Doug Karsch: Lions Have Their Swagger Back

It was good to see the Lions get their swagger back Sunday in Denver! Offensively, the Lions rolled and defensively, they did just what they should have -- forced Tebow to beat them through the air -- which they could not do. But what I liked most was Matt Stafford's recognition of and ability to beat the blitz. After the past two weeks, Lions fans were concerned about Stafford and the offense being outed: "just pressure them, they will fold." Well Sunday Denver tried to pressure the Lions, but Stafford sniffed it out on several occasions and found the hot receiver. Midway through the second quarter in what turned out to be a touchdown drive, Stafford stood in against a blitz and hit Calvin Johnson on a third down crossing route in single coverage -- one of the few times Calvin saw single coverage. Later on the same drive Scheffler made that great juggling catch -- that was against a blitz.

Denver tested Stafford and the Lions offense Sunday -- the Lions got more than a passing grade.