Losing to the Packers at Lambeau Field was a yearly tradition for twenty-three consecutive seasons. But in a bizarre finish which featured go-ahead and tying touchdowns, a missed two-point conversion, a recovered onside kick, and a botched field goal – all in the final two minutes – the Lions barely managed to escape with a win, their first in Green Bay since 1991.
When the Lions finished 11-5 in 2014 and made their second playoff appearance in four years, it seemed to signal true change for a seemingly cursed franchise. It was only their second winning season since 2000, but there was trust in Jim Caldwell, the defense ranked among the NFL’s best (only Seattle and Kansas City allowed fewer points), and the team itself proved that it was more than just two aces.
Now, with one game left to play before Thanksgiving 2015, the Lions stand at 2-7, all postseason hopes have evaporated, and the team looks no less confused or frustrated than in seasons past. The Lions win at Lambeau will be one of the few highlights of this season.
Blame goes in all different directions in this franchise, although the 2015 season will be remembered for its front office overhaul. A number of players expressed their discontent with the offensive play-calling in the time leading up to the dismissal of offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi and two more of Caldwell’s assistants, owner Martha Ford promptly fired President Tom Lewand and GM Martin Mayhew following a 45-10 blowout loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, and, even if such discussion is saved for the offseason, Caldwell’s position as head coach may also be hanging in the balance.
A defense of Matthew Stafford is in order, with regard not only to the team’s struggles but also his own. Despite his offensive line’s ongoing struggle to protect him this season, Stafford’s average of 279.5 passing yards per game ranks second all-time – only one-tenth of one yard behind Drew Brees – and he held the top spot for some time. Both his throwing power and accuracy – including on the run – cannot be questioned in the same way as the team’s play-calling or overpowering of the offensive line, and he remains one of only five quarterbacks (Manning, Brees, Brady, Marino) ever to throw for 5,000 yards in a season. No matter how badly some may want Stafford out, they would be hard-pressed to name a replacement who could do better with these plays, players, and coaches in this season or even the next.
The front-office changes may do more for the team than we can currently anticipate, given the time that has passed since the positions were last filled. Ex-President Lewand and GM Mayhew both held their positions since December 29th, 2008, the day after concluding one of the only winless regular seasons in professional sports history. Nearly seven years later, the Lions have had only two winning seasons (10-6 in 2011 and 11-5 in 2014, both for 2nd place in the NFC North), each followed by wild card losses in the playoffs, and there must be new and effective leadership if there is to be hope for 2016. There are some great football players in Detroit, but there is more to creating a winning team and these changes are long overdue.
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