Here are three observations after a second viewing and a night to ponder the Detroit Lions’ 31-24 victory over the New York Jets.
A win is a win, but…
Organizationally, a win is a win, regardless of how you come by the tally in the column. And there are plenty within the fan base who subscribe to that same mentality, as well.
After all, we’re repeatedly told winning in the NFL is hard. Frankly, Sunday validated the sentiment, with a record-tying 12 games decided by one score.
However, for a healthy percentage of observers, Sunday’s sweet victory had a bitter aftertaste. After the embarrassing loss in Buffalo 10 days earlier, they wanted to see a lesser opponent made to suffer the same way, smothered and choked out, similar to the way the Lions steamrolled inferior opposition multiple times during a dominant 2024 campaign.
Never mind that New York entered Sunday on a clear upswing, playing far better football, particularly defensively, in Aaron Glenn’s second season at the helm. The helmets still said “J-E-T-S,” which carries the stigma of a playoff drought nearing two decades.
When running back Jahmyr Gibbs crossed the goal line on the first play of the fourth quarter, extending Detroit’s advantage to two touchdowns, the Lions were on their way to satisfying everyone’s expectations.
The revamped defense had a few blips to that point, but had held the Jets to 10 points, fewer than 200 yards and 2-for-7 on third downs through three quarters. Offensively, the Lions shrugged off a sluggish start — a scoreless first quarter — netting points on four straight possessions, including three consecutive touchdowns.
The water seemed to be finding its level.
But much like the season opener, the Lions couldn’t keep their opponent on the mat. Frankly, it felt like they were reaching down to help them up. They let the Jets claw their way back into the contest with self-inflicted wounds on both sides of the ball and needed some late-game heroics to finish the job.
The defense was never going to solve its myriad of problems overnight, but had the Jets been held to 10, or even 17 in a double-digit victory, most would feel a little better about the adjustments that were made since Buffalo.
Instead, a lingering memory from Sunday’s performance will be late-game coverage woes, and the concern this team is going to struggle putting opponents away all season.