Detroit Lions Recap: Week 1

The NFL is back, and so is my favorite team... the Detroit Lions! After making the playoffs in 2011, the Lions disappointed last year, posting a 4-12 record despite a record-breaking season from WR Calvin "Megatron" Johnson.  Fortunately we were able to start the 2013 season the right way with a home win vs the division rival Minnesota Vikings.  Although the Lions were favored by four points in this matchup, I didn't have the highest expectations for my Lions in this game, as the Vikings made some excellent draft choices this past April in addition to a few great off-season acquisitions.

Game ball goes to... 
Reggie Bush. The Lions premier off season acquisition showed up BIG today, rushing for 90 yards on 21 carries and catching four passes for 101 yards and a touchdown, including a dynamic 77 yard catch and run in the 3rd quarter that took me back to his days at USC.  In addition, Bush's consistent running gave the Lions a far more balanced attack then they've had in a long time.  Bush and Joquie Bell combined for 27 carries for 115 yards and two touchdowns (both by Bell).

What went well...
In addition to the aforementioned running game of Reggie Bush, Matthew Stafford put together a solid passing effort, going 28-43 for 357 yards, 2 TD, and one INT.  Stafford distributed the ball to eight different receivers, seven of them having multiple receptions.  The Vikings defense was successful in shutting down Calvin Johnson, but that didn't stop Stafford from having a great day. 

What could've gone better...
Besides the first play of the game the Lions did a fantastic job containing Adrian Peterson, however, the defense needs to do a better job preventing big plays.  Christian Ponder was able to find Jerome Simpson deep on several passes that could have been defended better.   Next, the Lions committed eleven penalties today,  although those eleven penalties only resulted in 88 yards of field position. Ndamukong Suh's penalty on DeAndre Levy's interception return for a TD was a momentum killer and cost us seven points, as Stafford threw an interception on the next play.

Next Week...
The Detroit Lions travel to Phoenix to face Carson Palmer, Larry Fitzgerald, and the Arizona Cardinals.  The Lions lost 38-10 to the Cardinals last season so they'll be looking to bounce back from that depressing loss from last season!