The Detroit Lions snagged a 31-30 overtime victory against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, but don’t let that final score fool ya, 12s. ESPN’s own Stephen A. Smith ain’t buying the hype, and he just laid into the Lions’ defense with some seriously harsh words. Why? Because they let a massive 21-point lead vanish into thin air, turning what should have been a cruise control win into a nail-biting, one-point overtime escape. A win is a win, sure, but what does it really mean when you almost choke it away?
Stephen A. Is “Flat-Out Worried” About That Defense, And So Should Detroit Be
You win a game, and then a powerhouse like Stephen A. Smith is “very, very concerned” about your team? That’s gotta sting. The dude went on “First Take” and absolutely didn’t mince words about the Lions’ opening season performance. His big beef? They gave up that colossal 21-point advantage against the Saints! Imagine being up big, feeling good, then suddenly it’s tied 24-24! Smith hammered it home, saying, “Yeah, you won a game, but you were up 21 to nothing. You gave up that lead.” For him, the main concern for the Lions is their defense, no question. Yeah, they managed to get 5 sacks and forced a few turnovers, which is technically an improvement from last year. But blowing a lead like that just screams trouble, doesn’t it? It means every single play is going to be under a microscope now.
Potent Offense, Problem Defense: Is Their Season Already on the Brink?
Smith acknowledges that the Lions’ offense is still “potent without Ben Johnson,” which is something for Detroit fans to cling to. But then there’s that defense. He’s convinced it has “fallen off as far as I am concerned; at least it did last year.” And honestly, that kind of performance makes you wonder. He brings up how just “a couple of years ago,” people were looking at the Lions and actually thinking this team “could go all the way.” Now? “Now, we’re wondering whether they can win the division and make the playoffs.” That’s a brutal gut-punch right out of the gate, going from championship dreams to just wondering if they can even make the postseason after one game. This kind of collapse in an opener changes the narrative lightning fast, piling all the pressure onto their next matchup.
Lions Face Bills, While Our Hawks Are Dialing In for a Strong Start
So, the stakes are sky-high for Detroit. Smith says they “absolutely need a win” against the Buffalo Bills on Thursday. After a performance like that, letting a 21-point lead slide, that Thursday night game is going to be a huge test for their mental toughness as much as their defensive scheme. You just can’t afford another slip-up. Meanwhile, back here in the Emerald City, our own Seahawks are making moves! The news just dropped that the Seahawks are making a final Sam Darnold decision ahead of their Cardinals game, meaning our guy Darnold is locked and loaded. We’ll be watching how that plays out, ready to back our Hawks for a strong start to the season, no matter what.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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