The Lions snatched defeat from the jaws of victory Monday night against the Baltimore Ravens in classic Lions fashion -- missed opportunities, dumb penalties, turnovers, and sloppy play. Even Calvin Johnson got into the act dropping key passes, including on the two-point conversion play on the team's final drive.
Yes, Justin Tucker's 60-yard field goal to put Baltimore up 18-16 with less than a minute to play was impressive. So was Matthew Stafford's loss-sealing interception one play later when the Lions had about 40 seconds and three time outs to reclaim the lead.
The Lions were an embarrassment on Monday Night Football, pure and simple. Here's a round-up of local and national sportswriters explaining just how bad it was for the now 7-7 and stuck in third place Detroit football franchise.
John Niyo, Detroit News: Yep, pass the Pepto-Bismol. And brace yourselves for another coaching search in Detroit. Because if Monday night wasn’t the final verdict on this 2013 season in Detroit, the deliberations can’t be long now. And barring a heck of a fourth-quarter comeback here, Jim Schwartz’s tenure as the Lions’ head coach won’t be much longer, either.
Michael Rothstein, ESPN: For so long this season the Lions had said this team was different, was a new and invigorated group that would not fall to the same struggling ways of so many previous Detroit teams. But the same problems showed up again. Another fourth-quarter lead lost. Another game with three or more turnovers. Another game with three or more drops.
Another opportunity, perhaps the final one for Detroit this season, squandered.
Drew Sharp, Detroit Free Press: 3. Was that one of Calvin Johnson’s worst games as a Lion?
It was without question, considering the magnitude of the moment and what was at stake for the Lions.
Justin Rogers, MLive: QUARTERBACKS: F
This was a game where Matthew Stafford needed to step up, but the quarterback was inconsistent and missed his targets far too often. Three of those misfires resulted in interceptions. giving him 13 over the past seven games.
Fred Mitchell, Chicago Tribune: With the NFC North race turning into a three-team affair, the Bears (8-6) emerge as the sole leader of the division as the Lions stumbled against the Ravens. Meanwhile, the Packers sit at 7-6-1 and are poised to face the Bears at Soldier Field in the season finale.
Chris Burke, Sports Illustrated: "It’s tough for them," Ravens offensive lineman Marshal Yanda said of the Lions. "They played well, right at the end scored to take the lead, but it’s the NFL … golly, you’ve gotta have the ball right at the last second. You’ve got to make plays and stay locked in."
Over and over again in recent weeks — and throughout, oh, the past 40 years — the Lions have been unable to do that. When this latest crushing defeat concluded, the refrains were all too familiar for those players who have been here.
