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One thing you can count on with the Detroit Lions is that they are never, ever boring. Follow the latest news including injuries, roster moves and more here daily from Oakland Press beat writer Paula Pasche. Plus you'll find regular commentary about the team.

9/17/2012

10 quick reasons not to panic after Lions loss to 49ers

So the Detroit sports talk radio airwaves were driven on Monday by Lions fans who apparently thought the Lions were going 16-0.

Ten quick reasons not to panic after the Lions lost at San Francisco:

1. The 49ers were heavily favored in the nationally televised contest. They had just come off a huge win at Lambeau Field, holding the Packers to 15 points. If that didn’t prove they had a good defense then what would?

2. The Lions are 1-1, tied with the other three NFC North teams, with 14 games remaining. It was the second game, for goodness sake.

3. Yes, the secondary had some issues. Perhaps it’s because they were missing three starters — Chris Houston, Louis Delmas and Bill Bentley. Houston should be close to returning, maybe Delmas too.

4. Matthew Stafford is still Matthew Stafford, the same quarterback who passed for 5,038 yards last season. He’s thrown four interceptions in the first two games. Last year he threw just 16 in the whole season. Against the 49ers, his downfield options were mostly taken away so he had to play differently. Once the running game gets in gear, he’ll be fine.

5. Jason Hanson.

6. The running game needs help and will get it when Mikel Leshoure returns this week. CBSSports.com also reported that free agent running backs Ryan Grant and Steve Slaton will visit with the Lions this week. GM Martin Mayhew always is on the lookout to improve the roster.

7. The Lions are 3-point favorites over Tennessee even at Nashville. The Titans are 0-2. The Titans are not the 49ers.

8. The defensive line might just be a little fired up after San Francisco left tackle Joe Staley called them “extremely” over-rated. The line sacked Alex Smith three times and put good pressure on him at times, but not consistently. They might want to show Staley a little something, something.

9. Only six NFL teams are 2-0.

10. Calvin Johnson.

(Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Order her new book, “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die’’ here. It’s also available at bookstores.)

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