When Jim Schwartz stepped to the podium to answer questions following the Lions' 19-17 loss to the Browns on Friday, the look on his face spoke much louder than the scathing evaluation of his team's effort he was about to deliver.

He went on to sum up his thoughts on Detroit's performance in this succinct statement: “Win or lose, you want to play well. I don't think we played well.”

Schwartz went on to criticize most of the perceived positives from what appeared to be a solid effort from Detroit's first and second units.

DE Willie Young forced a turnover and was part of a first-team D-line that relentlessly pressured Browns' quarterbacks. Schwartz's assessment? “[Young] made a couple plays, but he was out of position on a couple, too,” he said. “Let's not put him in the hall of fame yet.”

CB Bill Bentley made an interception and gave himself an “OK grade” for his NFL debut. Schwartz disagreed with the rookie's assessment. “It's too inconsistent play for a cornerback,” he said. “[Bentley] gave up a deep ball. That's something we shouldn't allow to happen, and [he was] 50 percent on making interceptions. I don't think that's a good day at all for what he can do -- 50-50 isn't going to get it done.”

The only position group that was spared Schwartz's wrath was the RB corps. He lauded the efforts of reserve backs Keiland Williams and Joique Bell, who combined for 160 rushing yards on 25 carries. “Both [Williams and Bell] ran hard and fought hard for extra yardage,” he said.

Whether he'll admit it or not, Schwartz's response following his team's first loss in its last eight preseason games speaks volumes about the expectations facing the Lions this season. In previous years, the positive play of individual players would have overshadowed the overall team effort.

Not anymore.

Schwartz isn't happy. Chances are good his players won't be happy when they return to the practice field Sunday, and no one in the Lions' organization will be happy until they take the field again in Baltimore next week. The last time the Lions played at M & T Bank Stadium, they were on the short end of a 48-3 defeat in 2009. It may be preseason, but next week's game will be seen on national TV, and Schwartz is clearly intent on making sure the result is different this time.

Follow Lions reporter John Kreger on Twitter at @CBSSportsNFLDET and @JohnKreger.