Special Teams Errors Cost Lions

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Mike Nugent’s 54 yard field goal as time expired gave the Bengals a 27-24 victory over the Lions.  This was set up by a poor 28 yard punt by Sam Martin.  Nugent had already missed one field goal but was able to make his longest attempt when the game was on the line.

Sam Martin has been spectacular for the Lions minus his last punt.  The fifth round pick has an average of 48.2 yards per punt with a long of 72 and 10 punts inside the 20.  He also won NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his Week three performance against the Redskins.  He was the first Lions punter to receive this honor since Jim Arnold in the 1993 season.

The Lions also had a field goal blocked.  It was only David Akers’ third field goal miss of the season.  He is 11-14 in field goal attempts with a long of 53.  The only other game he missed in was the Lions loss at Arizona where he missed two.

Matthew Stafford had another big day but it wasn’t enough for the victory.  He passed for 357 yards with a 54.9 completion rate and three touchdowns.  He was not sacked and did not throw an interception.  Andy Dalton was able to out pass him throwing for 372 and three touchdowns with a 70.6 percent completion rate.

Calvin Johnson was able to rebound from his recent injury and catch nine balls for 155 yards and two touchdowns.  His second touchdown of the day was an incredible.  He was able to out jump three defenders for the ball on a 50 yard bomb from Stafford.  Bengals receiver AJ Green matched Johnson for 155 yards but was only able to score one touchdown of his own.

The Lions rushing attack was ineffective yesterday as Reggie Bush rushed for 50 yards on 20 carries.  Joique Bell added 5 rushes for 27 yards.  The Bengals weren’t any better as they rushed for 57 yards on 18 carries.

Stafford was able to spread the ball to eight receivers on Sunday.  The leading receive behind Johnson was Kevin Ogletree.  He had two catches for 50 yards.  The Lions recently picked up Ogletree after he was cut from the Buccaneers.   Joseph Fauria was held to one first down dance as he only had one catch on four targets for 15 yards.

The Lions play the Dallas Cowboys at home Sunday at 1pm.

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