The Detroit Lions remained the best “sparring partner” in the NFL on Sunday when they fought and clawed their way to another close loss to drop to 1-5 for the season. When it was all said and done, the test dummies in silver and blue made their way to their locker room and will once prepare to battle; this time after a bye week for the Washington Redskins.

This 28-20 loss in New York was one the Lions could clearly have won and for at least the third time maybe fourth this season, their offense had the ball with an opportunity to win on a final drive, only to turn it over or come up short. To rub a little salt in the wound, this loss by the Lions also tied an NFL record for 24 consecutive road losses, a record that belonged to yep. . . .the Detroit Lions.

It’s beginning to feel like a bad Sci-fi movie for the Lions and you have to wonder if the Bobby Layne Curse may actually be for real.

After getting robbed of a win by Calvin Johnson’s catch-non-catch in raucous Soldier Field to open this season, the Lions have taken teams like Green Bay, Philadelphia and the Giants to the final minutes. But that’s what great sparring partners do. They grind and battle hoping to get in a lucky final shot but they never do, the featured fighter/teams do.

Getting 11 yellow hankies for 91 yards moving the ball in the opposite direction, many of them coming at crucial points in the game certainly helped cause the outcome. So did the three ill-timed turnovers that came during strong offensive drives orchestrated by No. 2 QB Shaun Hill, then later No. 3 QB Drew Stanton who came in after Hill broke his left forearm after bracing himself after getting hit by Justin Tuck.

Lions center Dominic Raiola, a guy who shows up every Sunday and plays hard every down summed it up during the post-game interview saying:

“The Lions beat the Lions.”

Brandon Pettigrew, a first round pick last year who between showing flashes of competence is becoming the king of the drops, may have a few fingers pointed in his direction. Although the final play for the Lions won’t go into the books as a drop, wide open ‘Grew had a spiral from third string quarterback Stanton sail through his hands on the Giants’ 20 yard line during the Lions final drive. The ball would be picked by the Giants Antrel Rolle and sealed another disappointing loss.

Pettigrew commented on that fatal mistake:

“Big-time players make those catches.”

Yes they do Brandon, but sparring partners don’t.

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