t go very well. McKissic fumbled on the very first series of the game, stalling a promising scoring opportunity, and finished with 32 rushing yards. Detroit had 90 yards on 20 carries as a team, while the Raiders ran roughshod all over their defense.

- **** A lack of an effective enough running game proved costly in this game and it easily could in multiple games ahead. ****

- T.J. Hockenson also broke out of his slumber, catching three passes for 56 yards, his best game since that historic opener. He’s also missed a bunch of opportunities in the end zone over the last few weeks, dropping two passes and stepping out of bounds on another. Nobody in Allen Park is worried at this point -- tight end is notoriously difficult on rookies -- but Hockenson’s slide has been discouraging. And his re-emergence in Oakland is encouraging, although now attention turns back to his brain. He suffered a concussion earlier this season, and left this game late holding his head.-

**** If didn't look like T.J. Hockenson got hit in the head on the play he was knocked out of the game. Yet, it's a very concerning situation because he was holding his head. ****

- I know what the Lions were trying to do by rotating in Kenny Wiggins at guard throughout the season. How many times have we seen the offensive line fall apart because of injuries over the years? So it makes some sense to have a warm arm ready to go in the bullpen. And with Graham Glasgow missing this game with a back injury -- snapping a 50-game start streak -- hey, the strategy paid off. Wiggins earned the start for Glasgow at right guard and appeared to hold up OK.

-- Having said that, I still disagree with the strategy. Glasgow has been a top-10 guard this year, and one of the best run blockers in the league. You don’t get better by taking a guy like that off the field for two series per game. And more importantly, I’m honestly curious to see if the rotation hurts Detroit’s chances of re-signing Glasgow after the season. He’s said all the right things about the rotation -- that he just wants to do what’s best for the team -- but then again, nobody likes to come off the field. And that’s especially true at a position like guard, where rotations aren’t usually a thing, and when you’re playing that position like he is.Glasgow lives in Ann Arbor, where he went to college, and is marrying a girl he met there. He has roots in Southeast Michigan, and I think ultimately would prefer to stay put. But this game is a business, too, and if someone offers him more money to play full time, that could be hard for Detroit to counter. Having said that, the rotation sure helped them get through this game too. There is a short-term benefit, no doubt. But I’m concerned what it could mean long term for Detroit’s most consistent offensive lineman.

**** Kenny Wiggins was having his best game with the Lions until between the 5 and 6 minute mark remaining in the 3rd QTR. Some of Wiggins athletic limitations in pass blocking showed up from that point forward. All things considering though, Wiggins had a good all around performance. I still don't agree with the Guard rotation. But Wiggins deserves credit for his play in this game. And the game snaps Wiggins received in other games probably helped in at Oakland. ****


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This new thread is a continuation of tbe following thread:

Lions at Raiders preview: Game # 8 ( 2019 )

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/456/lions-raiders-preview-game-2019

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NFL Week 9 PFF ReFocused: Oakland Raiders 31, Detroit Lions 24

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More often than not, it was assignment/ communication issues that caused problems for the Lions Offensive Line, compared to O-Lineman getting beat from a physical / skill stand point.

Great play by Daryl Worley on the interception.

In addition to Darius Slay, I thought Rashaan Melvin performed well. Certainly, MUCH better than against the Giants.

The throw in which Jalen Richard somewhat beat Christian Jones on the Raiders eventual game winning TD drive was terrific. Carr was under pressure, yet he delivered as good of a throw as can be made on that play.

Christian Jones had one of his best run Defense performances of the season. It's pass coverage that remains a concern.

Jarrad Davis got beat in coverage vertically. But more than anything, the foolish pass interference penalty he committed on a 3rd Down play that would have easily resulted in 4th Down if he didn't commit the penalty, opens the door for me to doubt his long term future with the team.

[D6]

Inside the Lions’ failed fourth down, why Marvin Jones and Kenny Golladay were benched


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If Kerryon Johnson or even Tra Carson were healthy and in at RB on the play AND the Lions had the starting Offensive Line available, I would view the play call decision vastly different.

Considering the pressure Matthew Stafford was under, the throw was very good. It was a catchable ball. A play Logan Thomas could have made but it was well defensed by Karl Joseph.

[D6]

Inside the locker room: Lions try to explain another defensive meltdown

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On the eventual game winning TD pass, it looked like Trey Flowers lost contain, enabling Derek Carr to get to the outside. It's possible though someone else didn't execute an assignment instead when Flowers rushed to tbe inside.

[D6]

Snap counts: Lions’ Darius Slay logs 70 plays in return from injury during loss to Raiders

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It wouldn't surprise me if Jesse James is traded when it becomes a viable option based on the NFL Salary Cap.

Tyrell Crosby was flagged for Holding Penalty on a running play, when used as an extra Offensive Lineman. Both teams scored a TD on drives in which they overcame 2 Offensive Holding penalties. That as much as anything speaks volumes about the respective Defenses.

It looked like Tavon Wilson had a good performance.

This was the best Jahlani Tavai played against the run ( this was one of the positives I mentioned in the opening message of the thread ) and he did a great job on a play in pass coverage in which the Raiders lost a pass interference replay challenge.

The injury limitations on Damon Harrison and A'Shawn Robinson, which affected the number of snaps they played, along with Da'Shawn Hand missing most of the 2nd half of the game, took its toll on the Lions. This in addition to Mike Daniels missing another game.

C. J. Moore was too deep on a crossing pattern that he was apparently expected to provide help on. It's part of the growing pains with a rookie.

Steve Longa lost contain on the fake punt.

[D6]

Detroit Lions stock watch: Darrell Bevell's play call puts him on naughty list

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Even though the Raiders had problems slowing down the Lions Offense, I expect many more teams will use their strategy of often keeping their Safeties back. In essence, daring tbe Lions to run the ball. With Kerryon Johnson on I.R., the frequently loaded boxes the Lions Offense saw ( league leading in the early part of the season ) likely is a thing of the past until / unless Johnson returns.

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This makes the 4th Down and Goal at the 1 play call even more questionable. Oday Aboushi pulling led to pressure on Matthew Stafford. Maybe additional time could have led to a better opportunity for Logan Thomas to catch what was already a catchable ball. Or Stafford bring able to find an open target further down on his progressions.