The biggest story coming out of Monday night’s game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Detroit Lions is the result of a ball batted out the back of the end zone by Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright. Late in the game, the Lions were driving down the field trailing by three. Matthew Stafford had put together an impressive drive, and had found Calvin Johnson for what should have been the winning touchdown. But as Johnson dove into the end zone, Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor punched the ball out of his hands and into the end zone, where Wright committed the now infamous bat. According to NFL rules, Wright’s action should have resulted in a penalty and the Lions should have maintained possession at the one yard line. If the correct call was made, the Lions would have surely at least tied the game, if not won. Instead no call was made, and the Seahawks went on to win.
A Batted Ball is the Least of the Detroit Lions Worries
Many around the NFL, whether the Lions, fans of the Lions or just spectators at general have called out the NFL on their bad officiating, and some feel as though the Lions were robbed of a potential victory. Dean Blandino, the Vice President of NFL officiating, even stated on ESPN after the game that the Lions should have maintained possession. Many are blaming the Lions loss on the missed call, and comparing it to the picked up flag in last season’s playoffs, Justin Forsett’s thanksgiving non-touchdown and Calvin Johnson’s “process of the catch” incident against the Bears. But just like the other examples, the batted ball is not at all the reason the Lions lost.
If K.J. Wright had not batted the ball out of bounds, the ball would have just rolled out and have been Seahawks ball anyways. Wright would have never been in that position in the first place if Chancellor hadn’t made an incredible play on Johnson.
Most of all though, the Lions should have never trailed in that game, and the fact they were losing is the fault of their near useless offense and the terrible play calling that has struck them again.
The Lions defense played a great game on Monday night, and were showing signs of their second ranked defense from last season. They had troubles early on containing Russell Wilson, but in the end were able to keep him down with six sacks and two forced fumbles. One of Wilson’s fumbles was returned for the Lions only touchdown. The secondary was able to lock down the Seahawks receivers and often forced Wilson to have to make plays with his feet.
The offense though, was treacherous. Despite the excitement around rookie running back Ameer Abdullah, the rushing game is nonexistent. The offensive line is in shambles, a combination of both injuries and players just outright underperforming has made it near impossible to move the ball on the ground.
Although the Lions can blame their loss on the missed ball bat all they want, they are 0-4. If they want to finish this season with a respectable record, they have a lot to change. Whether it means firing Joe Lombardi, bringing in new offensive linemen or benching starters to force them to perform, the Lions are an 0-4 team with the talent to finish the season with ten wins. Their chance at the playoffs are all but gone, and it looks like it will be a long year for the “Same Old Lions.”
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