Phillip Buchanon ran down Adrian Peterson and punched the ball out of the Vikings running back's hands, but big plays by the Lions were few Sunday. (Daniel Mears/The Detroit News)
The Lions have become the safest opponent in football.
There's almost no fear they will pull an upset and spoil anyone's plan.
Even the Fox TV network has used the Lions as a foil for a marketing opportunity.
For most of the three-plus hours it took the Lions to put the beginning and finishing touches -- and everything in between -- on Sunday's 27-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, Fox promoted a fan contest to give the Vikings' defensive line a nickname. Last time I checked, I think "Maul of America" was leading.
Granted, it was more clever than my suggestion: "All those guys in purple on top of Matthew Stafford."
Being someone's punch line cannot be any fun, whether it's Jay Leno or the networks who televise NFL games.
If you are a Lions player, coach, front-office executive or fan, you should be embarrassed today that your team was a used as a foil to give your opponent a catchy name.
Anyone think there was a similar contest in the Bengals-Steelers game? Or Packers-Cowboys? Or any other game?
But there's no respect for the Lions. They were deemed a safe choice against the Vikings. They were outmatched at every position on offense and defense, and history made an upset a remote possibility.
Division title is out
The Vikings were 17-point favorites for good reasons. The Lions haven't beaten them at the Metrodome since 1997. Their road losing streak to the Vikings stands at 12 games.
But the best reason for a network to assume that the Lions won't wreck their marketing scheme is that they aren't very good.
Every week, they produce another amazing statistic.
On Sunday, they became the first team in the NFL to be mathematically eliminated from their division race. The Vikings lead the NFC North at 8-1. The Lions are last at 1-8, with two losses to the Vikings.
The one-sided statistics -- 492 yards for the Vikings to 297 for the Lions -- told only part of the story.
No protection
What stood out most was the pressure the Vikings put on Stafford all game. Stafford never flinched from the relentless strafing he faced as he completed 29 of 51 passes for 224 yards and a score.
Minnesota's rush came from all directions. Stafford was sacked three times, and hit 13 times, according to the official press box stats.
"It's not one guy, it's not two guys, it's not three guys," Fox analyst Tim Ryan said as the Vikings continued to hammer Stafford. "Minnesota's got six or seven guys who can get to the quarterback."
Late in the game, the cameras showed Favre on the sideline with his talented offensive teammates.
"Matthew Stafford doesn't have those weapons," Ryan said.
Not even close.
But on a day when the Lions were cast as extras for a marketing program, Stafford should have been protected by the coach.
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