Lions Will Have To Bounce Back From A Loss
For the first time since Dec. 5, 2010, the Lions have to rebound from a loss.
"We kind of had a feeling we weren't going to go 16-0," said defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch after the Lions lost to the San Francisco 49ers 25-19 at Ford Field. "We got a loss and this might humble us a little bit. Not necessarily because we lost, but because of the way we played."
The Lions, who host another playoff contender this Sunday - the Atlanta Falcons - might have played their worst game of the season.
"We haven't played our best game -- that's kind of been our theme after games," Vanden Bosch said. "It's something we need to fix in a hurry. We have the potential to be a real good team, but we've only done it in spurts. We need to be more consistent."
The Lions tried to take solace in the fact that, despite how poorly they played, they were within an inch, literally an inch, of winning.
"We didn't play well enough to win, but we still had an opportunity to get a win against a real good team," Vanden Bosch said.
The offense, stymied by a speedy and relentless 49ers defense, never sustained any rhythm.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford was sacked five times, including once for a safety (by linebacker Aldon Smith). He completed only 28 of 50 passes and his passer rating was a season-low 86.5.
They had the ball inside the 49ers 7-yard line three times and came away with Jason Hanson field goals twice (25 and 24 yards) and a 5-yard touchdown pass to Nate Burleson.
The defense was gashed by the 49ers run game. Frank Gore finished with 141 yards (9.4 per carry), including runs of 55 and 47 yards, with one touchdown.
On special teams, Hanson missed his first field goal of the season, a 52-yarder near the end of the first half. The 49ers took advantage of the field position and David Akers made it a six-point swing, nailing a 55-yarder to put the 49ers up 12-10 at half.
The winning touchdown was set up by a 40-yard punt return by Ted Ginn, Jr.
"It's been a year since we've lost; nobody is used to this feeling," center Dominic Raiola said. "We will see what we're made of. We have to bounce back."
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