Morning Lions Links for Monday 9-9-19

Articles:

O’HARA’S MONDAY COUNTDOWN: Lions have no choice but to move on after tie:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/o-hara-s-monday-countdown-lions-have-no-choice-but-to-move-on-after-tie

NOTEBOOK: Hockenson sets NFL record in debut:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/notebook-hockenson-sets-nfl-record-in-debut

FOUR DOWNS: Why Lions called timeout on fourth-quarter play:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/four-downs-why-lions-called-timeout-on-fourth-quarter-play-stafford

O’HARA’S BURNING QUESTIONS: What led to 27-27 tie?:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/o-hara-s-burning-questions-what-led-to-27-27-tie

Observations: Lions blow 18-point lead, tie Cardinals despite historic debut from T.J. Hockenson:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2019/09/observations-lions-blow-18-point-lead-tie-cardinals-despite-historic-debut-from-tj-hockenson.html

Why did the Lions call timeout before a potentially game-clinching pass?:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2019/09/why-did-the-lions-call-timeout-before-a-potentially-game-clinching-pass.html

Detroit Lions tie for first time since 1984, last blew 18-point lead in 2015:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2019/09/detroit-lions-tie-for-first-time-since-1984-last-blew-18-point-lead-in-2015.html

Inside the locker room: Kyler Murray says the Lions looked tired:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2019/09/inside-the-locker-room-kyler-murray-says-the-lions-looked-tired.html

What they’re saying nationally after Lions blow late lead to tie Cardinals:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2019/09/what-theyre-saying-nationally-after-lions-blow-late-lead-to-tie-cardinals.html

Windsor: Lions usher in new season in most Lions way ever: With an epic fail:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/columnists/shawn-windsor/2019/09/08/detroit-lions-score-arizona-cardinals/2260459001/

'Trust me:' Stafford, Patricia explain unfortunate Lions timeout:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/09/08/detroit-lions-matthew-stafford-matt-patricia-timeout/2261190001/

What happened on the Lions’ timeout call in the 4th quarter?:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/09/08/detroit-lions-timeout-call-patricia-bevell/2260747001/

Niyo: Don't trust the Lions, trust history:  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/09/08/niyo-dont-trust-lions-trust-history/2258780001/

Quick reads: Lions can't solve Murray in fourth-quarter turnaround:  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/09/08/quick-reads-lions-cant-solve-murray-fourth-quarter/2260499001/

Lions' next opponent: Ekeler scores 3 TDs in Chargers’ OT win over Colts:  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/09/08/lions-next-opponent-ekeler-scores-3-tds-chargers-ot-win-over-colts/2261182001/

Pat Caputo - Possibly beginning of end of Matt Patricia as Lions' head coach:  https://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/pat-caputo---possibly-beginning-of-end-of-matt/article_8c9ff390-d296-11e9-959b-5744a5f5b0db.html

Five things to know about Detroit Lions’ collapse, ending with a tie at Arizona:  https://lionslowdown.com/2019/09/09/five-things-to-know-about-detroit-lions-collapse-ending-with-a-tie-at-arizona/

Studs and Duds from the Lions 27-27 tie to the Arizona Cardinals:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2019/09/08/studs-and-duds-from-the-lions-27-27-tie-to-the-arizona-cardinals/

NFL Week 1 PFF ReFocused: Arizona Cardinals 27, Detroit Lions 27:  https://www.pff.com/news/pro-nfl-week-1-pff-refocused-arizona-cardinals-27-detroit-lions-27

Takeaways from every game: Which teams should panic after Week 1 (Detroit Lions 27, Arizona Cardinals 27:  The mood was somber after an 18-point fourth-quarter lead devolved into a tie game. "I feel like everybody is just confused right now because it's a tie," cornerback Justin Coleman said. "Not everybody in here experienced a tie before, and we are just going to treat it as a loss so we can come out stronger the next game and use it as motivation, keep us going." And considering what is coming the next month -- the Chargers, Eagles, Chiefs and Packers -- a win is something the Lions needed. -- Michael Rothstein):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/page/nfl_32for329819/week-1-nfl-takeaways-early-concern-browns-falcons

What we learned from Sunday's Week 1 games (Detroit Lions 27, Arizona Cardinals 27 OT:  1. From the most horrendous of starts to the doorstep of a storied comeback victory, Kyler Murray's never-ending debut ended in a tie and promise for the future following an awful onset. Trailing, 17-0, in the second quarter and by 18 in the fourth, the Cardinals were buoyed by their rookie signal-caller and their veteran Hall-of-Famer-to-be receiver on the way to a 27-27 overtime comeback tie. Before the comeback bid that came up just short, Murray -- who rarely looked confident or settled and was visibly frustrated on the field and off it -was a dismal 6-of-16 for 41 yards and an interception. His QB rating was a horrendous 19.8, just more than the 19 yards he lost on three sacks. As the second half wore on, the Lions lost their bite and Murray found his way. The No. 1 pick was 23-for-38 for 289 yards and a pair of touchdowns -- the first of his career to David Johnson and the second to Larry Fitzgerald -- in the second half. Following Fitz' scoring grab, Murray (29-for-54 for 308 yards in the game) found Christian Kirk for two points and sent the game into overtime. That's where it ended 10 minutes of game time later. But in one night, Murray rescued a horrible premiere for himself and rookie coach Kliff Kingsbury and salvaged a tie. Maybe Murray grew up over 70 minutes of football. Likely not. But he provided evidence that there's tangible skill in the arm of the top pick and intangibles within that are needed to turnaround a franchise.  2. Seven spots after the Cardinals drafted a QB out of Oklahoma, the Lions selected a tight end out of Iowa. T.J. Hockenson was the 2019 first-round pick who put on the most impressive show in Arizona on Sunday and turned in one of the best days for a rookie across the board. Hauling in six passes from another former No. 1 overall pick - Matthew Stafford - Hockenson had 131 yards receiving, which is the most for any rookie tight end in his first game. Unfortunately, the first touchdown of Hockenson's career -- a 23-yarder -- was the last of the day for the Lions. It's likely Hockenson's impressive debut could be a forgotten footnote to a Lions collapse that gave way to a memorable showing from Murray. However, the Lions have a new weapon, a beast over the middle and a possible star at his position.  3. Larry's still got it. It wasn't that long ago that Larry Fitzgerald's retirement was a possibility. Sunday showed there was no reason for one of the all-time greats to hang them up. While the headlines will belong to Murray, Fitzgerald showed off the experience and skill in the clutch that the Cardinals needed to steer their sinking ship. It was Fitzgerald's four-yard TD catch with 47 seconds left that led to overtime and it was huge 45-yard gain in overtime that set up Zane Gonzalez' fourth and final field goal. Ending the afternoon with eight catches for 113 yards, Fitzgerald started his 16th season with a 100-yard game after recording just one in his 15th campaign. Myriad questions remain to be answered for the Cardinals' offense after a Week 1 showing that was good, bad and all the ugly in between. Fitzgerald still has the skill and presence to be the guiding light needed to shine when called upon.  -- Grant Gordon):  http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001052213/article/what-we-learned-from-sundays-week-1-games

Week 1 Takeaways: Lamar Lights It Up, Eagles Wake Up in Time, Browns a Mess, Dolphins an Insult to the NFL and its Fans (Things that made me giddy - Matthew Stafford Does His Superhero Thing: With no run game, shaky special teams and a defensive collapse, Stafford’s 385 passing yards on 45 attempts, many of them downright absurd throws, is the only thing that salaved a tie for the Lions.  Regrets - Kliff Kingsbury’s Offense Looks Kinda Krappy: Granted, their offensive line is terrible, but there were few open receivers for Kyler Murray to find in this one. Everything they got seemed to be a contested catch. They didn’t get anything going until a gassed Lions defense softened up and let them up off the mat.  Regrets - Kyler Sacked by His Own Lineman: Whoa, boy.):  https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/09/08/week-1-breakdown-analysis-lamar-jackson-dolphins-embarassed-eagles-comeback-browns-dud

Matthew Stafford tried to throw the game away, but Cards CB Tramaine Brock dropped it:  https://sports.yahoo.com/matthew-stafford-tried-to-throw-the-game-away-but-cards-cb-tramaine-brock-dropped-it-005902531.html

Matt Patricia's Lions turn 18-point 4th-quarter lead into tie against rookie QB, head coach:  https://sports.yahoo.com/matt-patricias-lions-turn-18-point-4-thquarter-lead-into-tie-against-rookie-qb-head-coach-005235744.html

Kyler Murray goes from sacked by his teammate to comeback kid, leading Cardinals to an improbable tie:  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/kyler-murray-goes-from-sacked-by-his-teammate-to-comeback-kid-leading-cardinals-to-an-improbable-tie/

Kyler Murray stands tall, but comeback comes up just short of a win:  https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/09/08/kyler-murray-stands-tall-but-comeback-comes-up-just-short-of-a-win/

Kyler Murray had a priceless reaction to Tramaine Brock's dropped interception:  https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/09/kyler-murray-tramaine-brock-dropped-interception-reaction-cardinals-lions-tie

Kyler Murray got sacked by his own teammate early in his debut:  https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/09/kyler-murray-tramaine-brock-dropped-interception-reaction-cardinals-lions-tie

Grades:

Lions grades: Patrica says blame lies with him:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/09/08/detroit-lions-grades-coaching-gaffes-special-teams-errors-mar-tie/2255082001/

Justin Rogers' Lions report card: Pass catchers snatch stellar marks:  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/09/08/justin-rogers-lions-report-card-pass-catchers-snatch-stellar-marks/2257989001/

CBS Week 1 Grades (Lions grade is a B-.  The scoreboard might say this game was a tie, but it should feel like a loss to the Lions, and that's because they blew an 18-point lead over the final 11 minutes of the game. Although Matthew Stafford put up big numbers (385 yards, three touchdowns), he couldn't come through in the clutch for Detroit. As for the Lions' defense, they actually did a good job of holding Murray in check for most of the game before melting down in the fourth quarter. Detroit sacked Murray a total of five times with three of those coming from Devon Kennard. If Lions coach Matt Patricia was on the hot seat before this game, he should definitely still be on it after calling an inexcusable timeout late in the game.): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-week-1-grades-jets-get-a-d-for-blowing-huge-lead-in-home-opener-while-cowboys-and-ravens-earn-high-marks/

Video:

Lions vs. Cardinals highlights | Week 1:  http://www.nfl.com/videos/detroit-lions/0ap3000001052751/Lions-vs-Cardinals-highlights-Week-1

Every T.J. Hockenson catch from stellar debut | Week 1:  http://www.nfl.com/videos/detroit-lions/0ap3000001052744/Every-T-J-Hockenson-catch-from-stellar-debut-Week-1

Patricia on Week 1 tie against Cardinals:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/patricia-on-week-1-tie-against-cardinals

Stafford on need to execute better:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/stafford-on-need-to-execute-better

Hockenson on his NFL debut:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/hockenson-on-his-nfl-debut

Kennard on defense in the second half:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/kennard-on-defense-in-the-second-half

Debating whether Lions are good enough to overcome opening tie:  https://www.freep.com/videos/sports/nfl/lions/2019/09/09/detroit-lions-tie-opener-cardinals-analysis/2261340001/

Rogers and Niyo on Lions' 27-27 tie in Arizona:  https://www.detroitnews.com/videos/sports/nfl/lions/2019/09/09/rogers-and-niyo-discuss-lions-27-27-tie-cardinals/2261211001/