Unfortunately for Matt Patricia and the Detroit Lions, it’s been largely a season to forget. They currently sit a 3-11-1 with just a single matchup remaining before another long offseason begins.
Last week’s loss to the Denver Broncos was their 8th consecutive setback, and as such, they remain at the bottom of this week’s edition of the NFL Power Rankings.
NFL.com – #31
Let’s focus on the positives: The Lions’ pass defense, so horrendous all season, held Broncos rookie Drew Lock to less than 6.0 yards per attempt — the dreaded Gabbert Zone for quarterbacks. The team as a whole fought hard in a 27-17 loss, one thing that hasn’t changed for Matt Patricia despite the car crash pile-up of an eight-game losing streak. And now the best news: The loss, combined with wins by the Giants and Dolphins, moves the Lions into the No. 3 spot in the 2020 NFL Draft. They can get as high as No. 2 with a loss to the Packers on Sunday coupled with a Redskins win over the Eagles. The #ChaseForChase is on.
Detroit Free Press – #30
In the Lions’ current eight-game losing streak, seven of those losses have come against teams with sub-.500 records.
ESPN.com – #29
Yes, it’s strange to name someone who has played only half a season an MVP, but Stafford was playing at an MVP pace when he got hurt (2,499 yards, 19 touchdowns, five interceptions), and since he has been out, Detroit has been awful. The Lions are winless without Stafford in the lineup, and it just proves he is the team’s best and most valuable player. — Michael Rothstein
CBS Sports – #31
The injury to Matt Stafford wrecked this team, but the defense has been terrible as well. That’s on Matt Patricia, who came as a defensive wizard.
