Detroit Lions Struggles Against Buffalo Bills are Not a Cause for Concern

Thursday night versus Buffalo, the starters for the Detroit Lions had their worst performance of the preseason.

Matthew Stafford looked like a rookie by completing three of six passes for 21 yards.  He topped that off by throwing a touchdown to the wrong team.    

The defense did not fare much better.  They managed to turn Trent Edwards into Peyton Manning.  They did stiffen up at the end of the first drive and held Buffalo to a field goal.

So what does this all mean in the grand scheme of things? Nothing!

Under normal circumstance, the fourth preseason game is nothing more than a glorified scrimmage used to get a better idea about who deserves the last couple of spots on the roster, but this one meant even less than that.

The Lions and Bills will play again in November, and for that reason alone, what you saw from the starters out there will not at all resemble what you will see when the Lions line up against the Bears in the first game of the regular season.  Both coaching staffs had no interest in allowing a future opponent to practice against them the plays they plan to use when the games count. 

This is why I think the interception by Stafford was on purpose.  The next time the teams meet, what is the likelihood that the Buffalo corners bite on a double move in hopes of getting an interception?  Football is a game of chess, and coaches are always thinking three steps ahead.  Mike Martz was legendary for wasting a play in order to set up a bigger one, and I think Schwartz and company were doing the same thing.

This game did serve as proof that four preseason games are too many.  It also serves to support the NFL’s decision to go to an 18 game schedule.  Two preseason games, along with training camp, and OTAs should be more than enough for a team to get ready for the regular season. 

The preseason games, especially the fourth one, have become a joke.  Teams do not use many of the plays they plan to employ during the regular season, so they don’t even help in terms of getting ready for the regular season.

Programming note: Due to the irrelevance of the fourth preseason game, my weekly feature Monday Morning Quarterback will not be available this week.  Look for it to return during the regular season. So for all three of you, my lovely and talented wife Annissa, my mom Sue, and my sister Elvana, that were looking forward to it, see you next week.