In a game of bad plays, this was the worst by the Detroit Lions

CHICAGO — Let me tell you about something so bizarre, so absurd, that it felt like a signature moment for this DetroitLions' coaching staff.

It was one of those moments people will always remember, like Marty Mornhinweg taking the wind.

It was tucked inside a disaster — a 34-22 loss to the Chicago Bears — and it was so Lions. So familiar, in its boneheadediness, for anyone watching the Lions over the last half century or so.

Let me set the scene.

It was early in the second quarter and the Bears had all the momentum after jumping out to a 13-0 lead.

The Lions were desperate. They needed a long, time-consuming drive to settle things down.

They faced a third-and-1 from their own 34.

This was a critical moment.

So what did they do?

They gave the ball to Nick Bellore.

Wait a second. Who?

Bellore.

A guy who built his career as a linebacker and a special teams guy before he came to the Lions.

I should point something out. Something that is important. This was Bellore’s 116th game in the NFL. And the Lions coaches — this brilliant collection of football minds — was the first one to give him the ball.

He was stopped for no gain.

Shocker.

The Lions punted.

Four plays later, the Bears scored again, taking a 19-0 lead.

Quick note to the Lions coaching staff, in case they don’t get subtly: PLEASE, DON’T EVER DO THAT AGAIN!

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Let me point something out.

The Lions could have given the ball to LeGarrette Blount, who certainly has some value in those situations. In fact, that’s why he came to the Lions.

And they could have given the ball to Kerryon Johnson, this magnificent rookie, who later showed what he could do in a short-yardage situation, going over the top and scoring a TD.

Yes, Johnson is smart enough to look at a big collection of bodies and say: "I'm gonna just gonna jump over it."

That's what the Lions could have done, to keep that drive going. They could have been smart and given the ball to Johnson. Or freakin' Blount.

But no.

They gave it to Bellore, a special team's guy.

And you wonder why this team has lost three-straight games?

Shoot, it’s a wonder offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter still has his job.

If you ask me how this coaching staff has driven this team into the dirt, it's been a bunch of small moments.

Like giving the ball to a special team's guy. 

When they have this marvelous rookie named Johnson.

“We got to step up,” Johnson said. “We got more games. More third downs are going to come. Somebody’s got to make the plays. One of us has got to take it upon ourselves to be the guy.”

If you are a Lions’ fan, Johnson is one of the few reasons to have some hope about the future.

He plays with heart. And you have to applaud him for being honest.

“We shoot ourselves in the foot,” Johnson said. 

He was one of the few bright spots for this Lions’ team.

Because he didn’t give up.

Now, that also got him into trouble.

Johnson fumbled in the third quarter, while fighting for an extra yard. I can’t blast him for that. He was still playing tough. Still running hard. Still showing heart. That’s something you can build on.

Yes, it’s a learning moment. The Bears are great at punching the ball out. As a player, you have to know that.

“Fighting for extra yards,” Johnson said. “Ball got away from me at the wrong time. Somebody swiped it. Ball came out.”

And he added something important.

"I had a fumble,” he said. “That was a drive after they missed a field goal. That’s a huge drive for us. Defense got the stops that we needed and I went out there and I fumbled.”

That’s accountability.

That’s beautiful.

One last thing. In case the Lions’ coaches need a reminder.

Please, don’t ever give the ball to Bellore again! Not in that kind of situation.

Sometimes, the best way to out-smart the opposition is to give the ball to your best players. 

Not a converted linebacker.

Give it to a guy named Johnson.

Contact Jeff Seidel: jseidel@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @seideljeff. To read his recent columns, go to freep.com/sports/jeff-seidel.