Review of the Lions game

Football is back and with that we can finally talk about games that matter whether a win or loss, it is something to discuss.

It is hard to believe we see a game in Detroit where Ponder throws for over 200 yards, Adrian scores 3 touchdowns, Jerome Simpson gets more receiving yards than Calvin Johnson and yet the Vikings lose.

I will add I really thought the receivers did a great job in helping Ponder with these stats. How about the miraculous catch by Simpson? Or the ball Greg Jennings caught that was thrown behind him.

This is a game where the Ponder bashers may take off even more. I hope not as it was only one game. I will say whether you are a Ponder fan or not that Christian leaves a lot talk about. It will not be boring in Minnesota this week in the media or by the fans.

The game itself was one of the strangest games I have ever seen. The first half alone has so much to talk about.

The first drive by Detroit made me concerned right out of the gate watching Detroit move the ball rather easily. I know it was the first drive so don’t get too worked up I told myself. The Lions made it look so easy so when it came to third and one deep in Vikings territory I had a bad feeling the Lions would be successful and then the unthinkable as Reggie Bush drops the ball leaving it 4^th and 1.

David Akers comes on to try the field goal which I thought win Vikings defense holding the Lions to just a field goal. The snap, the hold and next a botched snap by the Lions holder, Martin and the Vikings hold to Detroit to 0 points. Is this a sign of good luck for the Vikings?

The Vikes take over and what happens next there goes Adrian Peterson as Paul Allen on the Vikes play by play on the radio shouts out, “and he’s loose.” Vikings up 7-0 in a drive this took 13 seconds. A little info on this feat as it was the longest play by a runner on the first play from scrimmage since the merger in 1970.

This game was full of gifts by both teams:

The Calvin Johnson catch for a touchdown only to get reviewed and overturned. What a break for the Vikings. We now have a botched field goal and now a touchdown called back. It is the end of the first quarter with the Vikings getting outplayed but what counts is the scoreboard not stats.

Second quarter the Lions still continue to beat themselves. Detroit goes for 4^th and 1 and is successful so they thought. The bad news Lions get a holding called on tight end, Pettigrew and the Lions settle for a field goal. The Vikes still in the lead.

Ponder gets picked off and to my horror I see the Lions take it to the house for 6 so I thought. Lion’s defensive tackle, Suh costs the team a touchdown with the low block on Vikes center, John Sullivan. When I saw Sullivan on the ground and not getting up I was worried. I hope the NFL fines Suh for this one. If we lose Sullivan it would be a major loss.

The Lions driving again and our friend Lions tight end Pettigrew gives us a gift as he fumbles. This man is costing the Lions huge with the holding call on 4^th and one and now a fumble.  The Lions are dominating stats but are trying their best to give the Vikes a win.

Lions quarterback Stafford has the ball tipped and a nice interception by Vikings linebacker Erin Henderson and the Vikes are in business.

The Lions continued to play foolish with a Vikings catch on the sideline and what do we see? A Lions defender, Delmas gets hit with a 15 yard taunting penalty. Thank you very much

The touchdown at the half by the Lions could really have been a major turning point. We see Lions running back, Bell goes up and over the pile to score? A great strip by the Vikes took a review to make sure it was a TD. A matter of centimeters from being Vikes ball but as it was Lions up at half with an unreal first half of unbelievable mistakes.

Lions run 45 plays while the Vikes run 19 and yet Minnesota is in the game?

Second half Vikes still have chances to win. Calvin Johnson could not score today if he wanted. Another catch for a TD only to see one foot go out leaving Johnson out of the scoring column once again.

Lions defensive, Ansah a split second early as he hits Ponder causing a fumble. Another break for the men in purple as it was called off sides, thank goodness.

A great catch made by Jerome Simpson and now we see Lions coach take his turn at a mistake. A challenge on a catch that was a no doubter now leaves Lions with one time out. Thank you, Coach Schwartz.

A Lions 3^rd and 8 Vikes make a huge stop as we see Harrison Smith make a great tackle setting up a punt for the Lions. A great play but a bad job by the TV crew as Greenway gets credit and of course talked about. It is frustrating when the play by play callers screw that up.

The Vikes in the game even as ugly as it was. Dertoit was given 2 gifts by the Vikes defense on 3^rd downs with one 15 yd personal foul penalty on Guion and later 3^rd down Lions and Vikes secondary makes the mistake. We see 2 third down conversions because of penalties. Please don’t give gifts like the Lions do?

The biggest play of the game came with the Vikings down 27-24. The Vikes have the ball with a chance to to tie or go ahead. We see Ponder take snap from center and trip only to see the handoff muffed to AP. What if no fumble what would the Vikes have done on that series? Only speculation because now it does not matter the game is over.

Offensive player of the game: AP but I must also give a nod to Jerome Simpson

Defensive player of the game: Harrison Smith with his monster hit in the 2^nd half

I cannot believe the amount of panic by Vikes fans. It is only the first game, Was it ugly? Yes at times but with all the mistakes film work should be interesting at Winter Park. I have faith week 2 will go better.

That’s all for now

Thanks for reading

Purplestick