Pro football is the ultimate team game, and when one component breaks down the entire team can be derailed.
That's what we learned in the Detroit Lions' 25-7 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars at Ford Field Saturday afternoon.
"You don't like to lose," head coach Dan Campbell said in his postgame press conference. "And you don't like to lose that way."
Among the other things we learned include the following:
There are ramifications for poor play in the preseason, and they come in the form of job insecurity; one rookie receiver might have taken a step forward in the battle for a roster spot; linebacker James Houston's stats vs. the Jaguars showed that his performance as a rookie was not a fluke.
We start with Campbell and his take on the overall value of Saturday's game, and the potential fallout.
Job security: There was a clear message from Campbell in his postgame remarks that performance matters when it comes time for GM Brad Holmes, his staff and Campbell to make roster cuts.
"I felt like we found out about a few guys today," he said. "We have to know – Brad and myself and the coaches.
"Brad and his crew, they're looking at everything -- and it's not just our own squad.
"They're looking at 31 other teams too. We're always evaluating. We're always looking."
Dropped passes, breakdowns up front and nine first downs for the entire game could make the offense a prime evaluation target.
However, it should be noted that the starters on the offensive line, at running back and at wide receiver did not play, and neither did quarterback Jared Goff.
Houston: It's been a quiet training camp for Houston, which is unusual considering what he accomplished in his rookie season.
A sixth-round pick from Jackson State, Houston played seven games and had eight sacks.
Against Jacksonville he had six tackles, a sack, four tackles for loss and a quarterback hit.
He accomplished that in 36 snaps.
Catching on: Rookie wide receiver Chase Cota of Oregon is chasing a job, as his name implies. He had four catches for 60 yards in the first preseason game vs. the Giants, but only two catches for nine yards vs. the Jaguars as the entire offense cratered.
One catch was for a one-yard TD when he got wide open in the end zone to take a pass from quarterback Nate Sudfeld.
"There was a bunch of crossing stuff," Cota said, describing his route on the TD. "As long as I could keep hidden back there (in the end zone), I could come through Scot-free."
The clock is ticking down for Cota in competition for a roster spot with Dylan Drummond of Eastern Michigan and others.
"It's hard not to think about it," Cota said of the end of camp coming. "I think it's healthy. Nobody's going to put more pressure on me than myself."
View photos from the Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Detroit Lions preseason Week 2 game at Ford Field on Saturday, Aug. 19 in Detroit, MI.
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) before a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) before a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson (2) before a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell (46) before a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Romeo Okwara (95) gets ready in the locker room before a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Colby Sorsdal (75) gets ready in the locker room before a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jermar Jefferson (28) before a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Chase Cota (88) before a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Antoine Green (80) before a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell before a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (50) before a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (50) before a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell during a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell (46) during a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Starling Thomas (49) before a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Tracy Walker (21) during a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Chase Cota (88) returns a punt during a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Chase Cota (88) during a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) during a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (50), Detroit Lions offensive lineman Colby Sorsdal (75), and Detroit Lions tackle Germain Ifedi (70) during a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (50) during a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell (46) during a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike (91) during a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) during a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (50) and Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) during a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Steven Gilmore (36) breaks up a pass during a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (44), Detroit Lions cornerback Starling Thomas (49), and Detroit Lions linebacker Anthony Pittman (57) celebrate during a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker James Houston (41) during a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Steven Gilmore (36) intercepts a pass during a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Steven Gilmore (36) and Detroit Lions defensive back Saivion Smith (23) celebrate after an interception during a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (50) and Detroit Lions tackle Germain Ifedi (70) during a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) during a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker James Houston (41) Detroit Lions long snapper Scott Daly (47) during a NFL preseason NFL game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs (96), Detroit Lions safety Tracy Walker (21), Detroit Lions safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (6), and Detroit Lions linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (42) during a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Chase Cota (88) during a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Cornerbacks Coach Dre Bly during a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell during a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Josh Paschal (93) during a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Josh Paschal (93) during a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (44) during a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Julian Okwara (99) sacks Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback C.J. Beathard (3) during a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Benito Jones (94) and Detroit Lions linebacker Julian Okwara (99) sacks Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback C.J. Beathard (3) during a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Starling Thomas (49) and Detroit Lions defensive back Saivion Smith (23) during a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (10) during a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell (46) during a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Dylan Drummond (83) during a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Dylan Drummond (83) during a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions center Alex Mollette (61) Detroit Lions tackle Ryan Swoboda (62), Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (10), Detroit Lions wide receiver Chase Cota (88), and Detroit Lions guard Kayode Awosika (74) during a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (10) and Detroit Lions tackle Darrin Paulo (69) during a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Ryan Swoboda (62) and Detroit Lions running back Jermar Jefferson (28) during a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions center Alex Mollette (61), Detroit Lions running back Jermar Jefferson (28), and Detroit Lions tight end James Mitchell (82) during a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Chase Cota (88) scores a touchdown during a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Chase Cota (88) celebrates after a touchdown during a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Chase Cota (88) and Detroit Lions wide receiver Dylan Drummond (83) celebrate after a touchdown during a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Christian Covington (52) and Detroit Lions linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (42) during a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Cory Durden (90) during a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Connor Galvin (76), Detroit Lions center Alex Mollette (61), and Detroit Lions guard Kayode Awosika (74) during a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Cory Durden (90) during a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Brandon Joseph (40) during a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Darrin Paulo (69), Detroit Lions offensive lineman Connor Galvin (76), Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (10), and Detroit Lions running back Jermar Jefferson (28) during a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Khalil Dorsey (30) during a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker James Houston (41) during a NFL preseason NFL game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell and Detroit Lions running back Jermar Jefferson (28) during a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (10) during a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Benny Snell (38) during a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jermar Jefferson (28) during a NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Detroit, MI. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
QB stamp of approval: Goff was not endorsing Drummond over any other candidate to make the roster, but he had these comments when asked about him in a recent interview: "He's a good player, man. He does everything right. He continually shows up – I know he's good on special teams from what I've heard.
"For me he's a guy that continually is exactly where he's supposed to be on time.
"He's fast. He's sudden. He's smart. He's got good hands."
