Sometimes, it just isn't your day. This was the unfortunate reality for the Detroit Lions during their Week 1 clash with the Green Bay Packers. While the defense showed some promising moments and the offense managed to move the chains occasionally, the offensive line faltered significantly, leaving fans questioning the team’s usual strength that has defined them since coaches Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes took the reins.

After the disappointing loss, Campbell pointed to missed assignments as a key issue, admitting, "We had a lot of MAs (missed assignments)" and taking responsibility for overloading his players with too much to handle. This film study dives into what went wrong for the Lions and how they can bounce back in their upcoming home opener against the Chicago Bears.

Avoidable Mistakes: Missed Assignments and Communication Failures

In the second quarter, Lions running back David Montgomery had a promising run that quickly turned into a showcase of offensive line miscommunication. Quarterback Jared Goff audibled before the snap, but rookie right guard Tate Ratledge appeared clueless about the play adjustments. Instead of blocking Packers linebacker Quay Walker, Ratledge collided with center Graham Glasgow, contributing to the missed opportunity.

The chaos continued in a dreadful sequence later in the fourth quarter. Backed up near their own goal line with a third-and-16, Goff again changed the play. Ratledge neglected his assignment, leaving pesky defensive tackle Colby Wooden unblocked, leading to a harrowing near-safety.

As the game wound down, more miscommunication arose on a crucial fourth-and-2 situation. With defenders stacked at the line, Ratledge overset his position instead of blocking Wyatt, who charged straight toward Goff. To cap off the frustrations, a fatal mix-up between Glasgow and Mahogany led to a strip-sack, leaving the Lions scrambling.

Struggles in One-on-One Battles

The second quarter also highlighted the Lions' inability to establish the run. Despite employing 21 personnel, Mahogany failed to hold off a defender, resulting in a loss for Montgomery. Later, Mahogany felt the heat from Packers defensive lineman LuKas Van Ness, who overpowered him for a sack as he struggled to anchor himself.

The distress didn't stop there. Veteran left tackle Taylor Decker had a tough time against the formidable Rashan Gary, who effortlessly maneuvered his way to Goff for a sack. This repeated theme of failure in one-on-one matchups painted a grim picture for Detroit's offensive line.

A Path Forward: Correctable Errors