Well, that was rough.
The Detroit Lions kicked off their preseason under the bright lights of Canton, Ohio, and let’s just say… it wasn’t pretty. A brutal 34–7 loss to the Chargers in the Hall of Fame Game came with five turnovers, a boatload of penalties, and a reminder that yes, it’s still preseason—but some guys clearly didn’t get the memo.
While most of the starters were chilling in street clothes, this was a big night for depth players fighting for a roster spot. Some rose to the occasion. Others? Not so much.
Here’s a quick look at the biggest winners and losers from Thursday night’s mess in Canton:
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🔥 Winners:
1. Sione Vaki (RB/Safety)
He played both sides of the ball—literally. Vaki made an impact on offense and defense, showing off the versatility the Lions love. He even picked up some tough yards as a running back. That’s how you make noise in a preseason opener.
2. Antoine Green (WR)
He didn’t get a ton of targets, but Green turned heads with a strong catch and showed he’s ready to compete in that crowded receiver room. When the lights come on, some guys shrink—Green showed up.
3. James Houston (EDGE)
He brought the heat off the edge. In limited snaps, Houston flashed his trademark burst and showed why he might still be in the mix for serious reps this season.
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🥶 Losers:
1. Adrian Martinez (QB)
Oof. The rookie quarterback struggled from start to finish. Two interceptions, shaky decision-making, and a rough night in general. It’s still early, but this game didn’t do him any favors in the backup QB race.
2. The Offensive Line Depth
Way too many penalties. Way too much pressure on the quarterbacks. If someone up front gets hurt this year, the drop-off could be steep—and this game made that crystal clear.
3. Chase Lucas (CB)
Lucas needed to make a splash in this game. Instead, he got flagged for a personal foul and looked out of sync. Not the kind of night that helps your chances in a tight secondary competition.
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At the end of the day, it’s the first preseason game, and most of the big-name stars were watching from the sidelines. But make no mistake: for the guys fighting for roster spots, Thursday night mattered. And for Dan Campbell? The sloppiness was hard to ignore.
The Lions have work to do—starting with cleaning up penalties, protecting the ball, and tightening the fundamentals. They’ve got two more preseason games to get right. Let’s see who bounces back.
Winners & Losers From the Lions’ Ugly Hall of Fame Game Loss
