Golden Tate (15) runs with the ball in the Lions 24-17 win over the Jets Sunday. Photo/Detroit Lions (Gavin Smith)
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he view is always better from the top.
It’s only the quarter mark of the NFL season and the Detroit Lions are atop the NFC North division at 3-1, after a 24-17 victory over the New York Jets.
At the same point last year, the Lions record stood at a identical 3-1, good for first place in the division, only this time they stand alone with the Packers, Bears and Vikings all at 2-2.
So the question should be asked, is it the Same Old Lions? Or have the Leos finally turned a page in storied history of heartache?
Spread The Love
The all-around effort on both sides of the ball, just may be a indicator that there may be some sizzle to the steak of star power on this team.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford led Detroit with yet another mistake-free performance, completing 24-of-34 passes for 293 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing for another on a 1-yard run.
With Calvin Johnson limited due to an ankle injury, Stafford’s new weapons filled the void of Megatron.
Golden Tate had his coming out party, setting a career-high in catches with 8 for 116 yards.
It is his fourth career 100-yard game and second-highest total in his five-year career.
2014 first round pick tight end Eric Ebron got in on the act, catching 3 passes for 34 yards and his first career touchdown on a 16-yard reception to put the Lions up 17-3.
Once again the defense flexed its muscle, hassling Jets quarterback Geno Smith to a 17-for-33, 209-yard performance with one touchdown and interception.
Next Man Up
The front seven continued it high level play, led by Tahir Whitehead who finished with a team high 12 tackles, starting at middle linebacker for the injured Stephen Tulloch.
DeAndre Levy continued his Pro Bowl caliber play, finishing with 11 tackles, while Darius Slay recorded his first career interception and had 5 tackles.
In his first game as a Lion, safety James Ihedigbo made 5 tackles, recorded a sack and a forced fumble on Smith.
History Repeats Itself?
Even with a similar record as last season, there is no comparing the two.
After four games in 2013, Detroit gave up 101 points, while giving up 379 yards a game.
At the end of week four in 2014, they have surrendered only 61 points and 267 yards a contest.
On offense, they have proven to be more disciplined and efficient in their performance.
Detroit has converted 52 percent of its third downs, compared to a 30 percent clip last season.
The biggest dividend though has been the time of possession and finishing out games.
In its three victories, the Lions have controlled the time of possession, 30:19-14:41.
If your opponent doesn’t see the field, they can’t mount a comeback.
Stafford has done a impressive job commanding his new offense, implemented by new offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi.
He has also showed a sense of maturity in his decision making.
On a 14-play, 90-yard drive that milked almost seven minutes off the clock during the third quarter, Stafford completed 7-of-8 passes for 68 yards, while being 3-for-3 on third down.
On those third downs, Tate hauled in a key reception and Ryan Broyles got in on the act with a 21-yard reception.
Danger Looming
Although the differences in last year and 2014 are glaring, there are similarities that don’t bode well and begs the question, can they keep this production up?
Johnson saw limited time on the field against the Jets and finished with 2 catches for 12 yards.
In only week four of the season, there should be cause for concern for the best player in the league.
The Lions also have to pray that their offensive line holds, with injuries to its first two tackles, Detroit has given up 11 sacks and are on pace for 44 on the season.
With a matchup against the Bills coming next week and Minnesota in week 6, perhaps the real test will come against the New Orleans Saints in three weeks.
But after a 38-17 loss to Dallas, the Saints look less formidable.
With a schedule that includes the struggling Falcons, Vikings and Dolphins, Detroit could enter a week 9 showdown with the 3-0 Arizona Cardinals at 8-1.
Only time will tell if history will repeat itself, but this isn’t your Same Old Lions and from what they have showed, anything is possible.
