Wasted Opportunity

The Detroit Lions are finished.  It is probably just a matter of time now for Jim Schwartz. It is inconceivable that the coach could survive what has happened to the Detroit Lions.

The Lions’ choke job defies explanation. They knew they needed to beat the terrible New York Giants at home to stay alive in the NFC North race. And they couldn’t even do that.

Detroit lost 23-20 in overtime. They are now eliminated from the playoffs. They were ahead by a touchdown in the fourth quarter, when Matthew Stafford threw a bad pass to Joseph Fauria that was tipped up, intercepted and returned for a touchdown. It will be a long offseason for Stafford, who continues to be the kind of quarterback who would be really good if he cared about eliminating all the sloppiness from his game.

The Lions had a golden chance to win a division title this season. Aaron Rodgers and Jay Cutler were hurt. The Lions owned the tiebreaker over the Bears. And then the Lions lost five of six games. They lost in every way possible. They lost to the Steelers on the road and the Buccaneers at home. They lost in a snowstorm at Philadelphia. They lost to a Ravens team that didn’t score a touchdown. Then, just to twist the knife into their fans’ hearts, they lost to the Giants, who were 5-9 and has lost their previous two games by a combined score of 60-14.

It was a typical Lions loss, marked by baffling mistakes. Even in overtime, Detroit got a fortunate fumble in its territory, but couldn’t pick up a first down. After a Lions punt, the Giants went for it on fourth and 7, and got it. That set up their game-winning field goal.

And that’s how the Lions’ playoff hopes ended, after starting the season 6-3. And with it, major changes should be coming to Detroit.