The Detroit Lions kicked off their preseason on Thursday night with a disappointing performance, facing off against the Los Angeles Chargers. The game saw Detroit lose control with five turnovers, including two on special teams, while their defense conceded four touchdowns. Backup quarterbacks Kyle Allen and Hendon Hooker were unable to establish any offensive rhythm, leaving fans with little to cheer about.
Despite some standout individual efforts, notably from Isaac TeSlaa and Ahmed Hassanein, the overall display was unsatisfactory. However, it’s worth noting that none of Detroit’s starters participated in this matchup, suggesting that what fans witnessed may not reflect the team’s true potential as they prepare for their September 7 season opener in Lambeau.
The first quarter began on a rocky note for the Lions. Linebacker Grant Stuard mishandled the kickoff return, fumbling the ball after colliding with a teammate. Although the defense managed to stop the Chargers at the red zone, quarterback Trey Lance found a gap for a 5-yard touchdown pass, putting Los Angeles up 7-0.
Detroit’s offense then struggled to gain traction. A holding penalty against Shane Zylstra pushed them into a first-and-20 situation, and a dropped pass by Dominic Lovett halted their progress, leading to a stoppage on the ensuing third down. The Chargers scored again soon after, capitalizing on a Kyle Allen interception to extend their lead to 14-0.
The Lions showed some life as TeSlaa made impressive receptions, but another interception by Allen hindered their comeback efforts. A defensive stop followed, featuring a sack from Stuard, which allowed Detroit to position themselves better on their next drive. As the second quarter commenced, they managed to put points on the board with a 3-yard touchdown run from Craig Reynolds, narrowing the gap to 14-7.
The Chargers regained momentum, converting on a series of crucial plays despite a defensive penalty that granted them new life. Following an impressive offensive display, they put another touchdown on the scoreboard and led 21-7 going into halftime.
After a strong kickoff return for Los Angeles to start the third quarter, the Lions suffered another setback when Jakobie Keeney-James muffed a punt, allowing the Chargers to add to their lead with a short field goal, bringing the score to 24-7. Hooker took over at quarterback for Detroit but struggled under pressure, leading to another field goal from Los Angeles and a score of 27-7.
In the fourth quarter, Detroit continued to falter. A series of ineffective plays resulted in another turnover on downs, while the Chargers, now led by quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei, managed to extend their lead further to 34-7 with a final touchdown.
As the game drew to a close, Hooker’s attempts to rally the Lions fell short, culminating in a turnover that highlighted the night’s frustrations. Ultimately, the Chargers emerged victorious with a 34-7 win, leaving the Lions with much to improve upon ahead of the regular season.
