Monday open thread: Do you feel better T.J. Jones Jersey , worse or the same after the Lions’ loss to the 49ers? It would’ve been hard for the Detroit Lions to look any worse than they did in the season opener against the New York Jets, so Sunday’s loss to the San Francisco 49ers was undoubtedly a step in the right direction—It had to be. But the Lions are now 0-2, and while the tie between the Packers and Vikings ensured that Detroit wouldn’t fall a full two games behind for the lead in the NFC North, winless is never a good place to be. So while the Lions were actually competitive this week, it’s hard to know how to feel about this team right now. Today’s Question of the Day is:Do you feel better, worse or the same about the Detroit Lions after their loss to the San Francisco 49ers? My answer: The same. There were some improvements with the team in Week 2, there’s absolutely no doubt about it. Detroit was able to establish a somewhat consistent pass rush—pulling down six sacks in the game, which is more than they had in any single game last season. They also were able to run the ball fairly effectively, averaging 5.4 yards per carry on 18 carries. But we also seemed to confirm some very bad things about this team. The Lions secondary, Quandre Diggs excluded, was extremely bad for the second straight game. The Nevin Lawson/Teez Tabor duo is just as poor as expected. Glover Quin continues to look like he lost 10 steps, and the Lions lost Darius Slay to injury.There’s also the continued slow starts from the offense, and Detroit’s god-awful run defense that has now made Matt Breida and Isaiah Crowell look like future Hall of Famers.So while there were steps in the right direction on Sunday, there were just as many steps that seemed to confirm some fatal flaws in this team. Overall A'Shawn Robinson Jersey White , that’s a push in my book. This still looks like a 6-8 win team. Your turn. No one would argue that Matthew Stafford is better than Tom Brady.But on Sunday night, Stafford was able to play a lot longer, and that made a significant difference.The Lions have put up big fantasy football numbers in the past, but had more of a sustained and stable offense, in beating the Patriots 26-10.Things are a little more balanced offensively for the Lions (33 runs, 36 pass attempts), and that actually seemed to make their quarterback more effective. There was no better example of that than in the third quarter, when they answered a Patriots touchdown drive with one of their own.Having run the ball more successfully (more on that in a bit), there were things open downfield for Stafford, and he hit Marvin Jones for a 33-yard touchdown pass to cap a 10-play, 75-yard drive.Stafford did his part, going 27-of-36 for 262 yards and two touchdowns.For the night, the Lions had nearly a two-to-one edge in time of possession (39:15-20:45). And while that can be a misleading stat at times, it was a reliable indicator in this game. Brady wasn’t able to do the thing he normally does because he didn’t have a chance.And now that they have a more well-rounded offense Womens DeShawn Shead Jersey , Stafford may have a better chance himself.Here are five more things we learned during Sunday Night Football:1 The Lions’ search for a running game has been perpetual, since that brief moment of James Stewart competence right after Barry Sanders left.But they had what appeared to be some pop on the ground Sunday, with a pair of rookies leading the way.Running back Kerryon Johnson, their second-round pick, had 101 yards on 16 carries, breaking a streak of 70 games without an individual 100-yard rusher. That’s over four seasons without one.That was with LeGarrette Blount getting 16 carries himself, and Theo Riddick getting snaps on passing downs. But Johnson looks like the kind of back who could become a regular producer there.And while it wasn’t as obvious, first-rounder Frank Ragnow is part of that process as well. A mauling run-blocker, he helped open some holes up front to make things easier. He might be their center long-term, but has been an upgrade to the line already.2. The Patriots didn’t activate recently acquired wide receiver Josh Gordon, and they clearly could use an explosive element on offense.Of course, they knew they’d be adjusting once wide receiver Julian Edelman was suspended the first four games of the season, but it’s unusual to see them struggle to move the ball the way they have.The law firm of Cordarrelle Patterson, Chris Hogan and Phillip Dorsett isn’t going to take them far Christian Jones Jersey , and the lack of talent at the wide receiver position is both notable and hampering Rob Gronkowski‘s ability to make a difference. Teams can double-team Gronkowski with impunity because there isn’t another option on offense to make them regret it.And this was happening against a Lions team without its best pass-rusher (Ziggy Ansah), which entered the game 31st in the league in scoring defense.The early returns on first-round running back Sony Michel also haven’t been astounding, though it’s far too early to make a final evaluation on him. That Brady guy is still pretty good at football, so throw dirt on them now at your own risk. But they’re very much a work in progress, which is why they made the low-risk/potentially high-reward Gordon deal.3. Any coach will tell you that every week is different in the NFL.But this is two weeks in a row the Patriots have gotten to a dreadfully slow start.The Jaguars scored touchdowns on their first two drives and scored on four of their first five drives, en route to a 24-3 lead at halftime. That turned into a 31-20 win for Jacksonville. The Lions were up 13-0 at halftime.There’s something to be said for making halftime adjustments, but you need to be close enough for them to matter.4. The Patriots were without several starters on defense, but they looked like a team that could use an infusion of speed on that side of the ball as well.Of course, things will naturally improve when inactive guys Trey Flowers, Eric Rowe and Patrick Chung are back, but the Patriots are more strong than fast, and the Lions were able to exploit that around the edges.5. The Patriots also started 1-2 in 2012. They finished 12-4 that season, and went to the AFC Championship Game.So it’s probably too soon to bury this team. Call it a hunch.