Nick Harris News

Risky business Lions coach Jim Schwartz defended a decision to opt for a 55-yard field goal try, trailing 14-7 with 4:59 left in the second quarter.

CINCINNATI -- The statistics say the Lions ran the ball and stopped the run Sunday.

"Sore," Schwartz said Monday, 24 hours after Stafford aggravated his injured left shoulder in a 23-13 loss at Cincinnati.

Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz made a couple of strategic decisions during the team's 23-13 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, and neither worked out very well.

While kicker Jason Hanson and punter Nick Harris have been solid all season for the Detroit Lions, their special teams have really suffered in terms of kick coverage and the return game.

Grading the Detroit Lions on their 34-12 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Thursday at Ford Field.

Detroit Lions kicker Jason Hanson is lifted by teammate Nick Harris after kicking a game-winning extra point in an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns in more... Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers drops back to pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Nov.

A little too excited Overtime wasn't out of the question at the end, and the Lions were fortunate not to get flagged for excessive celebration after Brandon Pettigrew 's game-tying touchdown.

Rookie QB Matthew Stafford didn't let an apparent injury prevent him from leading the Detroit Lions to a 38-37 win over the Cleveland Browns Sunday with - literally - no time left on the clock.

Hanson's 48 yard field goal wide right. 3:30 left in first quarter. Vikings 3-0. Free Press sports writer Carlos Monarrez is live-blogging today's Lions-Vikings game.

Vikings go for it on fourth and inches inside the Lions' 10 and are stuffed. Duggan is stopped on a run up the middle.

Lions rookie safety Louis Delmas goes down at the 2-yard line after picking off a pass against the Seattle Seahawks.

Oh, what it's like to be a Lions fan. What a maddening thing when you live in a world of high draft picks and low scores.A When management consistently misses on can't-miss prospects and possible late-round gems turn out to be polished coal.

Detroit Lions linebacker Julian Peterson leads the team with 3 1/2 sacks and is fourth in tackles with 30.

Jamie Samuelsen, the sports director for the 'Deminski & Doyle' morning show on WCSX-FM , blogs for freep.com. His opinions do not necessarily reflect those of the Detroit Free Press nor its writers.

Lions coach Jim Schwartz looks on during the fourth quarter Sunday. Grading the Detroit Lions on their 17-10 loss to the St.

Even by the Lions' lowly standards, this was ridiculous. Apparently, any time the Lions and Rams hook up, you throw out the records books and the playbooks and hope they don't clunk innocent bystanders on the head.

Calvin Johnson is one of the most physically gifted athletes in the NFL, a guy that completely changes the complexion of a game -- even if he doesn't catch a single pass.

Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson poses with Schnitzel, Schiza and Schmiegen, three American Eskimo dogs owned by Lions fan Hellen Hines of Dearborn.

Still struggling: Coach Jim Schwartz said the Lions were lucky when a holding penalty nullified a 99-yard touchdown return by the Packers' Jordy Nelson on the opening kickoff.