Detroit Lions: Are Monday's Overreactions Justified After Week 3 Loss?

Every Monday, football fans overreact to what happened in their teams' wins or losses. Some are justified overreactions, while others are perceived justifications that are completely baseless. 

Detroit Lions fans had a lot to overreact about after the 44-41 three-overtime loss to the Tennessee Titans.

Which were justified and which were baseless this week? 

Let's take a look. 

Jake Locker Shredded the Secondary

Jake Locker had a career day stats-wise, going 29-of-42 for 378 yards and two touchdowns.

Stats don't tell the whole story though. His two touchdowns came on plays of 61 yards and 71 yards. 

The Lions completely shut down Chris Johnson, so Tennessee was forced to pass.

Ruling: Weakly Justified

Safety play gave the Titans their two offensive scores. Erik Coleman went for the ball instead of the tackle on Jared Cook's TD, while John Wendling dove late in the wrong place on Nate Washington's. 

The corners played well, and the "bend don't break" defense is going to give up yardage without scores. Besides those two plays, it worked. 

The Defense Didn't Show Up

In a game that ended 44-41, it would be misleading to think the defense gave up 44 points. It was responsible for 23.

The Lions gave up 378 yards in the air, but two plays accounted for 132 of those yards and the two touchdowns.

They held the Titans to three field goals on five attempts. They held Chris Johnson to 24 yards on 14 carries. 

The pass rush wasn't effective due to the short passing game the Titans employed.

Ruling: Baseless

While it wasn't effective in getting to Jake Locker, besides the two big plays, the defense kept the Titans in front of them and played an effective "bend but don't break" philosophy. 

The Lions defense definitely could have played better, but it wasn't responsible for this loss. 

It wasn't responsible for other 21 points. 

Detroit was unruly and undisciplined, but it did show up. 

Something Is Wrong with Matthew Stafford

Injury aside, something just hasn't looked right about Matthew Stafford. 

The offense has been slow to start. 

He has the premier weapon in Calvin Johnson and should use him more.

Ruling: Somewhat Baseless

There is a reason Stafford has seven come-from-behind victories in his young career. The offense started extremely slow last season, too. 

Defenses watched tape of the Lions from last season and are playing their safeties extremely deep to take Johnson out of the game. Tennessee tried as well and 10 catches for 164 yards is trying. 

Stafford went 33-of-42 for 278 yards with a touchdown and a 102.2 QB rating. 

Big drops killed a few drives, not poor throws. 

Throwing to Johnson only twice in the first half isn't on Stafford. It's on Scott Linehan and the play-calling. 

Mikel Leshoure Will Force Teams to Play Honest

Mikel Leshoure became the first running back for the Detroit Lions since Billy Sims to rush for 100 yards in his debut. 

His pounding running style should force teams to pay attention to the running game and open things up for the passing game.

Ruling: Baseless

Even while Leshoure was pushing the pile for extra yards, the Titans defense didn't change its coverage on Calvin Johnson. 

If anything, Johnson will make Leshoure a better running back. Defenses can't afford to ignore Johnson, so the running game will benefit. 

But make no mistake, Johnson will always be the priority. 

Leshoure managed a meager 3.8 yards per carry. He will get the hard yards to sustain drives, but his longest was 12 yards, so don't expect him to change the team's identity. 

Dom Raiola Needs to Go

Head coach Jim Schwartz said the play to end the game was a miscommunication. 

It was intended to draw the Titans offsides, but center Dominic Raiola snapped the ball and tried to create a hole to get a first down. 

It didn't work. 

Schwartz took blame, but Raiola is a 10-year veteran who should know better. He was the only player to move after he snapped it, so it was his mistake alone.

Ruling: Strongly Justified

Whether or not he was the only player who didn't get the memo to not snap the ball, he's a liability on the offensive line.

He's too small to get a push in the running game and often gets bull rushed in the passing game. 

The decision to snap the ball on 4th-and-1 was just the last straw. 

A center just jumped to the second priority in the draft after safety. 

What Are Your Reactions?

What are your reactions to the loss to the Tennessee Titans? 

Let us know your feelings in the comments!