SB Nation Detroit - Vikings vs. Lions: Detroit loses third game in a row with 20-13 defeat at homehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48919/detroit-fave.png2012-10-11T16:24:21-04:00http://detroit.sbnation.com/rss/stream/31717012012-10-11T16:24:21-04:002012-10-11T16:24:21-04:00Calvin Johnson suffered concussion against Vikes
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<figcaption>Tim Fuller-US PRESSWIRE - Presswire</figcaption>
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<p>Lions WR Calvin Johnson admitted this week that he sustained a concussion against the Vikings and kept playing.</p> <p>After taking a vicious hit from <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> linebacker <span>Chad Greenway</span> on Sept. 30, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> wide receiver <span>Calvin Johnson</span> was given and passed a concussion test, but the wideout revealed Thursday that <a href="http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2012/10/detroit_lions_wr_calvin_johnso_8.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+detroit-lions+%28Detroit+Lions+-+MLive.com%29">he believes he did indeed suffer a concussion because of the hit</a>.</p>
<p>In talking with 97.1 The Ticket in Michigan, the Lions star receiver admitted that he felt he did sustain a concussion, but continued to play. In talks with reports at practice Thursday, the receiver did not back down from his earlier comments, and revealed it was clear to him that he had suffered the dangerous brain injury despite passing tests.</p>
<p>"Yeah, you could tell. It was obvious," Johnson told reporters. "I said exactly what I meant, but I guess you could take it out of context. What I meant when I said you have to keep going is you can't be afraid to go over the middle. Not that you get concussed you have to keep playing."</p>
<p>Lions coach Jim Schwartz disagreed, saying the team's evaluation proved he was not concussed on the play.</p>
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<p><i>This story originally appeared <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2012/10/11/3489976/calvin-johnson-conussion-lions-vikings">on SBNation.com</a>.</i></p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/lions/2012/10/11/3490030/calvin-johnson-concussion-injury-lions-vikingsAsher Feldman2012-10-09T18:27:09-04:002012-10-09T18:27:09-04:00Only two Lions sat out of practice Tuesday
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<figcaption>Jonathan Daniel - Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Brandon Pettigrew and Corey Williams were the only Lions players who missed Tuesday's practice. </p> <p>The <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Lions</a> used their bye week to get healthy and prepare for a climb out of the NFC North basement. Only two Lions were held out of Tuesday's practice, according to <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSLions/status/255733528824803328" target="_blank">CBS Detroit's Twitter</a>:</p>
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<p>Rest does a body good. TE <span>Brandon Pettigrew</span> (undisclosed) and DT <span>Corey Williams</span> (knee) only players missing <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Lions">#Lions</a> practice</p>
— Lions RapidReports (@CBSLions) <a data-datetime="2012-10-09T18:16:39+00:00" href="https://twitter.com/CBSLions/status/255733528824803328">October 9, 2012</a>
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<p>Pettigrew did not practice Wednesday, and the team has not yet disclosed the nature of his injury. Williams had arthroscopic knee surgery in August and has not yet played this season.</p>
<p>CBS also <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSLions/status/255733531236519937" target="_blank">reported that safety Louis Delmas</a> was a participant in practice Tuesday. Delmas has not practiced since having surgery in August on his knee. The list of players who sat out last week's practices and participated Tuesday includes center <span>Dominic Raiola</span>, safety <span>John Wendling</span>, end <span>Cliff Avril</span>, linebacker <span>Stephen Tulloch</span>, and cornerback <span>Bill Bentley</span>.</p>
<p>The 1-3 Lions visit the 3-2 <a href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Philadelphia Eagles</a> on Sunday, Oct. 14 in a 1 p.m. ET game broadcast on Fox.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/lions/2012/10/9/3480856/lions-injury-report-2012Josh Brokaw2012-10-05T15:37:26-04:002012-10-05T15:37:26-04:00Detroit Lions defense ranks near bottom of NFL
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<p>The Detroit Lions secondary is tied for last in the NFL when it comes to snatching interceptions, and the defense as a whole is No. 26 in total points allowed. It has been a rough start to the 2012 season.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Lions</a> were expected to compete for a premium playoff spot in 2012, but a 1-3 start has people worried about whether things will turn around in time to make a postseason run. One big problem has been the defense, which currently ranks <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorystats?tabSeq=2&season=2012&seasonType=REG&role=OPP&d-447263-n=1&d-447263-o=1&d-447263-p=1&conference=ALL&defensiveStatisticCategory=TEAM_PASSING&d-447263-s=TOTAL_POINTS_SCORED">No. 26 in total points allowed (114)</a>, No. 26 in completion percentage allowed (66.1%) and No. 26 in QB rating allowed (101.3).</p>
<p>Perhaps the worst sign for the secondary is that they have yet to record an interception on the season -- they are tied for last in the NFL with the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders" class="sbn-auto-link">Oakland Raiders</a>. For reference, the <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Bears</a> lead the league with 11 interceptions. The Lions have only forced three total turnovers over four games.</p>
<p>The lack of turnovers is just another sign of the problems the team has faced in 2012. Detroit has gotten locked into early deficits that have allowed opponents to make safer throws to protect leads. A lot of things will need to change if the Lions are going to make a drastic turnaround.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/lions/2012/10/5/3461436/nfl-stats-interceptions-lionsSteve von Horn2012-10-04T16:15:44-04:002012-10-04T16:15:44-04:00Woeful Lions special teams costing Detroit wins
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<figcaption>Don McPeak-US PRESSWIRE - Presswire</figcaption>
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<p>The Detroit Lions are a disappointing 1-3 entering their Week 5 bye, and the play of Detroit's special teams unit has been a big part of the early season struggles.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> are a disappointing 1-3 entering their Week 5 bye, placing them in the cellar of the NFC North. The Lions have lost three games in a row since opening the season with a four-point win against St. Louis. The play of Detroit's special teams unit is a big part of the early season struggles, according to special teams coordinator Danny Crossman, <a href="http://www.freep.com/Article/20121004/SPORTS01/121004027/1049/Sports01?Utm_source=Feedburner&Utm_medium=Twitter&Utm_campaign=Feed%3A+FreepDetroitLions+%28freep.Com+%7C+Detroit+Lions%29">via Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press</a>:</p>
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<p>"I know that I have to get it done, whether it's personnel, whether it's what we're doing, how we're doing it.</p>
<p>"I'm a teacher. If you're a teacher, and half the kids are flunking your exams, you've got to find a way to teach the kids better. They're your kids. Teach them better. Find a way to get it done, and that's what I'm going to do."</p>
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<p>Crossman's unit allowed both a punt and kick return for touchdowns in consecutive games, becoming the first team since at least 1940 to do so, in back-to-back losses to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/">Tennessee Titans</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a>. Prior to coming to Detroit, Crossman held the same position with the Carolina Panthers and the Big Ten's Michigan State Spartans.</p>
<p>After this weekend's bye, Detroit will head to Philadelphia to take on <span>Michael Vick</span> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Eagles</a>. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET, with the game televised on FOX.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/lions/2012/10/4/3456588/danny-crossman-lions-special-teamsT.J. Doyle2012-10-03T13:28:32-04:002012-10-03T13:28:32-04:00Louis Delmas returns to Lions secondary
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<figcaption>Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE - Presswire</figcaption>
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<p>Lions' safety Louis Delmas returned to practice for the first time since July. </p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Lions</a>' safety <span>Louis Delmas</span> practiced with the team for the first time since July on Wednesday after recovering from knee surgery that he underwent on Aug. 7, <a href="http://blogs.detroitlions.com/2012/10/03/lions-get-louis-delmas-back-on-the-practice-field/" target="_blank">reports DetroitLions.com.</a></p>
<p>Delmas missed the last five games of the regular season last year and is yet to make his debut through four games this year. In the five games he missed last season, the Lions allowed 128 more passing yards and six more points per game.</p>
<p>So far this season, the Lions' pass defense ranks ninth in the league, giving up 213 yards per game. The Lions have lost three games in a row and are off to a 1-3 start without Delmas.</p>
<p>DetroitLions.com lists Delmas as "likely to play" on the road against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Philadelphia Eagles</a> this Sunday.</p>
<p>Safety Amari Spievey, who missed last Sunday's 20-13 loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> due to a groin injury, was also back at practice on Wednesday.</p>
<p><i>This story originally appeared at </i><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2012/10/3/3449562/louis-delmas-injury-detroit-lions">SB Nation</a><i>.</i></p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/lions/2012/10/3/3449696/louis-delmas-injury-update-detroit-lionsSB Nation NFL2012-10-02T13:44:12-04:002012-10-02T13:44:12-04:00Lions fall further down power rankings
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<figcaption>US PRESSWIRE - Presswire</figcaption>
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<p>The Detroit Lions continued to slip in the power rankings after dropping a game to the Minnesota Vikings.</p> <p>The Detroit Lions lost their third straight game, falling to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> in Week 4 by the score of 20-13. All of the Lions losses have been one possession games, which keeps them among the higher ranked one win teams but they still find themselves sliding down the power rankings.</p>
<p>In <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2012/10/2/3442748/nfl-power-rankings-week-5-texans-falcons-ravens">Joel Thorman's power rankings</a> at SB Nation, the Lions didn't drop any spots despite the loss but their prospects for the rest of this season were questioned:</p>
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<p>20. <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> (LW: 20, 1-3): At Philly after their bye. Then at Chicago. Is a 1-5 start coming?</p>
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<p>A 1-5 start looks possible and would ruin any hopes the Lions have about returning the playoffs this season. The biggest problem for the Lions thus far seems to be special teams, and the power rankings are taking note. At <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/powerrankings/_/year/2012/week/5">ESPN</a>, Detroit slipped two spots from 18th to 20th:</p>
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<p>Last year it was penalties. This year, special-teams breakdowns. Discipline is a recurring issue in Detroit.</p>
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<p><a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/powerRankings">Brian Billick at Fox Sports</a> noted similar problems as he dropped the Lions from 20th to 21st. At <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/20431881/power-rankings-vikings-a-pleasant-surprise-cowboys-lions-saints-surprisingly-beatable">CBS</a>, Detroit received its lowest ranking, coming in at 24th. And at <a href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000068555/article/week-5-power-poll-houston-texans-arent-budging?module=HP11_headline_stack">NFL.com</a> the Lions fell from 18th to 22nd. Overall that gives the Lions an average power ranking of 21.4. They have a bye this week to try figure out a solution to their special teams issues before they get back in action.</p>
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https://detroit.sbnation.com/lions/2012/10/2/3444198/nfl-power-rankings-week-5Jeff Briggs2012-10-01T19:25:41-04:002012-10-01T19:25:41-04:00Reactions from Lions' Week 4 loss to the Vikings
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<p>The <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Lions</a> are off to a 1-3 start, which has <a href="http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2012/9/30/3434304/lions-vikings-score-recap-2012" target="_blank">Pride Of Detroit's Sean Yuille calling for changes</a> to be made between now and when the Lions return to action in Week 6 against the <a href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Philadelphia Eagles</a>.</p>
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<p>A 1-3 start is inexcusable, and the Lions are just an absolute mess. Certainly they've been the victim of some bad luck, but that is not why they are 1-3. They are 1-3 because they are not a good team ... Changes need to be made, both from a coaching and personnel standpoint, if the Lions are going to get this season turned around and prevent it from being a wasted year. I certainly hope they use their bye week wisely.</p>
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<p>The Lions haven't lost a game by more than one score, so to say they're a "victim of some bad luck" is certainly valid.</p>
<p>On the Vikings' side of things, <a href="http://www.dailynorseman.com/2012/9/30/3434956/vikings-get-the-job-done" target="_blank">The Daily Norseman's Christopher Gates wants to sit back and enjoy</a> the unexpected success of Minnesota's young football team:</p>
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<p>The <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Minnesota Vikings</a> are 3-1, and in sole possession of first place in the NFC North for the first time in 1,001 days. And we, as fans, should be enjoying the heck out of it. After last season, nobody deserves to be pleasantly surprised more than we do.</p>
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<p>As Gates notes in the article, the Vikings beat a divisional foe for the first time in two years, and won their first road game within the division since <span>Brett Favre</span> beat the <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Green Bay Packers</a> in 2009.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/lions/2012/10/1/3440472/lions-vikings-2012Bryan Kilpatrick2012-10-01T15:28:48-04:002012-10-01T15:28:48-04:00Cliff Avril's back injury not serious
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<figcaption>Tim Fuller-US PRESSWIRE - Presswire</figcaption>
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<p>An MRI on Detroit Lions defensive end Cliff Avril's back revealed no serious injury</p> <p> </p>
<p>An MRI taken on <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> defensive end <span>Cliff Avril's</span> back showed nothing serious, <a href="https://twitter.com/JasonLaCanfora/status/252793666404491264">reports Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports</a>.</p>
<p>Avril was injured in the fourth quarter as he attempted to tackle <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> quarterback <span>Christian Ponder</span>. It was a non-contact injury. Avril walked off the field under his own power, but did not return to the game.</p>
<p>Avril has been a steady force on the Detroit Lions defensive line, and the positive MRI results come as a huge break for a team desperate to get back in the win column following three consecutive losses. Avril tallied 11 sacks in 16 games last season for Detroit and 8.5 sacks in 2010. Through four games this season, Avril has 1.5 sacks.</p>
<p>He should have adequate time to rest, as the Detroit Lions now head into their bye week. The Lions next contest comes against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Philadelphia Eagles</a> on Oct. 14.</p>
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<p><i>This story was originally posted at </i><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/2012/10/1/3438200/cliff-avril-injury-update-mri-lions" target="_blank">SB Nation</a><i>.</i></p>
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