Lions Drop Season Opener at Green Bay 13-27

In what can only be called an embarrassment, the Lions marched into Green Bay full of expectations and with a roster full of all-pros and were beat in all facets of the game by the Green Bay Packers. The 27-13 loss was only the 3^rd of Dan Campbell’s Lions Coaching career to the Packers and was about as bad as the Lions have looked since the 2023 season when they were drubbed by Baltimore 38-6. With a week to sort things out before they play the Bears, let's hope that this was a one-time issue and doesn’t snowball into a season-long debacle.  

What Went Wrong:  Everything?  On offense, poor OL play, predictable play calling and awful situational awareness by OC John Morton seemed to be the defining factors. The Defense looked lost on communication and Kelvin Shepphard got too cute in the first half, at one point dropping first Hutch, then Barnes and then Davenport into coverage form their Edge positions instead of just letting them do what they do best. To sum it up, the new Coordinators laid an absolute egg in their first game by failing to put players in a position to succeed. Injuries also flared up in the secondary, with both Terrion Arnold (groin) and Daniel Thomas (Hand) leaving the game. 

A Microcosm of the poor OL play in Lions loss to the Packers

What Went Right: Very Little.  However, a great catch by Isaac TeSlaa to close the scoring for the Lions proved that the rookie belongs in the NFL and likely should have been on the field more than he was. Jake Bates (2/2 on FGs) and Jack Fox (47 Yards per Punt Avg) also had reliable games, but having to point out your kickers did their job up to expectations as something that went right?  Ehhh…not ideal. 

Isaac TeSlaa makes his first NFL TD Catch

What’s Next:  The Lions head back to the friendly confines of Ford Field on Sunday 9/14 at 1pm to host Benedict Johnson and the Chicago Bears.