"We have a resilient group, so we're finding that team identity," Hendrickson said. "There's a lot to be proud of on defense and there's a lot we need to correct on defense. Keep chopping wood, it'll break. It's the National Football League. Hard work works. I'm a firm believer in that.
"There are some things that are good on tape. Pat yourself on the back for a second, and then let's look at the plays we need to fix."
Four defensive tackles, with vet Mike Pennel getting 20 plays, took at least 32% of the plays. T.J. Slaton Jr.'s dogged 50 netted eight tackles, one off a career high.
Golden went with primarily Dax Hill and DJ Turner II at cornerback (they played every snap), and rookies Demetrius Knight and Barrett Carter basically split the snaps for the first time, where both delivered in the run game combining for 14 tackles.
"I have to do a better job as a play caller to bail them out," Taylor said. "I'm going to sit here and say it whether people want to hear it or not, our defense has given us what we needed the first half of these games. It's hard to sustain that over four quarters when there's turnovers, there's punts, there's no points going on the board, especially against teams like that."
Taylor's philosophy of attacking Detroit with three wides proved right in the fourth quarter once Browning got into a flow. He dished the ball to all three receivers. Andrei Iosivas had a career 82-yard day, and Tee Higgins had a touchdown to go with Chase's 110 yards.
The three interceptions ("Trying to force things that aren't there," Browning said) were too much to overcome.
The defense gave it a run.
"The defensive chemistry is building up," said safety Jordan Battle. "Guys are playing off each other. Helping people create plays. We got a few sacks today. That was good to see. Good progress. We have to keep elevating."
But they were following Chase's lead.
No moral victories.
"We did find a way to get some stops," Wilson said. "I feel like for the most part, we did a good job facing some of the situations we were in. At the end of the day, it's just not good enough to get a win, and we have to keep finding a way."