Week 11 Game Recap: Detroit Lions 10, Arizona Cardinals 17

What you need to know

Detroit Lions

The Lions fell behind by a score of 17-0, and missing one of their biggest weapons in Kevin Jones for the final three quarters, were unable to mount a comeback on the road. Kevin Jones left the game with a right ankle injury in the first quarter, eventually headed to the locker room for x-rays, and did not return to the game. Prior to departing, Jones gained eight yards on four carries. Initially, Jones was replaced on running downs by Aveion Cason, who carried the ball twice in the first half, and twice more in the second half for a total of twenty yards on the ground. Despite initially giving Cason the opportunity to carry the ball, the Lions opened the second half with a couple of nice runs by Arlen Harris, who finished with forty yards on ten carries with a touchdown, and all of the goal lines carries after entering the game.

Jon Kitna likewise got off to a slow start, and after a blocked punt which gave the Lions great field position, had a pass get tipped and intercepted, though this was his only turnover on the afternoon. Kitna completed 23 of 38 passes for 248 yards, spreading the ball around to eight different receivers as his top weapon, Roy Williams, was double covered much of the afternoon. Williams finished the game with five catches for 67 yards, and still led the team in targets despite the extra attention. This coverage allowed the other wide receivers to get open, including Mike Furrey, who caught six balls for 67 yards. Recently re-signed wide receiver Corey Bradford caught three balls for 54 yards, while Devale Ellis pitched in two receptions for 19 yards. It is worth noting that special teams star Eddie Drummond suffered a concussion in this game, and that Mike Williams was again inactive. With the Cardinals safeties focused on Roy Williams, the tight ends and running backs saw some action, with Dan Campbell and Marcus Pollard picking up a pair of catches each, for nineteen and six yards respectively, while Arlen Harris chipped in a six yard reception out of the backfield. Fullback Cory Schlesinger added two receptions for ten yards.

Arizona Cardinals

After losing his first five starts, Matt Leinart found the win column at home against the Lions. Leinart completed 19 of 29 passes for 233 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions on the afternoon, including a streak in the middle of the game where he completed fourteen of fifteen passes. Anquan Boldin was Leinart’s most targeted receiver on the afternoon, catching five balls for 87 yards, while Larry Fitzgerald had a quiet afternoon with just two catches and 30 yards receiving. Leinart’s touchdown pass went to Bryant Johnson, who had four receptions for 47 yards against the Lions. Out of the backfield, Edgerin James caught two balls for sixteen yards, while Marcel Shipp added two catches for 32 yards. Tight end Adam Bergen finished with two receptions for ten yards to go along with a two yard catch by Leonard Pope, who opened the game as the official starter.

Edgerrin James had one of his more productive days in the Cardinals' backfield, running the ball 22 times for 96 yards. Had it not been for a defensive holding penalty which was accepted as it netted additional yardage early in the game, James may have surpassed the century mark for the first time this season. Late in the game, Marcel Shipp sealed the game with a hard seven yard run for a first down to aid in running out the clock. Though he wasn’t sacked all afternoon, Leinart faced pressure throughout the game, and was forced out of the pocket on multiple occasions, including a nine yard touchdown run at the beginning of the second half. Officially, Leinart had seven carries for two yards rushing.

What you ought to know

QB Jon Kitna, Pass: 23 - 38 - 248 - 0 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 1 - -2 - 0

Though Kitna surpassed the 200 yard mark for the tenth time this season, Kitna failed to throw a touchdown pass in losing to the Cardinals. Kitna finished with a passer rating of 68.8, despite completing greater than 60 percent of his passes, with an average yards per completion of over 6.5 yards. While Kitna was charged with one interception, it was on a tipped ball early in the game, though it was in the red zone at a point where the Lions had just gained significant momentum off a blocked punt. Kitna went 13 of 18 in the second half for 160 yards after going just ten of 20 for 88 yards in the first half.

RB Arlen Harris, Rush: 10 - 40 - 1, Rec: 1 - 6 - 0 (3 targets)

Harris opened the second half with carries of 7 and 20 yards, as it appears a decision was made at halftime to give him the majority of the carries, though they trailed 17-0 before getting the ball in the third quarter. Harris is familiar with Mike Martz’s offense, having played with the Rams previously. It is worth noting that the Lions fed the ball to Harris at the goal line as well. On their opening drive of the second half, the Lions got the ball down to the one, and gave it to Harris, though he was hit in the backfield and lost three yards. Though that drive stalled, the Lions later got back to the red zone, and gave Harris the ball three straight times from inside the three yard line, where he gained one yard each time, and found the end zone on the third try.

RB Aveion Cason, Rush: 4 - 20 - 0

When Kevin Jones initially went out, Cason came into the game on first and second downs and gave way to Arlen Harris on third downs and other passing situations. Once the Lions were clearly behind, Cason saw very little action in this game, whereby it wasn’t clear whether this was a decision made with regards to game situation, his ineffectiveness on two carries in the first half, or a coaching decision to proceed with Arlen Harris.

RB Kevin Jones, Rush: 4 - 8 - 0 (2 targets)

Jones departed early with a right ankle injury. Initially he was observed on the sidelines looking like he was ready to return the game, but was later carted to the locker room for x-rays in the visiting stadium. His prognosis was not immediately known, though a high ankle sprain was reported by local media on Sunday evening. Speaking on the situation, coach Rod Marinelli said "I don't know how high it is yet”.

WR Mike Furrey, Rec: 6 - 67 - 0 (8 targets)

Furrey benefited from the extra coverage on Williams, and came up with nearly everything thrown his way to lead the team in receptions.

WR Roy Williams, Rush: 1 - 2 - 0, Rec: 5 - 67 - 0 (10 targets)

Double-covered most of the afternoon, Roy Williams was unable to get a great deal of separation, and failed to find to come up with any big plays to help the Lions get back into the game. Early in the game, Williams was targeted primarily on short patterns, whereby late in the game, Kitna began to look for Williams deep down the sidelines and over the middle. He did have one key drop coming across the middle.

WR Corey Bradford, Rec: 3 - 54 - 0 (3 targets)

Bradford was re-signed by the Lions on Thursday, reportedly having served an NFL suspension for reasons not specifically made clear. He caught everything thrown his way for an average of 18 yards per catch.

WR Devale Ellis, Rec: 2 - 19 - 0 (4 targets)

Rookie wide receiver Devale Ellis, who played alongside Marques Colston at Hofstra saw increased playing time against the Cardinals, catching half of the passes thrown his way. Ellis has contributed on special teams throughout the season, and may be asked to return kicks if the concussion sustained by Eddie Drummond causes any lasting effects.

TE Dan Campbell, Rec: 2 - 19 - 0 (2 targets)

Campbell received the start and one red zone target as Kitna was desperately looking to unload the ball.

TE Marcus Pollard, Rec: 2 - 6 - 0 (4 targets)

Pollard received two red zone targets on the afternoon, and provides a big option for Kitna as they are looking to score.

PK Jason Hanson 1 - 2 FG, 1 - 1 XP, 4 points

Hanson connected on a 32 yard field goal, but was wide right on a 52 yard field goal at a point when the Lions trailed 17-3 at the beginning of the fourth quarter.

DET Rush Defense

The Lions gave up 105 yards a rushing touchdown on the afternoon, a modest effort, considering this was 3.5 yards per official carry and figuring they trailed nearly the entire game. They did however allow Edgerrin James to have his biggest day as a Cardinal.

DET Pass Defense

The Lions’ secondary was beat both short and long in the second and third quarters, while the pass rush was unsuccessful in ever getting to Leinart in time. The Lions gave up 233 yards through the air to the Cardinals including one touchdown.

QB Matt Leinart, Pass: 19 - 29 - 233 - 1 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 7 - 2 - 1

In gaining his first win as a Cardinal, Leinart eclipsed the century mark with a passer rating of 101.7 by completing over 65 percent of his passes for an average of over eight yards per passing attempt. Leinart made good decisions in this game, not turning the ball over, and showed good footwork in avoiding the rush to keep the Cardinals momentum going.

RB Edgerrin James, Rush: 22 - 96 - 0, Rec: 2 - 16 - 0 (4 targets)

James averaged over four yards per carry, and nearly broke the century mark for his first time as a Cardinal. A defensive holding penalty which went for ten yards on the Cardinals second drive of the game negated a five yard run, which theoretically may have allowed him to exceed the one hundred yard mark. James’ long run on the afternoon was for eighteen yards during the first half when he gained 58 yards on eleven carries. James had one goal line carry in this game from two yards out where he failed to gain a yard.

RB Marcel Shipp, Rush: 1 - 7 - 0, Rec: 2 - 32 - 0 (3 targets)

On third down, with three yards to go prior to the two minute warning, Shipp ran hard for seven yards to help put away the game. Shipp looked good coming out of the backfield with catches of 22 and ten yards.

WR Anquan Boldin, Rec: 5 - 87 - 0 (7 targets)

Boldin was the most targeted receiver in this game, and came up with a nice 44 yard catch down the left side, though he was moved all over, lining up on both sides of the field. Boldin also caught a 22 yard catch down the right side, and averaged over seventeen yards per reception.

WR Bryant Johnson, Rec: 4 - 47 - 1 (5 targets)

Johnson was rewarded with the touchdown reception after coming up with a nice catch for a first down to bring the ball to the two yard line. All four of Johnson’s catches came in the first half.

WR Larry Fitzgerald, Rec: 2 - 30 - 0 (5 targets)

Fitzgerald caught both of his passes in the first half and was not targeted in the final 32 minutes of this game, though was present in the game. On a flea flicker early in the game, Fitzgerald came up with a very nice catch for 24 yards. Fitzgerald also had one catch taken away due to defensive holding.

TE Adam Bergen, Rec: 2 - 10 - 0 (2 targets)

Bergen caught a pair of balls on second down in one tight end sets.

PK Neil Rackers 1 - 1 FG, 2 - 2 XP, 5 points

Rackers converted successfully from 36 yards out on his only field goal attempt of the afternoon.

ARI Rush Defense

For the most part, the Cardinals shut down the Lions’ rushing attack, giving up just 68 yards on the ground to the crew of Arlen Harris, Kevin Jones and Aveion Cason. The rush defense stood up Arlen Harris from a first and goal situation from the one yard line, and ultimately forced a field goal, though succumbed to giving up a touchdown on a later drive after three attempts by Harris.

ARI Pass Defense

By focusing their coverage to shut down Roy Williams, the Cardinals forced Jon Kitna to spread the ball around, and while giving up 248 yards through the air, the unit kept the Lions out of the end zone. In addition to a tipped interception, the Cardinals pass rush came up with four sacks and did not give Kitna the time to get comfortable. The additional attention paid to Williams did open up the field though, as the Lions had five different players gain twenty yards or more via the air or ground.