Notes and observations from the coach’s tape

A few quick-hit observations:

–Goff’s late turnovers were absolute killers, but there was a very palpable change to the tone and attitude of the game when Jamaal Williams fumbled at the goal line attempting to score the go-ahead touchdown at 10-6 in the fourth quarter. The inability of the Lions to overcome in-game adversity was glaring. And that’s on Dan Campbell more than the players. Coach sets the tone and the players follow.

—-I had All-Pro LB Micah Parsons with one clean win against Lions RT Penei Sewell as a pass rusher. Two others Parsons probably earned credit for a “win” but didn’t impact the play. That’s a very acceptable outcome for Sewell in the battle of the standout 2021 rookies.

–Center Frank Ragnow was solid, but he does not yet have the explosion out of the blocks he did prior to his toe injury aggravation. It shows when he’s asked to range outside the tackle box in the run game. I noted twice in this game where 2020 Ragnow would make a block but 2022 Ragnow cannot.

–T.J. Hockenson was more available as a receiver than the box score (4 catches, 58 yards) would have you believe. Goff missed seeing him several times; it would not have been the most practical option most times, but when you’re struggling on offense, maybe at least try…

–I watched the Amon-Ra St. Brown play that resulted in his admittance into concussion protocol at least 10 times. I’m no neurologist but I didn’t see any alleged “demonstrative loss of senses” that would necessitate pulling him from the game.

–This was the most poorly officiated game the Lions have been involved in since the Ravens game last year where the crew missed the obvious delay-of-game penalty that directly led to the Lions loss. Bad, bad game in both judgment calls but also procedural work from referee Adrian Hill’s crew. Having said that, Brock Wright was clearly down short of the goal-line and any challenge would have quickly been denied.

–I don’t want to pile on Goff with all the blame (see the Johnson point above), but this game was a very glaring reminder of why the Rams so desperately wanted to trade him away. If Goff isn’t capable of finding better options more often, this offense is doomed.