Detroit Lions: Lack of Discipline and Maturity Shows They Aren't Ready Yet

It's the third quarter of the Lions game and the Green Bay Packers are up 24-0.

The only way I can equate this is the constant battle between brothers, with the older seeing the younger improving but still has the ability to get into the young 'in's head and frustrating him.

The amount of penalties the Lions committed this game shows a team that's aggressive but lacks the discipline required to win games. They played the Packers very well in the first half, racking up yardage and keeping the potent Packer offense on the sidelines.

But 10 penalties, very stupid ones on both sides of the ball, kept them out of the end zone.

The first penalty, after a Matthew Stafford interception deep in their own territory, was the pass interference called on McDonald. Two plays later, Rodgers his Greg Jennings for six.

Still, the Lions defense played tough, making big stops and surprisingly, went into the locker room at halftime being down only 7-0.

Green Bay gets the ball to start the second half and marches down the field to the Detroit 3-yard line, and on third-and-goal, Rodgers throws an incomplete pass. Successful Lions' goal line stand holds the Packers to a field goal.

Then the most undisciplined, uncalled for and stupidest penalty committed by the leader of the Detroit Lions defensive line, Ndamukong Suh.

Offensive Guard Evan Deitrich Smith was locked up with Suh and ended up driving him to the ground.  Suh took offense in the way he was being blocked, ended up on top of Smith and with his hand attempted to drive Smith's helmeted head under the turf of Ford Field.

And then comes the stupid part. As Suh was pulled up, he kicked at Smith which caused the flurry of yellow flags to be thrown for unsportsmanlike conduct and was rightfully ejected from the game.

Suh should be getting, at the very least, a very hefty fine for his actions and I wouldn't be surprised if there is a suspension in the near future.

But Suh's penalty was just a culmination of dumb penalties that cost the Lions this game.

I'm pretty sure that Green Bay fans will be trolling the many articles that will be written about this game and crowing about how they dominated this game. Green Bay did not dominate this game, the Detroit Lions gave it to them.

Of course, Green Bay is happy to take it and go 11-0 for the first time in team history.

At this point, the playoffs are questionable for the Lions. They have proven they aren't quite ready to go a full season of playing high quality and disciplined football that is required to be successful in the NFL.

They have the talent. Matthew Stafford has shown he can play in this league and has the capability to become an elite quarterback.

Calvin Johnson would be a receiver that any team would covet.

Brandon Pettigrew has been improving year after year and will continue to improve.

Ndamukong Suh, another rare talent, needs to reel it in. Unfortunately, from this day forward, he is a marked man despite all of the talent that he has.

This game against the Packers shows the Lions have the talent. But talent alone will not beat the Packers. Discipline and a reduction of penalties along with that talent is what will give the Lions any chance to compete against the Packers.

I now am going to cheer for the Packers to go undefeated and become only the second team in NFL history to do so. They are a classy organization steeped deep in tradition and history and it would be great for one of the original NFL teams to have that distinction.

The Lions are going to have 10 days to lick their wounds and regroup. But let's remember that this team is indeed young and while close to gelling, is still on the outside looking in. But they have their foot in the door and I suspect the Lions will be the team to beat next year.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!