Detroit Lions: Team Made for Dramatic, Comeback Style

There wasn't much pretty about the Detroit Lions' 27-23 victory against the St. Louis Rams.

Quarterback Matthew Stafford ruined momentum and first-half drives with red zone interceptions. Running back Kevin Smith and tight end Brandon Pettigrew had a severe case of drops throughout the game and wideout Calvin Johnson didn't have a second-half catch until the last drive of the game.

The defense did a great job of containing Rams running back Steven Jackson, holding him to 53 yards on 21 carries. The Lions' front-four in particular had a productive day with three sacks and plenty of pressure on quarterback Sam Bradford. However, the secondary was exposed allowing Bradford to complete 17-of-25 passes. Bradford won't "wow" anybody with only 198 yards, but the secondary must do better.

The secondary struggles aren't surprising, but the performance of Stafford and the offense had many in disbelief. But when the Lions needed it most, the offense came alive in the closing moments of the game.

Stafford connected with Johnson and Nate Burleson downfield on the last drive, then found an open Kevin Smith with the game-winning touchdown.

As difficult as Week 1's victory might have been, this should come as no surprise. It's been seen four times already last season against Dallas, Minnesota, Carolina and Oakland. The Lions come out sluggish and trail at some point during the game. But at an opportune time, Detroit turns it on and pulls out a victory. 

I'm not suggesting the Lions should continue this trend or saying it's a style to be content with. It's just a reminder that this kind of performance should be expected. The Detroit Lions are built to play from behind or far ahead.

The Lions' pass-heavy offense looks for a big gain, instead of managing the game. A strong-arm quarterback with a multitude of high-end weapons to throw to creates one of the league's most explosive offenses. Stafford and this offense is a ticking time bomb capable of striking at any giving moment.

If the Lions run into a game where they have to grind out a tough matchup similar to San Francisco last season, they will struggle. Kevin Smith is a serviceable back and had a solid game against St. Louis with 13 carries for 62 yards and two touchdowns. However, he's still prone to injuries and can be inconsistent. With Mikel Leshoure also starting his first season with the Lions, there is no guarantee of how his future will turn out after two short preseason games. 

As of right now, the Lions offense depends on the arm of Stafford. His dramatic comeback fashion can work against teams like St. Louis, but the Lions might not be so lucky against teams like San Francisco next week.

The Lions are built to score often while letting up some points as well. With a struggling secondary prone to make mistakes more than desired, the Lions must make it up with their points on offense. If Detroit doesn't strike fast on offense while struggling to create stops, the Lions will again end up with losses against elite teams. 

The last-second thrill drives will always be exciting, until that plan backfires. The Lions play a dangerous game this way, but it's the way they've been assembled with a high-powered offense and a sketchy defense. 

So if the Lions are trailing with a few minutes left by a reasonable margin, don't count them out until the clock expires. And if they come up short to an elite opponent, it shouldn't come by surprise. Strike early and often is the name of the Lions' game. If it doesn't work, Detroit will have plenty of problems this season.