Lions defeat history, Redskins, move to 2-1.

The lions are no longer the laughing stock of Washington DC.  There performance wasn't flawless, but it was gutsy and resilient and that's a lot of what this team has been lacking the past few years, decades, millennia.  The Lions took the first punch, when Stafford's timing was thrown off by a good jam at the line on Calvin by DeAneglo Hall, the quick slant  ended up in Halls lap and he retuned it 17 yards for the first score of the game.  All the signs pointed to 0-22 at that moment, however, the Lions offense responded with an 85 yard drive, aided by two Washington penalties and capped off by a surging, powerful 12 yard plunge by Joique Bell to level the score at 7.  After the Lions defense forced a three and out, Lions marched right back into the Redskins territory, picking up chunks of yards through the air along the way.  On third and goal, following two incompletions and under heavy pressure, Stafford lofted the ball up to his big 6'7" rookie tight end Joseph Fauria who snatched the ball over two defenders for a 14-7 lead.  Willie young forced an ill -advised throw that was intercepted but they could not take advantage as they punted and allowed the redskins to tie the game, as the Washington running game got going and Alfred Morris cut back against the grain and beat the Detroit containment to the pylon, showing impressive speed along the way.  The Lions ensuing possession again found them picking up big yardage through the air.  Nate Burleson seemed to easliy slip in and out the Redskins zone to the tune of 116 receiving yards throughout the game.  His 41 yard reception had the Lions in the red zone towards the end of the half but three incompletions, all targeting CJ, and the Lions had to settle for a field goal and a halftime lead of 17-14.  The Lions gave up a field goal to begin the second half as Sam Martins kickoff went out of bounds and gave the Redskins great starting field position.  After alternating 5 consecutive punts, the Redskins were driving in the 4th quarter when RG3 eluded the Lions pass rush and took off for big yardage.  He dove forward to avoid a hit and the ball popped loose as he hit the turf.  Since he was untouched and went head first, the ball was free and the Lions recovered.  They drove down to the Washington 10 yard line but again settled for a field goal.  The next series was the turning point of the game as the Redskins looked to take the lead after the Washington offensive line gave Griffin an eternity to throw and he connected with Aldrick Robinson for an apparent 57 yard touchdown.  Robinson, however, did not complete the process of the catch as he hit the ground, the ball moved around in his arms and came in contact with the painted turf.  The next snap was deflected off a tight end going in motion and Griffin chased it down setting up a 3rd and 20, leading to an eventual punt.  The Lions responded by marching into the red zone once again, this time finding pay dirt as Stafford hooked up with Johnson who spun into the end zone, with just 4 minutes left giving the Lions a ten point lead 27-17.  The lions ran a prevent defense and gave up a field goal, then Washington got the ball back with 38 seconds left after a Detroit three and out forced a punt.  The Redskins were able to throw the hail marry into the end zone but the ball was knocked down as the Lions ended three quarters of a century worth of futility.  Lets break down the performance of each position group:

Quarterbacks: Matthew Stafford struggled early, being sacked on the first play, throwing incomplete on four of his first five attempts, including one that was intercepted and returned for a touchdown.  The Redskins defensive coordinator Jim Haslett blitzed all game long and Matt took a little time to adjust.  He had not been blitzed much in the first two games, but when he settled in, he returned to the level of play we had been accustomed to seeing the first two weeks.  The Lions passing attack was more down field oriented and they didn't run screen passes the was they had the previous two weeks.  Stafford's completion percentage was just under 60% and he missed a few throws this week that could have opened up the game a little more but all in all his play was steady and effective and it helped having Broyles and Fauria in the mix this week, and even Durham and Scheffler caught passes.  I didn't see one blatant drop this week by his supporting cast.  Matt was under pressure and hit often but that was by design of the Washington defense.  Stafford has proven his toughness over the last few seasons as he hung in the pocket and delivered the ball and led the lions to a huge win.

Running backs:  Reggie Bush was missed, but I think Joique Bell has proven he can be a feature back in this league.  Ideally though, Bush and Bell need to compliment one another because they both have unique skill sets and both poses the ability to make big plays.  Against Minnesota Bush had 25 touches and Bell only 11.  If you split those more evenly Bush will have a better chance to stay healthy throughout the year.  Joique possesses a great power/speed combination and has uncanny balance.  He is just a good football player, period.  Theo Riddick saw his first extended action, but was mostly a non factor.    

Wide Receivers:  Ryan Broyles, welcome back.  He didn't put up crazy numbers but he caught all three passes thrown his way, converted two first downs on drives that ended in points and was a nice option outside of Burleson and Calvin.  Speaking of Nate, he was fantastic and deserves player of the game honors.  He had two catches over 40 yards, providing the big play spark the Lions needed without Bush in the line up, and drawing some attention away from Calvin.  Calvin was in typical beast mode, when Detroit needed a big play they went to CJ including the touchdown at the end, surrounded by four defenders.  His numbers weren't gaudy but he makes things easier for everyone else.  Durham was targeted three times and actually came up with a huge 33 yards catch on the 4th quarter drive that help set up the Johnson touchdown.

Tight Ends:  I understand Tony Scheffler technically is a tight end but he is soft and cant block so why would we run the ball with him right at the point of attack.  Pettigrew is a great run blocker so keep him in for that, and put Fauria in when we throw.  The tight ends were mostly forgettable, outside of Fauria's touchdown reception, which now puts him at two touchdowns for the season, the only tight end on the roster to have caught a touchdown and he has the only play longer then 20 yards out of the tight end group.  Fauria should continue to see his work rate climb and Pettigrew should see his blocking work rate climb.

Offensive Line:  This group started the game on a low, allowing an untouched middle linebacker blitz up the middle to sack Stafford.  They were much better the rest of the way, as that was the only sack allowed.  Stafford was hit 10 times throughout the game but that will happen when a team blitzes on almost every play.  There were adequate running lanes and adequate protection to allow the lions play makers time to do what they do best.  This unit has come together nicely but will continue to be challenged week in and week out going forward against the Bears, Packers, Browns, Bengals, and Dallas before the bye week.  If they can continue to give Stafford enough time and open creases for Bush and Bell to run through, the Lions will have a shot to win every week. 

Defensive Line:  I think most of the critics have been silenced when it comes to the Lions first round draft choice Ziggy Ansah.  Ansah's play has shown that he is not a project and that he's not just pass rushing specialist but that he has the size, strength, speed, motor, and football instincts to be as complete a defensive end as there is in football.  Obviously it helps having a monster on the inside named Suh who has consistently blown up the middle of opposing offensive lines this year but to Ziggy's credit, he's making plays.  The lions were dealt a blow when Jason Jones went down with a season ending injury but they will now get a look at their other rookie defensive end Devin Taylor.  Willie young has produced consistent pressure this season and just needs to continue to make smart plays.  He almost horse-collared Robert Griffin on Chris Houston's interception which would have negated a turnover for a second consecutive week. 

Linebackers:  Another good game for DeAndre Levy, he led the team with 9 tackles but Tulloch and Palmer were quiet yet again.  This group hasn't been great but they have been part of a defensive unit that is allowing a league low 26% third down conversions against, getting off the field and getting the ball back to the offense.  Three of the five interceptions this year have been from the linebackers and the Lions currently sit plus three in turnover margin which is top 5 in the league.  Still there are breakdowns with over pursuit when running backs cut back or teams run reverses, the linebackers are often times out of position.   

Defensive Backs:  The secondary was average today, and we could be talking about a completely different outcome if Robinson holds onto the ball cleanly in the end zone as he beat Mathis deep.  The Lions have built their team dependent on pressure up front, so many times a play is made in the secondary only  when the quarter back has little or no time to throw.  Houston was solid and Mathis was average in taking over for Slay, who did not see a defensive snap.  Delmas played his best game of the season and was able to play every defensive snap.  The Redskins recorded 21 passing first downs, too often there were men wide open for Griffin to throw to.  The passing game in Chicago next week will be much more similar to the attack the Lions faced in Arizona with a pocket passer and big physical receivers.         

Special Teams:  Specials teams was still not nearly clean enough to beat a better team like the Bears or Packers.  There were still penalties on returns and Martin's kickoff that went out of bounds set up points for the Redskins on a drive that would have other wise ended in a punt.  Akers made two easy kicks and the punting game has been solid all year. 

Game notes:

• After three games, the Lions are right in the middle of the pack with their defensive numbers, 18th in total yards allowed and 16th in total points given up.  They are the bottom in sacks however, totaling just 6.  That number is not indicative of the amount of pressure the defensive line has applied thus far.
• The Lions offense ranks 4th in total yards and 6th in points.  The lions are 2nd in passing yards, 26th in rushing.  No surprises there.
• The lions are one of only 5 NFC teams with a winning record.  Seattle, New Orleans and Chicago are 3-0, while Dallas and Detroit are 2-1.
• When CJ Mosley took off Alfred Morris' head with a tackle around the neck I was positive when I first saw it, it was Nick Fairley.  Definitely was not a face mask though.
• Outside of the onside kick, the Lions best starting field position was their own 29.
• Stafford threw short of the first down line to Broyles on a play very similar to the 4th down in Arizona the Lions did not convert, and the Lions did not convert this play either.

Next Week:  Lions return home to face undefeated division rival Chicago Bears with the top spot in the division up for grabs at Ford Field.