After the Lions' 25-17 loss to Washington, here are three (mostly) indisputable facts I feel relatively sure about:
1. The Lions seem to be aware they're going to need to try some unorthodox strategies to get the ball to receiver Calvin Johnson. According to this Detroit Free Press account, Johnson lined up twice in the backfield and scored a touchdown off the second alignment. The Lions are going to have to do more things like that. At other times, they're going to need Johnson to make a play against double coverage.
2. There has been a lot written and said about how much the Lions should be playing the members of their draft class -- right tackle Gosder Cherilus and linebacker Jordon Dizon chief among them. One name that hasn't gotten much mention is defensive end Cliff Avril, but that might change. Avril set up the Lions' first score by sacking Washington quarterback Jason Campbell and forcing a fumble. No Lions position group is in more need of a rookie infusion than defensive line, making Avril an unlikely candidate to be the team's top rookie this season.
3. There is an incredible statistic over on Birk's Eye View: Six of seven opposing quarterbacks have established a career high in passer rating against the Lions. Minnesota veteran Gus Frerotte is the only exception, and his 82.4 rating wasn't shabby. The Lions' inability to stop the run has been well-documented, but they can't really slow down the pass, either. Washington's Campbell missed on only five of his 28 attempts.
And here is one question I'm still asking:
Why is there such a drumbeat for the Lions to start Drew Stanton at quarterback? I understand the hope a new quarterback brings, but in this case it's false. If you make a list of the Lions' top 10 problems, I don't think quarterback would be among them. Dan Orlovsky might not be the team's long-term answer, but to think a change at quarterback would somehow impact the team's immediate fortunes is silly. There is a greater risk of setting back Stanton's development by playing him too early.
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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.