By Oliver Jensen
Isaiah Buggs has delivered a scathing verdict. “They were ready and we weren’t,” said the Detroit Lions defenseman after his team surprisingly lost 23:37 to the Carolina Panthers.
“This is the NFL where any team can beat any other team. If you’re not ready and you’re not completely with yourself, you can be defeated. It happened today. We’re the best team. But we don’t don’t play it,” he continued Buggs.
The upset loss is a real setback for Detroit after winning six of seven games and heading towards the playoffs. As a result, they missed the opportunity, at least for the time being, to climb to seventh and thus last playoff spot in the NFC.
Coach Campbell criticizes himself: ‘It falls on me’
“It’s a tough pill to swallow,” said coach Dan Campbell, taking some of the blame himself for his team’s uninspired performance: “We weren’t ready for this match emotionally, physically and mentally. If you play like that, it finally comes back to me. I didn’t set them right for the game.”
However, he also criticized his team’s mentality: “It was a hungry team that we played against and we didn’t look that hungry. That’s the bottom line.” Campbell recalled that “you get what you deserve in this league. That makes my heart ache now. But that’s also why I love what we do. We love it.”
Weakest Lions on defense since 1998
The big checker was the rush defense, which allowed 320 rushing yards against the Panthers. It was the Lions’ worst defensive performance against the run since 1998. In many cases, defenders filled the wrong gaps, missed tackles, or fell for the Panthers’ fakes. The fact that they allowed seven rushes for more than 20 yards speaks for itself.
And what about your running game? Bad! The Lions allowed only 45 rushing yards during that game. That quarterback Jared Goff threw passes for 355 yards and three touchdowns failed to make up for this deficit.
Amon-Ra St. Brown loses the Pro Bowl and maybe the playoffs?
Germany wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown caught passes 76 yards in the game. Notable: At just 23 years and 61 days old, he is now the youngest receiver in Lions history to have a 1,000-yard receiving season.
However, also look back on a disappointing week. Not only from the loss, but also from missing the Pro Bowl. Justin Jefferson (Minnesota Vikings), AJ Brown (Philadelphia Eagles), CeeDee Lamb (Dallas Cowboys) and Terry McLaurin (Washington Commanders) were preferred over him. St. Brown is just a replacement option.
What could comfort him? Presumably qualification for the playoffs, which is still possible for the Lions.
Campbell makes a promise
There are still two games to play to make the playoff dream come true. The home game against the Chicago Bears is Sunday, followed a week later by the road game against the Green Bay Packers.
Two wins are practically mandatory. The Lions are ranked ninth in the conference with a record of seven wins and eight losses. The Seattle Seahawks (7-8) and the Washington Commanders (7-7-1) are within striking distance of the playoffs. On the other hand, a loss to the Bears could finally shatter the playoff dream.
Campbell promises his team will be ready for the final two games. “That’s what’s going to happen. I’ll make sure.”
