Lions' playoff hopes on thin ice
BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 3: Free Safety Eric Weddle #32 of the Baltimore Ravens forces a fumble as he tackles quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions at M&T Bank Stadium. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE (AP) - The Lions lost their second straight following a three-game win streak and now find themselves in a precarious position with four weeks left.
"There have been crazier things that have happened," receiver Golden Tate said. "But we've got to get this thing popping."
Stafford set a team record by throwing 20 straight completions, but Detroit couldn't fully pull itself out of a 20-0 halftime hole.
Stafford wasn't around at the end, though, having left with a bruised hand after he was cleated in the fourth quarter.
OPENING SOME EYES: With Stafford directing a pass-heavy attack, there wasn't much need for the Lions to run the ball. But reserve running back Tion Green had 11 carries for 51 yards and a 6-yard touchdown, easily the best numbers on an offense that gained only 78 yards on 24 rushes.
The rookie out of Cincinnati may have earned himself a longer look.
Stafford said: "It didn't seem like it was too big for him. He just stepped in and played."
O-LINE WOES: Detroit was already without starting center Travis Swanson, inactive for Sunday's game with a knee injury. But the hits kept coming for what has become a patchwork offensive line.
The right side was especially hard hit. Tackle Rick Wagner went out early with an ankle injury and did not return. Guard T.J. Lang limped off with a foot injury, but returned later in the game.
The fact that the Lions were cobbling together protection for Stafford makes the quarterback's 20 straight pass completions even more impressive. But the yeoman's work wasn't enough to placate anyone after another disheartening defeat.
"You got to be able to adjust and find a way to win," coach Jim Caldwell said. "We didn't do that."
TAKING THE HIT: Caldwell assumed responsibility for an embarrassing gaffe early in the fourth quarter, when the Lions defense had only nine men on the field when Baltimore was driving on a third-and-7 at the Detroit 33.
With numbers in his favor, Flacco completed a pass to Chris Moore for a 23-yard gain. Two plays later, Collins scored from the 7.
"That's wrong, should have never happened," said Caldwell, who wouldn't explain why he didn't call a timeout. "That's my fault."