Week 13 Game Recap: Detroit Lions 21, New England Patriots 28

What you need to know

Detroit Lions

QB Jon Kitna threw away any chance the Lions had for an upset with his three fourth quarter turnovers. The final one was inexcusable as Kitna literally lobbed the ball downfield blindly to avoid a sack. Further, Kitna continues to hold the ball too long in the pocket taking sacks instead of unloading the ball out of bounds or checking down to a RB in the flat. The Lions’ offense was supported by three Patriots’ turnovers as well and an uncharacteristic ten New England penalties.

WR Mike Furrey was the favored receiver (thirteen targets) nearly doubling the looks towards WR Roy Williams (seven targets). Furrey was largely looked to on the deep dig and in routes that are the staples of the Mike Martz offense. Williams was the only Lions’ receiver to be targeted deep over the top.

RB Kevin Jones returned with no visible signs that his ankle was bothering him. Jones ran well when holes were open for him to hit, but he was mostly stuffed by the Patriots’ front seven. Jones was particularly effective out of the backfield averaging seventeen yards on five receptions. The Lions twice were inside the five yard line attempting to give Jones carries near the goal line, but a Jones fumble and poor blocking killed both opportunities.

New England Patriots

RB Corey Dillon ran for three touchdowns, but only managed 30 total yards on ten touches. Dillon was the beneficiary of three short goal line carries and wasn’t given many other touches even though rookie RB Laurence Maroney was sidelined due to injury.

WR Reche Caldwell separated himself from the glut of targets in the Patriots’ passing attack with eight receptions on fourteen targets. No other receiver or tight end received more than three targets in the game. Caldwell was open on several of his non-completions, but QB Tom Brady was unable to deliver accurate passes.

QB Tom Brady suffered through one of his worst quarters of football in his career during the third quarter. He completed one pass, threw an interception, and fumbled in the end zone for a safety. However, Brady rebounded in predictable fashion completing thirteen of fourteen passes in the fourth quarter bringing his team from behind to avoid the upset.

What you ought to know

QB Jon Kitna, Pass: 22 - 38 - 314 - 1 TD / 3 INT, Rush: 2 - 9 - 0

Kitna directed an eleven play 85 yard drive on the second Lions' possession. He hooked up with WR Mike Furrey three times on the drive including a five yard touchdown. Kitna did a good job of putting the ball up high and away from the defense where only Furrey could make a play on the ball. Kitna and the Lions’ offense were aided by two turnovers from Detroit in the third quarter that allowed them to take the lead, but two fourth quarter interceptions and a lost fumble from Kitna prevented Detroit from being able to close the door on the Patriots. The final interception was a horrendous decision and mistake that ended the game. Kitna unloaded a pass intended for nobody in particular down the sideline trying to avoid a sack near the sideline.

QB Josh McCown, Rec: 2 - 15 - 0 (3 targets)

McCown lined up at the wide receiver position on multiple plays at the start of the third quarter. He caught an eight yard out on the left sideline early in the fourth quarter on his first target. He pulled in a long pass later in the quarter down the left sideline after QB Jon Kitna scrambled to his side, but a questionable offensive pass interference flag on McCown nullified the play. His final target in the fourth quarter was another short out just before the final Kitna interception.

RB Kevin Jones, Rush: 19 - 56 - 0, Rec: 5 - 86 - 0 (7 targets)

Jones had a seven yard carry on the first play from scrimmage for the Lions, but was largely ineffective early on running the ball as the Patriots’ front seven consistently dominated the point of attack. Jones pulled in a 27 yard reception streaking down the right sideline out of the backfield that put the Detroit offense inside the ten yard line leading to a Furrey touchdown. The Detroit offensive line opened up some holes for Jones midway through the second quarter and Jones took advantage of it quickly hitting the hole for seven, five, and seven yard gains, but it was all for naught as Jones fumbled inside the five yard line at the conclusion of the drive. He continued to be much more effective as a pass catcher in the second half. QB Jon Kitna checked down to Jones for four receptions during the second half posting big gains on each play. The Lions tried to give Jones some goal line action, but they were unable to convert a second and short followed by a third and short from the Patriots’ five yard line.

RB Arlen Harris, Rush: 1 - 12 - 0, Rec: 1 - 7 - 0 (2 targets)

Harris entered the game giving starting RB Kevin Jones a blow on the sidelines twice during the game. Each time Harris responded by solid gains on running plays and on receptions. One of his receptions was nullified by a holding penalty.

WR Mike Furrey, Rec: 9 - 123 - 1 (13 targets)

Furrey got the Lions’ offense rolling with a 31 yard comeback route. He made a move to the outside to break the reception for good yardage. He followed that up with a quick hitter off the line of scrimmage up the gut for nine more yards and a third Lion first down putting them deep into Patriots’ territory. He capped off the drive by scoring from five yards out on a quick slant. Furrey did a good job of going up high to pull in the pass. Furrey was QB Jon Kitna’s favorite target through the first half making six receptions on seven targets. Furrey saw six more targets during the third quarter pulling in three more balls and also drawing a pass interference flag.

WR Roy Williams, Rec: 3 - 50 - 0 (7 targets)

Williams’ only reception in the first half was a deep cross near the end of the first quarter that lead to the Furrey touchdown. Williams was targeted on the goal line before the Hanson field goal at the end of the second quarter. He did a great job of placing his feet in bounds and leaning out over the pylon trying to make the grab, but the pass was knocked away by a defender. Williams was the only Lions’ receiver to be targeted on deep balls over the top. Neither was close to being completed.

WR Mike Williams (2 targets)

Williams saw his first target on a deep cross at the end of the first target. He made a solid diving attempt at the ball, but QB Jon Kitna placed the pass too far out in front of him. His only other credited target wasn’t really a purposeful target from QB Jon Kitna. Kitna was lobbing the ball downfield trying to avoid a sack. Williams just happened to be the closest receiver on the play.

TE Dan Campbell, Rec: 1 - 21 - 0 (4 targets)

Campbell was targeted across the back of the end zone midway through the second quarter, but the pass was overthrown. Campbell made his only reception late in the game with the score tied. He was targeted on the very next play. The pass was overthrown and intercepted.

TE Marcus Pollard (1 targets)

Pollard dropped his only target on a short crossing route that would have converted a third down on the first Detroit series.

PK Jason Hanson 4 - 4 FG, 1 - 1 XP, 13 points

Hanson became the thirteenth player in NFL history with 1,500 career points.

DET Rush Defense

The Detroit front seven wasn’t tested via the run. The Patriots’ offense relied heavily on QB Tom Brady to move the ball with the short passing game. When the Patriots did opt to run, the Lions’ front seven didn’t allow any big plays (long run of eight yards), but they did allow RB Corey Dillon to score three rushing touchdowns from the six yard line and in.

DET Pass Defense

QB Tom Brady was able to pick away at the Lions’ secondary for 305 yards. Detroit was unable to generate a consistent pass rush with only two sacks, but DB Kenoy Kennedy was credited with a sack and forced fumble in the end zone that resulted in a safety. Brady was mostly able to stand in the pocket taking his time looking for receivers. He was able to check down to RB Kevin Faulk eight times during the game when his primary receivers weren’t open.

QB Tom Brady, Pass: 27 - 38 - 305 - 0 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 6 - 9 - 0

Brady hooked up with WR Reche Caldwell early and often during the second Patriots’ drive. Caldwell pulled in four passes on the drive and was open in the end zone for a potential touchdown, but Brady threw the ball into the ground well short. The Patriots started their first two drives by pounding the RB combination of Dillon and Maroney, but weren’t able to move the ball effectively until Brady started dropping back and picking apart the Lions’ secondary. The Patriots only ran five plays from scrimmage during the entire third quarter. Two of the five plays were turnovers from Brady. He threw an interception on an out route intended for Caldwell. He was sacked and fumbled in the end zone on their next series. They got the ball back again in the fourth quarter and Brady proceeded to complete thirteen of fourteen passing attempts putting fifteen points on the board to avoid the upset. Brady utilized several short and underneath routes to RB Kevin Faulk and short routes to WR Reche Caldwell to keep the sticks moving.

RB Corey Dillon, Rush: 9 - 25 - 3, Rec: 1 - 5 - 0 (1 targets)

Dillon started in the backfield and got the first touch of the game for the Patriots’ offense. His touches were limited through the first half as New England relied heavily on the arm of QB Tom Brady and he had to share carries with rookie backup RB Laurence Maroney. However, Dillon took a six yard run off the left side for a touchdown after Brady quickly marched the Patriots down the field. He was gifted his second short touchdown on another power run at the start of the fourth quarter that tied up the game. Even though Maroney was out of the game due to a shot to the head, Dillon was limited in his touches through three quarters because the Lions dominated time of possession and the Patriots turned the ball over twice in the third quarter. Dillon got his third touchdown in a similar fashion. The Patriot offense marched to the goal line and Dillon punched it in from four yards out. Dillon’s only two touches in the fourth quarter were both touchdown runs.

RB Kevin Faulk, Rec: 8 - 59 - 0 (8 targets)

Faulk saw a flurry of targets at the start of the fourth quarter. Playing from behind QB Tom Brady hit Faulk with four consecutive short passes that quickly moved New England down the field and led to the tying score.

RB Laurence Maroney, Rush: 4 - 14 - 0

Maroney entered the game at the end of the first Patriots’ series getting a short carry on third and four. He remained in the game getting three consecutive carries at the start of the second Patriots’ drive. It was reported that Maroney had the wind knocked out of him after these three carries, but didn’t return to the game. It may have been a shot to the head that put him on the sidelines.

RB Patrick Pass, Rush: 3 - 10 - 0, Rec: 1 - 16 - 0 (1 targets)

Pass got two four yard carries during the first half. He fumbled the second carry away back to the Lions shortly after Detroit had turned the ball over to the Patriots. Pass wasn’t completely in the doghouse. He received another carry at the start of the fourth quarter and turned a short pass into a sixteen yard gain leading to the second Dillon touchdown.

WR Reche Caldwell, Rec: 8 - 112 - 0 (14 targets)

Caldwell made a nice leaping grab on the left sideline early in the first quarter when QB Tom Brady lobbed him a long fade; however he came down on the sideline not quite able to keep both feet inbounds. He followed up that play with five more targets during their second possession. Four of them were receptions moving the Patriots into scoring position. Caldwell was open in the end zone at the end of the drive, but Brady threw the ball well short as the ball bounced to him. Later on, Caldwell got wide open down the right sideline, but Brady wasn’t able to get the ball downfield as he was being hit on the delivery. Just before halftime Caldwell pulled in another deep dig route putting the New England offense into scoring position leading to the second Gostkowski field goal. Caldwell continued to be Brady’s favorite target through the second half. Brady tried to force an out into Caldwell on the sideline that was intercepted, but continued to go back to him with four more short targets in the fourth quarter.

WR Troy Brown, Rush: 1 - 16 - 0, Rec: 2 - 8 - 0 (3 targets)

Brown dropped a short seven yard pass on the first play from scrimmage. The pass was somewhat low, but Brown should have caught it. Brown didn’t see any other passing targets in the first half, but he did get an end around that he took for 16 yards up the left sideline. Brown looked surprising quick on the play that led to the first Dillon touchdown run. Brown also contributed with a two point reception to tie the game in the fourth quarter.

WR Doug Gabriel, Rec: 1 - 12 - 0 (1 targets)

Gabriel saw his first action just before halftime. He pulled in a quick 11 yard out on the left sideline putting the New England offense into the red zone. He was targeted on the following play crossing the back of the end zone, but the pass was just barely out of his reach.

WR Chad Jackson

Jackson was inactive due to his groin injury.

TE Ben Watson, Rec: 3 - 41 - 0 (3 targets)

Just before halftime Watson lined up wide left as a wide receiver. QB Tom Brady hit him on a 23 yard slant putting the Patriots inside the ten yard line setting up the first Dillon touchdown. Watson made a pair of nine yard catches over the middle during the fourth quarter comeback, but fumbled after the second reception. Watson lucked out that Lions turned the ball back over to New England two plays later.

TE Daniel Graham, Rec: 2 - 24 - 0 (2 targets)

Graham’s receptions occurred early at the start of the first and third quarters. Each was a short dump over the middle.

PK Stephen Gostkowski 2 - 2 FG, 2 - 2 XP, 8 points

There was nothing of consequence to report from the New England kicking game.

NE Rush Defense

The Patriots’ front seven controlled the line of scrimmage. They were able to hold RB Kevin Jones to under three yards per carry for the game. More importantly, they dominated the line of scrimmage on short yardage plays slamming the door on Detroit drives and forcing them to settle for four field goals by PK Jason Hanson.

NE Pass Defense

DE Ty Warren and LB Roosevelt Colvin led the second half pass rush forcing QB Jon Kitna into multiple errors. This allowed the Patriots to thwart the upset at home. CB Asante Samuel undercut and intercepted a deep post route just before halftime. This allowed New England to get the lead back with another Gostkowski field goal.