Detroit, Michigan
Following a huge win at home over the Packers, and a road win in New York the Lions had to defend the den against a 1st place 2-2 Buffalo Bills team who is now being quarterbacked by journeyman Kyle Orton. Orton, has been successful against the Lions in his previous stops with other teams.
A quick start in the first quarter was lead by a Reggie Bush screen play and capped off with a Golden Tate touchdown to put the Lions up 7-0. However, on the ensuing possession Orton tossed a pick directly into the bread basket of veteran corner, Rashean Mathis. Mathis, would take the ball to the house and give the Lions a 14-0 lead in the 2nd quarter. Mathis has scored all of his career touchdowns on INT returns.
Buffalo was able to convert on a long 3rd down to move themselves into position to get their first score of game, and they were able to muster only a field goal as the Lions defense suffocated the anemic Bills offense.
With Bell and Riddick both missing from the lineup today, George Winn was signed off of the practice squad and served as Reggie Bush’s backup for the afternoon. Winn, is another local product from the Mitten State who found his place in the Lions backfield. His work in the preseason was solid overall minus a few fumbles but the young running back certainly has something to offer to the Lions offense.
To begin the second half the Lions started off with the ball and opened up with a long pass to Golden Tate. The following play another player went down with an injury, this time being Calvin Johnson who was sidelined after the play. George Winn would break a long run to put the Lions in scoring position. Kicker Alex Henery would botch the kick and send the would be field goal off of the right goalpost.
Buffalo would get the rock and slowly inch down the field on the ensuing possesion only to have their field goal bounce off of an upright as well.
The Lions took the field starting on the 40 yard line after the missed field goal attempt. Once again Detroit took another stab downfield as Golden Tate made a man miss and turned the ball upfield to put the Lions in scoring position once more. After consecutive drops from George Winn, the Lions were forced to take a 47 yard field goal attempt, which would be missed again by newly signed kicker, Alex Henery.
Detroit almost had the Bills offense bottled up but a 12 yard gain and roughing the passer call would move the Bills inside the redzone once more. After another Lions stop, the Bills opted for the field goal and would make the score 14-6 with 1:23 left in the 3rd quarter.
Reggie Bush would also leave the game early in the 4th, leaving Detroit with only 1 active running back on the day’s roster.
Kyle Orton threw an absolute dime on a 3rd and long play to set up the Bills in scoring position once more. The bomb was a 42 yarder to Robert Woods who had been relatively quite on the day so far. Buffalo would make the Lions pay for letting them hang around as Tight End Chris Gragg (3rd on the depth chart) found the endzone followed by a Spiller run for the 2pt conversion. Locking the game up at 14 all with just over 9 minutes left in the game.
Both offenses would remain stagnant as the Bills would get the ball with just under 2 minutes left in the game after a Lions punt.
Orton would start the drive off with a dart to Sammy Watkins to move them across midfield. Followed by a run and dump pass to the speedy Spiller. Forcing a 3rd down, which Jason Jones shut down after the pass was batted down at the line. The Bills would punt with just over 1 minute left.
Golden Tate would break a huge pass off and take down to around the 40 yard line. Thus, causing the crowd at Ford Field to almost blow the roof off the building. The Lions then faced a 4th and 8 on the 32 yard line forcing a 50 yard field goal attempt. Which Henery would missed just as he had the rest of the kicks in the game so far. This would give the Bills the ball on the 40 yard line with 21 seconds remaining.
Sammy Watkins started off the following drive with a circus catch to put the Bills in range for a 58 yard field goal to end the game and the kick was good. Putting the Bills up 17-14 with 4 seconds left in regulation. Lions lose 17-14.
After the game the locker room and stadium had an uneasy feel and everyone knew what was on people’s minds. Lions kickers at this point in the season are 1-8 from more than 30 yards out. This coupled with a sputtering offense has people frustrated in and outside of the organization. In spite of all of the offensive woes, the defense has come alive this year and scored another touchdown this week by way of a Mathis interception return.
After the game a few players were available for comment – videos are in the hyperlinks below.
Alex Henery on his performance.
Golden Tate on teams offensive production.
Rashean Mathis on letting teams hang around.
Reggie Bush on correcting mistakes.
Final Stats for the game:
Stafford – 18/31 1TD 1INT 77.5 QBR
Tate – 7 catches 134 yards 1TD
Winn – 11 carries for 48 yards
Levy – 12 solos and 1 tackle for loss
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