Calvin Johnson had a fine day against the Redskins on Sunday.
Hi, Washington.
How’s it going down there? Ya know, in the cellar? Last place must be lonely. We certainly know the feeling of being winless – but you’ll excuse us if we don’t sympathize, because you’re the Redskins, who we hate.
Anyway, here’s an A-Z listing of thoughts from the Detroit Lions/ Washington RedSkins game and series history.
Avenged. For Lions fans, 21 straight losses in the nation’s capital was avenged. You gotta wonder if the Ford Family held a party after this one. Their luck against the Washington Redskins – home or away – has not been good. They won their first-ever matchup on Oct. 3, 1965 in Detroit, then lost 18 straight.
Bizarre. The Redskins fans known as the “Hogettes” who donned pig snouts and women’s dresses in the 1990s to honor their offensive linemen known as the “Hogs” were quite bizarre. It stands as the worst fan representation in pigskin (sorry) history. Where are those pudgy fans now? Probably crying in their bacon and sausage after a 0-3 start.
Crowing. The crowing of “Suuuuuuuuuuuuuh” rang through Fed Ex Field with 8:59 left in the third quarter Sunday, courtesy of Ndamukong’s relentless pressure of Robert Griffin III that ended in a sack by Ziggy Ansah for a 13-yard loss.
Despise. Beyond those pig-snout weirdos, there are many reasons to despise the Redskins. The ‘Skins 41-10 thrashing of the Lions in the 1991 NFC Championship Game. Joe Theismann’s arrogance on ESPN for all those years. Daniel Snyder’s wanna-be Jerry Jones demeanor. Heck, the Redskins embarrassed the Lions in 1990 when they rallied from a 21-point deficit in the second half to win 41-38 (OT) at the Silverdome. It was so bad, William Clay Ford told the Baltimore Sun, “Please don’t bother me now. I’m liable to say something I’ll regret.”
Elite company. With a first-quarter reception Sunday, Calvin Johnson joined elite company and became the fifth player in NFL history to record 8,000 yards in 95 games or less. (Lance Alworth, 83 games; Randy Moss, 93; Jerry Rice, 94; Torry Holt, 95). To take another shot at Washington: Calvin is on pace to surpass the stats of Redskins legend Art Monk, who had 888 receptions for 12,206 yards in 205 career games.
Flashback. London Fletcher’s sack on the first play of scrimmage brought back memories from the 1991 NFC Championship, when Charles Mann drilled Erik Kramer and forced a fumble. We mentioned that nightmarish memory the previous week, and we’re not trying to beat a dead horse, but Fletcher had us feeling doom Sunday.
Gutsy gamble. Jim Schwartz’ 4th-and-inches decision with 4:47 remaining was a gutsy gamble. The payoff was a first-down carry by Matthew Stafford for two yards that led to his game-clinching touchdown strike to Calvin Johnson.
Home run swing. Redskins RB Alfred Morris performed a home run swing Sunday on his 30-yard touchdown at the end of the half. Too bad the ‘Skins have swung and missed three straight weeks. (Ba-Zinga)
Irrelevant. According to Lions’ safety Glover Quin, the 21-game losing streak was irrelevant and had zero impact heading into the game. “I heard about it all week, but the thing about it, this team has never played in Washington,” Quin chuckled as he told Jim Brandstatter on 97.1 radio.
Joique-stick. Joique Bell flashed his abilities on the Lions’ first scoring drive. He had five touches for 58 yards and capped it with his 12-yard touchdown run. And how about those nifty spin moves on that nine-yard run that eventually led to Calvin Johnson’s clinching touchdown? Bell is a keeper.
Kinks. Twice, the Lions were aligned inside the Redskins’ 15-yard line and settled for field goals. In both instances, they called three straight passing plays – all incompletions. Detroit also committed eight penalties for 71 yards – too many again.
Losing streak ends. Sunday marked the end of the 0-for-Washington losing skid. And remember: The Lions 19-game losing streak ended against the Redskins on September 27, 2009. We’re liking this trend. What’s next? Can the Redskins end the Lions Super Bowl drought someday?
Momentum. There was a shift in momentum when Aldrick Robinson’s 57-yard touchdown catch was overturned by video review. Robinson burned past Lion CB Rashean Mathis and caught a bomb from Robert Griffin III, but the ball touched the ground in the end zone – a situation all-too familiar to the Lions.
Nancy. When you saw Redskins defensive end Ryan Kerrigan, you called him “Nancy,” didn’t you?
Offensive juggernauts. The Lions own the second-rated passing attack in the NFL with 336 yards per game. (That Manning fella and Denver are first with 374.7 ypg). Matthew Stafford is fourth among all quarterbacks with 1,020 passing yards through three games.
Pick-six. DeAngelo Hall’s first quarter pick-six reminded some of us of 1995. That’s when the Lions and ‘Skins went into overtime tied at 30-30 at rickety RFK Stadium. Scott Mitchell dropped back from his end zone and threw a wobbly pass into the arms of Darrell Green, who rumbled seven yards for the game-ending touchdown and 36-30 victory.
Quote of the day: “…maybe the statement Tony Dungy made about ‘the same ol’ Lions’ isn’t correct,” Nate Burleson said to Jim Brandstatter. “We’re not the same ol’ Lions.”
Remarkable. With the game was tied 17-17, Calvin Johnson’s sideline catch and ability to position both feet inbounds at the Redskins’ 43-yard line was remarkable. It was an 18-yard gain, significant on a drive that ended in a go-ahead field goal.
Spiked. Lions coach Jim Schwartz spiked his headset to the turf when the game ended. Remember when Redskins QB Gus Frerotte spiked his head into the padded foam – and found out that it’s not so padded? Frerotte later came to Detroit and played terribly (21-of-46) against his former team, Washington, in a Jan. 8, 2000 playoff loss, 27-13.
Touchdown celebration. Joique Bell’s “Superman” gesture following his 12-yard touchdown run was the equivalent of Cam Newton’s pose: The mock tearing of the uniform’s chest area to reveal the fictional “S.”
Unnecessary. Nick Fairley’s blindside, late hit of Redskins OL Will Montgomery at the end of the half drew an unnecessary roughness penalty. “When a team gets labeled as dirty … you see plays like that, you know why,” Fox commentator Ronde Barber said during the broadcast. Later, C.J. Mosley nearly decapitated Alfred Morris on a Redskins’ drive in the third quarter.
Vertical. The Lions’ vertical attack in the opening quarter amassed 142 passing yards.
Well-wishes for Jason Jones, who suffered a ruptured patellar tendon in the second quarter and will miss the rest of the season. Here’s to hoping the Eastern Michigan grad has a speedy recovery!
X-receiver extraordinaire. Calvin Johnson became the second receiver in franchise history to record 500-plus catches and 8,000-plus yards in his career. He’s on pace to shatter Herman Moore’s franchise marks of 670 receptions and 9,174 yards. Johnson has played 95 career games. Moore finished with 145. Also, Johnson now has 57 career touchdowns and is within striking distance of Moore’s franchise record of 62.
Yell. Did you yell at the TV when the Lions went three-and-out with less than a minute left to give Washington another chance with the ball? How about when Robert Griffin III’s Hail Mary pass sailed toward the end zone? Why do the Lions have to make things so interesting?
Ziggy. Ezekiel “Ziggy” Ansah’s stat line was impressive: seven tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble. It’s a sight for sore eyes. Have the Lions found the formidable edge pass rusher that’s been lacking since Robert Porcher retired?