Morning Lions Links for Monday 9-21-15

Lions Articles:

National Media:

Week 2 game balls (Matthew Stafford. He might not have had the best numbers Sunday, but he hung in there, getting hit over and over again by Minnesota’s defense. Stafford finished 32-of-53 for 286 yards and two touchdowns while also leading the Lions in rushing with 20 yards.):   http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/179193/week-2-nfl-game-balls-jameis-winston-larry-fitzgerald-tom-brady-among-the-sunday-stars

DeAndre Levy says he is closer to returning for Detroit Lions:   http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18962/deandre-levy-says-he-is-closer-to-returning-for-detroit-lions

42 things we learned Sunday: Pats still team to beat:   http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000535029/article/42-things-we-learned-in-week-2-pats-still-team-to-beat

Stafford gets X-rays on chest and ribs after Vikings pummel him:   http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/09/20/stafford-gets-x-rays-on-chest-and-ribs-after-vikings-pummel-him/

Sorting the Sunday Pile: Patriots offense coming out hotter than 2007 (Pushing the Panic Button: Lions: Revamped offensive line for run game and they can't protect or push up front. Feed Abdullah! At least Calvin Johnson got some targets.):   http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/25310632/sorting-the-sunday-pile-patriots-offense-coming-out-hotter-than-2007

NFL Winners and Losers: Jameis Winston outplays Drew Brees in win (Losers - Matthew Stafford: Stafford's line at Minnesota was the perfect microcosm of his career: 32 of 53 for 286 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Hey, 286 yards, not bad! Yeah, it's bad when it takes 53 attempts to get there. By the end of the year, Stafford's final line with the Detroit Lions will look decent. It always does. But it's usually because he throws the ball an insane amount of times and can't help but put up some OK counting stats. He still doesn't look any better as a quarterback though, in his seventh season. He didn't have one completion of more than 19 yards. With those weapons? That's criminal. Stafford is stuck in the Jay Cutler zone: He's getting paid like a franchise quarterback, though he clearly isn't, and the franchise would never let him go although it's clear by now he's not going to take a step forward and they won't win anything with him. If Stafford hasn't broken through yet, it's not going to happen.):   http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/nfl-winners-and-losers--jameis-winston-outplays-drew-brees-in-win-025602417.html

Parachute Jumper takes out Lions:   http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/150704202/minnesota-vikings-detroit-lions-nfl

Local Media:

NOTEBOOK: Defense missing DeAndre Levy:   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/notebook/article-1/NOTEBOOK-Defense-missing-DeAndre-Levy/d98dd256-4231-4933-aa32-129aec2d5e5c

FOUR DOWNS: Stafford hurting:   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/FOUR-DOWNS-Stafford-hurting/e01fe93f-8217-4690-945d-88c0dc1dab49

O'HARA: Don't blame schedule for Lions' struggles:   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ohara/article-1/OHARA-Dont-blame-schedule-for-Lions-struggles/51b19328-ba2a-4d98-b938-32ad30d9d382

Lions notes: Megatron used more, but team lacks big plays:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/20/detroit-lions-calvin-johnson/72545862/

Minnesota 26, Detroit 16: Why the Lions loss:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/20/detroit-lions-minnesota-vikings-how-they-scored/72533202/

How Lions scored in 26-16 loss to Vikings:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/20/detroit-lions-minnesota-vikings-how-they-scored/72533202/

Lions ticker: Harrison says teammates don't respect Stafford:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/20/detroit-lions-matthew-stafford-rodney-harrison/72539076/

Lions extra points: Overheard, talking points, on deck:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/21/detroit-lions-extra-points/72548164/

Three Lions Q's: After two losses, fate seems sealed:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/21/detroit-lions-carlos-monarrez-three-questions/72548898/

Seidel: Vikings dished out pain, Lions hurt themselves:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/columnists/jeff-seidel/2015/09/20/detroit-lions-minnesota-vikings-jeff-seidel/72547252/

Seidel: Peterson's back, more trouble for Lions than ever:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/columnists/jeff-seidel/2015/09/20/adrian-peterson-detroit-lions/72545140/

Up next for Lions: Keeping Broncos at bay a tall order:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/21/detroit-lions-denver-broncos/72548938/

NFC North: Packers get revenge; Bears blown out at home:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/21/nfc-north-packers-seahawks-bears-cardinals/72548912/

Wojo: Spread the blame for Lions’ awful offense:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/columnists/bob-wojnowski/2015/09/20/wojo-spread-blame-lions-awful-offense/72545310/

Josh Katzenstein's Four Downs: Lions powerless against Peterson:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/2015/09/20/josh-katzensteins-four-downs-lions-powerless-against-peterson/72542224/

Lions await word on Stafford's health:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/2015/09/20/teammates-admire-staffords-courage-but-say-poundings-cant-continue/72533788/

Vikings deny Lions on deep routes:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/2015/09/20/vikings-deny-lions-deep-routes/72544292/

Lions couldn't stop Adrian Peterson, even when they knew he was coming:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/lions_couldnt_stop_adrian_pete.html

Lions LB DeAndre Levy breaks silence on mystery hip ailment, nears return:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/lions_lb_deandre_levy_breaks_s.html

Pat Caputo - Remember the past? Detroit Lions never let this town forget:   http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150920/pat-caputo-remember-the-past-detroit-lions-never-let-this-town-forget

Detroit Lions — Levy, Pettigrew, Reid out; inactives list:   http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150920/detroit-lions-x2014-levy-pettigrew-reid-out-inactives-list

Lions in predictable big hole after week 2:   http://www.clickondetroit.com/sports/parkersconfidential/lions-in-predictable-big-hole-after-week-2/35384342

Articles from Opposing Team's Media:

Lions QB Matthew Stafford: Vikings 'defense does good job eliminating big plays':   http://www.twincities.com/vikings/ci_28848151/lions-qb-matthew-stafford-vikings-defense-does-good

Eagan's Zach Zenner 'just happy to have a number' as Lions rookie:   http://www.twincities.com/prep/ci_28847842/eagans-zach-zenner-just-happy-have-number-lions

Vikings get their groove back with convincing win over Lions:   http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_28846785/adrian-peterson-helps-stake-vikings-17-10-halftime

Vikings DE Justin Trattou doesn't drop interception this time:   http://www.twincities.com/vikings/ci_28847912/vikings-de-justin-trattou-doesnt-drop-interception-this

Grades:

Game 2:   http://captainbluelionslinks.blogspot.com/2015/09/game-2-grades-lions-vs-vikings.html

Video:

Game 2:   http://captainbluelionslinks.blogspot.com/2015/09/game-3-lions-vs-vikings-video.html