By Ashley VanOchten / @ashleyvanochten
DETROIT, Mich. — It was another Sunday in the NFL world as the Detroit Lions battled the Arizona Cardinals in an attempt to snatch their first win of the season. The team was hungry and looked like they were ready to battle as the game went from a high to a series of lows. For their first win, they will have to wait at least another week.
Early in the 1st quarter, Calvin Johnson, became the Lions all-time receptions leader in Lions history with a nine-yard grab, his 671st reception. He topped Herman Moore who previously had the the franchise record. Shortly after that positive celebration, Stafford connected with Theo Riddick for the Lions first touchdown of the game as they took an early lead. Ford Field held a roar as the Lions began to prove how bad they wanted to win this for their fans.
The Cardinals proceeded to tie it up shortly after when Palmer connected to Darren Fells for the 14-yard touchdown pass. A near pick-six followed when Stafford threw another interception. One play later the Cardinals took a 14-7 lead with that touchdown. The game had two themes Sunday evening: turnovers and interceptions. Arizona held cruised to a 28-7 lead going into the half.
As the 2nd half got underway, Stafford threw another interception and this is when the atmosphere in the stadium began to change. Lions fans immediately stand up with their arms in the air. Some turned and left the game while others stared at the field and booed their own quarterback Matthew Stafford. After that, the Cardinals got another touchdown to lead 35-7. No surprise as Stafford was benched in the 3rd quarter after his third interception of the game. The Lions then turned to their backup Dan Orlovsky.
Lions fans looked onto the field with one last hope in their hearts for the Lions to hold some pride and finish the game strong. Matt Prater kicked a field goal, but the Lions were still down 25 points. The Cardinals snagged another touchdown as Andre Ellington ran 63 yards for the score. Dramatic as it may sound, fans ran to the exit signs at this point in the game as they watched the game crumble before them. Orlovsky connected with Lance Moore for a 13-yard touchdown as the game ended 42-17, the Lions fifth straight loss to start the season.
Detroit had six turnovers in the game and continue to remain the only team in the NFL without a win yet this season, something Lions fans have trouble hearing.
After the game, Golden Tate gave his opinion on the fans who left or spent their game booing the team off the field.
“You know, I’m the first to say I love our fans,” Tate said. “I think our fans are amazing and they’ve been patient for a long time. But, before the game got out of hand, before the game started, I looked up and there were a lot of empty seats. Early on, our team is getting booed. Later in the game, it sounded like the loudest was when Stafford was leaving the game and Dan was coming in.”
Disappointment came from him as well as other Lions players in the locker room. The team was not pleased with their performance as well as the attitude given off by the fans. They want pride in their team and want their fans to have pride in them as they push for their first win next week.
“Overall it was disappointing and embarrassing and we have to be better,” Lions head coach Jim Caldwell said.
The Chicago Bears are up next this Sunday at 1 p.m. Detroit will want to prove to themselves and their fans that they won’t stand for these losing ways. Don’t close the door on the Lions as they continue to push forward.
Joique Bell put it best sayd, “there’s a lot of football left to play.”
