Posted by ESPN.com’s Kevin Seifert
After Detroit’s 19-14 victory over Washington, here are three (mostly) indisputable facts I feel relatively sure about:
- For me, new coach Jim Schwartz’s tenure starts Sunday at Chicago. Schwartz took over one of the biggest messes in sports and his first problem, encountered through no fault of his own, was the Lions’ two-year losing streak. Schwartz and the Lions ended it at 19, dispatching a viral infection in the process, and now they can go about building this team. You can’t look forward when you’re fighting with the past, and I think Sunday represented the end of the demolition process.
- The progress of quarterback Matthew Stafford has been pretty measurable over three games. Stafford went from three interceptions against New Orleans to a pair against Minnesota to none Sunday. That’s not to imply that Stafford isn’t going to throw any more rookie-type interceptions. But there’s also no doubt that he’s playing with more confidence and treating the ball with more care in each passing game. Here’s a strong indication that Stafford had the Lions’ offense humming Sunday: As a team, they converted 10 of 18 third-down opportunities.
- Stafford directed 11 of his 36 passes toward No. 2 receiver Bryant Johnson, completing four of them for 73 yards and a touchdown. That’s progress in my book. We all know the Lions need big plays from No. 1 receiver Calvin Johnson, but defenses can shut down an individual receiver with exotic coverages if they aren’t concerned about getting beat elsewhere. Ultimately, opponents might be willing to live with the damage Bryant Johnson can do. But Stafford needs to keep throwing his way.
And here’s one question I’m still asking:
Who would have thought that Jason Hunter would turn into a pass-rushing threat for the Lions? A Green Bay castoff, Hunter seems to fit perfectly into the Lions’ defensive scheme, one that asks its defensive linemen to get upfield at all costs. Hunter has a sack in consecutive games for the Lions, matching his career total with the Packers, and is easing the pain of losing defensive end Cliff Avril to a serious hamstring injury. I’m not ready to crown Hunter a 10-sack player, but he’s an example of a player who sought out a meritocracy and found success.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Kevin Seifert
Seifert joined ESPN.com in 2008 after covering the Minnesota Vikings for the Minneapolis Star Tribune for eight years. He lives in the Twin Cities with his wife and daughter.