Five reasons the Detroit Lions lost to the Seahawks in playoff action

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) walks off the field after the Seattle Seahawks beat the Lions 26-6 in an NFL football NFC wild card playoff game, Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Seattle Seahawks running back Thomas Rawls, center, is tackled by Detroit Lions defensive tackle Khyri Thornton (99) and Lions middle linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) in the first half of an NFL football NFC wild card playoff game, Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

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By Paula Pasche | The Oakland Press

PUBLISHED: January 7, 2017 at 10:59 p.m. | UPDATED: June 17, 2021 at 6:34 a.m.

The stage was bigger, but the mistakes and problems were the same for the Detroit Lions.

Their season is over after a 26-6 loss to the Seahawks at Seattle in a wildcard playoff game on Saturday night.

While the Lions were down just 10-6 at the half, they were outscored 16-0 in the second half.

PHOTOS FROM LIONS LOSS TO SEAHAWKS

The Lions were looking to snap the playoff losing streak that dates back to Jan. 5, 1992.

There is always next year.

Five of the reasons the Lions lost:

1. The defense could not stop the run. Thomas Rawls (Central Michigan) had a career night with 27 carries for 161 yards and a touchdown. Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said this week that if they couldn’t stop the run they did not have a shot. He was absolutely right.

2. On the other side of the ball, the offense had trouble running the ball with Zach Zenner earning just 34 yards on 11 carries. They stayed with it as long as possible, but just couldn’t get it done. It probably didn’t help that the offensive line was missing two injured starters – center Travis Swanson and right tackle Riley Reiff.

3. The Lions, once again, got no help from the officials. The officials missed a penalty by Paul Richardson on this touchdown catch when he grabbed Tavon Wilson’s facemask. Coach Jim Caldwell said in an NBC halftime interview that the official admitted they got the call wrong. Then on a Matthew Stafford pass, TJ Jones was clearly interfered with. The official had a flag in his hand but never threw it and afterward said the ball was uncatchable. The video showed it was indeed catchable if Jones hadn’t been dragged down by defensive back DeShawn Shead.

4. Lions receivers dropped at least four passes that were right on the money from Stafford. In the first series Golden Tate had a drop on a third-and-7. Then on the next possession Eric Ebron had a drop on a third-and-1. Not a good start for the offense and it never really found a rhythm. Stafford was 18 of 32 for 205 yards and a 75.7 rating. He was sacked three times. He never used his dislocated middle finger as an excuse, but he wasn’t himself wearing the splint in the last four games.

5. Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson hasn’t had his best season, but looked good against the Lions defense going 23 of 30 for 224 yards, two touchdowns and a 119.3 rating. He didn’t break away on the run with just three carries for minus-3 yards.