What actually happened to the Lions to relegate them from playoffs to worst team in the NFL? (Apart from Suh leaving.)
I'm sure one part of the equation is the schedule. The relatively easy schedule last year, and the weak division, made the team look better than it was. The tough schedule so far has made the team look worse then it is. Although this isn't a great team, it also isn't the worst team in the league.
Levy being out has hurt the defense, along with Suh's departure. The defensive line lost about four players, including Suh, but a real strength of the team that had lots of quality depth has turned into something of a need at this point. The offense has played well for one half of the first game. After that they have had trouble moving the ball completely. The O-Line hasn't been good enough, a starch contrast from last year because of departures and injuries, and there is no running game to speak of.
Stafford's not been great and he hasn't progressed in any noticeable way. I think I expected there to be a maturation process whereby the early gunslinger who had a great arm but made lots of mistakes developed into an intelligent QB who limited those errors. They're clearly trying to turn him into a quarterback who doesn't make mistakes, but it just isn't working. He doesn't seem to be able to look off of his primary target, and he seems to be someone good defenses relish playing against. There should be an Edelmen-Brady type relationship between Megatron and Stafford, but there has been ample evidence this year that there is no solid relationship there.
The play calling has been suspect, and Lombardi is not the most popular figure around here. But Lombardi was here last year and so was Stafford, so its difficult to pinpoint the exact reason.
Either way, this shit is dreadful to watch. I'm watching with my family on Thanksgiving and my little nephew has his Stafford shirt on and is slowing realizing what it means to be a Lions fan. I feel so bad for him; maybe he should be raised as a Packers fan