Detroit Lions: Winners and Losers at the Season's Quarter Mark

The Detroit Lions are 4-0 through the first quarter of the season for the first time in 30 years.  Dating back to last season, they have an eight-game winning streak (their longest since the 1953-54 season) to go with five straight road victories which is the longest streak in Detroit Lions history.

After tying the largest road comeback in NFL history, and biggest in franchise history, the Lions are the second best team in the NFL behind the reigning Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers. 

With one of the youngest core group of players in the league (average experience of 4.1 seasons), the Lions can only go up and improve.  Their record is unblemished, but they have not been perfect as a team. 

At the season's quarter mark, let's see who are the winners and losers for the Lions.

Winner: Calvin Johnson

Calvin Johnson never ceases to amaze me.  After four weeks he has set an NFL record scoring two touchdowns in every game to start the season.  Chris Carter, the man who thinks Calvin Johnson is not an elite receiver, is the only player ever to replicate that streak, but not through the first four games.

Once the Lions get into the red zone, it is almost automatic for Johnson to get a touchdown.  It doesn't matter if you have one or three guys on him, as shown in the video.  Calvin is a main reason for the Lions' success as he has scored eight of the Lions' 13 offensive touchdowns.

He is clearly dominating everything and everyone that gets into his zone and is almost unstoppable right now.  Clearly he is playing at another level this season with Matthew Stafford finally healthy, and he is a definite winner through the first quarter of the season.

Loser: Lions' Run Game

After another dismal performance against the Dallas Cowboys, the Lions run game has yet to show us anything.  With less than 75 yards rushing per game, the Lions are in the bottom four of the league and don't look like they will break out of their funk anytime soon.

Jahvid Best has seen his carries decrease from week to week as he had 21 in Week 1 and only 11 in Week 4.  The Lions have had to play catch-up in the past two games and abandon their run game, but nonetheless with only a 3.2 yard average, Best has yet to shine.

It hasn't hurt the Lions too bad to not have a running game quite yet, but if they don't establish a running game soon, it could be a long season.  Mikel LeShoure would sure be nice right now, but as he is gone for the season, another ground and pound running back needs to step up, and Keiland Williams looks like he is going to be the man.

Overall, the Lions run game has been dismal through the first four weeks, and they are clear losers.  It will be hard for Detroit to make a playoff push without a run game, so look for them to try and establish one through the next quarter of the season.

Win: Lions' Rush Defense

Through four weeks, the Detroit Lions have yet to give up a 100-yard rusher.  That is after facing tough backs like LeGarrette Blount (one 100-yard game), Jamaal Charles (Roary took care of him), Adrian Peterson (nearly two 100-yard games) and Felix Jones (one 100-yard game). 

They also have only given up one touchdown on the ground, via Adrian Peterson, but after holding him to only 78 yards, you call that a successful game for the defense. 

Ndamukong Suh and company have been stuffing the middle all year and they have showed on a few fourth downs they are like a brick wall and there's no way to penetrate it.

After four weeks, it is clear that the rush defense is a strength of this Lions team and is a clear winner through the first quarter of the season.

Loser: Nate Burleson

After catching 12 balls in his first two weeks, Nate Burleson has almost vanished from the Lions offense.  His role has been diminished and he has only caught four balls for 28 yards in the last two games.  With the emergence of Titus Young, Burleson may be pushed back on the depth cart to make way for their 2011 second-round pick.

Through the first four games, Burleson and Young's statistics are pretty much identical, both averaging four catches and 45.2 yards a game totaling 181 yards each.  The only difference is Young has done it in three games and it has taken Burleson four to get the same numbers. Neither receiver has reached the end zone yet, and this is a clear disappointment, mainly for Burleson.

As Young has been a clear bright spot and fearless going across the middle, Burleson looks like he is fading into the background and he is a loser at the first quarter mark of the season.

Winner: Detroit Lions Pass Defense

Through the first four weeks the Lions have faced the ninth most passing attempts, and this trend should continue as they will keep playing with the lead.  They finally allowed their first 300-yard passer as Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys manhandled the secondary in the first half in Week 4.

Although Romo went for 331 yards and three touchdowns, the Lions had three clutch second-half interceptions that fueled their second 20-plus point comeback in consecutive weeks (the first team in NFL history to do that)  Those three picks put the Lions second to only the Buffalo Bills and Green Bay Packers with seven total interceptions. 

They are also holding opposing quarterbacks to a 74.5 rating, which is good for fifth in the league.  They are just behind the powerhouse defenses of the New York Jets and Baltimore Ravens and should continue to dominate. 

The signing of Eric Wright has proven huge as he has shown he can handle a starting position, after losing his job in Cleveland.  Wright, along with Justin Durant and Stephen Tulloch has greatly upgraded the overall pass defense of the Lions and they will continue to thrive.

Winner: Matthew Stafford

This article would not be complete without a Matthew Stafford sighting.  He is the main reason the Lions are 4-0 as he has been cool, calm and collected in every game.  He has already led his team to two fourth quarter comebacks and three road victories.

Top 10 in attempts, completions, passing yards, touchdowns, interceptions thrown, first downs, 20-plus yard plays and quarterback rating, it is clear Stafford is at the top of his game.

It has been said time and time again, when healthy, Matthew Stafford is a top quarterback in the NFL and he is showing it right now.  If the season ended today, it would be a tough choice between Stafford and Rodgers for league MVP and as the season goes on, Stafford will continue to make his case. 

Just staying healthy through the first quarter of the season is a clear win for Matthew Stafford. The way he has played has just been amazing and I'm excited to see what he and his Detroit Lions will do the next three quarters of the season.