Lions go ugly, lose convincingly to Bears and nobody sounds impressed
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, shown with Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher after the game, threw four interceptions on Sunday.
Associated Press
Even in their worst years, and there have been plenty of them, the Detroit Lions' offense has rarely looked this ugly.
Four interceptions and six total turnovers wasted a solid effort by the defense as the Lions lost, 37-13 in Chicago.
Matthew Stafford, playing with a fractured finger on his right hand, finished with a quarterback rating of 47.4, his lowest since the final game of the 2009 season. The Lions are 6-3 and have lost three of their last four games.
So what are people talking about? The mini brawl in the fourth quarter, of course. Players from both teams tangled after Stafford threw his third interception. Stafford grabbed the back of the helmet of Bears cornerback D.J. Moore and threw him to the ground near the end of the play. Moore retaliated, setting off the mini brawl. Moore was ejected from the game.
"We were getting blown out, but we're not going to let somebody spear the quarterback or whatever he did," Lions center Dominic Raiola said. "That's just not going to fly around here. They can say all they want — 'Look at the scoreboard,' blah, blah, blah — but we're not going to back down from anybody, no matter when it is, where it is. The game is won and lost on the field. All that extra (stuff) we're not going to put up with."
DETROIT LIONS
- MLive.com: Turnovers cost Lions
- Chicago Tribune: Bears cornerback D.J. Moore miffed that he was ejected
- FoxSports.com: Columnist Greg Couch says the Lions have been exposed as bullies and frauds
- Detroit Free Press: Columnist Michael Rosenberg says Lions are done if Stafford doesn't improve
- Detroit News: Columnist Bob Wojnowski says the Lions regressed and retreated
DETROIT RED WINGS
- Detroit Red Wings: Defenseman Ian White will miss road trip because of fractured cheek bone
DETROIT TIGERS
Comments
J Shaker
Tue, Nov 15, 2011 : 1:04 p.m.
Bears, contenders. Lions, pretenders.
thefoodandwinehedonist
Mon, Nov 14, 2011 : 6:56 p.m.
Let's not forget Suh ripping Cutler's helmet off on a tackle, Fairley's roughing, and VandenBosch piling on. It's one thing to play aggressive, but another to be undisciplined. Briggs' and Peppers hits on Johnson were violent, but within the rules. In post game comments, Schwartz didn't think that anything his players did were wrong - so the lack of discipline and control obviously goes from top down. But the biggest bonehead plays of all were 3 returnable punts to Hester. Go Bears! <a href="http://www.foodandwinehedonist.com" rel='nofollow'>www.foodandwinehedonist.com</a>
JGS
Mon, Nov 14, 2011 : 4:36 p.m.
Ahhh the Lions... Always finding a way to lose for the last 50 years. I love 'em and will always support them, but they drive me absolutely crazy with their inconsistent play. Stafford needs to really put extra time into practice and honing his skills. Seems the defense is all set to stop the opponent. Now Stafford and the offense need to stop giving up "pick 6's" and bonehead plays.
fjord
Mon, Nov 14, 2011 : 3:11 p.m.
"...we're not going to let somebody spear the quarterback or whatever he did..." I understand Raiola's frustration, but Stafford can't pull the kind of stunt he pulled on D.J. Moore and not expect retaliation. Stafford brought Moore's cheap shot on himself — and he deserved it. He should have been ejected along with Moore. I expect the NFL to fine him, as they probably should.
RudeJude
Mon, Nov 14, 2011 : 2:31 p.m.
The Lions were a surprise team at the beginning of the season. Now, they are on everybody's radar. They are vastly improved, but still have a lot of improving yet to do.