Recap: Poor defense dooms Lions in 48-45 loss to Seahawks

Matthew Scheidel
The Detroit News

The Lions scored 45 points without their top three skill position players. They still lost to a Seahawks team led by Geno Smith. Seattle's punter never saw the field.

Aaron Glenn's defense allowed 555 yards of total offense, seventh-most in franchise history. Whenever it needed to get a stop, it couldn't do it. Frankly, it was pathetic.

They also had trouble on special teams. Backup kicker Dominik Eberle missed two extra points, which forced Dan Campbell to go for two twice in the second half. Both attempts were successful.

The Lions have scored 140 points this season — the most in the NFL. They are 1-3. They head to Foxborough to take on the Patriots next week before the bye.

Final: Seahawks 48, Lions 45

-Q4 0:53: Game over. Seahawks pick up the first down and they will win.

-Q4 1:06: Seahawks recover the onside kick.

Lions add another TD late

-Q4 1:06: Goff to Justin Jackson for the TD. Lions aren't dead yet. Eberle hits the XP. 48-45. Onside kick coming up. Lions still have all three timeouts.

Two-minute warning

Seahawks run it in again

-Q4 2:14: Yikes. Penny scores again on a delay on 3rd down. It's 48-38

Lions not going away

-Q4 5:26: Hockenson is adding to his career day with a another TD catch. Eberle comes on for the XP...and makes it. 41-38.

Myers hits another FG

-Q4 9:32: Myers hits a chip shot FG to make it 41-31. Lions defense has been shredded all day, so they can call this a win.

Lions cut the lead to 7

-Q4 14:23: Lions answer right back with a TD pass from Goff to Josh Reynolds. 2 pt. conversion is good again. It's 38-31. This game is wild.

End third quarter: Lions trail 38-23

Big play by Hockenson to end the quarter. 81 yards down the sideline has the Lions in a first-and-goal after the break.

Seahawks respond

-Q3 0:33: After...something with the play clock, the Seahawks catch the Lions defense off guard with a draw play on 3rd and 16. Rashaad Penny takes it to the house. It's 38-23.

Lions find the end zone

-Q3 6:30: Jamaal Williams breaks free for 51-yard touchdown run. 2-point conversion is good as Goff keeps it himself. It's 31-23 now.

Seattle misses a field goal

-Q3 7:29: Weird day for special teams on both sides. Jason Myers hit a 56-yarder for Seattle earlier, but just shanked a 39-yarder. Lions still down 31-15

-Q3 11:45: Goff is sacked on third down and the Lions have to punt. This could get ugly.

Goff throws pick-six

-Q3 14:49: Goff starts the second half by throwing a pick-six, his second of the year already. It's 31-15 now.

Second half underway

Lions get the ball to start the second half.

Halftime: Seahawks lead Lions 24-15

Jamaal Williams punched it in on fouth and goal from a yard out. Eberle missed another XP.

Two-minute warning

Lions driving, still trailing 24-9.

Seahawks find pay dirt again

-Q2 5:04: Seahawks offense making it look easy. They march right down the field and score another touchdown as Smith finds Noah Fant in the end zone. It's 24-9.

Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (87) pushes Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) during the first half.

Raymond fumbles

-Q2 6:42: Lions had a nice pass play and then Kalif Raymond fumbled the ball. Seahawks recover and take over.

Seahawks settle for three

-Q2 9:13: Lions defense finally gets off the field on third down. Seattle's Jason Myers makes a 56-yard field goal to make it 17-9.

Lions add a field goal

-Q2 13:07: Eberle nails a 49-yard FG as the Lions now trail 14-9.

End of 1st quarter: Seahawks lead Lions 14-6

-Q1 3:07: And the Lions go three-and-out again. But they run a fake punt, and Jack Fox completes it to Quintez Cephus for a first down.

Seahawks score quickly

-Q1 4:35: Well that was quick. Five-play drive for the Seahawks, aided by a roughing-the-passer call on DT Isaiah Buggs. 14-6.

Lions answer right back

-Q1 6:47: Very next play, Goff finds T.J. Hockenson for a 32-yard TD pass. But Lions backup kicker Dominik Eberle misses the extra point. Lions still trail 7-6.

Lions get a turnover

-Q1 6:54: Lions offense goes three-and-out after Goff throws short of the sticks on 3rd down. Not what they were looking for. Jack Fox punts it away, but the Lions recover a muffed punt.

Seahawks strike first

-Q1 8:40: Seawhawks score after an efficient drive. Geno Smith to TE Will Dissly for a 16-yard score. Little reisstance from the Lions defense. It's 7-0.

Kickoff

Lions win the toss and defer to the second half. Seahawks up first on offense.

Injury designations

ACTIVE: WR Josh Reynolds (ankle), C Frank Ragnow (toe), TE T.J. Hockenson (foot)

INACTIVE: RB D'Andre Swift (ankle/shoulder), WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (ankle), WR D.J. Chark (ankle), G Jonah Jackson (finger), DL John Cominsky, DL Demetrius Taylor, K Austin Seibert (groin)

Pregame

After last week's disappointing defeat, the Detroit Lions will play this week without some of their top weapons on offense.

Running back D'Andre Swift (ankle/shoulder) and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (ankle) will both be out this week, and there could still be more to come. WR D.J. Chark (ankle) won't play, and nothing is guaranteed with receiver Josh Reynolds (ankle). It could be a struggle this week for an offense that has been one of the best in the league so far this year.

More: Five things to watch: Lions vs. Seahawks

Going up against a Seattle team that is far past its prime, this seems like a good opportunity to wipe the bad taste of last week's game out of their mouths.

Follow along here for live updates from Detroit News contributor Matthew Scheidel.

Seahawks at Lions

Kickoff: 1 p.m. Sunday, Ford Field, Detroit

TV/radio: FOX/97.1

Records: Seattle 1-2, Detroit 1-2