After the 45-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, Lions coach Jim Caldwell appeared to be his usual stoic self.
The Lions are 1-7 now heading into their bye week.
No one knows what the immediate future holds for the Lions, but Caldwell expects to remain as head coach.
“I fully anticipate being able to continue to do my job,” he said at the post-game presser.
Last Monday three coaches, including offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, were fired just a few hours before the team flew to London.
“Coaching is a day to day business I’ve always known that since 1979 when I first entered,” Caldwell said when asked if he’s on the hot seat.
The Lions prepared all week near London for the game at Wembley Stadium where they played for the second straight season. They were no match for the Chiefs with the offense, defense and special teams struggles.
“Every single one of them you lose, no matter where it is or who you’re playing it’s still tough and disappointing,” Caldwell said. “This is a league where winning is the (only) thing. Any time you feel short of that you feel the sting of it and certainly our guys are feeling it.”
After finishing 11-5 last season, certainly this season is a disappointment.
Lions owner Martha Ford was in London but has not made a statement.
Johnson injures ankle
Lions Calvin Johnson left the game with 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter after he made a 30-yard sideline catch. It appeared that he landing oddly on his left ankle.
He went to the sidelines where doctors and trainers removed his shoe and examined his foot.
Johnson did not re-enter the game.
He had five catches for 85 yards and was targeted 10 times.
This and that
Josh Wilson left the game with a neck injury. … Cornerback Rashean Mathis was inactive after he fought an illness all week. Nevin Lawson got the start. … Other inactives were Gabe Wright, Tim Wright, TJ Jones, DeAndre Levy, Khyri Thornton and Corey Robinson.
By the numbers
Ziggy Ansah’s sack gave him seven for the season. He now has 22.5 career sacks, the most by a Lions player in his first three seasons surpassing Ndamukong Suh who had 22. Ansah also had four tackles and a quarterback hit. … Devin Taylor and Jason Jones also each sacked Alex Smith once. … Stephen Tulloch and Nevin Lawson led the team with seven tackles each. … Darius Slay had two passes defended.
