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First Down

A BAD RULE
It’s a rule that will likely be revisited by the competition committee this offseason, but it’s a rule for right now, and Lions head coach Jim Schwartz knew it.

The officials handed the Texans 81-yard touchdown on what should have been an eight-yard run by Justin Forsett in the third quarter, but Schwartz assisted on the play.

Forsett’s elbow and knee clearly hit the turf after being tackled, but he got up and kept running when the officials never blew the whistle to call the play dead.

Touchdowns are automatically reviewed, and the play would have been reviewed, and reversed, if Schwartz hadn't thrown the challenge flag, which is against the rules on scoring plays.

The minute Schwartz threw the flag the play was no longer reviewable, per NFL rules.

“I know that we can’t challenge a turnover or a scoring play and I overreacted,” Schwartz said after the game. “I was so mad that they didn’t call him down – because he was obviously down on the field. I had the flag out of my pocket before he even scored the touchdown and that’s all my fault. I overreacted in that situation and I cost us a touchdown.”

That one is on Schwartz.

Rules are rules, but it’s too bad a procedural call got in the way of making the right call.

Second Down

BROYLES' BREAKOUT
Rookie receiver Ryan Broyles had a breakout game with 126 receiving yards and six catches.

But all he could think about after the game were the two plays he didn’t make.

“You have to make the best out of all of your opportunities and I left a couple plays out there,” he said in the locker room after the game. “The negatives always overrule the positives and I’m not too happy with my performance, to be honest with you.”

Broyles dropped a would-be touchdown catch in the first quarter and couldn’t hang on to a key third-down pass in overtime at the Houston 45-yard line.

“I’ve to be more focused and more in tune,” he said. “I’ve always wanted my shot to come and I have to be more in tune.”

Broyles was getting more of an opportunity because Titus Young was inactive for disciplinary reasons. Broyles made a lot of plays in the game, but like everyone else, he didn’t make enough to get the Lions the win.

Third Down

HANSON'S KICK
Schwartz may have cost the Lions a touchdown when he threw the challenge flag on that Forsett touchdown run, but he made the right call in overtime when he called on Jason Hanson to attempt a 47-yard field goal on third down to win it.

Some think the Lions should have tried to get a few more yards to make the kick a little easier. Maybe run the ball to get a few more yards. But running back Joique bell had just run for -1, 3 and -3 yards on his previous three runs. The Texans were playing the run.

Why not throw it? Try to get a first down.

Not after watching Pettigrew fumble it away a few possession prior. No thanks.

The Lions have one of the most prolific kickers in the history of the NFL and he should be able to make a 47-yarder in overtime to win it. Kicking on third down gives you another opportunity if there’s a bad snap. I have no problem with the call.

Hanson has to make the kick, plain and simple.

Fourth Down

ALL THREE PHASES HAD A HAND IN THE LOSS
The Lions offense failed to put the game away in the fourth quarter after starting two possessions at the 47- and 50-yard line with a seven-point lead, but the defense allowing a 15-play, 97-yard scoring drive at the end of the fourth quarter was the real killer.

During the drive, the Texans converted a third-and-8, third-and-12 and fourth-and-7 – all to receiver Andre Johnson.

When the Texans needed a play, they went to their best player, and the Lions couldn't stop it.

Just like the offense, the Lions defense had a chance to win the game in the fourth quarter and couldn’t.

All three phases – offense, defense and special teams – had a hand in the loss.