Week 11, 2018 Detroit Lions vs the Carolina Panthers @ Home

Better Prepared.

The 4-6 Detroit Lions narrowly won the game against the 6-4 Carolina Panthers at home today with a score of 20-19. One could say that Special Teams was the reason... for the Panthers kicker missed a field goal and an extra point (4 points, both off the uprights) then at the end of the game with a little over a minute to go, the Panthers go for two (and the win) instead of the extra point for a potential tie, and fail to convert it (another point). In other words, the Lions could have easily lost this game 20-24 but that's not what the record book will say, so the Lions won. Final answer.

Matthew Stafford was 23 of 37 (62.162%) for 220 yards a touchdown and no interceptions or fumbles. Kerryon Johnson was 87 yards on 15 carries before injuring his knee. In total the Lions had 94 yards rushing and the defense allowed only 56 yards. The Lions defense did allow Cam Newton to go 25 of 37 (67.568%) for 357 yards 2 touchdowns and an interception. One other note about the game, Stafford was only sacked one time. Compared to the past few weeks that is worthy of remarking on, though I'm not sure what the offensive line did differently, perhaps it was simply the opponent, but if we blame the OL for the sacks when they happen we should commend them on games when it doesn't. They did seem better prepared to pass block at least.

The Vikings and Bears play later tonight, if the Bears win they will be the top contender for winning the division with a couple game lead. But if the Vikings win, that ties things all up with the Lions only 2 games (plus the tie breaker) out. Obviously Lions fans will be rooting for the Vikings to win, but with only 6 more games in the season, the Lions are very unlikely to win 3 more games then the Bears and the Vikings both. Still, it feels good to have the Lions win their game, asterisks and all, and only be a half game behind the Packers in the standings while doing so. In fact, my new goal for the Lions this year is for them to not be the last place team in the division, that honor I'm hoping will belong to the Packers.

With today's win the Lions are no longer drafting in the top 10, well, unless they lose out and other teams with a worse record don't. Still, as it stands right now, the Lions will be drafting between the 11th and the 20th pick. The Lions next game is in only 4 days on Thanksgiving afternoon and they'll be playing the Chicago Bears once again. With the players who were injured today on the Lions team, it will be interesting to see how the Bears player's do tonight, not that I'm wishing them ill will mind you. The won't stop me from being curious though. Just like the unlikelihood of the Lions actually making the playoffs isn't stopping me from watching their games. At least today they actually looked better prepared to play an NFL game, hopefully they will while the turkey is cooking Thursday as well.