Stafford was 16 of 30 for 327 yards and 2 TDs in the 1st half
But was 3 of 16 for 35 yards and a pick in the 2nd half!
The D only surrendered 72 yards total in the 2nd half. After getting their butts handed to them, in the 2nd quarter and surrendering what had been a 14 point lead to Detroit. Coming back from what had to be a huge emotional letdown to perform that way instills confidence in me, as a fan, in their ability to overcome adversity. I’m not saying they’re a playoff contender yet, but I thought it would take this group longer to learn to win as a team than it seems to be taking.
They are still trying to find their way at this point, in my opinion. They still have to find ways to run the ball and stop the run, but they showed the will that is necessary to win a close game yesterday, that I believe could serve them well later on this season.
If they can win the next two games, they will then play 3 of 4 at home in December. They still have a shot at being a winner this year. A long shot, but a shot.
Word!!!
I agree that I like the effort–they didn’t quit. What’s curious to me is that in the post-game coverage, Ike T was asked what adjustments were made in the second half to be able to stop them like they did. Ike’s response was that they didn’t really make any adjustments; Ike is either fulll of it and not going to tip his hand, or the Lions simply took their foot off the gas (after seeing how easily they moved in the 2nd) and paid the price….I like to think that they did make adjustments and they’re just not saying….
Ike’s keeping it to himself, which is smart. They were bumping Megatron on the line, sometimes with a backer and then doubling him over/under the entire second half. He was targeted three times in the 2nd half; two incompletions, one pick.
From what I have pieced together, the actual game plan didn’t change from the first half to the second. What changed was the other DBs actually being where they were supposed to be in the second half. Ike had a terrible first half for sure, especially the drops, but he was where he was supposed to be. There were 5 other DBs out there on almost every play and they weren’t always where Ike assumed they were. They tightened up in the second half and Stafford couldn’t get the ball to Megatron because of coverage.
They played him a lot more physical in the 2nd. Let’s put it another way; if Johnson was where he was supposed to be, Stafford threw him the ball even when he was covered in the 2nd quarter. In the 3rd and 4th quarter, Johnson’s routes had been re-directed inside of 5 yards on most plays and the front was getting better pressure. A combination of things.
I took it as LeBeau saying, “Let’s not let this guy beat us all by himself. If the other guys beat us, fine. But we have to shut this guy down. Whatever they did, be it major adjustments or minor ones, the Lions only had 72 yards of Offense in the 2nd half.
Good point on the re-directed routes.
I don’t know if you saw this, but check out Jones, from the ILB spot, getting a bump on JOhnson as he goes by. More of a thump really. http://sulia.com/channel/pittsburgh-steelers/f/9d36475a-9bcd-4109-8c2e-53c163c19a73/?source=fb
Yes, saw that yesterday and emailed Dave suggesting he post it on the main site. He said a larger story is coming. Note on that play how Worilds and Heyward just put their guys on skates straight back into Stafford. I think Worilds is better than Woodley………..
I don’t. Woodley is still more consistent from that spot. Worilds is definitely more comfortable on the left than on the right though and more productive to boot. I’m just not that impressed with a guy going against Jason Fox and then has a good game.