Rapid Rewind: Lions' backups sloppy from start to finish in Hall of Fame game beatdown

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Canton, Ohio — In a battle of backups, the Detroit Lions were undone by sloppy play — a combination of turnovers, penalties and poor execution — in a 34-7 drubbing at the hands of the Los Angeles Chargers in Thursday’s Hall of Fame game at Tom Benson Stadium.

Things got off to an ominous start for the Lions when they fumbled away the opening kickoff. That was one of a trio of first-half giveaways that the Chargers turned into 14 points as they jumped out to a 21-7 lead by the break.

A muffed punt early in the third quarter resulted in another field goal for the Chargers, extending their lead to three scores and kick-starting the rout. The Lions, meanwhile, couldn’t find their footing on offense, failing to move the ball beyond the Chargers’ 49-yard line with four second-half possessions.

Starters

Offense: Quarterback Kyle Allen, running back Craig Reynolds, wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa, wide receiver Tom Kennedy, tight end Shane Zylstra, tight end Kenny Yeboah, offensive tackle Dan Skipper, guard Netane Muti, center Kingsley Eguarkun, guard Kayode Awosika, offensive tackle Jamarco Jones

Defense: Defensive lineman Pat O'Connor, defensive tackle Raequan Williams, defensive tackle Chris Smith, defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad, linebacker Trevor Nowaske, linebacker Grant Stuard, linebacker Zach Cunningham, cornerback Ennis Rakestraw, cornerback Rock Ya-Sin, safety Loren Strickland, safety Avonte Maddox

Game ball

TeSlaa flashed with two catches for 46 yards, some impressive downfield blocking, and a gunner rep where he easily beat the jam, forcing a fair catch.

Scoring summary

First quarter

● 12:11 — Taking over in Detroit territory after the Lions fumbled the opening kickoff, the Chargers needed just five plays to punch into the end zone. Quarterback Trey Lance took advantage of Loren Strickland getting sucked in by play-action, dropping it over the safety’s head for a 5-yard touchdown to tight end Will Dissly. CHARGERS 7, LIONS 0

● 5:18 — For the second time in the opening quarter, the Chargers took advantage of a short field after a turnover, needing just two snaps to get back into the painted grass. Running back Kimani Vidal took handoffs on both plays, powering across the goal line from 2 yards out with a second effort after initially being stood up by Cunningham. CHARGERS 14, LIONS 0

Second quarter

● 5:31 — Reynolds was the featured player on a 15-play touchdown drive for Detroit, carrying the ball six times for 34 yards, including gains of 10 and 13 yards. The veteran running back capped the series with a 3-yard scoring run, behind well-executed zone blocking by the front. Rookie receiver Dominic Lovett chipped in three short grabs during the possession for 14 yards. CHARGERS 14, LIONS 7

● 1:51 — The Chargers responded with an eight-play, 60-yard scoring drive. The Lions had a chance to get off the field around midfield, but Rakestraw was flagged for illegal hands to the face on a third-down incompletion. Four plays later, Lance found receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith on a slant, easily beating the coverage of Lions cornerback Dicaptrio Bootle for a 15-yard touchdown. CHARGERS 21, LIONS 7

Third quarter

● 11:29 — After recovering a muffed punt at Detroit’s 5-yard line, the Chargers were unable to gain a yard, settling for a short Michael Dicker field goal. CHARGERS 24, LIONS 7

● 2:59 — Driving into the red zone behind two third-down conversions on the ground, the Chargers eventually stalled out. Detroit cornerback Tyson Russell forced an incompletion with tight coverage on a fade into the end zone. The play was initially ruled a touchdown, but overturned after a replay review. That left the Chargers to take three on a 27-yard kick by Dicker. CHARGERS 27, LIONS 7

Fourth quarter

● 3:42 - Benefiting from a 27-yard pass interference penalty against Bootle, the Chargers scored their fourth touchdown of the night with a 2-yard touchdown run by Vidal on fourth-and-goal. CHARGERS 34, LIONS 7

Turnovers

● Stuard fumbled the game’s opening kickoff, which the Chargers recovered at Detroit’s 28-yard line.

● 5:55, first quarter: On third-and-9, Allen targeted Kennedy on an out route, which was jumped by Chargers cornerback Nikko Reed. The defender returned it 60 yards to Detroit’s 6-yard line before he was dragged down from behind by Reynolds.

● 2:17, first quarter: With TeSlaa bumped off his deep route by the Chargers' cornerback in coverage, Allen’s shot into the end zone was easily picked by veteran safety Tony Jefferson.

● 12:19, third quarter: Lions receiver Jakobie Kenney-James muffed a punt after signaling fair catch, resulting in the Chargers recovering at Detroit’s 5-yard line.

● 2:00, fourth quarter: A deep shot down the middle was ripped out of Lovett's hands by Myles Purchase.

Key stats

● Allen, who played the entire first half, completed 9-of-14 for 91 yards, zero touchdowns and the two interceptions. Hooker was worse, connecting on 3-of-6 for 18 yards with one interception.

● Craig Reynolds paced Detroit's backfield with 38 yards on 10 carries.

● TeSlaa's 46 yards were the most for a Lions receiver. Lovett caught five of nine targets, dropping one, slipping on another and having the final one taken from his grasp, resulting in a turnover.

● Safety Dan Jackson and linebacker Ezekiel Turner each had seven tackles to lead the defense. Stuard had the Lions' only sack.

Injuries

● On the final play of the third quarter, Yeboah’s legs got pinned as he was awkwardly bent backward. Trainers were looking at his right leg before he gingerly walked off the field under his own power.

Next game

The Lions will head back on the road to play the Atlanta Falcons next Friday at 7 p.m.