Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia made a private speech in public.
Wide receiver Danny Amendola threw a ball into the stands after a catch.
Wide receiver Kenny Golladay was recognized for setting a franchise record a week earlier – and added to it.
And quarterback David Blough had an interception returned for a touchdown that ended what would have been an improbable comeback by the Lions in Sunday's 38-17 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Those are some notable moments for this week's Monday Countdown from a game that started bad and ended bad in the Lions' sixth straight loss. There are also takeaways on offense, defense and special teams and what's trending.
1. Patricia speaks: The Lions were down 14-0 and had been dominated as thoroughly as any time in their recent history – perhaps back to their 0-16 2008 season – when Patricia gave the defense an animated lecture in front of the bench.
This was no secret chat in the meeting room. Patricia stood in the middle of the defensive players, gesturing with both hands for emphasis.
Patricia declined in his postgame interview to say specifically what he said, but it was obvious that it was more of him venting his anger than a pep talk.
"I'll probably keep that private, but I would say, obviously, I wasn't happy with where we were and how we were starting," Patricia said. "I don't think they were happy with it, either. I think they understand that."
My take on Patricia's eruption: It was well deserved. The defense had not been competitive at that point. It gave up nine first downs and 236 yards in the first quarter alone.
There must have been some impact from Patricia's speech. The Lions gave up another touchdown before the end of the half to fall behind, 21-0.
After that the Bucs didn't reach the end zone again until there was 5:12 left – and that was on a game-clinching interception by cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting. The Bucs closed out the scoring on Jameis Winston's fourth TD pass and third to wide receiver Breshad Perriman.
2. Amendola's heave: He fired the ball into the stands behind the Lions' bench after making a catch in the second quarter.
"Just trying to get some juice gong," Amendola said, explaining his action.
"You feel that?" he added to one of the reporters.
The possession ended in a field goal that made it 21-3.
My take: Amendola has been an energy player all season in a good group of receivers that has been a strength. He practices hard and plays harder. He's an asset, as difficult as that might be to grasp on a team with a 3-10-1 record.
"He's one of the most competitive guys that we have," Patricia said. "He plays so hard. I've known Danny for a long time. I love him to death, and I'd do anything for the guy.
"He's just a football player."
And a good one.
3. Golladay's mark: He was recognized with an announcement in Ford Field for being the first player in franchise history to go over the 1,000-yard receiving mark twice in his first three years. Golladay actually accomplished that the previous week against the Vikings.
Golladay added 44 yards on three catches against the Bucs to push his season total to 1,052.
"That doesn't really mean too much of anything right now," Golladay said.
My take: Losing takes the joy out of stats.
4. Blough's pick: The Lions' rally from being down 21-0 to down 24-17 and driving for a potential tying touchdown ended abruptly on an interception return for the clinching touchdown.
The Lions had second and 13 at the Bucs' 35 when Blough misfired on a pass meant for Amendola.
The air went out of the stadium like puncturing a hot air balloon the instant Murphy-Bunting crossed the goal line for the clinching score.
"Can't do it ... can't do it," said Blough, who was clearly upset. "Obviously, it's the play that we'll come back to, that we'll look at that ultimately was the dagger in the game."
My take: Blough was right. The Lions had survived a lot of wounds to still be in contention, but that was the dagger.
5. Takeaways, offense:
- With 45 yards on 18 carries, the Lions didn't make a dent in the Bucs' top-rated run defense.
- The Lions failed to gain a first down on four of their six possessions in the first half and they had a first down on a fifth possession – on a penalty.
- Golladay had one of Blough's 16 targets in the first half, without a catch.
6. Takeaways, defense:
- Linebacker Jahlani Tavai's interception on the Bucs' first possession gave the Lions the ball at the Bucs' 44. It should have given the offense a spark. Instead, the offense lost three yards on the possession and punted.
- Defensive end Trey Flowers had three hits without a sack on Winston. Flowers has been around the quarterback a lot in the last 10 games.
- The Lions gave up 10 completions of 20 yards or longer. Sometimes it looked like pitch and catch for Winston and his wide open receivers.
7. Takeaways, special teams:
- Good job – Sam Martin had a second-quarter punt go out of bounds at the Bucs' one-yard line. Bad job: The Bucs drove 99 yards – on only five plays -- for their second TD.
- The Lions had no returns on seven kickoffs and three punts. All seven kickoffs were touchbacks, and Amendola fair caught all three punts.
8. Trending
- Up: Running back Wes Hills: From the practice squad to the active roster – and two touchdowns on one-yard runs.
- Down: Defense: 15 first downs, 336 yards and three TD passes allowed in the first half looked like it did not show up to play, as a unit.
- Holding: However they did it – and a lot of it was scheme – the rebuilt offensive line gave up only two sacks, four tackles for loss and six quarterback hits.
