Gameday

When Jeff Backus leaves a game with an injury and doesn't return, it's a clear indication the 12th-year left tackle has suffered something significant.

The last time Backus came out of a game due to injury, he tore a bicep muscle in the LIons' playoff loss in New Orleans last year that required offseason surgery.

So when Backus limped off the field in the second quarter of Sunday's loss to the Packers, it looked serious.

Backus was diagnosed with a hamstring injury and now his iron-man streak of 186 consecutive starts is in jeopardy on a short week of preparation as the Lions get ready to host the Texans on Thanksgiving.

"He obviously wasn't able to return, he's got a hamstring," Lions head coach Jim Schwartz said after the game. "We'll get it evaluated. It was looked at enough to say he couldn't return to play today, but we'll just see what it looks like as we get ready for Houston."

Schwartz was then asked if his consecutive start streak was in jeopardy.

"Yeah, I would think so," he said. "When you're not able to return to a game, I think that definitely would qualify as putting it in jeopardy."

Rookie first-round pick Riley Reiff took Backus' place at left tackle with mixed results. Reiff had a holding penalty in the third quarter as the Packers attacked the left side of the line the remainder of the game.

The Lions selected Backus in the first round of the 2001 draft and he's started every game since at left tackle. It's the longest streak among active lineman and is the third longest in the NFL among active players.

FRUSTRATION RUNNING HIGH
The Lions certainly didn't expect to be 4-6 after 10 games and 0-4 in the NFC North and the frustration seems to be setting in. The FOX broadcast caught wide receiver coach Shawn Jefferson and offensive coordinator Scott Linehan arguing on the sideline late in the game.

"I'd rather not go into it," Schwartz said when asked about the confrontation after the game. "Everybody was disappointed in not being able to score a touchdown on that last drive."

The Lions had just failed to score from the Packers 10-yard line after two failed runs and a third-down pass attempt to receiver Titus Young. The Lions made no attempt to throw to Calvin Johnson on the final sequence of plays.

"Disarray is probably not the right word," Lions quarterback said after the game when asked if that was fair to describe the Lions offense at the end of the game.

"Coming into this week we were the No. 2 offense in the league so if that's disarray then okay. But obviously just didn't play our best against a good football team and didn't come out with a win."

Young finished with just one catch for 24 yards on six targets. Tight end Tony Scheffler had two catches on 10 targets.

PLAY THE BALL
Too many times this season Lions defensive backs have been in a position to make a play on a football and haven't been able to.

Rookie cornerbacks Bill Bentley and Jonte Green have been victimized a few times this year when they failed to turn their head and make a play on the ball.

It was the same issue Sunday with veteran corner Jacob Lacey on a 22-yard touchdown pass from Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers to receiver Randall Cobb that ultimately proved to be the game winner.

"Yeah, we didn't make it," Schwartz said of the play. "I mean, we've got to find the ball in the air. We've got to be able to get that ball down. That's a great opportunity. The quarterback just threw it straight up in the air. He just threw a jump ball in that situation and we've got to be able to come down with it."

Too many times Lions defenders haven't been able to. Whether it's poor technique or just not being able to make an athletic play in the air, it continues to be a problem for Lions defenders.