5 Takeaways from Detroit Lions' 24-17 Win over New York Jets
The Detroit Lions have now defeated both New York teams, with their 24-17 Week 4 road win over the Jets. Detroit knocked off the Giants 35-14 at Ford Field back in the season opener.
With the victory the Lions improve to 3-1, placing them alone atop the NFC North. Chicago, Green Bay and Minnesota all sit one game back at 2-2.
This win was an important step for Detroit to continue the move away from the "same old Lions." The Detroit faithful have seen recent incarnations of the Lions blow games like this one.
Here are a few of my immediate takeaways from watching the game.
All stats are courtesy NFL.com unless otherwise specified. All postgame quotes are from the Lions' official syndicated postgame show broadcast on the team's radio network.
No Calvin Johnson? No Problem
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Superstar wideout Calvin Johnson was questionable to play with an ankle injury suffered in last week's win over Green Bay. He wound up playing but was a shell of his typical self, catching just two passes for 12 yards in limited action.
The Lions offense wasn't exactly a well-tuned machine without its top weapon, but it performed much better than the last time Johnson was sidelined.
Lions fans can be forgiven for trying to block that ugly 2013 loss to Green Bay out of their minds. This game went much better, even though they obviously missed Megatron.
Golden Tate really stepped up, especially on third downs. Tate caught eight passes for 116 yards, preventing the dreaded vacuum in Johnson's absence. Matthew Stafford avoided his occasional errors in judgment. Detroit committed zero turnovers and won the time of possession battle by almost 10 minutes.
The offense did what it needed to do to win sans Johnson. That's not something the Lions have been able to do in recent seasons, as noted by Michael Rothstein of ESPN:
"Per @ESPNStatsInfo, Calvin Johnson's 12 receiving yards were fewest he's had in #Lions win in his career. Previously 0-6 when under 20 yds.
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) September 28, 2014"
Detroit can only gain confidence from winning a game with such a limited contribution from its primary offensive talent.
Get Well Soon, LaAdrian Waddle
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Starting right tackle LaAdrian Waddle missed his third straight game with a calf injury suffered on the first drive of the season. Once again, the Lions sorely missed the second-year undrafted free agent from Texas Tech.
Garrett Reynolds and Cornelius Lucas platooned in his stead. This was probably Reynolds' best game, but he remains a major liability in pass protection. Lucas, an undrafted rookie this year, once again looked in over his head with the speed of the NFL game.
Stafford was sacked four times and under duress on several other throws. After the game, he was clearly beaten up:
"Just watched Matt Stafford walk to the team bus. Noticeably limping. And has that right wrist wrapped
— Kyle Meinke (@kmeinke) September 28, 2014"
The running game continues to struggle, unable to consistently threaten opposing defenses as the line is just not opening or sustaining the holes. Right guard Larry Warford appears to be pressing, perhaps trying too hard to compensate for the revolving door to his right flank.
Waddle did practice last week, a good sign he is close to returning. He cannot get back soon enough.
Pass Defense Continues to Be Special
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Despite numerous injuries throughout the secondary, the Lions pass defense continues to shine.
Per Team Rankings, Detroit entered the game ranked third in passing yards allowed per game and seventh in both opposing QB Rating and yards per attempt. Geno Smith and the Jets topped the yardage mark, but overall it was another strong performance.
| Comp. % | Yards | Yards/Att. | QB Rating | |
| First three games | 59.6 | 180.7 | 5.8 | 80.4 |
| Geno Smith | 51.5 | 209 | 6.3 | 68.9 |
Darius Slay picked off his first career interception, another feather in his rapidly ascending cap. He was once again great in coverage, just as he was against Green Bay.
Starting safety James Ihedigbo returned to the lineup, making his presence felt with a sack and forced fumble. The Lions have to feel great about getting the veteran back, and now have increased confidence in backup Isa Abdul Quddus, who played well in his stead.
Even though the pass rush wasn't fierce against a strong Jets offensive line, the secondary and linebackers held up well. When Smith did find open receivers, the Lions did a good job tackling other than one lousy effort by Slay.
This was the first game a Lions defensive back did not leave the game with an injury, another positive sign going forward.
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Help Wanted: Running Back
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The injury bug decided to sink its virulent teeth into the Detroit running back population on Sunday.
Joique Bell left the game with what appeared to be a concussion. While Caldwell did not elaborate in his postgame comments, it isn't hard to read between the lines. Josh Katzenstein of The Detroit News offered this assessment:
"During his postgame news conference, Lions coach Jim Caldwell declined to update any of the injuries suffered during the game, including a question asking him to clarify whether Bell's injury was a concussion or some other head injury.
In the locker room, a Lions spokesperson said Bell could not talk to the media, which is consistent with the NFL's concussion protocol.
"
His fourth-quarter injury left the Lions with Reggie Bush as the only available running back.
Theo Riddick suffered an injured hamstring early in the game. He finished with two yards on his only carry. Montell Owens also left with a hamstring issue, the latest in a litany of wounds that have kept the veteran sidelined for almost the entire last two seasons.
There likely won't be any availability updates on the injured backs until Wednesday's mandatory NFL deadline. However, expect to see George Winn get a lot of action coming off the practice squad. He could wind up active for next week's game against the Buffalo Bills.
Coffee Is for Closers
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The inability to convert fourth-quarter leads into victories was a major factor in former coach Jim Schwartz's firing after last season. Blowing eight fourth-quarter leads, including six of the final seven games, made finding players—and coaches—who could seal the deal a top offseason priority.
Head coach Jim Caldwell and offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi have earned their coffee, in Glengarry Glen Ross parlance.
For the second week in a row, the Lions offense converted key plays down the stretch to salt away a victory. This one was a little more tenuous, as a 3-and-out gave the ball back to the Jets with 4:36 remaining.
The defense held tough, thanks in part to an egregious drop by Jets running back Chris Ivory on third down. Detroit's offense took over once again with 3:41 left on the clock and New York holding two timeouts.
New York never saw the ball again. Two keys plays highlighted the march to the victory formation:
"RB @ReggieBush with a nice spin move to stay in bounds and keep the clock ticking at the end of his 16-yd run. #OnePride #DETvsNYJ
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) September 28, 2014"
"Lombardi with the great playcall, Stafford bootleg, to clinch this one.
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) September 28, 2014"
Stafford's critical run on third down fooled the entire stadium, as everyone anticipated a Reggie Bush run. It was gutsy and unpredictable, but effective. That's what it takes to seal wins.
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