Before the game, his first as an NFL head coach, Matt Patricia bounced excitedly between his husky players, slapping their helmets and shoulder pads, as if he might join them in the field of battle. Bearded, stocky and dressed in all black, he looked like a guy who would serve you a hearty stout in an Irish pub, or captain a runaway pirate ship. He was feisty and fiery and ready to go, and the home crowd was, too.
And then the game started.
New fall, old stumble. The cool autumnal weather may have said “football,” but the performance said “Detroit Lions football,” and anyone who has watched this team for decades knows what that means.