Team Grades: Detroit Lions Lit Up By Vikings' Teddy Bridgewater And Stefon Diggs
By Danny Cox
After getting their first win of the season last week, the Detroit Lions were riding a high and had an idea of changes that needed to be made. Unfortunately, a lot of those changes weren't implemented this week against the Minnesota Vikings. Detroit once again went to playing well for about half a game and then just disappearing to end up with a 28-19 loss.
Offense: C+
Matthew Stafford looked good with just eight incomplete passes for 256 yards and two touchdowns. Unfortunately, the offensive line couldn't protect him as he was sacked seven times on the day for a loss of 59 yards combined. Calvin Johnson was not involved nearly as much as he was last week and it showed.
The return of Joique Bell from injury didn't help as the running game still hardly had any production. Including Stafford, six Lions had 17 rushing attempts for a grand total of 77 yards. Bell had just 21 on three carries.
Defense: C-
Adrian Peterson had been sick all week after reportedly swallowing some chewing tobacco, and he just didn't seem the same on the field. The Lions held him under 100 yards and out of the end zone. Unfortunately, the Lions couldn't stop the passing attack of the Vikings despite sacking Teddy Bridgewater four times.
Bridgewater seemed to be able to do no wrong as he threw for 316 yards and two touchdowns, but it was Stefon Diggs who really shined. The Vikings' quarterback could throw it up and Diggs would find it just like he did on his diving 36-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter.
Special Teams: B+
Once again, the bright spot for the Lions was the special teams and it showed in a few areas. Matt Prater hit his lone field goal attempt which was a 52-yarder and both extra points. Sam Martin had an almost 50-yard average per punt and Ameer Abdullah looked good returning kickoffs, but it wasn't enough.
Coaching: C
Lions head coach Jim Caldwell seemed to have a much better plan in place last week when they beat the Chicago Bears. Things were even on offense and the defense got lit up for a lot of points, but they played hard the whole game. Once again, the Lions played very strong early on and then just fell apart as the game went on. A running game of some sort has got to be found and if that means looking at free agent running backs, then that may be what needs to happen.
The season is quickly getting away from the Lions as they now sit at 1-4 and in last place in the NFC North. Next week, they take on the woeful Kansas City Chiefs but then travel to Lambeau Field to face the Green Bay Packers after the bye week. Things need to change and quickly.
Danny Cox knows a little something about the NFL, whether it means letting you know what penalty will come from the flag just thrown on the field or quickly spouting off who the Chicago Bears drafted in the first round of the 1987 draft (Jim Harbaugh). He plans on bringing you the best news, previews, recaps, and anything else that may come along with the exciting world of the National Football League. Danny is a freelance writer covering all things NFL. His work can be found on Examiner.com.