[Joe M 2012 2SS]

Originally Posted by Kenny Camaro

Only the Lions.. let's add this game to the list of -Only The Lions- only the lions lose football games by some rule that you don't know about or doesn't make any sense. Lions lose in Chicago with the " didn't complete the process" call on Calvin Johnson. Richard Sherman intentionally bats a fumbled Calvin Johnson ball out of the end zone,even the referees didn't know the correct call that the Lions get the ball first and Ten from the fumble spot. Now this one, the league mandates all touchdowns are reviewed, there refs make the wrong call, and the Lions don't get a 4th down play because of league mandated rules concerning league mandated touchdown reviews. Only The Lions! As I mentioned in my earlier post, I didn't expect victory as the Falcons looked to be the class of the NFL or at least the NFC, but that was disappointing that the refs, and the league rules resulted in the final outcome instead of the players. Now I know that happens all the time, as in the questionable penalties that Joe mentioned. But that was hard to stomach. Don't know why the Falcons didn't run more as they were gashing the Lions on the ground, check into that for me Joe! Lions compete against the best and come up a little short, 18 inches or so!

I don't think the calls against Desmond Trufont were bad calls, he committed both. They were horrific on his part given the 2nd and 30 (holding call) and pass interference in the end zone on 3rd and 10, on a ball that was thrown about 5 yards out of bounds. Trufont even slapped himself on the helmet after the flag was thrown.

The Falcons kept throwing because Julio Jones was being singled at the line, but spied on by Darius Clay. When he went deep, two defenders went with him, opening up single coverage on Sanu, Gabriel, and Freeman. The first drive of the game they took full advantage of it and went down the field easily, but Matty Ice made a few bad throws afterwards and Darius was there to pick them off (he had 2 ints).

Why they didn't run more, your guess is as good as mine. I was thinking the same thing. Maybe ATLs OC was sampling some Detroit beer.

I have seen this ten second rule enforced in games before, but never with a team on the 1 yard line.

Unfortunately for the Lions, Tate's left knee was down before the ball broke the plain of the goal line. He was less then a foot away. Ryan and Trufont played very bad in this game, ATL was very fortunate to win.