DETROIT -- The Lions talked all week about how much they needed to start faster. After getting shut out in the first half of two of their previous three games, and scoring just two field goals in the other, that seemed like a pretty smart approach.
Then they went out there on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals, and were shut out once again.
They trail just 10-0 thanks to some more magic from defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, who continues to generate stops with a defense that is outmanned at every level. They started two undrafted rookie cornerbacks against a passing attack that was top five in the league in yards per play, and allowed just one touchdown in the first half. They got another interception from Amani Oruwariye, his third in four weeks, plus a third-down sack by Julian Okwara, the first of his career. Jerry Jacobs forced a fumble and, outside of one play, has done a nice job neutralizing star rookie receiver Ja’Marr Chase. Tracy Walker nearly picked off a pass.
So many good plays. So many stops.
But they’re just not getting help from the offense. That’s not even hyperbole. The Lions net 1 yard in the entire first quarter -- yes, 1 -- while Jared Goff was still averaging negative yardage into the second quarter. He’s completed just 9 of 15 passes for 38 yards for the day overall.
His longest pass: Just10 yards, and even that was to his tight end T.J. Hockenson. His longest pass to a receiver: 6 yards to Kalif Raymond.
Of course, Goff would have had a downfield completion to Raymond, but Raymond lost that ball into the hands of a defender for an interception.
It’s really hard to win in the NFL without explosive plays, or when you’re turning over the football. Yet the Lions continue to have the fewest explosive plays in the NFL, while starting a quarterback who leads the league in fumbles and now has four picks.
And the first half continues to be a huge problem. On their last 21 first-half series, Detroit has 12 punts, three fumbles, one interception, two turnovers on down, one end-of-half, two field goals -- and no touchdowns of any kind, a drought that goes back all the way to Week 2.
No wonder they’re always playing from behind. And with an offense like this, no wonder they’re always losing.
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