Lions vs. Colts quick thoughts: What Just Happened?

Well that was fun for a little while. It’s pretty rare that a preseason game is a good time, especially when it’s a preseason game that features no starters. But the Detroit Lions’ 27-17 loss to the Colts was a great time for at least half of the game. The first half was a ton of fun and the second half was just a marathon where every runner limped over the finish line. The Lions’ loss adds to their very long losing streak in the preseason that I’m not sure anyone knew existed before Friday night.

As always, I have thoughts on this game, these are those thoughts.

David Blough is good

I’m not afraid to say it. He’s not a starting caliber quarterback right now, but maybe he can be someday. I’m just blown away by his play this summer. Or maybe I’m Bloughn away? Okay, that was dumb. Still, Blough is looking really nice this summer, and he more than likely earned himself the number two spot on the depth chart on Friday. Even though Blough threw pick in the fourth quarter, he’s done enough to overlook that.

It was Blough’s grit going head first into the end zone with Colts defenders draped all over him that likely had Dan Campbell in his feelings.

RB3 will be the hardest spot to predict

Who would have thought that this would be an issue for the Lions? They have too many decent running backs and not enough roster spots. Godwin Igwebuike, Jermar Jefferson and Craig Reynolds have all looked good during the preseason, and on Friday they made Duce Staley’s job even harder when they all continued to look good yet again.

Coming into the game I wasn’t completely sold on Jefferson. I thought this would be Reynolds’ spot when it was all said and done. Then Jefferson showed off some nice moves including this pretty hurdle.

Igwebuike made a case for himself as well by not only showing off his speed in the backfield but in the return game too. Man, this going to be a tough decision.

Penei Sewell looked rough early, but rebounded

Sewell got beat off the line early in the game and Lions fans revolted against my concern that the first round pick has not been all that great. Look, I get it. I’m a Lions fan too. I’ve been protective of the team and their decisions before. The fact is Sewell is struggling with the transition. It doesn’t mean he’s a bust, it means he’s going to take some time to come along. Everyone relax.

Sewell did play better after that gaffe, which was nice. The Lions still made the right pick if you’re asking me right now. We’ll see where it goes from here.

Poor WWE fans

I won’t spend too much time on it. I’m just shocked that wrestling fans in Michigan and Indiana did not get to watch Smackdown on Friday night due to a preseason game in which most starters did not play. This was actually a really important Smackdown, too. It turns out the NFL really is king, even if Fox paid the WWE billions of dollars for Smackdown.

Derrick Barnes will be part of the MCU someday

I don’t know if anyone else saw it, but Derrick Barnes flew on Friday night. Seriously, the back of his jersey ripped and the wings of an bald eagle popped out, Hearts On Fire from Rocky IV played, and he made a spectacular tackle on a screen play. He is special.

Marvel President Kevin Feige saw that too. He was in the rafters with binoculars and Hawkeye scouting for new Avengers. Now that Iron Man is gone, there’s a roster spot open. Don’t be surprised if Barnes opts to save the world instead of play for the Lions. I’m hearing the DC people were there too, and Barnes declined to speak with them postgame.

Hello, Mike Ford

Where did this Mike Ford come from? He was everywhere on Friday night. Ford picked up a couple pass breakups in the end zone as well as out of the end zone. He also laid the wood on a nice open field tackle in the first quarter. Between Ford’s play on Friday and A.J. Parker’s entire preseason, the Lions cornerback depth chart isn’t going to look anything like we thought it would before camp. Nickell Robey-Coleman and Corn Elder could be on the outs. Although, Elder’s second-half interception can’t be overlooked.

Breshad Perriman is sadly not going to work out

You have to feel bad for the guy. The former 26th overall pick is just 27 and is on his sixth team. At this point it might be his final team. Perriman struggled during camp, during the preseason, and now it’s fair to consider Perriman could be cut by the Lions on Tuesday. After that, I’m not sure what team will be interested in his services. The guy is a burner on the field, but he struggles to make the catch, and he just hasn’t been able to figure out the NFL game. You hate to see it.

Special teams shoutout

I feel like we haven’t talked about it at all, but new Lions special teams coach Dave Fipp, seen below holding the detonator while screaming “give me a reason” at the bad guys, is doing a good job with his group.

Jack Fox may stake his claim as the best punter in the league if he keeps bolting 70-yard punts out there. His guys are helping him out there by getting to the return man before he can make a move. The Lions are going to make it hard on opponents with the field position game in 2021. Lions fans won’t have to concern themselves on this front, except maybe when it comes to kicking field goals. I guess we’ll see.