10 Thoughts Following the Patriots Embarrassing Defeat Against the Lions

How can you sum up New England's 34-10 loss against the Detroit Lions in just a few words? Well, the Patriots were waxed. 

It was clear that the Lions came ready to play Saturday night against the Patriots, as they brought the intensity early and simply never let up. 

Following the game, there isn't really anything positive to take from this game besides one thing: Bill Belichick now has game film of an awful performance that he can use as material moving forward into next weekthe fourth and final week of the preseason. 

Here are my 10 thoughts following New England's embarrassing debacle against the Lions in Detroit. 

Wes Welker Among Four That Left the Game with Injuries

First and foremost, the injuries. 

Wes Welker was among four Patriots that were injured in Saturday's game that left and did not return.

According to ESPN Boston, Welker suffered a neck injury, Dan Connolly exited the game with a right ankle injury, Julian Edelman left with a hand injury and Johnathan Wilhite left with an undisclosed injury. 

Hopefully, none of these injuries were not serious, especially Welker's. 

Welker suffered his injury as he tackled Ricardo Silva after he intercepted Tom Brady in the second quarter. 

This Game Was Much Like the Loss Against the Jets in the Playoffs

Sitting back and thinking about this game and how poorly New England's first team played, it was much like their playoff defeat against the New York Jets back in January. 

The Jets were far more intense than the Patriots as they put pressure on Tom Brady, and New England's defense was no match for their offense—exactly what the Lions did Saturday night. 

Tom Brady Looked Scared

I hate to say this, but Tom Brady is turning into a very soft and fragile quarterback. 

Nearly every single time that Brady takes a hit, he just never plays the same. In fact, I believe that this has all started back in 2007, as team's would put pressure on Brady, they realized that he just never played the same following the first hit.

Brady was under pressure all throughout the night as he was brought down twice.

The 2010 Most Valuable Player finished the game going 12-of-22 for 145 yards while throwing one touchdown and one interception and posting a 71.2 quarterback rating.  

Chad Ochocinco Looks Old and Lost

At 33 years old, Chad Ochocinco looks like he is on the decline.

Granted, he's only played in two preseason games but has been nearly invisible. 

Ochocinco was targeted four times against the Lions and managed to catch zero balls. In fact, Ochocinco dropped a beautifully placed ball by Brian Hoyer in the third quarter. 

I hate to put it like this, but Ochocinco looks like a complete bust and has shown no signs of being a productive receiver in 2011. 

New England's Offensive Line Was Terrible

Continuing on what I previously stated, New England's offensive line was pretty lackluster tonight. They simply could not hold the Lions pass rush.

The scary thing about Saturday night is that it was New England's projected starting offensive line,and they were not able to protect Tom Brady whatsoever.

In fact, the offensive line's performance reminded me a lot of their performance against the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII. 

Pretty scary, right? 

Brandon Tate Is Likely on His Way out of New England

As of right now, I find it hard to believe that Brandon Tate will make this football team.

Tate was ineffective as a wide receiver and seeing his reduced returner role due to the new kickoff rule, he was just a non-factor against the Lions.

Tate had a couple of bonehead returns as he took the ball out of the end zone, when he should have just taken a knee and had the ball placed on the 20 yard-line.

New England's receiver had two kick returns for only 27 yards and two punt returns for only a mere nine yards. 

Good To See Matt Light Return But Was Shaky

Possibly the only positive sign out of Saturday's loss was that Matt Light had returned to the starting lineup after recovering from shoulder surgery this offseason. 

Light may have started but was very shaky at times and had trouble protecting Tom Brady's blindside. 

Darius Butler Did Nothing Positive

Darius Butler better be enjoying his large amounts of playing time this preseason, as it will likely be his last as a member of the New England Patriots.

Butler has done nothing positive throughout this preseason, despite having several chances to shine.

There's no doubt that Butler is a talented cornerback that has huge upside, but he has yet to apply it as he enters his third year in the league. 

BenJarvus Green-Ellis Was Ineffective

BenJarvus Green-Ellis is projected to be New England's starting running back, but against the Lions, he was shut down.

Green-Ellis ran the ball eight times and accumulated only 18 yards. Time and time again, he was met at the line of scrimmage and was stood up immediately, something that rarely happened in 2010. 

The Patriots Were Too Sloppy; Too Many Penalties

All in all, this was not a Patriot-like game—New England committed far too many penalties, and I am sure that Bill Belichick is livid.

New England committed 10 penalties which resulted in 74 yards.

At times, it was like the Patriots were giving away yards to the Lions.  

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