Detroit Lions Monday Morning Quarterback: Week 5 Vs. St. Louis Rams

The Game

The Detroit Lions gave their fans what they have been yearning for in the 44-6 win over the St. Louis Rams, a dominating win.  The Lions were winners in all three phases offense, defense, and special teams. 

The Good

Shaun Hill

For the second week in a row, Shaun Hill has looked really good.  Three touchdown passes and no interceptions was just what the doctor ordered.  The difference in how well he has played from when he went in against Chicago and now is night and day.  All that said, anyone that thinks the Lions should play him when Matthew Stafford is healthy needs a reality check.

Special Teams

Special Teams Coach Danny Crossman deserves a game ball.  He apparently saw something in his special teams during the preseason and has had his team practicing against surprise onside kick attempts.  The Rams saw the same thing and tried to pull a fast one on the Lions.  Amari Spievey came up big with the recovery.

Stefan Logan has been the best waiver pickup by the Lions in recent memory.   I have been saying for weeks the guy is close to breaking a return for a touchdown, and he finally did it.  Since his fumble against the Vikings, he has been lights out on special teams.

The Secondary

Who are these guys? The Lions may have finally found a competent starting secondary in Alphonso Smith, Chris Houston, Louis Delmas, and Amari Spievey. Smith picked off his third pass in as many games and has really been a surprise.  Martin Mayhew himself said that they looked at Smith as a nickel back, so the fact that he is starting says a lot.

Spievey still needs more reps at safety, but for a rookie just learning the position he is doing fine.  Anything that keeps C.C. Brown off the field I am in support of.

Almost Everyone Else

I could mention a few more things here, but the reality is this was a total team win. Everyone contributed and the Lions really showed what they can do when they come together as a team.  They are the highest scoring team in the NFC after playing over three games without their franchise quarterback, which is really incredible.  Players like Ndamukong Suh, Nate Burleson, Julian Peterson, Cliff Avril, and many others played well.

The Bad: The Run Game

It might be nitpicking but the Lions still can’t run the ball and that has to be a concern.  This was a game that would have been a perfect for the run game to break out and it didn’t happen.  Detroit’s leading rusher Jahvid Best only averaged 3.7 yards per carry and that simply won’t get it done.

The Ugly: Penalties

The Lions had 11 penalties for 78 yards.  They were able to overcome them in this game but that won’t be the case on the road.  They really need to cut, you know what, they won 44-6 so forget I even mentioned it.

Misleading Stat of the Day: One Sack

He may have only been sacked once, but the Lions were all over Sam Bradford.  The polished rookie who has played better than a rookie should looked flustered and well, like a rookie against the Lions.

Play of the Day

After getting much of the blame for the loss against the Vikings, Stefan Logan has been money since that fateful fumble.  His 105-yard kickoff return sparked the team and started the avalanche. 

Quote of the Day

"We are a 1-4 football team," Dominic Raiola playing Mr. Buzz Kill.  You are a 1-4 football team that has only played two home games. Enjoy it and keep the ball rolling.

Random Thoughts

44-6

44-6

44-6

44-6. No other thoughts matter today.

Overall Impression

I almost don’t know what to write as this is my first MMQB after a regular season Lions win.  It has been so long I didn’t know what the Lions were doing when they went into victory formation.  The injury to Calvin Johnson is a concern but by all early reports it is minor. 

It was really important for the Lions to show their progress in the win column and not just by claiming moral victories.  They did that and more.  44-6 does not happen every day in the NFL.  The winless 2008 Detroit Lions, as bad as they were, never lost by 38 points.  They got close, losing 47-10 to the Tennessee Titans, but not 38.

Next Week

This would have been the perfect time for the Lions to play another weak opponent at home, but unfortunately they go to New York and play the Giants.  It will be very interesting to see how the Lions react to having a little success.