The Detroit Lions, coming off the bye week, hosted the AFC North-leading Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday Night Football. They were looking to keep pace with the Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers in the race for the NFC North, but failed to do so as they fell to the Steelers in a tilt where the offense could not convert in the red zone. Stafford and company did everything but score against Pittsburgh and many were left scratching their head toward offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter, who just couldn’t punch the right buttons tonight. Here are three takeaways from Detroit’s disappointing loss to the Steelers:
The red zone offense is terrible
Detroit’s offense looked great all night, except for when they entered the red zone, where went 0-5–having to settle for field goals three times– as they were stopped inside the five-yard line on multiple occasions. If the Lions want a chance at winning the division, they have to stop having to settle for field goals. This is Detroit’s third straight loss and if they do not improve their offense anytime soon, it looks the losses will continue to pile up.
Matt Prater is the Lions MVP
If it wasn’t for Matt Prater, the Lions wouldn’t have made an appearance on the scoreboard. He was 5/5 with his longest being a 51-yarder that split the uprights. Prater continues to prove that he is worth every penny that he is getting paid and he is the reason the Lions had the opportunity to come back and win. He is 10/12 on the year with his longest coming from 58-yards.
The protection was better, but still not great
http://gty.im/867993134
All season long, the offensive line has not been protecting Matthew Stafford well enough, but they finally stepped up against the Steelers. Stafford was only sacked twice for a total loss of 12-yards. While letting your star quarterback get hit is never a good thing, this is a step in the right direction for the Lions. If the line can keep improving and keep defenders away from Stafford, then hopefully that can help improve other areas of the offense as well.
Watch Postgame Press conference:
https://www.facebook.com/DetroitLions/videos/10155697184778605/
