Lions Defense Is The Weak Link

The Detroit Lions tried to upset Dallas with Jeff Driskel throwing passes and Bo Scarbrough carrying the ball.

Not exactly what this team planned at the beginning of the season.

DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 17: Jeff Driskel #2 of the Detroit Lions drops back to pass during the second quarter of the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Ford Field on November 17, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

Driskel threw for 209 yards and two touchdowns, and Scarbrough scored in his NFL debut, but despite a decent day from that no-name offense, the Lions lost 35-27 to the Cowboys on Sunday. Detroit has now lost six of its last seven games. Injuries to Matthew Stafford and Kerryon Johnson have hurt, but it was the defense that came up short against Dallas.

"I feel like we just need to be consistent in everything we do," linebacker Devon Kennard said. "I feel like last week, we came out and played one of our better games defensively overall, and we needed to build on that and not take a step back. Defensively, I think we took a step back today."

DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 17: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions walks off the field after the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Ford Field on November 17, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)

Stafford missed a second straight game with back and hip problems. The Lions lost 20-13 at Chicago with Driskel at quarterback, but the offense looked sharper against Dallas.

Driskel finished with a passer rating of 109.3 for the game, and he also ran for 51 yards on eight carries. His mobility was a plus for Detroit, which trailed for the entire second half but was in the game at the end.

"Getting the reps during the week helps. Those guys hearing my cadence, things like that, getting in and out of the huddle — the more you do it, the more comfortable you're going to be," Driskel said. "We can still clean some things up. We had a couple of penalties, and that's kind of what set us back at times. Overall, I thought it was definitely cleaner than last week."

DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 17: Bo Scarbrough #43 of the Detroit Lions celebrates a first quarter touchdown with teammate J.D. McKissic #41 during the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Ford Field on November 17, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

Scarbrough, signed off the practice squad, made his NFL debut and scored the game's first touchdown on a 5-yard run just 2:27 into the game. He ran for 55 yards on 14 carries.

"Everybody needs an opportunity. It felt regular to me," Scarbrough said. "Playing under coach (Nick) Saban (in college) — this is what we've always done. Every week was a different guy up, so you just have to be ready when your number is called."

Scarbrough's touchdown came after the Lions had a short field following a Dallas fumble. That was the only real highlight for the defense. Dak Prescott threw for 444 yards and three touchdowns for the Cowboys, who were 8 of 14 on third down.

Penalties hurt Detroit as well. After Dallas scored a touchdown in the second quarter, the Lions were called for 15-yard infractions on both that play and the ensuing extra point. Both were enforced, leading to the unusual spectacle of the Cowboys kicking off from the Detroit 35. Dallas took advantage, using a squib kick that forced the Lions to start at their 15.

DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 17: Randall Cobb #18 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates his third quarter touchdown against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on November 17, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)

Late in the fourth quarter, with the Lions down by eight, Detroit reached the Dallas 32. Then the Lions were flagged for an ineligible man downfield. After an incomplete pass, a sack, and another incompletion, Detroit lined up to punt on fourth-and-26 and was called for delay of game, bringing up fourth-and-31.

With two timeouts remaining, the Lions punted, and they never got the ball back.

© 2019 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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