Takeaways from Lions' 37-31 Overtime Loss to Seahawks
The Detroit Lions were welcomed home to a sea of blue at Ford Field.
With several loyal supporters donning ski masks, Detroit's home crowd was amped and ready to cheer on a team that has become the talk of the NFL.
The challenge was formidable, as expected. The Seattle Seahawks did everything in their power to avoid starting their season with an 0-2 record.
Decibel levels at Ford Field reached near all-time highs, with fans doing everything in their power to will on their team.
Unfortunately, the Seahawks spoiled the Detroit party, defeating the Lions in front of a capacity crowd in overtime.
Here are several takeaways from the Lions' 37-31 overtime loss to the Seahawks.
Officials were ready to call penalties
Officials wanted to be part of the story early in the Lions' home opener. Alex Kemp's crew, known for tossing a high volume of flags, lived up to the billing early in the game.
Before the game, supporters were quite concerned, as a game officiated poorly could impact the outcome.
Early in the game, officials called three penalties on the Lions, including a questionable pass interference on Jerry Jacobs in the end zone.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson, meanwhile, incurred an unsportsmanlike penalty for shoving after making a tackle for loss. These two penalties directly led to the Seahawks taking a 7-0 lead.
With less than 5:00 in the second half, the officials questionably called Kerby Joseph for a defensive pass interference. Replays clearly showed DK Metcalf improperly gaining an advantage by grabbing the young safety's face mask. Instead of penalizing the Seahawks, the officials called offsetting penalties.
Lions battle injuries all throughout the game
The Lions were hit early with injuries, as Joseph, Alim McNeill and Gardner-Johnson each missed some action early in the first half.
Luckily, none of the injuries kept players out for the entire game.
Joseph, Detroit's talented young safety, left the field on a cart after colliding with Seahawks wideout D.K. Metcalf. He was listed as questionable to return, but was able to contribute after dealing with a hip injury.
Gardner-Johnson had his arm looked at early in the first quarter, but was able to return to action, along with McNeill.
David Montgomery, Halapoulivaati Vaitai and Amon-Ra St. Brown all received medical attention in the second half.
Jared Goff's interception streak over
Goff has been quite fond of playing at home, regularly tossing multiple touchdown passes within the confines of Ford Field.
Goff's 22-yard touchdown pass to Josh Reynolds, to tie the score, was the 14th consecutive game the veteran has thrown a touchdown pass at Ford Field, establishing a new franchise record.
Detroit's offense quickly answered the Seahawks, tying the game on a seven-play, 75-yard drive of its own that took 3:15 off the clock.
Detroit took the lead with less than 5:00 in the first half, when Ben Johnson dialed up a flea-flicker. Rookie Jahmyr Gibbs tossed the football back to Goff, who was able to connect with Kalif Raymond. Raymond proceeded to burst pass Seattle's secondary for a 36-yard score.
The passer eventually had his interception less streak snapped in the fourth quarter, when he was picked off by Tre Brown, who returned it for a touchdown to extend Seattle's lead to 10.
However, he bounced back by leading a touchdown drive to cut the deficit. He hit Reynolds for the duo's second touchdown connection.
David Montgomery fumble costly, rebounds quickly
Just prior to the half, Goff connected with with Amon-Ra St. Brown for a big gain, but Seattle forced the football loose, ending the half.
Coming out of the halftime break, Detroit's offense had the opportunity to extend their seven-point lead.
Unfortunately, David Montgomery turned the football over on the first snap of the second-half. Seattle's defense quickly pounced on the football and started with prime field position, deep in Detroit's territory.
After a Geno Smith completion of 20 yards to tight end Colby Parkinson, Walker scored his second touchdown of the game on the next play.
A Josh Reynolds pass-interference call on the next offensive drive in the red zone negated what would have been a touchdown toss for the veteran running back.
However, Montgomery was able to cap off Detroit's first offensive drive of the second-half with a four-yard touchdown that made the score 21-14.
He suffered an apparent leg injury in the second half and was carted to the locker room during the fourth quarter.
Lions' defense struggles to finish on pass-rush
Through two games, Detroit's pass-rushing unit has struggled to get home, despite many opportunities to record sacks.
The elusiveness of Mahomes and Geno Smith did play a role, but Detroit's lack of ability to close in and wrap up the veteran signal-caller extended drives and kept the Seahawks in the game.
Jerry Jacobs had a clear opportunity on a blitz call, but Smith stepped up to evade the rush.
The defensive line has been aggressive, to its credit. This finally paid off prior to the two-minute warning for the Lions. Alex Anzalone ended a lengthy scramble attempt by Smith, resulting in the first sack of the game.
As a result, the Lions got a short field for their final possession, and wound up tying the game at the end of regulation to send it to overtime.
In overtime, Seattle marched right down the field, after winning the coin toss, and scored the game-winning touchdown. It came on a short pass from Smith to Tyler Lockett.
Detroit returns to Ford Field next week to face the Atlanta Falcons.
