ARRGH. Cardinals are in the red zone, only down 7 to the Bengals at 23-17, with 2 minutes left. They were on life support, down 23-0, at the start of the 4th. The Lions need to win, so all my angst goes to waste.
WHOA. On 4th and 5, the Cardinals receiver was WIDE OPEN in the end zone, looked like a sure TD...and he fell down. The Bengals will win, and one of the Lions' WC competitors bites the dust thanks to a turf monster.
I=Took me a moment to remember AFC team on the road means the Lions are on CBS. Well, at least I don't have to see Cleatus the robot today.
CBS shows Dominic Raiola being an ass, getting in a pregame scuffle...
Was this really necessary?
1st and 10 from the 25, and Stafford throws DEEP! Megatron runs under the pass at the Bolts 27! YES!
Throw it to Calvin, early and often!
After Stafford escapes a big Bolts rush to avoid a major loss, only losing a yard, the Lions take a TO.
3rd and 1 from the 8...and Stafford wedges his big body thru the line on a sneak...1st down! Why haven't we seen this all season long?
3rd and goal from the 7...Stafford finds Pettigrew...who holds on!
TOUCHDOWN LIONS!
7-0 Lions with 10:52 left in the 1st.
Stafford was 4-of-5 for 73 yards and a TD. Couldn't ask for a better start...
Lions D is fired up. Stuff a screen, stop Matthews for a short yardage. Bolts face 3rd and 7, Ford Field is LOUD.
But the Bolts quiet the crowd with a 20 yard throw to Gates for the 1st down. BAH.
Bolts with their 2nd 3rd down conversion attempt, 3rd and 1 from the 47. Chargers can't hear shit...confusion reigns on the field. Refs say they stopped the clock, no penalty.
3rd down pass to Gates is wide and high, Spivey gets a hand on it. Lions force a punt. But Logan muffs the punt at the 5...and falls on the ball. Dammit.
FLAG as well. Holding on the non-return. Christ almighty... Lions will start in the shadow of their goal line.
This was the exact look on my face after that play...
Smith takes the handoff...down...BALL! Thank the football Gods Smith was down by contact. Otherwise it would have been a Chargers TD.
The Lions running game is one in name only.
But Stafford to Burleson bails out the Lions, gettting 6 yards on 3rd and 6.
3rd and 5...Stafford to Young! 1st down! Stafford is threading a needle today.
The ground game remains God awful. Smith gets hit at the line for no gain.
Screw that, Stafford throws an absolute rifle shot to Megatron at the 47. BEAUTIFUL!
The pass sets up the run, as Smith gains 21 on a draw! By far the looking run of the day for the Lions. Smith was taken down by a shoestring, could have been much more.
ARRRGH. Lions have to burn their 2nd TO with 1:31 left in the 1st.
FLAG. Bolts fake a blitz...Pettigrew moves. GODDAMMIT.
Lion face 3rd and 11...Stafford under HUGE pressure...ducks...rolls left...it's a jump ball in the end zone...ARRRRGH. Johnson had the ball jarred out of his hands!
Missed 6 by that damn much...
Hanson drills the 50 yard FG, the 50th of 50+ of his career, Lions up 10-0 with 0:33 left in the 1st. w00t!
The quarter ends with the Lions 3 quarters away from a playoff spot, leading the Chargers 10-0!
