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Lions Have A Laundry List Of Fixes

The problem facing Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell isn't finding things to fix.

It is deciding where to start.

San Francisco 49ers v Detroit Lions
DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 12: Deebo Samuel #19 of the San Francisco 49ers heads to the end zone on a 79-yard touchdown catch during the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on September 12, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. The 49ers defeated the Lions 41-33. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)

The Lions trailed the San Francisco 49ers 31-10 at halftime and 41-17 with two minutes left before a late charge brought them within 41-33.

Campbell said watching the game film didn't make the game look much better than it had seemed in real-time.

"There was nothing that surprised me," he said. "We've got a lot to clean up, but the positive is that we can clean them up. We missed on a lot of little things, and if we do those little things, we're probably going to win a game."

WHAT'S WORKING

The running back combination of Jamaal Williams and D'Andre Swift had 93 yards on 20 carries, but also helped when the Lions had to throw the ball after falling so far behind. Swift caught eight passes for 65 yards, including a 43-yard touchdown on a screen pass, while Williams had eight catches for 56 yards.

NFL: SEP 12 49ers at Lions
DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 12: Detroit Lions running back D'Andre Swift (32) breaks loose on a long touchdown run during the Detroit Lions vs San Francisco 49ers game on Sunday September 12, 2021 at Ford Field in Detroit, MI. (Photo by Steven King/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

WHAT NEEDS HELP

The vertical passing game was almost nonexistent against the 49ers. Until the desperate last few minutes, Jared Goff was checking everything down to the running backs and tight ends. T.J. Hockenson is a big part of the Lions offense, so his eight catches for 97 yards and a score is a positive, but no wide receiver had more than three receptions.

STOCK UP

Rookie tackle Penei Sewell had to make a late switch from right tackle to left after Taylor Decker sustained a finger injury. That meant making his regular-season debut against 49ers star Nick Bosa, but the 20-year-old held his own.

"He's going to be good," Bosa told reporters after the game. "He's more comfortable on the left. I could tell. The tape I saw on the right was ... I told him after the game, he's better on the left and he's more comfortable on the left. He's going to be a solid player, for sure."

San Francisco 49ers v Detroit Lions
DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 12: Nick Bosa #97 of the San Francisco 49ers and Penei Sewell #58 of the Detroit Lions on the field after the game at Ford Field on September 12, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. The 49ers defeated the Lions 41-33. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)

STOCK DOWN

Cornerback Jeff Okudah was hoping to bounce back after a rough rookie season in 2020. Instead, the No. 3 overall pick in last year's draft was beaten badly on a long touchdown pass, then sustained a season-ending Achilles injury.

"I hate it for him and I hate it for the team," Campbell said. "He was coming around, and now all of his focus has to be on getting ready for 2022."

INJURIES

Along with Decker and Okudah, the Lions lost wide receiver Tyrell Williams to a late injury. Williams, slotted in as Detroit's No. 1 receiver, finished with two catches for 7 yards before the injury. He's now in the league's concussion protocol.

Buffalo Bills v Detroit Lions
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - AUGUST 13: Tyrell Williams #6 of the Detroit Lions breaks a tackle against Dane Jackson #30 of the Buffalo Bills during the first quarter of the preseason game at Ford Field on August 13, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

KEY NUMBER

314: The number of passing yards Jim Garoppolo put up in just 25 attempts. Deebo Samuel finished with nine catches for 189 yards and George Kittle added four for 78.

ONE GAME AT A TIME

Campbell laughed when asked if Sewell's performance could lead to him winning the full-time job at left tackle even when Decker returns from injury.

"I would love to entertain that possibility, but man, we are so far away from that right now. We're just trying to figure out how to put the best lineup out there for the Packers on Sunday."

NEXT STEPS

Trying to improve the passing offense and defense in time for this weekend's trip to Green Bay. The Packers will be desperate for a win after an embarrassing 38-3 loss to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.

 

© 2021 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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