The Lions looked set to build on an impressive first half and put the Jets away early in the second half, but Rex Ryan's boys weren't going away easily. The Lions eventually pulled out the win, but the Jets deserve credit for hanging tough in the second half.
Here are five things we learned from Detroit's 24-17 win over the Jets:
5. Eric Ebron Can Be One Of The NFL's Best Tight Ends
The Lions got a gem when they drafted Ebron out of North Carolina in the first round, and he flashed some impressive potential against New York today. While acclimating to the NFL will take time, Ebron has the size, hands, and blocking ability to be one of the league's top players at his position. Ebron isn't lighting up the stat sheet yet, but watching him play makes it clear that he has everything it takes to excel at this level.
4. For The Lions, Taking Care Of The Football Is Key
The Lions turned the ball over six times over their last two games, but managed to go the entire game without a turnover today. For a quarterback like Matthew Stafford who rides momentum, the importance of taking care of the ball can't be overstated.
3. Geno Smith Deserves More Patience
Fans expecting Geno Smith to magically transform into a top-5 quarterback overnight need to relax. Smith kept the Jets in this game, and while he made some costly mistakes, they're part of the process of developing a young quarterback. Chanting for Michael Vick isn't going to help Smith's confidence, and putting Vick on the field robs Smith of the game time he needs to continue developing.
2. Calvin Who?
Four Lions gained more than 20 yards through the air, and none of them were Calvin Johnson. The Lions leaned heavily on the newly-signed Golden Tate (8 rec, 116 yards), and Johnson hauled in just two catches for 12 yards through the air. The Jets keyed in on Johnson from the outset, making the rest of Detroit's receivers beat them...and the Lions were happy to oblige.
1. Rex Ryan's Seat Continues To Heat Up
The Jets HC has struggled recently, and the pressure will continue to build after this loss moved the Jets to 1-3 on the season. With the Dolphins and Bills looking solid in their division, the Jets don't have much time to figure things out...and if they can't, Ryan might need to start polishing up his resume.
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