Von Oliver Jensen
Isaiah Buggs delivered a scathing verdict. “They were ready and we weren’t,” said the Detroit Lions defensive end following his team surprisingly lost 23:37 to the Carolina Panthers.
“This is the NFL where any team can beat any other team. If you’re not ready and you’re not completely with yourself, you can be defeated. That happened today. We’re the better team. But we just don’t have that played,” Buggs continued.
The surprise loss is a real setback for Detroit following winning six of seven games and heading towards the playoffs. As a result, they have missed the opportunity, at least for the time being, to climb the seventh and thus last playoff place in the NFC.
Head coach Campbell criticizes himself: “It falls back on me”
“It’s a hard pill to swallow,” said head coach Dan Campbell, taking some of the blame for his team’s uninspired performance on his own: “We weren’t ready for this game emotionally, physically and mentally. If you If you play like that, it ultimately comes back to me. I didn’t set them up well for the game.”
Nevertheless, he also criticized the mentality of his team: “It was a hungry team we played once morest and we didn’t look that hungry. That’s the bottom line.” Campbell recalled that “you get what you deserve in this league. That hurts my heart now. But that’s also why I love what we do. We love it.”
The weakest Lions running defense since 1998
The big chess was the run defense, which allowed 320 rushing yards once morest the Panthers. It was the Lions’ worst defensive performance once morest the run since 1998. In many cases, defenders filled in the wrong gaps, missed tackles, or fell for the Panthers’ fakes. The fact that they allowed seven runs for more than 20 yards speaks for itself.
And what regarding your own running game? Poorly! The Lions only conceded 45 yards over the run that game. That quarterback Jared Goff threw passes for 355 yards and three touchdowns might not compensate for this deficit.
Amon-Ra St. Brown Misses the Pro Bowl – And Possibly the Playoffs?
Germany wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown caught passes for 76 yards in the game. Notable: At just 23 years and 61 days, he is now the youngest receiver in Lions history to have a 1,000-yard receiving season.
Nevertheless, he also looks back on a disappointing week. Not only because of the defeat, but also because of missing the Pro Bowl. Justin Jefferson (Minnesota Vikings), AJ Brown (Philadelphia Eagles), CeeDee Lamb (Dallas Cowboys) and Terry McLaurin (Washington Commanders) were preferred over him. St. Brown is only an option as a replacement.
What might console him? Presumably qualifying for the playoffs, which is still possible for the Lions.
Campbell makes a promise
There are still two games to play to make the playoffs dream come true. The home game once morest the Chicago Bears is on Sunday, followed a week later by the away game once morest the Green Bay Packers.
Two wins are practically mandatory. The Lions sit ninth in the conference with a record of seven wins and eight losses. The Seattle Seahawks (7-8) and Washington Commanders (7-7-1) are within striking distance for the playoffs. On the other hand, a loss to the Bears might finally shatter the playoff dream.
Campbell promises his team will be ready for the last two games. “That’s what’s going to happen. I’ll make sure of it.”
