Detroit Lions' loss puts an end to Darrell Bevell's head coach candidacy
Free Press sports writer Carlos Monarrez tackles the tough questions after the Detroit Lions' 31-24 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday at Ford Field.
What does this mean for Bevell’s candidacy as Lions head coach?
Bevell’s reign as the NFL’s only undefeated coach ends after one week — and so do his hopes of becoming the Lions’ next coach. Realistically, Bevell would have had to go 5-0 as interim coach this season to have a hope of getting the job. And even then, he would probably be a fairly unpopular choice — everyone wants a house cleaning from the Bob Quinn-Matt Patricia regime. But Bevell has gotten the team to play hard and compete in his first two games. I doubt Bevell will have a shot at any of the head coaching jobs during this hiring cycle, but if he keeps the Lions playing well he deserves a harder look.
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What did you think of the Lions’ performance?
Yes, the Lions lost to the Packers. But let’s call this game what it really was the for Lions: a moral victory. That the Lions could hang with these mighty Packers for most of the game was surprising and impressive. It was good to see rookie running back D’Andre Swift return from his medical issues and continue to be effective. And the short-handed defense did a good job containing Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams to keep the Lions’ offense within striking distance the whole game. Coach Darrell Bevell and his staff deserve credit for preparing the team to make such a close game of it against the NFC North champions.
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What was the most disappointing part of this game?
The Lions’ lone offensive series in the third quarter did them in. The Packers opened the second half on offense and marched methodically — almost surgically — down the field on the Lions’ defense. It was a 14-play, 75-yard drive that lasted 8:49. I think Don Muhlbach shaved and grew a whole new beard during the drive that put the Packers ahead, 21-14. The Lions’ very well-rested offense responded with a face plant by going three-and-out. The Packers’ offense responded to that with a scoring drive that ate 7:49 and lasted into the fourth quarter. This has been one of the big problems with the Lions’ offense. These short drives tax a defense that’s already mediocre. But most people seem to forgive the Lions’ failings on offense because they prefer to remember those late-game heroics.
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Contact Carlos Monarrez at cmonarrez@freepress.com and follow him on Twitter @cmonarrez.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions' loss puts an end to Darrell Bevell's coaching candidacy
