The game between the Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks was so close that the two teams couldn’t decide a winner in regulation. The Lions and Seahawks played what sure felt like a playoff game in Ford Field in Week 2, one that went into overtime.
The team with the playoff experience won the game. Seattle prevailed 37-31 when Geno Smith found Tyler Lockett for the game-winning touchdown pass. It was a deflating loss for the Lions and a raucous Ford Field, which sold out standing-room-only tickets and brought the decibel level of a Metallica concert.
Buy Lions TicketsThe playoff atmosphere was obvious despite the game being played before autumn even arrives. Both teams were pretty sharp in the passing game, with Jared Goff and Geno Smith combining to complete 28 of their 35 pass attempts in the first half. Both defenses laid out some huge licks, too. The fan intensity, the extra physicality, the very tangible tension throughout the game — that’s what the playoffs are all about.
Detroit stumbled in its quest to win in the playoff-like atmosphere. This is a learning experience for the young Lions as they effort to get where the Seahawks are–a playoff contender that can win in multiple ways. Being able to string together wins over playoff teams from a year ago was just a bit too much for Dan Campbell and his Lions team.
The Lions did do a whole lot right in the game. Unfortunately, they also made some critical mistakes. A bad pick-six ruined an otherwise stellar outing from Goff: 28-of-35, 323 yards, 3 TDs and the one INT. David Montgomery lost a fumble on the very first play of the second half. There were missed assignments in coverage on a few Seattle passing successes. It’s tough to win when you give the ball back five times. Detroit committed three turnovers but also failed twice on fourth downs, giving Seattle too many short fields to work with.
Now it’s time to see how the Lions respond to the tough loss at home. The 2-0 Atlanta Falcons bring in playoff aspirations and intensity of their own next week.
