Pride Of Detroit - Lions at Vikings: Full coverage of Detroit's 17-3 victoryA Detroit Lions blog by Lions fans, for Lions fans.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51601/pod-fav.png2014-10-16T13:59:09-04:00http://www.prideofdetroit.com/rss/stream/66902002014-10-16T13:59:09-04:002014-10-16T13:59:09-04:00Things of that nature: Life without Calvin Johnson
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/4wUO2gdcNnxLiilFrAzQcG_4CMk=/0x60:2765x1903/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/42034594/20141012_gma_sk1_016.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Sifting through what remains of the Detroit Lions offense without a wide receiver from the planet Cybertron.</p> <p>I'll be honest, I feel a little weird writing this column after a win. I consider myself Pride Of Detroit's <a href="http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2014/9/3/6098777/detroit-lions-playoffs-2014-poll">foremost Kool-Aid drinker</a>, and it's not in me to get too down on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> (unless I'm in my cups). But, I planned this topic a week ago, so I'm tied to the offense, for better or for worse.</p>
<p>The Lions' offseason was supposed to prevent this sort of thing from happening. The Golden Tate signing and the <span>Eric Ebron</span> pick both pointed to an offense that could stay afloat without <span>Calvin Johnson</span>. Matthew Stafford's inconsistencies are well-documented by this point, but few people probably anticipated the regression by the offensive line or a kicking game that has reached the point of dark comedy. Fortunately, the same number of people probably predicted the Lions defense would be this dominant through six games. The Lions can still win without Megatron, just not in the way anyone envisioned.</p>
<p>I don't think Calvin is coming back until after the bye week. I don't think he <i>should </i>come back until after the bye week. A run at the playoffs will require a healthy Megatron down the stretch, and life is more fun when Calvin isn't hobbled.</p>
<p>For the purposes of this week's column, let's assume I'm correct. That means the Lions have two more Calvin-less games to worry about, so let's try to figure out what's going on with the Lions offense in the meantime.</p>
<p>I doubt this comes as a revelation, but the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> didn't exactly respect the threat of the deep ball against the Lions last week. Those two-high looks the Lions are used to seeing were mostly absent. When the Vikings did line up that way, it was either an obvious passing situation or a feint before bringing a safety into the box. For most of the game, the Vikings rolled with one high safety and kept plenty of defenders in the short and intermediate areas, limiting damage on the quick throws that made up most of the Lions' passing game.</p>
<p> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Tate Slant 1" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/KjlRCsXbmHGfogTncJ0VaSmJxV4=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2361436/Tate_Slant_1.0.png">
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<p>The Lions run a double-slant with the bottom two receivers in the image here, the lowest of whom is Tate. It's an easy, quick read for Stafford, which is important given that the Vikings send <span>Harrison Smith</span> on a blitz from the slot.</p>
<p> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Tate Slant 2" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/8sAWKqZU-oCh0Vq1F5_WMf5cX1E=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2361438/Tate_Slant_2.0.png">
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</p>
<p>Tate makes a catch for 7 yards but is brought down almost immediately by the surrounding defenders. As a point of reference, here is Tate catching a slant with Megatron on the field against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/">New York Jets</a>:</p>
<p> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Tate Slant Jets" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Zc9SP3gky4GzQfYn0HK8fQ_1JNM=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2361440/Tate_Slant_Jets.0.png">
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<p>I'm using an extreme example to make a point, but you get the idea. Megatron has the gravitational pull of a large celestial body. The safety lined up on Tate's side is 20 yards downfield from him. When he catches the slant above, there are three defenders within 10 yards of him. All the reasons the Lions signed Tate still apply -- he's sure-handed and remarkable after the catch. But there's only so much you can do after the catch when defenses don't have to worry about anyone else.</p>
<p>The Vikings' defensive alignments took away the deep middle and dared the Lions to beat one-on-one coverage outside the numbers downfield. They couldn't, for a number of reasons. That's not to say the Lions didn't try, though. On a couple occasions, Stafford tried to hit Ebron on a deep out or cross, which <a href="http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2014/10/2/6894583/things-of-that-nature-eric-ebron-bills-defense">I've been clamoring for</a>, to no avail.</p>
<p> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Ebron Out 1" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GoEr59w2a9PqXEvq7LAIHHu4cbs=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2361444/Ebron_Out_1.0.png">
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<p>This is the attempt at the deep out. It's just another two-man stretch, with Tate running a 5-yard curl, sucking in the shallow defenders while Ebron turns out 10 yards downfield. The play is there, but pressure comes early, forcing Stafford to unload before he should, resulting in an incompletion out of bounds.</p>
<p> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Ebron Out 2" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Dgbs4o57DGpEC9ww1fEKSBazpEE=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2361446/Ebron_Out_2.0.png">
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</p>
<p>These are tight windows, but they are windows Stafford can hit. This play falls more on the protection, but a failure to hit on a later deep cross falls squarely on Stafford.</p>
<p> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Ebron Cross" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/6HmE27slP8XvVQbu84p0tc1FgFE=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2361450/Ebron_Cross.0.png">
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<p>Stafford has plenty of room around him and Ebron has plenty of room in front of him. For an offense starved for big plays, this miss is more glaring than most. You can pick your reasons for the Lions' lack of success last week -- inaccurate throws, poor blocking up front, receivers not getting separation. At some point, they all played a role. Until the Lions can actually hit some of these plays, I'd expect most defenses to mimic Minnesota's approach.</p>
<p>It wasn't <i>all </i>terrible, though. Besides, I really don't want to end two columns on a negative note, so let's buy a ticket and take a quick ride aboard the THEO RIDDICK HYPE TRAIN.</p>
<p> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Riddick 1" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Zd1aUR_KJTAhj3oPGJ2dg8-CyL4=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2361452/Riddick_1.0.png">
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<p>This is a pre-snap shot from Riddick's touchdown on the first drive of the game against Minnesota. The Lions show almost a mirror image of the play we <a href="http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2014/9/4/6105779/things-of-that-nature-reggie-bush-giants-defense">looked at back in Week 1</a> featuring <span>Jimmy Graham</span> and <span>Darren Sproles</span>: the dynamic tight end draws coverage up the seam while the shifty running back gets out into open space in the flats.</p>
<p> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Riddick 2" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/2DJsJKXvf5m5oFrYoTJRjKdf0Qk=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2361454/Riddick_2.0.png">
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<p><span>Erin Henderson</span> certainly seems to anticipate that. However, once Ebron gets behind him, the tight end's route breaks to the outside. As Henderson commits hard to the flats, Riddick cuts back inside, breaking the linebacker's ankles in the process. A second later, the Lions took a lead they wouldn't relinquish. Here's to hoping we get to see more of that as the season goes on. My personal dream is to see two-back sets with Riddick and <span>Reggie Bush</span>, but I'm not sure those packages exist, nor am I sure the two will ever be healthy at the same time.</p>
<p>The Lions offense has been pedestrian at best for the past couple weeks, but I still think there are reasons to be optimistic. The biggest is that, barring catastrophe, the defense should keep the Lions in every game going forward. The offense doesn't have to be dynamic to win; it just has to be competent. Besides, as mediocre as the offense has been without Megatron, the next two defenses the Lions face have been <a href="http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/teamdef">downright putrid</a>. The coming games against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">New Orleans Saints</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a> should be matchups of strength-on-strength and weakness-on-weakness. I think the Lions are better in both areas, respectively.</p>
https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2014/10/16/6989051/things-of-that-nature-life-without-calvin-johnsonChristopher Tomke2014-10-14T17:19:17-04:002014-10-14T17:19:17-04:00Breaking down the call: Double Fouls and turnovers
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<figcaption>Adam Bettcher</figcaption>
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<p>Offsetting penalties erased a takeaway from the Detroit Lions late in the first half on Sunday. Was the correct call made?</p> <p>After failing a two-minute drill to end the first half on Sunday, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> were forced to punt. What followed was confusing, frustrating and ultimately disappointing. The Lions appeared to have recovered a fumbled punt return, but there were three flags on the play. Minnesota committed two fouls: a holding and a block in the back penalty. Detroit was guilty of an illegal hands to the face infraction. Despite the imbalance in penalties, the fouls offset and the down was replayed. The ruling seemed strange, and quite a bit unfair, but most importantly, was it correct? Let's take a peek at the rulebook:</p>
<h5>"Double Fouls"</h5>
<p>When there are fouls committed by both teams during a play, it is referred to as a Double Foul. Included under the title Double Foul are plays in which multiple fouls are committed by one or both of the teams. Here is the NFL's direct definition of a Double Foul:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>A Double Foul is a foul by each team during the same down and includes any multiple foul by either team, including dead ball fouls</p>
</blockquote>
<p>In other words, as long as there are infractions on both teams, regardless of how many on each side, it is considered a Double Foul.</p>
<p>Generally speaking, when a Double Foul occurs, the penalties offset and the down is replayed. However, the rules are a little different when a change in possession occurs during the play. In the example of this play, <i>two </i>changes of possession occurred on one down (the punt and the fumble recovery).</p>
<h5>Double Fouls during a change in possession</h5>
<p>When a change in possession occurs during a play with a Double Foul, it becomes very important as to <i>when</i> the fouls occurred. From the rulebook:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>If there is a Double Foul during a down in which there is a change or changes of possession, including if one of the fouls is a post-possession foul by Team B during a scrimmage kick, the team last gaining possession will keep the ball after enforcement for its foul, provided it did not foul prior to last gaining possession ("clean hands").</p>
</blockquote>
<p>"The team last gaining possession will keep the ball..." THE LIONS WERE SCREWED! THE REFS HATE THE LIONS!</p>
<p>Okay, let's break it down. On a play with a Double Foul that has a change of possession, the team with possession last gets to keep the ball, which in this case was the Lions. HOWEVER, the last segment of that sentence is key: "provided it did not foul prior to last gaining possession." In other words, as long as the Lions had not committed a foul <i>before</i> recovering the fumble, they get to keep possession (as the rulebook says, they must have "clean hands" before gaining possession).</p>
<p>So the key to the enforcement of this penalty is finding out when the Lions' illegal hands to the face penalty occurred.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, FOX did not provide a good shot of the infraction. The foul was called on Julian Stanford. Here is Stanford blocking on the play before the kick:</p>
<p> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt="stanford " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Ts0beMQhP769-ZTbUU6y1cBrXXw=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2353678/stanford.0.PNG">
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<p>There is no clear sign of an infraction here, but the foul could have occurred before this (FOX was late in showing the snap) or well after the camera panned toward the punt returner. Regardless, the foul (assuming there <i>was </i>one) was almost certainly committed before the fumble recovery since there was no return after the recovery. Therefore, the correct ruling seems to have been made.</p>
<p><b>Conclusion: Presuming that Stanford actually committed a foul on the play, a Double Foul occurred <i>before</i> the change in possession and the down was correctly replayed. </b></p>
https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2014/10/14/6975051/breaking-down-the-call-offsetting-penalties-during-turnoversJeremy Reisman2014-10-13T14:57:58-04:002014-10-13T14:57:58-04:00Recapping Lions' win over Vikings
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<figcaption>Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Jerry Mallory takes a look back at the good, the bad, the ugly and the great from the Detroit Lions' win over the Minnesota Vikings.</p> <p>Check it out.</p>
https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2014/10/13/6970593/lions-vikings-2014-recapSean Yuille2014-10-13T13:09:39-04:002014-10-13T13:09:39-04:00Lions snap counts from Vikings game
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/IfKnQhCned0X_BpqnZq9wc5v01A=/0x19:4000x2686/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/41777676/20141012_rnb_sk1_125.JPG.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>A look at the Detroit Lions' snap counts from Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings.</p> <p>Below is a rundown of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a>' snap counts from their game against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> on Sunday. (Note: QB Dan Orlovsky, QB Kellen Moore, RB Reggie Bush, WR Calvin Johnson, TE Joseph Fauria, OT Garrett Reynolds, DE Larry Webster and LB Travis Lewis did not play.)</p>
<h4>Offense</h4>
<table width="652" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<colgroup>
<col width="181"> <col width="148"> <col width="87"> <col width="148"> <col width="88"> </colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" width="181" align="left"><b>QUARTERBACK</b></td>
<td width="148" align="center"><b>OFFENSIVE SNAPS</b></td>
<td width="87" align="center"><b>PERCENTAGE</b></td>
<td width="148" align="center"><b>SPECIAL TEAMS SNAPS</b></td>
<td width="88" align="center"><b>PERCENTAGE</b></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left">Matthew Stafford</td>
<td align="center">70</td>
<td align="center">100%</td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left"><b>RUNNING BACK</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>OFFENSIVE SNAPS</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>PERCENTAGE</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>SPECIAL TEAMS SNAPS</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>PERCENTAGE</b></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left">Joique Bell</td>
<td align="center">45</td>
<td align="center">64%</td>
<td align="center">1</td>
<td align="center">4%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left">Theo Riddick</td>
<td align="center">19</td>
<td align="center">27%</td>
<td align="center">1</td>
<td align="center">4%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left">George Winn</td>
<td align="center">7</td>
<td align="center">10%</td>
<td align="center">12</td>
<td align="center">44%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left"><b>FULLBACK</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>OFFENSIVE SNAPS</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>PERCENTAGE</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>SPECIAL TEAMS SNAPS</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>PERCENTAGE</b></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left">Jed Collins</td>
<td align="center">15</td>
<td align="center">21%</td>
<td align="center">17</td>
<td align="center">63%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left"><b>WIDE RECEIVER</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>OFFENSIVE SNAPS</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>PERCENTAGE</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>SPECIAL TEAMS SNAPS</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>PERCENTAGE</b></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left">Jeremy Ross</td>
<td align="center">60</td>
<td align="center">86%</td>
<td align="center">9</td>
<td align="center">33%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left">Golden Tate</td>
<td align="center">55</td>
<td align="center">79%</td>
<td align="center">1</td>
<td align="center">4%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left">Corey Fuller</td>
<td align="center">52</td>
<td align="center">74%</td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left">Ryan Broyles</td>
<td align="center">2</td>
<td align="center">3%</td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left"><b>TIGHT END</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>OFFENSIVE SNAPS</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>PERCENTAGE</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>SPECIAL TEAMS SNAPS</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>PERCENTAGE</b></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left">Eric Ebron</td>
<td align="center">47</td>
<td align="center">67%</td>
<td align="center">6</td>
<td align="center">22%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left">Brandon Pettigrew</td>
<td align="center">46</td>
<td align="center">66%</td>
<td align="center">6</td>
<td align="center">22%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left"><b>OFFENSIVE TACKLE</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>OFFENSIVE SNAPS</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>PERCENTAGE</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>SPECIAL TEAMS SNAPS</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>PERCENTAGE</b></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left">Riley Reiff</td>
<td align="center">70</td>
<td align="center">100%</td>
<td align="center">5</td>
<td align="center">19%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left">LaAdrian Waddle</td>
<td align="center">70</td>
<td align="center">100%</td>
<td align="center">5</td>
<td align="center">19%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left">Cornelius Lucas</td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
<td align="center">5</td>
<td align="center">19%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left"><b>OFFENSIVE GUARD/CENTER</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>OFFENSIVE SNAPS</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>PERCENTAGE</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>SPECIAL TEAMS SNAPS</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>PERCENTAGE</b></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left">Rob Sims</td>
<td align="center">70</td>
<td align="center">100%</td>
<td align="center">5</td>
<td align="center">19%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left">Dominic Raiola</td>
<td align="center">70</td>
<td align="center">100%</td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left">Larry Warford</td>
<td align="center">68</td>
<td align="center">97%</td>
<td align="center">5</td>
<td align="center">19%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left">Travis Swanson</td>
<td align="center">2</td>
<td align="center">3%</td>
<td align="center">6</td>
<td align="center">22%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h4>Defense</h4>
<table width="652" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<colgroup>
<col width="181"> <col width="148"> <col width="87"> <col width="148"> <col width="88"> </colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" width="181" align="left"><b>DEFENSIVE END</b></td>
<td width="148" align="center"><b>DEFENSIVE SNAPS</b></td>
<td width="87" align="center"><b>PERCENTAGE</b></td>
<td width="148" align="center"><b>SPECIAL TEAMS SNAPS</b></td>
<td width="88" align="center"><b>PERCENTAGE</b></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left">Jason Jones</td>
<td align="center">37</td>
<td align="center">54%</td>
<td align="center">1</td>
<td align="center">4%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left">George Johnson</td>
<td align="center">36</td>
<td align="center">53%</td>
<td align="center">13</td>
<td align="center">48%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left">Ziggy Ansah</td>
<td align="center">33</td>
<td align="center">49%</td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left">Darryl Tapp</td>
<td align="center">24</td>
<td align="center">35%</td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left">Devin Taylor</td>
<td align="center">12</td>
<td align="center">18%</td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left"><b>DEFENSIVE TACKLE</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>DEFENSIVE SNAPS</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>PERCENTAGE</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>SPECIAL TEAMS SNAPS</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>PERCENTAGE</b></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left">Ndamukong Suh</td>
<td align="center">54</td>
<td align="center">79%</td>
<td align="center">1</td>
<td align="center">4%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left">Nick Fairley</td>
<td align="center">41</td>
<td align="center">60%</td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left">C.J. Mosley</td>
<td align="center">22</td>
<td align="center">32%</td>
<td align="center">1</td>
<td align="center">4%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left">Caraun Reid</td>
<td align="center">13</td>
<td align="center">19%</td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left"><b>LINEBACKER</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>DEFENSIVE SNAPS</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>PERCENTAGE</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>SPECIAL TEAMS SNAPS</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>PERCENTAGE</b></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left">DeAndre Levy</td>
<td align="center">68</td>
<td align="center">100%</td>
<td align="center">2</td>
<td align="center">7%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left">Tahir Whitehead</td>
<td align="center">50</td>
<td align="center">74%</td>
<td align="center">10</td>
<td align="center">37%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left">Josh Bynes</td>
<td align="center">19</td>
<td align="center">28%</td>
<td align="center">20</td>
<td align="center">74%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left">Ashlee Palmer</td>
<td align="center">17</td>
<td align="center">25%</td>
<td align="center">20</td>
<td align="center">74%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left">Julian Stanford</td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
<td align="center">20</td>
<td align="center">74%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left"><b>CORNERBACK</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>DEFENSIVE SNAPS</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>PERCENTAGE</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>SPECIAL TEAMS SNAPS</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>PERCENTAGE</b></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left">Rashean Mathis</td>
<td align="center">68</td>
<td align="center">100%</td>
<td align="center">2</td>
<td align="center">7%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left">Darius Slay</td>
<td align="center">67</td>
<td align="center">99%</td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left">Danny Gorrer</td>
<td align="center">26</td>
<td align="center">38%</td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left">Cassius Vaughn</td>
<td align="center">23</td>
<td align="center">34%</td>
<td align="center">11</td>
<td align="center">41%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left">Mohammed Seisay</td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
<td align="center">20</td>
<td align="center">74%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left"><b>SAFETY</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>DEFENSIVE SNAPS</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>PERCENTAGE</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>SPECIAL TEAMS SNAPS</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>PERCENTAGE</b></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left">Glover Quin</td>
<td align="center">68</td>
<td align="center">100%</td>
<td align="center">2</td>
<td align="center">7%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left">James Ihedigbo</td>
<td align="center">67</td>
<td align="center">99%</td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left">Don Carey</td>
<td align="center">2</td>
<td align="center">3%</td>
<td align="center">21</td>
<td align="center">78%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left">Isa Abdul-Quddus</td>
<td align="center">1</td>
<td align="center">1%</td>
<td align="center">22</td>
<td align="center">81%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left">Jerome Couplin</td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
<td align="center">12</td>
<td align="center">44%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h4>Specialists</h4>
<table width="416" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<colgroup>
<col width="181"> <col width="148"> <col width="87"> </colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" width="181" align="left"><b>KICKER</b></td>
<td width="148" align="center"><b>SPECIAL TEAMS SNAPS</b></td>
<td width="87" align="center"><b>PERCENTAGE</b></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left">Matt Prater</td>
<td align="center">5</td>
<td align="center">19%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left"><b>PUNTER</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>SPECIAL TEAMS SNAPS</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>PERCENTAGE</b></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left">Sam Martin</td>
<td align="center">17</td>
<td align="center">63%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
<td align="center"><br></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left"><b>LONG SNAPPER</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>SPECIAL TEAMS SNAPS</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>PERCENTAGE</b></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" align="left">Don Muhlbach</td>
<td align="center">13</td>
<td align="center">48%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2014/10/13/6927871/lions-vikings-2014-snap-countsSean Yuille2014-10-13T12:29:06-04:002014-10-13T12:29:06-04:00Lions are finally a defensive team and I love it
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/6AqFNc9ol_MGdlZtyh464173tXA=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/41770862/20141012_rnb_ah7_066.JPG.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>How the Detroit Lions' change in identity to defense has made them a better and more likable team.</p> <p>As I started to really learn football in the late '90s and early '00s, I quickly became enamored with defense. While quarterbacks like <span>Brett Favre</span>, Troy Aikman and a young <span>Tom Brady</span> dominated highlight-reel packages, I was glued to my television watching the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Pittsburgh Steelers</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Baltimore Ravens</a> and yes, even the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a>, consistently wow me. With everyone obsessed over stats and touchdowns and shootouts, I was curious and befuddled that teams could still win games 6-3 or 9-0. When I played Madden, I couldn't wait to get on defense and play middle linebacker.</p>
<p>Playing offense always looked easy to me. The rulebook clearly favors it, and typically the most athletic players are on that side of the ball. But what always seemed more valiant to me was being able to topple the magnanimous figures like Peyton Manning. Of course, the media would ask "What is wrong with Manning?" but I'd smile with glee knowing that the real story was how amazing the opposing defense was.</p>
<p>To dominate the league with your defense is to spit in the face of everything the NFL tries to be. When the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a> tore apart elite offenses last year, the league scrambled to <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/sports/wp/2014/08/13/nfl-crackdown-on-illegal-contact-may-spur-epic-stat-surge-for-qbs-like-tom-brady-peyton-manning/" target="_blank">harshen the rules</a> and put an end to such nonsense. The NFL continues to fine defensive players at an unfairly disproportionate rate compared to offensive players (<a href="http://www.spotrac.com/fines-tracker/nfl/2014/fines/" target="_blank">60 percent to 40 percent</a> in 2014). To root for defense is to root for the underdog to beat all of the odds. Nowadays, when the NFL has such a bad public image, it feels good to stick it to the man (or <a href="https://vine.co/v/O7YgLO23Qgx" target="_blank">robo-man</a>).</p>
<p>That's why I was always so jealous of those defensive dynasties. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> have <i>never</i> had a dominant defense during my lifetime. While I was obviously endlessly enamored with Barry Sanders, inside I was praying for more Chris Spielmans and Robert Porchers in Honolulu Blue. When the Lions finally seemed to grasp the idea of an important defense by taking some defensive players early in the draft, I scrambled to buy an <span>Ernie Sims</span> and <span>Louis Delmas</span> jersey, thinking they finally saw the light. It's why I was so thrilled with the Jim Schwartz hiring and ultimately crushed after his failure.</p>
<p>The last time the Lions finished a season with a top-10 defense (by yardage) was 1993. The last time the Lions had a top-five defense was 1981. The 2014 Lions currently have the No. 1 defense in the NFL by yardage <i>and </i>points, and I can't get enough of it.</p>
<p>When the Lions drafted <span>Matthew Stafford</span> over <span>Aaron Curry</span>, I was pretty disappointed. I understood the importance of a franchise quarterback, but I had just seen the defense of the Steelers win the Super Bowl months before and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a> win it the previous year. I wanted that.</p>
<p>For the next five years the mantra of the Lions was "As goes Stafford, so goes the team." And that was the truth. In Stafford's best year, the Lions went to the playoffs. In his worst, the Lions went 4-12.</p>
<p>But that's no longer true. Not at all. Stafford has struggled mightily in the first month and a half of this season. His passer rating is barely above <span>Kirk Cousins</span>, who has thrown four more interceptions than him. But the Lions are 4-2 and have completely shut down the offense of two division rivals.</p>
<p>The defense has not only caused havoc on the field, but they're creating panic off it. After facing the Lions, Giants fans <a href="http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/09/giants-fans-are-already-burning-eli-manning-jerseys" target="_blank">burned Eli Manning's jersey</a>. When the Lions held the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> offense to three points on Sunday, Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer started <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/minnesota-vikings-coach-mike-zimmer-rips--extremely-disappointing--team-222551096.html" target="_blank">throwing his own players under the bus</a>.</p>
<p>On Cordarrelle Patterson:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"He's got to do a better job of getting open. I'm tired of hearing about all of this stuff. He's the second-most targeted guy on the team, so if he wants the ball, tell him to get open."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>On Teddy Bridgewater:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"Teddy made a lot of mistakes out there as well. I don't think there's anybody immune to mistakes. I don't have the magic answer."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>This defense isn't just tearing offenses apart, they're starting to tear <i>teams</i> apart. And while we watch the offense struggle to find their identity and the Lions cycle through kickers, it only puts into perspective how heroic the Lions defense has really been through six weeks. And I can't wait to watch more.</p>
https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2014/10/13/6969129/2014-detroit-lions-best-defenseJeremy Reisman2014-10-13T11:00:03-04:002014-10-13T11:00:03-04:00Lions notes: More on Sunday's win over Vikings
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/bLWSFEuEbeEx8VcBRRmgsN3kuVg=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/41707970/20141012_rnb_sk1_052.JPG.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Lions notes looks at various tidbits from Sunday's win over the Minnesota Vikings.</p> <ul>
<li>
<span>Ndamukong Suh</span> set a new <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> record for career sacks by a defensive tackle on Sunday.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>That first sack was officially credited to Suh. He now has the team record for Sacks from a DT (29.5). Passed Shaun Rogers. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DETvsMIN?src=hash">#DETvsMIN</a></p>
— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) <a href="https://twitter.com/ttwentyman/status/521355089756164097">October 12, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Suh later added a second sack, giving him 30.5 for his career.<br><br>
</li>
<li>As a team, the Lions tallied eight sacks for the first time in a long, long time.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>DT <a href="https://twitter.com/NdamukongSuh">@NdamukongSuh</a> notches the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Lions?src=hash">#Lions</a>' 8th sack of the game, the most by the team since 11/23/97. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OnePride?src=hash">#OnePride</a></p>
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lions/status/521390020561616896">October 12, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<br>
</li>
<li>
<span>George Johnson</span>, who played a big part in the Lions' pass rush against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a>, had a pretty great Sunday.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>George Johnson, who was cut by the Vikings last year, gave a passionate pre-game speech to the DL and got a game ball after the win.</p>
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) <a href="https://twitter.com/jkatzenstein/status/521402485635055616">October 12, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<br>
</li>
<li>I mean, wow:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Lions?src=hash">#Lions</a> have given up 1,624 yards in 6 games. It's the least since 1991 (1,588)</p>
— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) <a href="https://twitter.com/ttwentyman/status/521408463071490048">October 12, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Through six games <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Lions?src=hash">#Lions</a> have allowed 82 points. The least given up by them since 1970 (82). Tied for 3rd least through six games since 1940</p>
— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) <a href="https://twitter.com/ttwentyman/status/521409389484199936">October 12, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<br>
</li>
<li>
<span>Theo Riddick</span> left Sunday's game after <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/davebirkett/status/521376543512084480">aggravating his hamstring injury</a>, but he's already <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/kmeinke/status/521405017392046080">planning to play next week</a>.<br><br>
</li>
<li>
<span>Reggie Bush</span>, who was inactive on Sunday because of an ankle injury, is <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/kmeinke/status/521394818539610112">also planning to play</a> next week (against his former team, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">New Orleans Saints</a>).<br><br>
</li>
<li>It's time for our weekly section of depressing stats about the Lions' awful kicking game.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>In 21 seasons <span>Jason Hanson</span> never missed more than nine 40+ yard field goals. The Lions have already missed nine from 40+ this year.</p>
— Michael David Smith (@MichaelDavSmith) <a href="https://twitter.com/MichaelDavSmith/status/521356340011470848">October 12, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Lions have now missed more FGs in a season (10) than Jason Hanson ever missed in a season (9).</p>
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) <a href="https://twitter.com/jkatzenstein/status/521374724484382721">October 12, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<br>
</li>
<li>Part of the problem is that the Lions are stalling drives short of the red zone at a pretty alarming rate.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Lions have tried 77 percent of their kicks from at least 40 yards. NFL-wide average is 43 percent.</p>
— Noah Trister (@noahtrister) <a href="https://twitter.com/noahtrister/status/521356008439152640">October 12, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<br>
</li>
<li>On a positive note, Sam Martin's reaction to <span>Matt Prater's</span> one made field goal on Sunday was pretty great.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Sam Martin REALLY liked that 52-yard FG from Matt Prater. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OnePride?src=hash">#OnePride</a> <a href="http://t.co/a08ZErQKc1">pic.twitter.com/a08ZErQKc1</a></p>
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lions/status/521370078026031105">October 12, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<br>
</li>
<li>What happened to the Lions' offensive line?<br>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p><span>Matthew Stafford</span> has been sacked 21 times this year. Was sacked 23 times all last year.</p>
— Kyle Meinke (@kmeinke) <a href="https://twitter.com/kmeinke/status/521381791718846464">October 12, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<br>
</li>
<li>According to <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/MikeOHaraNFL/status/521286808798507008">Mike O'Hara</a>, Sunday was the Lions' first outdoor road game against the Vikings since 1981.<br><br>
</li>
<li>
<span>Ryan Broyles</span> is not happy with his lack of playing time, and I don't blame him one bit.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>It's tough to keep a smile on your face when you feel like u are being held back but remember you are where u are for a reason!</p>
— Ryan Broyles (@RyanBroyles) <a href="https://twitter.com/RyanBroyles/status/521402401396621312">October 12, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Your plan may not be his plan! The light will shine sooner than later on you! Keep pushing someone sees ur worth!</p>
— Ryan Broyles (@RyanBroyles) <a href="https://twitter.com/RyanBroyles/status/521402750882816000">October 12, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
</li>
</ul>
https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2014/10/13/6927875/lions-notes-vikings-2014Sean Yuille2014-10-13T09:00:05-04:002014-10-13T09:00:05-04:00Three takeaways from Lions' win over Vikings
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/v1Vk4C8uJpWgJySTEFgXi3a8Rgo=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/41704810/20141012_rnb_ah7_055.JPG.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Here are three things that jumped out to me on Sunday during the Detroit Lions' win over the Minnesota Vikings.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> beat the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> by a <a target="_blank" href="http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2014/10/12/6928151/lions-vikings-score-recap-2014">score of 17-3</a> on Sunday. Here are my three main takeaways from the game:</p>
<h5>Everything is coming together on defense</h5>
<p>So this is what an elite defense looks like. For years the Lions have invested resources in their defense only to continually have issues -- from the front four to the back seven. This year's defense isn't perfect by any means, but they've been one of the best in the NFL through six weeks. The secondary is playing at an extremely high level, as are the linebackers, and the defensive line is finally living up to its full potential. With all of this coming together and being led by Teryl Austin, the Lions are a team that should be known more for their defense than offense at this point.</p>
<h5>The Lions are a competent offensive line and kicker away from being a really dangerous team</h5>
<p>Part of the reason the Lions have morphed into a defense-first team from a perception standpoint is that the offense has been horrendous this season. It was more of the same on Sunday with the offensive line being unable to protect Matthew Stafford. He deserves some of the blame for the offense's struggles as well, but it's tough to do much when you're constantly running for your life. If the Lions can get things corrected on the O-line and start actually making some field goals, this team could really make some noise this season.</p>
<h5>FOX is the absolute worst</h5>
<p>I have made it no secret over the years that I am not a fan of how FOX covers sports. There is just far too much sloppiness on a consistent basis, especially with their NFL coverage. Whether it's poor announcing, poor camera work or poor directing, these complaints happen fairly regularly over the course of an NFL season with Lions games being on FOX nearly every week.</p>
<p>All of this is to say that my standards for FOX's coverage of the NFL were already quite low long before Sunday. Despite this, FOX managed to outdo itself on Sunday with the worst broadcast of a football game I have ever witnessed in my life. The announcers, Mike Goldberg and Brendon Ayanbadejo, had no business calling an NFL game, as evidenced by their constant mistakes. They repeatedly misidentified coaches and players -- no, <span>Golden Tate</span> and <span>Sam Martin</span> aren't on the Vikings -- and it felt like they did zero preparation for this game. Actually, it felt like they were reading from an error-filled script and had no prior knowledge of either team. It was painful to listen to them on Sunday.</p>
<p>As if the announcing wasn't bad enough, the camera work and directing were almost as bad. It was like FOX hired a bunch of high schoolers with no experience in TV and said, "Hey, come work this NFL game for us." I don't know how such a large company with such a big stake in the success of its NFL coverage can put out such an awful product, but FOX sunk to a new low on Sunday.</p>
https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2014/10/13/6927879/lions-vikings-2014-takeawaysSean Yuille2014-10-12T18:06:14-04:002014-10-12T18:06:14-04:00Despite misses, Lions still confident in Prater
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<p>Matt Prater missed two field goals on Sunday, but Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell is still confident in his new kicker.</p> <p>After releasing <span>Alex Henery</span> last Monday, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> signed <span>Matt Prater</span> on Tuesday. Prater became their third kicker this season, and the hope was that he would finally solve their historically bad field-goal woes.</p>
<p>Unfortunately for the Lions, Prater did not solve the Lions' kicking woes on Sunday against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a>. In fact, he contributed to them with a pair of misses. He went 1-for-3 on the day, making a kick from 52 yards and missing kicks from 50 and 44 yards. Neither miss was an outright shank or anything like that, but it was frustrating to see the Lions' new kicker miss two field goals after only having one miss all of last season.</p>
<p>Despite Prater's struggles on Sunday, it doesn't look like another kicker change is in the offing, at least not for now. After Sunday's game, Lions head coach Jim Caldwell made it clear that he is still confident in Prater's abilities, and he pointed to the swirling wind at TCF Bank Stadium as a reason behind Prater's misses.</p>
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<p>Caldwell on Prater's misses: "We have all the confidence in the world on him"</p>
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) <a href="https://twitter.com/davebirkett/status/521396242048630785">October 12, 2014</a>
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<p>Caldwell on Matt Prater: "We feel good about him." Said wind was an issue for FGs.</p>
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) <a href="https://twitter.com/jkatzenstein/status/521396179184390146">October 12, 2014</a>
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<p>It was indeed quite windy on Sunday, so hopefully that was the main reason behind Prater's struggles. With the Lions back at home next week, Prater will get to kick indoors, meaning the wind won't be a concern. Of course, this also means the wind won't be an excuse if Prater happens to miss any kicks next week. Should that happen, the Lions will have to take a serious look at making changes beyond the kicker position. Prater <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/Justin_Rogers/status/521405069212667904">didn't have an issue</a> with the snaps or holds on Sunday, but unless the team is simply cursed, something more than just poor kicking has to be contributing to all of these misses.</p>
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<p>In any case, we're well beyond the point of ridiculousness when it comes to the Lions' kicking game. Field goals in the NFL, even from beyond 40 yards, should be made much more often than not. The Lions just can't seem to get the job done for whatever reason, though, and at least for another week, there's going to be more and more talk about their struggles on field goals.</p>
https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2014/10/12/6966549/matt-prater-lions-kickerSean Yuille