Used to Disappointment

To be completely honest, if I had to sum up my life as a Lions fan in one word, it would be disappointment. That is exactly what I felt this past Monday when the Lions lost to the New York Jets, 44-17. Week one of the NFL season is always marked on my calender from the moment the previous season ends. There is always so much anticipation for the new year, and a fresh slate where every team has a chance to win the Superbowl, except the Browns, they got their own issues. Excitement was especially high this year after keeping most, if not all key offensive and defensive players on the team and only added talent and got better. There was also a lot of commotion for Lions new head coach, Matt Patricia. Patrica has been in New England as the Defensive Coordinator for the past five years and has been in that organization since 2004. When Detroit hired him after last season for the head coaching job, many people had hopes that he would be able to bring the same winning culture that is in place in New England to Detroit. Those hopes were dampened a bit after a huge loss to the Jets in week one. The expectations were that Detroit, a more proven and experienced team, would dominate against the Jets who were being led by rookie quarterback Sam Darnold. In fact, on the first play of the game, Darnold threw an interception to defensive back Quandre Diggs who returned it 37 yards for a touchdown.

I thought the game was over at this point. Rookie quarterbacks first throw turns out to be a pick six, no way he's going to bounce back from that very quickly. I was later proven wrong when two drives later, Jets march down the field and tie the game up at 7 a piece. Lions get the ball back and Mathew Stafford throws and interception, and Jets end up with a field goal. Lions again get the ball back, and again Stafford throws a pick on back to back drives. Luck goes Stafford's way though as immediately after the pick, the Jets player fumbles the ball and Detroit recovers. Lions, who have regained control of the ball attempt and miss a field goal. The fans at Ford Field begin to boo the home team. After what seemed like forever, halftime finally came. I was nervious, hoping we could come out of the tunnel more collected than we were in the first half. First drive of the game Lions march down the field and score a touchdown and ties the game at 17. Thats when the game goes completly down hill. Stafford contiues to throw 2 more picks and end the game with 4. Jets humiliate the Lions, beating them by 27 points, and not allowing them to score after the opening drive in the second half. Next week Detroit will try to bounce back against the San Fransisco 49ers on Sunday at 4:05 PM. They will be facing quaterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who also stuggled last week throwing 3 interceptions himself. Many Lions fans, including me are really hoping this past week was only a lack of preparedness and that they will bounce back next week and get a win.