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It sounds like the Detroit Lions were fortunate not to have lost one or more starters during what was reported to be a frightening practice collision.

Running back Kevin Smith and tight end Tony Scheffler were running pass routes on different parts of the field. Neither saw the other and they ran into each other at significant speeds. Smith appeared to get the worst of the collision, but coach Jim Schwartz told reporters neither player was injured and both returned to practice.

"Certainly don't expect those," Schwartz said, "but, hey, that's why we wear helmets. You know, I'm glad there's not some new rule that you're not allowed to wear helmets … because we might have a couple broken jaws that we're dealing with right now."

The Lions added cornerback Alphonso Smith (foot) and safety Chris Harris (back) to their injury report. Both players were limited in practice. Cornerback Aaron Berry (shoulder) and safety Louis Delmas (knee) both practiced as well.

A few thoughts on as wild of a "meaningless" Week 17 game as you'll possibly see.

What it means: The Green Bay Packers improved to 15-1, becoming the sixth team in NFL history to win at least 15 regular-season games in one season, despite deactivating three of their most prominent players (quarterback Aaron Rodgers, cornerback Charles Woodson and linebacker Clay Matthews). They also used the game to experiment on offensive line combinations. Amazingly, the Packers were able to protect some key players while still riding momentum into the playoffs. The Lions missed a chance to lock up the No. 5 seed in the NFC playoffs, leaving their positioning at the mercy of the Atlanta Falcons. The Lions will be the No. 6 seed, and travel to the New Orleans Saints, if the Falcons defeat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Falcons were leading 35-0 in the second quarter at last check. The Lions have now lost 20 consecutive games in the state of Wisconsin.

Air Supply: On a windy and snowy day at Lambeau Field, both starting quarterbacks set franchise records for passing yards in a game. Backup Matt Flynn made the most of his opportunity to start, throwing for 480 yards and six touchdowns, also a team record. The Lions' Matthew Stafford threw for 520 yards, bringing their combined total to an even 1,000 in the game, and tied his team record with five touchdown passes. The Madden-like final statistics also included 244 receiving yards for Lions receiver Calvin Johnson, 116 for tight end Brandon Pettigrew and 162 for Packers receiver Jordy Nelson.

FlynnWatch: I'm not sure what else Flynn could have done to audition for a starting job elsewhere next season. The Packers used two different left tackles, Chad Clifton and Marshall Newhouse, and didn't have receiver Greg Jennings or running back James Starks for this game. But Flynn smartly used the remaining talent the Packers surrounded him with, most notably Nelson (three touchdowns). Perhaps most impressive to teams considering him in free agency this spring, Flynn also led the Packers to 14 points in the final eight minutes, 18 seconds of the game, playing as if he was the quarterback fighting to secure a fifth seed.

Official grumbling: Kudos to Lions center Dominic Raiola, who stepped in and calmed down Lions coach Jim Schwartz (a little bit) in the second quarter after a series of poor calls robbed the Lions of both challenge opportunities before halftime. There is little doubt that the Lions were on the short end of both calls that led to challenges, a fumble that was reversed on tight end Tony Scheffler and a fumble by kick returner Stefan Logan. That left the Lions unable to challenge what should have been a touchdown pass to receiver Titus Young, whom officials ruled didn't get both feet down in the end zone when he in fact did. But in the end, it's fair to say the Lions had plenty of opportunities to win the game. I hope no one leaves the Lions locker room blaming those calls for the loss. The Lions had a 41-38 lead with 2:44 remaining, and their defense couldn't slow down a watered-down Packers offense. That's on them. The Packers' winning drive included two third-down conversions, one of which came after defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh jumped offside.

What's next: We'll await the Lions' playoff seed and opponent for next weekend's wild-card game, to be determined later Sunday. The Packers will have a playoff bye week and host a divisional game the weekend of Jan. 14-15.

A few thoughts on a momentous day and evening in Detroit:

What it means: The Detroit Lions clinched their first playoff berth since 1999 in convincing fashion, jumping on the San Diego Chargers for 24 first-half points and finishing strongly as well. The victory caps a three-year overhaul from the franchise's darkest moment, the 0-16 season in 2008, and cements the status of a new set of heroes for Detroit sports fans. For those asking, we don't yet know if the Lions will be the No. 5 or No. 6 seed in the NFC playoffs.

Turning point: The Chargers threatened to make a game of it the third quarter, recovering an onside kick moments after closing the gap to 24-7 midway through the quarter. But on third-and-goal at the 4-yard line, cornerback Chris Houston broke up a pass intended for receiver Malcom Floyd in the end zone. The Chargers were forced to kick a field goal, a clear momentum swing that they never recovered from. Kudos to Houston for his play, which also included an interception and a total of four defensed passes.

StaffordWatch: There's no other way to say it: Matthew Stafford and the entire Lions passing offense were dealing all game long. From the opening play, a 46-yard jump ball that receiver Calvin Johnson caught against double coverage, the Lions had their way with the Chargers' defense. Stafford's final numbers: 29 completions in 36 attempts for 373 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions and a 137.6 passer rating. In his past three games, Stafford has thrown for nearly 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns. Obviously, that's how you want a franchise quarterback to respond in the playoff push. In the process, he set a new Lions record for the most passing yards in a season. It now stands at 4,518 yards.

Composure: Circumstances conspired to whip the team into a frenzy, and center Dominic Raiola was among those who let his pregame emotions get the best of him. I saw Raiola's pushing and shoving before the game and wondered if we were in for another penalty-filled, out-of-control performance. But the Lions appear to have put that phase of their season behind them. They were called for only three accepted penalties, losing a total of eight yards, and kept their composure throughout the afternoon. There was a moment when I thought tight end Tony Scheffler was going to go after a Chargers player post-whistle, but he smartly held back. Coach Jim Schwartz's no-tolerance policy has worked.

Rewards: I'm sure many Lions fans were thinking Saturday of friends and loved ones who suffered through years and years of substandard, playoff-less years of football. I couldn't help but marvel at how much bad football that longtime Lions beat writer Tom Kowalski covered in his 30-plus years on the job. Kowalski passed away last August, just before this wild season kicked off. Beat writers don't root for the teams they cover, but take it from experience, covering a playoff team is a lot more interesting than the alternative.

What's next: The Lions will close out the regular season -- and turn their attention TO THE PLAYOFFS -- next Sunday at Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers.

DENVER -- If it were someone other than Stephen Tulloch, the Detroit Lions' well-respected middle linebacker, maybe I would be suspicious. I guess everyone is entitled to their opinion, but here's mine: There was nothing offensive about Tulloch "Tebowing" in the first quarter of Sunday's 45-10 victory over the Denver Broncos.

Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow's prayer pose last week became a quasi-national sensation, but Tulloch said he was "just trying to have some fun" and meant "no disrespect" when he mimicked it following a sack. Tebow, in fact, approached Tulloch after the game and wished him luck this season.

"I just told him to keep his head up," Tulloch said after Tebow completed only 18 of 39 passes and had two turnovers, both of which the Lions returned for touchdown. "Better days are going to come for him. He knows that. He was a winner through college. He'll respond."

Added Tulloch: "I wasn't mocking him or anything. Everyone is doing it. I figured if I got to him I would do it, too."

Tight end Tony Scheffler incorporated the pose into a touchdown celebration during the second quarter. I didn't see Scheffler after the game, but if the Lions were mocking anything it was a media and social culture that turned something of a private moment into a national craze.

"It's not his fault," Tulloch said.

Asked if Lions players resented the hype granted to a player who has yet to establish himself in the NFL, Tulloch said: "You've got to give him that hype. You realize he did so much in college. First round draft pick. People want to see him play. It's his second season, his first season as a starter. He still has a lot to learn. … If he can keep developing as a quarterback --he's a great person -- he'll be OK."

With Tulloch serving in the so-called spy role, the Lions sacked Tebow seven times. According to ESPN Stats & Information, they blitzed on 55.6 percent of Tebow's dropbacks. That was a dramatic shift from their approach during the first seven weeks of the season, when they blitzed on only 17 percent of opposing dropbacks -- the second-lowest rate in the NFL. I'll have more on that approach in a bit.

DENVER -- Some thoughts on the Detroit Lions' 45-10 demolition of the Denver Broncos:

What it means: As forcefully as possible, the Lions turned the page after a two-game losing streak. They head into their bye in excellent position at 6-2.

Defensive dominance: The Lions had two defensive touchdowns for the second time this season. (The first was in Week 4 against the Dallas Cowboys.) Defensive end Cliff Avril forced a Tim Tebow fumble and returned it 24 yards for a score in the third quarter and Chris Houston had a 100-yard interception return in the fourth quarter. Houston now has a career-high four interceptions this season. Tebow had a miserable game in his own right, but the Lions' pressure (seven sacks, including two from Avril) had something to do with that.

Offensive dominance: Quarterback Matthew Stafford showed no ill effects from a right ankle injury, completing his first seven passes and throwing for 269 yards and three touchdowns over three quarters. Again, the Broncos' incompetence should at least be noted. Rookie Titus Young didn't have a Broncos defender within 20 yards of him on a 41-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter. But Stafford threw a beautiful 56-yard scoring pass down the left sideline to receiver Calvin Johnson and made a nice personal comeback after two down weeks. Stafford appeared shaken up in his final series, but with a bye week looming, he has plenty of time to heal from this game.

MegatronWatch: Johnson's touchdown, one of six receptions he made for 125 yards, was his 11th of the season. Johnson joined Randy Moss (2007) as the only player since the 1970 merger to catch 11 touchdown passes over the first eight games of the season. Frank Clarke had 12 touchdowns through eight games in 1962 for the Dallas Cowboys, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

Tebowing: Two Lions players "Tebowed" after big plays, setting off at least a few NFC North blog Twitter followers who considered it a disrespectful attempt to mock Tebow. I'm not sure about that but am open to your thoughts. Linebacker Stephen Tulloch struck the pose after a sack and tight end Tony Scheffler incorporated the move into a touchdown celebration. I guess it technically mocked Tebow's prayer post, but I'm not sure if we need to launch a congressional investigation about it.

What's next: The Lions return Nov. 13 at Soldier Field against the Chicago Bears.

DENVER -- A few halftime thoughts from Sports Authority Stadium at Mile High:

• The Detroit Lions have rebounded nicely from consecutive losses to dominate the Denver Broncos here in the first two quarters. The Lions have been slow starters even in most of their victories this season, so I would say this has been their best first half of the season.
• Context is important, of course, and it's only fair to note the Broncos have been bumbling all over the field. Quarterback Tim Tebow has been sacked almost as many times (three) as he has completions (four). And the Broncos' pass defense has been largely nonexistent. Case in point: The Broncos didn't have a defender within 20 yards of rookie receiver Titus Young on a 41-yard touchdown play in the first quarter. It's rare that you see a receiver that wide open in the NFL.
• The Broncos' only score was set up by Lance Ball's 34-yard run in the second quarter. Fortunately for the Lions, Ball has only two carries in the first half.
• Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is having his best game in at least three weeks, having completed his first seven passes and showing no evidence of a right ankle injury that limited his practice time this week. Stafford has completed 16 of 22 passes for 191 yards and two scores and also had a career-high 21-yard run in the first quarter. The Lions have outgained the Broncos 271-96 and have 17 first downs compared to the Broncos' four.
• Two Lions players have gotten in on the Tebowing craze that figures to die down after a few more games like this. Linebacker Stephen Tulloch struck the pose after a sack, and tight end Tony Scheffler incorporated it into a multi-tiered touchdown celebration that also included a Mile High salute. (Don't ask.)

» NFC Final Word: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

Five nuggets knowledge about Week 8:

This is the Chiefs’ chance: The Chiefs have a chance to pad their record. They have fought their way to 3-3 after starting 0-3, and if they beat the Chargers on Monday night, there will be a three-way tie for first place in the AFC West between the Chiefs, Chargers and Raiders (who are on a bye this week) at 4-3. The San Diego game is the start of a three-game home stretch for the Chiefs. After the Chargers, the Chiefs host the Dolphins and Broncos. It is crucial for the Chiefs to win as many games as possible in this stretch. Their schedule gets incredible tough after that. It begins a five-game stretch (games 10-15) in which Kansas City plays five 2010 playoffs teams, including the four teams that advanced to the conference championship round.

Air Tebow: According to ESPN Stats & Information, Denver quarterback Tim Tebow is averaging 13.3 air yards per pass attempt this season and 12.3 air yards per attempt for his career. He has played four and a half career games. Since the start of 2010, no quarterback with at least 100 attempts has a higher average rate than Tebow.

Another Monday night monsoon? This is the second straight year these two teams played on Monday night at Arrowhead. Last year, the Chiefs beat the Chargers in Week 1, which opened the renovated Arrowhead Stadium. Much of the game was played in a monsoon. The Chargers’ offense was completely flustered by the weather. Will it happen again? The long-term Kansas City forecast calls for clear weather Monday.

The power of Tolbert: The Chargers’ favorite red-zone target (especially with tight end Antonio Gates out three games due to a foot injury) has been running back Mike Tolbert. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Tolbert is tied with former Charger Darren Sproles, who signed with New Orleans this summer, for running backs with 10 targeted passes in the red zone. Tolbert has seven catches for 35 yards and two scores in the red zone. Tolbert is active in the red zone on the ground as well. He is tied for the league lead with 15 rushes on goal-to-go carries. He has three touchdowns in those situations.

The return of Scheffler: Many Denver fans rue the trades of Jay Cutler, Peyton Hillis and Brandon Marshall, all made by former coach Josh McDaniels. Denver fans will see another offensive player discarded by McDaniels on Sunday when tight end Tony Scheffler and Detroit come to town. A favorite of McDaniels’ predecessor Mike Shanahan, who drafted Scheffler in the second round in 2006, Scheffler was caught in McDaniels’ doghouse and was traded to his home state of Michigan last year. The Lions love Scheffler, and he has become a key part of a potent offense.

Getting inside the NFC North Friday injury report:

Chicago Bears: All players are probable for Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers except for offensive lineman Gabe Carimi (knee) and defensive lineman Matt Toeaina (knee). Still, receiver Earl Bennett (chest) seems unlikely to play. Safety Major Wright (hip) might give way to veteran Chris Harris in the starting lineup.

Detroit Lions: The Lions officially ruled out running back Jahvid Best (concussion) for Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons, to no one's surprise. The good news: Linebacker Justin Durant and tight end Tony Scheffler, both of who whom have been dealing with concussions, are listed as probable. Durant has missed the past three games.

Green Bay Packers: Defensive tackle Ryan Pickett was added to the injury list Friday because of a concussion and is questionable for Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings. Packers coach Mike McCarthy indicated that Pickett should be cleared for the game, which would be a quick recovery. Cornerback Sam Shields is doubtful because of a concussion and isn't expected to play.

Minnesota Vikings: It looks like the Vikings will be missing two of their four starting defensive backs for Sunday's game. Cornerback Antoine Winfield (neck) and safety Jamarca Sanford (concussion) are both listed as doubtful. So is center John Sullivan (concussion). Chris Cook would continue starting for Winfield. Tyrell Johnson would start for Sanford and Joe Berger for Sullivan.

DETROIT -- A few important NFC North notes from the inactive lists for Sunday's early games:

• The Detroit Lions will have safety Amari Spievey in the starting lineup against the San Francisco 49ers. He missed last week's game against the Chicago Bears because of a hamstring injury.
• Will Heller will start for Lions tight end Tony Scheffler (concussion).
• Lions receiver/special-teams ace Rashied Davis (foot) is active for the first time in a month.
• As expected, the Green Bay Packers will have Bryan Bulaga (knee) back at right tackle and will start Marshall Newhouse at left tackle.

This season, we discussed the Green Bay Packers' startlingly effective play-action game, one that succeeds even as the Packers rank among the NFL's bottom third in rushing production. Now let's take a look at an even more extreme example: The Detroit Lions.

The Lions rank No. 24 overall with an average of 95.8 yards rushing per game, a spot boosted by Jahvid Best's 88-yard scoring run last Monday night. (Without that run, the Lions would rank No. 30 out of 32 teams.) The Lions, however, have done a decent job maintaining their play-calling balance despite their low production, ranking No. 20 with 121 rushing attempts this season and putting themselves in a credible position to employ play-action in select spots.

Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford has thrown 30 play-action passes, according to ESPN Stats & Information. That's the 12th-fewest in the NFL, but Stafford has completed 24 of them for an NFL-high 80 percent completion rate. Three of his 13 touchdowns have come on play-action, and he has the highest passer rating (150.4) and Total Quarterback Rating (97.5) on play-action passes in the league.

As you know, I'm always amazed when teams can pull off play-action without a threatening running game. One of the Lions' secrets is to employ play-action out of their well-used shotgun formation. Another is, quite simply, to pick their spots well.

An example of the latter came early in the third quarter Monday night, when the Lions capitalized on the confusion following Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher's 15-yard penalty for unnecessary roughness. The penalty had added 15 yards to tight end Tony Scheffler's 12-yard reception, moving the ball from the Bears' 45-yard line to their 18.

The Lions went to a no-huddle offense, putting the Bears' defense on their heels to begin with, and Stafford took a rare snap from underneath center. He faked a handoff to Best, turned to throw and found tight end Brandon Pettigrew behind Urlacher and linebacker Lance Briggs for an easy touchdown. At the moment, Best had carried only four times for 13 yards in the game. But both Urlacher and Briggs bit on the fake, taking an initial step toward the line of scrimmage before retreating into coverage.

By Lions standards, the play was extraordinarily unique. Stafford has thrown only 23 of his 187 passes this season (12.2 percent) following a snap from under center. (The rest have been from the shotgun.) And as we've already noted, the Pettigrew score was one of only 30 play-action passes (16 percent) this season.

Faced with a no-huddle, a rare play-action and an even more rare snap under center, the Bears predictably were several steps behind. Advantage, Lions.

TAMPA, Fla. -- A few thoughts after an eventful first half at Raymond James Stadium:

• The Tampa Bay Buccaneers should feel fortunate to trail by seven points, and to be getting the ball to start the second half. The Detroit Lions have outgained them 324-108 and have 16 first downs to the Bucs' seven. The Bucs' only touchdown came off a pass tipped by Lions' tight end Will Heller and into the arms of cornerback Aqib Talib, and they needed a 78-yard kickoff return to put them in position for one of their field goals.
• That said, the Lions have set themselves up for second-half success by possessing the ball for 21 minutes and 45 seconds. They've also run 41 plays to the Bucs' 23. On a hot and steamy day, that type of disparity cane make a difference late in the game.
• Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford has made a few mistakes, but overall you would have to call a 265-yard first half a success. The Lions had a delay of game under his watch, he dropped a shotgun snap to thwart one play and he overthrew receiver Calvin Johnson in the second quarter. Two other passes -- the interception to Talib and a near-interception on a pass to Jahvid Best -- put his receivers in tough spots. But his 37-yard touchdown pass to receiver Johnson on fourth down, which Talib appeared to tip but couldn't knock down, was a thing of beauty. He kept an 11-yard scoring pass to tight end Tony Scheffler appropriately low to prevent an interception, and he could have had a third touchdown pass had tight end Brandon Pettigrew not dropped an easy one in the first quarter.
• The Lions' pass defense has been sharp. Quarterback Josh Freeman has managed only 98 yards through the air. Cornerback Chris Houston made a physical interception in the end zone to end one drive, and nickel back Aaron Berry broke up a potential touchdown pass late in the second quarter. Safety Louis Delmas, meanwhile, made a nice breakup of a third-down pass.
• Who liked Scheffler's touchdown celebration? It appeared he was mimicking a swashbuckling pirate in the home of the Buccaneers. Not bad on the creativity scale.

In which we look ahead to preseason football in the NFC North over the next two days. I'll post a dedicated preview Monday afternoon for the Chicago Bears' game at the New York Giants, to be televised Monday night on ESPN.

Detroit Lions
Opponent: Cleveland Browns
Location: Cleveland Browns Stadium
Day/Time: Friday/7:30 p.m. ET
Personnel notes: Starters could play into the second quarter but coach Jim Schwartz will determine that based on snaps and possessions. ... Tight end Tony Scheffler won't play because he has stitches in his hand, but tight end Brandon Pettigrew should return from an ankle injury that caused him to miss the preseason opener. ... Safety/special-teams ace John Wendling (knee) could be held out, but Schwartz would not dismiss the possibility of an appearance by either of his starting cornerbacks, Chris Houston and Eric Wright. Both have been nursing leg injuries this week.
Focal point: Quarterback Matthew Stafford did everything you could have hoped for last Friday against the Cincinnati Bengals, throwing for two touchdown passes among seven attempts. Except for one thing. Unless I missed it, he didn't take a significant hit. Obviously no team wants its quarterback battered in the preseason, but it's going to happen some time for Stafford. There is some significance to taking the first hit after a long injury recovery, popping back up and symbolically moving on.

Green Bay Packers
Opponent: Arizona Cardinals
Location: Lambeau Field
Day/Time: Friday/8 p.m. ET
Personnel notes: Linebacker Clay Matthews' hamstring injury probably will get a rest Friday night. After all, he's done pretty well in his career with limited preseason work. It's hard to imagine defensive end Mike Neal (knee) or running back James Starks (ankle) playing. ... On the flip side, tight end Jermichael Finley, running back Alex Green and the team's top three cornerbacks -- Charles Woodson, Tramon Williams and Sam Shields -- should get on the field. ... Some starters could play a half this week.
Focal point: While their former left guard is in a Cardinals uniform, the Packers will continue their tryout for his replacement. Veteran T.J. Lang will get the start in his quest to beat out rookie Derek Sherrod and replace Daryn Colledge. Not unexpectedly, Lang has provided a steadier presence during practices as well as in last week's preseason opener. Teams always prefer to get their first-round draft picks on the field, but Lang is probably better suited to start right now.

Minnesota Vikings
Opponent: Seattle Seahawks
Location: CenturyLink Field
Day/Time: Saturday/10 p.m. ET
Personnel notes: Coach Leslie Frazier expects starters to play into the second quarter. ... Receivers Percy Harvin (ribs) and Greg Camarillo (groin) won't play, giving significant opportunities a number of younger receivers, including Jaymar Johnson. ... Tight Visanthe Shiancoe (hamstring) and guard Anthony Herrera (knee) also aren't expected to play. ... Rookie quarterback Christian Ponder is expected to follow starter Donovan McNabb and work with the second team after serving as the No. 3 quarterback in last weekend's preseason opener.
Focal point: There's no question the Vikings would like to see progress from their offense, particularly the first team, after a three-point effort last weekend at Tennessee. Protection for McNabb is important, but quite frankly, the Vikings just need to find a way to sustain a few drives so they can practice their new scheme in a game environment.

I don't mind revealing my initial reaction Saturday when the Detroit Lions drafted Boise State receiver Titus Young with the No. 44 overall selection. Fun for fantasy players, but a luxury for the Lions.

Maybe you thought the same about a team that already counts Calvin Johnson, Nate Burleson, Jahvid Best, Brandon Pettigrew and Tony Scheffler among its pass-catchers. The Lions, after all, threw for the 12th-most yardage in the league (3,810) last season. Selecting a wide receiver in the top third of the second round, immediately preceding a six-player run that included two defensive backs and three offensive linemen, seemed confusing at best.

With that said, I don't mind divulging my "upon-further-review" reaction. The Lions needed a receiver like Young more than most of us probably realized.

In reality, despite their previously noted weapons, the Lions had one of the NFL's least explosive passing games in 2010. Their team average of 6.3 yards per attempt was the fourth-worst in the NFL. They ranked in the league's bottom third in total passes of more than 20 and more than 40 yards. ESPN Stats & Information tracked totals of 30-plus yard receptions. The Lions didn't have a receiver among the top 20.

Enter Young, who averaged 17.1 yards per reception last season at Boise State and who has been compared by at least one prominent draft analyst to Philadelphia Eagles playmaker DeSean Jackson. Young isn't quite as fast as Jackson, having run an official 4.43 in the 40-yard dash, but he has a similarly shifty 174-pound frame and natural instincts for getting downfield.

Lions coach Jim Schwartz said he didn't want to "pigeon-hole" Young as a "field-stretcher," but the Lions clearly believe he brings that dimension.

"[W]e have a very defined role for what he can do for this football team," Schwartz said. "He's an explosive player. By explosive, I mean by 20-yard gains or more. [He is] natural catching the ball. Probably one of the most natural receivers in this draft. [He has] skills to go out and create separation. He fits very well with the other pieces that we have on offense, so we were really excited to get him into this spot."

Many of you might wonder why Johnson hasn't filled that role in recent seasons. After all, he entered the NFL in 2007 with an inhuman combination of a 6-foot-5, 235-pound frame and a 40 time of 4.35 seconds.

Opponents can read that scouting report too, and it's been relatively rare when Johnson hasn't faced some form of a bracket coverage that keeps a safety over the top and discourages deep passes to him.

Under offensive coordinator Scott Linehan, the Lions have focused more on getting the ball in his hands -- wherever the defense will allow it -- rather than forcing low-percentage deep shots. As a result, Johnson has caught 144 passes in 29 games over that span, but only seven of them have gone for more than 40 yards.

The receivers the Lions have paired him with since 2009, Bryant Johnson and Burleson, are both intermediate-range targets at this point in their careers. As you can see in the chart, Lions wide receivers combined for eight receptions of 30 or more yards in 2010. For context, consider that the Green Bay Packers' Greg Jennings finished tied for the league lead with 15 on his own.

Bryant Johnson might not return in 2011, but the Lions envision Young stepping in as their No. 3 receiver and going places that neither Calvin Johnson nor Burleson has taken them.

"The guy is an explosive playmaker," general manager Martin Mayhew said. "He's a stick of dynamite. He's got speed. He's got great hands. ... He's got a role on offense right now. He's probably going to have the opportunity to step in as our third guy. We haven't had great production from that spot in the last couple of years and we feel that Titus is the guy that can step in and solve that problem for us."

That's a role Jackson filled to perfection when the Eagles drafted him in 2008, and in three seasons no receiver with at least 100 receptions has averaged more than Jackson's 18.3 yards per catch. With anywhere close to that kind of impact, the Lions' offense would progress from dangerous to feared. It's nice to be able to drive the ball downfield, but all really good offenses have the ability to score quickly and from any point on the field.

Along the way, I think Lions fans are going to enjoy getting to know Young -- who wanted no part of suggestions that he will be a "poor-man's DeSean Jackson."

"I've never been another man's nothing," Young told Detroit-area reporters. "I've always known that I've been Titus Young from Day 1. My mother named me Titus Demetrius Young. She didn't name me nothing else and I know what I was. I know who I am and I know as people are going to compare you to people but God made me to be me and he made me to be Titus Demetrius Young. You can compare me all you want to, but I'm no man's poor man.

"My initials my whole life has been T.D. Young; so it's been Titus Demetrius Young -- 'Touchdown' Young. So I just feel like football is just me ever since I was born and now I can go play some more football with Detroit."

Most teams would love a speedy downfield threat. The Lions, as it turns out, needed one.

Something has been missing from my life, and perhaps yours as well. Our extended postseason run and an unusual start to the offseason has delayed a follow-up I've been meaning to write for some time. So while we have a moment, let's finally restore order around here.

One of our primary themes for the 2010 season was the NFC North's response to its precedent-setting passing numbers in 2009. In a pre-training camp post, we suggested the division race would turn on the degree to which each team's pass defense could catch up to our passing offenses.

Would the Chicago Bears' acquisition of defensive end Julius Peppers pay off? How much better would the Detroit Lions' pass rush be with their retooled defensive line, one that now included a former Pro Bowl defensive end (Kyle Vanden Bosch) and the No. 2 overall pick of the draft (defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh)? Would the Minnesota Vikings sustain their historic passing efficiency of 2009 while improving their own pass defense? Could the Green Bay Packers straighten out the personnel shortage that led to an epic collapse in the wild-card playoffs?

Our theory: The most effective response would clinch the division and, perhaps more. And although there were a few exceptions here and there, the end result proved illuminating.


As the charts show, the Bears won the NFC North after making a 24-spot jump in the NFL's rankings for defensive passer rating. The Packers, who fielded the league's best pass defense and No. 3 passing offense based on quarterback rating, won Super Bowl XLV. The Vikings improved their pass defense, but the collapse of their passing offense was the single biggest factor in their 6-10 record. Finally, the Lions' progression in both categories mirrored their four-victory improvement from 2009.

Sorry, run-and-run-defense enthusiasts. Success in today's NFL requires efficient passing and pass defense. Passer rating isn't a perfect common evaluator, but I like it better than the NFL's traditional measure using total yards. And as Kerry Byrne of Football Facts points out, defensive passer rating is one of the most reliable indicators of championship-caliber teams.

"This game is made for offensive players, I think," Packers general manager Ted Thompson said recently. "The rules are, and all that kind of stuff."

In turn, any team that can take either special advantage of those rules and make headway against them on defense -- or both -- figures to be in the playoff conversation. So let's take this quiet moment in the NFL offseason to measure each NFC North team through the passing lens. Where are they and how can they improve?

Chicago Bears

Quarterback Jay Cutler threw 10 fewer interceptions in 2010 after getting assimilated into Mike Martz's offense, and the entire team figures to benefit from its familiarity with Martz's system. With that said, I see two pass-related areas the Bears should focus on this year: Pass protection and interior pass rush.

The Bears gave up an NFL-high 56 sacks last season, a figure that doesn't directly apply to passer rating but assuredly affects a quarterback's accuracy and decision-making over time. In a recent interview with the Bears' website, coach Lovie Smith noted "the number of hits Jay took this past season." On many levels, the Bears need to enter 2011 with a better Week 1 plan for their offensive line.

Meanwhile, the release of defensive tackle Tommie Harris reminds us the Bears don't have an established interior pass-rusher who has typically defined their defense. Matt Toeaina, who replaced Harris in the starting lineup last season, was credited with two sacks.

Detroit Lions

The Lions are hoping that Vanden Bosch returns at full strength following neck surgery. If so, their biggest pass-related need this offseason is continuing to rebuild their cornerback position. They did not re-sign starter Chris Houston before last week's deadline, but it's possible he could return to the team after testing the free-agent market. At the moment, however, the Lions have only two established cornerbacks under contract: Alphonso Smith and Nate Vasher.

Meanwhile, the Lions have acknowledged the need to improve at their No. 3 receiver position. Although they can mitigate this issue with the smart use of tight ends Brandon Pettigrew and Tony Scheffler, the Lions' offense would take a substantial hit if either Calvin Johnson or Nate Burleson were forced from the lineup for an extended period. Bryant Johnson and Derrick Williams combined for a substandard 21 receptions last season.

Green Bay Packers

Thompson will need to sort out his receiver depth in anticipation of James Jones' pending free agency. Jones said Monday he wants to be a starter, an indication that he will look to sign elsewhere when the market opens. The Packers could use Jordy Nelson as their unquestioned No. 3 receiver and seek further depth in the draft, a reasonable path that could make Jones' departure inevitable.

The Packers' other big challenge will be replacing defensive end Cullen Jenkins, who led their linemen with seven sacks despite missing five games because of injury. Jenkins is a pending free agent and appears set to move on. Rising second-year players Mike Neal and C.J. Wilson could vie for that job. Reviews on both players have been good, but are they seven-sack good? Another possibility is veteran Johnny Jolly, who has applied for reinstatement after a one-year suspension.

Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings might have more passing-game work ahead of them than the rest of the NFC North combined.

At the top of the list is finding short- and long-term answers at quarterback, a job that could require multiple acquisitions. Former Pro Bowl receiver Sidney Rice is a pending free agent and wants to test his value on the market, and last season ended with high-priced veteran Bernard Berrian as an afterthought. A significant rebuild of the receiving corps could be on the horizon.

Defensively, the Vikings probably are looking for two new starters on their defensive line. Left end Ray Edwards, who recorded 16.5 sacks over the past two seasons, appears set to move on in free agency. (Backup Brian Robison signed a new contract last week.) Nose tackle Pat Williams also isn't expected back.

Finally, the Vikings enter the offseason certain of only one starter in their secondary: cornerback Antoine Winfield. The health of fellow cornerback Cedric Griffin (knee) is uncertain, and at the very least, safeties Madieu Williams and Husain Abdullah will have to earn their starting jobs in training camp.

A few thoughts on a historic day for the modern-day Detroit Lions:

What it means: The Lions (4-10) snapped their NFL-record streak of 26 consecutive road losses with an overtime victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Kicker Dave Rayner tied the game with two seconds remaining in regulation with a 28-yard field goal and won it after the first possession in overtime on a 34-yarder. The Lions' last road victory was on Oct. 28, 2007 at Chicago. They have now won consecutive games for the first time since defeating the Denver Broncos one week after that 2007 victory over the Bears.

Fourth-quarter turnaround: In nine of their 10 losses this season, the Lions were either ahead or trailing by no more than five points in the fourth quarter. In other words, they were in every game and felt they were a play or two away from turning the tide in these close games. So it's worth noting they have won consecutive games by a total of seven points. They are finding ways to close out games.

What I liked: Tell the truth. You thought this game was over after kicker Connor Barth drilled a 26-yard field goal to give the Bucs a 20-17 lead with 1 minute, 44 seconds remaining. But quarterback Drew Stanton displayed all kinds of moxie on the ensuing drive, hitting receiver Bryant Johnson for 19 yards, Calvin Johnson for 23 and tight end Tony Scheffler for 12 to get Rayner in comfortable field position. Credit goes to Stanton and Calvin Johnson for the 12-yard play that got Rayner in position for the overtime kick. Johnson finished 10 receptions for 152 yards.

What else I liked: Tailback Maurice Morris had his second 100-yard day since joining the Lions, and his 26-yard run on the first play of overtime set the tone for the drive.

I also liked: Receiver Nate Burleson pushed Bucs cornerback E.J. Biggers the final five yards at the end of his 10-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter. Burleson isn't the NFL's biggest receiver, but obviously you can't tackle him high when he sniffs the end zone.

What I didn't like: Conservatively, I counted six missed tackles on the pair of long runs (37 and 29 yards) from Bucs tailback LeGarrette Blount.

What's next: The Lions will try to make it three in a row on their second consecutive trip to the state of Florida. This time, their targets will be the Miami Dolphins. Next Sunday. Sun Life Stadium. Be there.