| 09 September 2012
Let's see if this works and start this blog all over...
With help of a false start penalty and a SUH sack, the Lions force a Rams 3 and out to startt the 2nd half.
No arm stomps...this time.
The Lions start the half with a solid drive but a Stafford sack forces the Lions to settle for another FG attemot from Abe Sim...rather, Jason Hanson, this time from 45 yards. Of course, it's true, tying the game at 13-13.
We can hold off on this...at least for a few series.
One notable issue for the Lions was the benching of Titus young on their opening drive, likely due to his being nailed for a 15 yard personal foul on the Rams' TD return. I like Young as a player, but he's still damn immature. At least Jim Schwartz is trying to nip the dumb retaliatory crap in the bud.
The Lions defensive line makes their presence felt on the Rams' nexr drive. Corey Williams was held while getting a big time push up the middle, moving the Rams back. Bradford was heavily pressured on 2nd down from the edges, forcing an overthrow, setting up 3rd and long.
Hold everything. A scab official is down and we have a delay.
Honestly, I have little sympathy for scabs. I have even less for the cheap ass NFL and their refusal to paying their regular refs despite raking in billions, but that's a rant best saved for another time.
The Rams are forced to punt, the Lions take over in good field position at their own 45.
OK, gang. Time to make the magic happen on the field.
Meyers: "This crowd is waiting to erupt." Word.
3rd and 3 from the Rams 49, and Stafford throws wide of an open Burleson. It was a short throw that shouild have been converted. Stafford did not look good on the 3 qnd out.
We may have to see more of this from the Lions' defense while they are waiting for Stafford to remember how to throw accurately.
The Rams convert a 1st down, but the defense is making Bradford pay.
With the Lions' defensive line pinning their ears back, Bradford misifres on 3rd and shot, forcing another Rams punt. Lions take over at their onw 35 with 3:30 left in the 3rd.
1st down, Scheffler drops a pass.
But on 3rd and long, Burleson elvates to take the Lions into Rams' territory.
Stafford has a pass tipped...and completes it to himself ffor a 3 yard gain. Whatever works, though the tip had PICK written all over it.
But the drive dies a quick death at the 45 on another dropped pass, this one by Smith.
The 3rd quarter ends at 13-13. I...uh...it's...
Bradford back to pass, is blindsided by Williams! YES!
But the Lions can't make the recovery. GOD DAMMIT.
After a dumb penalty on kick coverage, the Lions are forced to start inside their own 10 yard line. Smith drops a 1st down pass. Stafford misfires badly on 2nd and 10.
Stafford hits Pettigrew in the hands...but he can't hold on and it's nearly pick number 4 for the Rams. Lions punt with the game still tied at 13-13.
The goggles, they do nothing...
The Rams take over and with Stephen Jackson doing his thing, drive deep into Lions' teritory. 2nd and 9 from the 34. Bradford tosses a nice touch pass....touchdown Rams.
We then get a close up of Schwartz...
My thoughts exactly, Jim.
Unfortunatley for the Rams, they lose their 2nd offensive lineman of the afternoon as tackle Roger Saffold needs to be carted off the field in a back board. The Rams had already lost their starting center earlier in the game.
9:45 left, the Rams are up 20-13 and smelling upset. I smell somrhting else.
But it only takes 4 plays for the Lions to move from their 20 to the Rams' 5. On play 5, Smith rams the ball into the end zone for the game-tying TD with 7:19 left.
Where the fuck has this version of the Lions offense been all afternoon? Oh yeah, Stafford was throwing to everyone but his teammates for most of the game.
The Rams take over and counter with a pair for 1st downs, drive to their own 45. It's beginning to look like last team with possession wins the game as the game clock ticks under 5:00.
3rd and 5, Bradford to Danny Amendola is good for 14 and a 1st down at the Lions 40. Bradford to Brandon Gibson is good for another 1st down at the Lions 30. This is not how I envisioned the 4th quarter proceeding, let alone the 2012 season.
Jackson loses 2 on 1st down. With 2:41 left, the Lions burn their 2nd time out. EVERYBODY PANIC!
Bradford scrambles on 2nd down, slides and is ruled in-bounds. 3rd and 9, Rams take a TO with 2:03 on the clock.
I'm not a religious man, but...
Jebus comes through! The Rams throw an incomplete pass on 3rd down. Weird call, as the clock stops at the 2 minute warning. Rams settle for another FG, this one from 45 out, to take a 23-20 lead.
The Lions take over at their 20 with 1 time out asnd 1:55 left. Stafford suddenly remembers he's a GOD DAMN ELITE QUARTERBACK and goes to fucking work.
It's Megatron for 20.
After an incompletion, Stafford completes 5 consecutive passes...
Burleson for 20.
Scheffler for 5.
Smith for 9.
Scheffler for 3, and the Lions are at the Rams 23 with 0:30 left.
Stafford hits Megatron with a leaping catch at the 5 yard line with 0:15 left. 1st and goal, Stafford clocks the ball. Meyers gets confused, says the Lions need to kick a FG? HUH?
Stafford drops back, SMITH IS WIDE OPEN! Stafford sees him...
Smith walks in for the easy TD with 0:10 second left in the game. Lions are going to WIN, 27-23.
The games with Bradford left lying on the turf as the Lions' defenive line drills him 6 feet under while looking to throw.
GAME OVER, MAN!
Well, that was easy, eh?
Young Schwartz agrees...
I'll cur the Lions some slack. It was the first game of the season, the Rams under Fisher look quite improved and I don't think we'll see very more Stafford games where he'll throw 3 picks, 2 in the red zone.
But this starting slow, falling behind and having to come back crap has to stop. It's not a viable long-term NFL strategy. Not even for the Lions.
But in the end...scoreboard. Lions start the season 1-0!
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