Week 17, 2019 Detroit Lions vs Green Bay Packers @ Home

2019.

The 3-12-1 Detroit Lions lose another close one to the division winning 13-3 Green Bay Packers 20-23. This game made it 14 out of 16 games that the Lions had a lead at some point in the game. Anyone who wants the Lions to draft offense in round 1 needs to re-evaluate the situation to be sure there isn't a difference maker in the 2020 draft that could help the Lions defense.

David Blough was 12 of 29 (41.38%) for a whole 122 yards and no TDs along with 1 interception. Yet that doesn't mean the Lions need a better backup QB, it means they need a better offensive line. But in order to obtain a better offensive line, you don't always need to draft OL in the first round. There are quality guards and even right tackles on day 2 and day 3 of the draft. The Lions also had 170 yards rushing with Kerryon Johnson the only RB to score a rushing TD. I think with better OL play and perhaps a new OL coach the Lions could have a pretty decent run game next year if all the RBs are signed for next year. That doesn't mean you can't draft another in the 2020 draft, it just isn't quite as big of an issue as it would otherwise be. The passing TD was thrown by WR Amendola, to Blough, who ran in untouched for the score in what was a lovely bit of trickery that didn't happen enough during 2019 if you ask me, even though earlier in the year there was a flea flicker that was a thing of beauty as well.

The Lions defense allowed Aaron Rodgers to go a very poor 27 of 55 (49.09%) for a very large number of yards (323 yards) and 2 TDs as well as one interception. The Lions defense also allowed 120 yards rushing without an scores. The Lions held the lead until the 4th quarter when the Packers finally tied up the game then with two possessions after the 2 minute warning, scored the game winning field goal as time expired. Once again, the Lions need a game changer on defense, actually, more then one. Luckily they'll have somewhere above $45 million in salary cap space to work with, though half that will be used to re-sign guys that would otherwise go in free agency... that is... if they evaluate them and decide they are all worth keeping and the player and his agent agrees with the offers. The normal off season kinds of stuff. Also normal is team firings on Monday after the final game of the season, which is Dec 30th (tomorrow) and I am still hopeful there will be an announcement from the Lions that they will be needing a new defensive coordinator.

So ends the 2019 season. The upcoming off season may include the Lions coaching in the senior-bowl, which could give them some much needed time with the draft prospects that are seniors this year. We also get to wait for all the juniors to declare that are leaving college early, and then there is the even longer wait for the combine towards the end of February. As Lions fans, we all know the drill. It's just a matter now of seeing if the Redskins can beat the Cowboys to determine the Lions draft position.

Week 16, 2019 Detroit Lions @ Denver Broncos

Go Redskins!

The 3-11-1 Detroit Lions lose to the 6-9 Denver Broncos 17-27 at Mile High Stadium.

David Blough was a horrid 12 of 24 (50%) for only 117 yards with 1 TD an 0 INTs. The three RBs (Bo, KJ, and Ty) totaled 96 yards and no TDs. Agnew had one TD on a punt return, the only bright spot of the game.

The Lions defense allowed Drew Lock of the Denver Broncos to go 25 of 33 (75.76%) for 192 yards and 1 TD with 0 INTs. They also allowed the Broncos to rush for 151 yards and 2 TDs.

Now to be fair, the Lions were playing without their starting left guard, their starting right tackle, their starting tight end, their starting quarterback, their second string quarterback and a number of defensive players as well. However, fully healthy the defense would still be looking bad in my opinion, though I do believe Stafford could've helped the Lions win at least 4 or 5 of the games they ended up losing because he was unable to play.

The Lions now hold the 3rd overall pick in the 2020 draft. If the Lions lose next week they could draft #2 overall (Bengals get the first overall pick now no matter what happens) if the Redskins can beat the Cowboys next week. The latest the Lions could draft is 5th overall now should they win against the Packers. Go Redskins!

The Lions play the Green Bay Packers at home in the final game of the 2019 season. The only way the Lions win that game is if the Packers sit their starters, and even that might not be enough. Meanwhile, Quinn (the GM) and Patricia (the head coach) were told they won't be fired at seasons' end and have one more year to get the Lions in playoff contention (whatever that means).

Week 15, 2019 Detroit Lions vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Home

Observation.

The 3-10-1 Detroit Lions lose to the 7-7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17-38 in a game that saw nearly half the Lion's starters not play on offense and defense due to injury. Not that that is an excuse, more of an observation really.

Third string QB David Blough went 24 of 43 (55.81%) for 260 yards no TDs and 2 INTs (he only had like 56 yards in the first half). Somebody name Wes Hills played starting RB (up from the practice squad) and he had 10 carries for 21 yards and 2 TDs. The entire stat for rushing only added up to 45 yards and the QB Blough had 19 of them. Ty Johnson lost a fumble to go with that. Talk about domination by the Bucs. This makes two weeks in a row in which the offense was just about as bad as the defense. Of course not everyone will agree with me on this, it's just my observation of the way things went.

The Lions defense allowed Jameis Winston to go 28 of 42 (66.667%) for 458 yards and 2 TDs with 1 INT. The Lions allowed only 49 yards rushing, so they finally managed to control a team's running game, more or less. The defense is in dire need of a superstar to go with Slay and Flowers. My hope is that they find that player in day one of the 2020 draft.

Next week the Lions go to Denver to play the 5-9 Broncos. With all the Lions players on IR or playing hurt and considering how many 3rd,4th or even 5th string players are starting, it's very unlikely the Lions will win that game, but it's not impossible.

Fans of the NFL Draft and the Lions are okay with the losses at this point, since each makes it more likely the Lions get a higher draft pick, yet at the same time I've been observing more and more concern as to whether Quinn should be the one doing the drafting. Same observation goes for the coaching staff, more and more I see fans wanting to replace everyone on the coaching staff except maybe the OC Bevell. I don't think that's the way to go, but I'm also not in Allen Park so I don't know for sure if there is more to it then the product on the field or not. Assuming there are no other reasons for firing the coaching staff, then it's likely they get one more season to prove they deserve the job. The only way that happens is if Quinn remains in charge, so that would mean one more Quinn draft as well. If next year isn't a good year for the Lions it would likely mean a complete sweep of the front office and coaching staff, assuming it doesn't happen before then. For now, the Lions remain the 5th worst team in the NFL and would be drafting 5th overall if the season ended today.

Week 14, 2019 Detroit Lions @ Minnesota Vikings

Improving their draft spot.

The 3-9-1 Detroit Lions lose easily to the 9-4 Minnesota Vikings 7-20 and for the very first time in 2019 did not have the lead even once in the game (they had a lead in all 12 previous games at least once). It was debatable going into the 4th quarter if the Lions would even break 100 total yards on offense. At least the Lions are improving their draft spot.

David Blough, the undrafted rookie QB for the Lions, went 24 of 40 (60%) for 205 yards 1 TD and 2 INTs. Bo Scarbrough went for 65 yards on 19 carries with the backup RBs getting 5 more yards on 3 carries. It was a pretty anemic offensive day for the Lions. But at least they are improving their draft spot.

The Lions defense allowed Kirk Cousins to go 24 of 30 (80%) for 240 yards 1 TD and 0 INTs. The Lions defense also allowed 120 yards rushing and a touchdown by Cook. Allowing any QB to complete 80% of their passes should be unacceptable as well as unlikely, but at least the Lions are improving their draft spot.

Next week the Lions host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who are 6-7 right now, I won't be placing any bets on the Lions for that game either. At present the Lions would be drafting in the 5th position, a one spot improvement from last weeks 6 spot. I think they can do better then that yet, we just need to wait for the results of each games to find out.