Lions News

[-Deborah-]

Hooker has been added to the active roster and Teddy B is on the record as saying he’ll retire at the end of the season. Good deal on both accounts

To make room on the roster, they released Riley Patterson.

[whatever_gong82]

To make room on the roster, they released Riley Patterson.

We need a better kicker next season.

I hate the fact that Dan Campbell has to go for it on 4th down more than he should because our kicking situation is to put it mildly, mediocre.

[mason reese]

We need a better kicker next season.

I hate the fact that Dan Campbell has to go for it on 4th down more than he should because our kicking situation is to put it mildly, mediocre.

I question how much that really happens. MCDC has such a history of going for it on 4th, how can you ever really know.

[whatever_gong82]

Lions are right where they want to be, with NFC North title within their reach


Detroit Lions players #14 and #26 vs. Denver.jpg

By Colton Pouncy
Dec 19, 2023



Almost a year ago, the Detroit Lions needed help.

Surging at the right time, during a remarkable 7-2 run that followed a 1-6 start, the Lions entered Week 18 knowing they couldn’t clinch a playoff berth on their own. One last week would decide their fate. A Lions win over the Green Bay Packers, paired with a loss by the Seattle Seahawks, would have propelled Detroit to the postseason.



But it wasn’t meant to be. The Seahawks won, ending the Lions’ chances before they took the field in Green Bay on a cold evening in January.

Fast forward to present day. NFL Week 15 just concluded. The Lions could have clinched a playoff berth — no worse than a wild-card spot — with a Seattle loss on Monday night. Sound familiar? Just like last year, the Seahawks won. The difference, though, is that the Lions aren’t sitting around scoreboard-watching, waiting for help to sneak into the postseason. Players and coaches brush off the idea of merely clinching a trip to the playoffs.



These Lions, who are 10-4, have their sights set on something bigger. They’ve positioned themselves for more.

“Honestly, man, we came into this saying we’ve got to win this division,” coach Dan Campbell said Monday. “That’s the goal and that’s where it is. If something happens between now and then, hey, that’s all good. But that is our focus.”



The playoffs have been a foregone conclusion for a while now, but it’s still an accomplishment worth celebrating. Only two players from the last Lions playoff team, in the 2016 season, remain on the roster: left tackle Taylor Decker and right guard Graham Glasgow. For context, Anquan Boldin was on that Lions team, and Devin Hester played for the Seahawks team that knocked Detroit out of the postseason in the wild-card round.

It has been a minute since the Lions have been here. That’s not lost on those who’ve been around.



“It’s just fun getting to play meaningful games this late in the season,” Decker said Saturday, after the Lions’ 42-17 win over the Denver Broncos. “I made the playoffs one time before, never won a division. So, it’s just a testament to just the group of guys that we have here and just continuing to work even when maybe the results weren’t there in the win-loss column years back. It’s just going to be fun. It’s going to be fun to see what these last couple games have for us.”

Decker’s moment of reflection aside, the Lions are looking ahead to bigger and better things. It speaks to how focused this group is. Saturday night’s win was the ultimate get-right game. In front of a national audience, the Lions wanted to remind the NFL they’re still the same team that knocked off the Kansas City Chiefs on banner night. After turning the ball over, playing uncharacteristic football and coming up short of their own expectations in recent weeks, they showed Saturday what they’re capable of when they’re clicking.


Against the Broncos, the Lions played their most complete game in two months. Detroit’s defense held Denver to just 17 points and 287 yards of offense. They pressured the Broncos on 51.4 percent of their dropbacks, the Lions’ third-highest pressure rate of the season. They did it in creative ways, deploying corners, safeties and linebackers on blitzes. They received plus efforts from unsung contributors like Bruce Irvin, Kindle Vildor and Khalil Dorsey, added to the mix in search of a spark. Homegrown talents like Ifeatu Melifonwu (nine tackles, five PFF stops, a pass breakup and a sack) and Josh Paschal (two pressures, two PFF stops and a sack — switching between defensive tackle and end) are starting to turn a corner. And reinforcements like safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, pass rusher James Houston and defensive tackle Alim McNeill are working their way back from injuries.



Offensively, the Lions simply couldn’t beat themselves. Turnovers were a not-so-silent killer. The Lions had 10 of them in their previous four games, leading to a 2-2 stretch that very easily could’ve been 1-3. But Saturday was more on brand, a reminder of what this could look like. A healthy offensive line, protecting its quarterback and paving the way for its dynamic backs to rush for 185 yards. Weapons in the passing game, and a bounce-back effort from Jared Goff, who fired five touchdown passes. The Lions put up 42 points and 448 yards of offense.

“It just felt good to go out there and play a complete game,” Decker said. “Especially, you know, it’s a prime-time game again, everyone’s gonna be watching us. And then kinda like Dan said to us, we’re the exact same team. We were just shooting ourselves in the foot, and today we came out here and played like we’re supposed to.”

Dan Campbell dominated the Denver Broncos 12-16-2023.jpg

The Lions rediscovered themselves last week, and now they have momentum heading into a pivotal stretch. When they’re playing like this, the Lions will say they’ll line up anywhere, play anyone and expect to win.



It’s why the Lions are aiming higher than simply locking in a playoff berth.

First up, a division title.



“I think the division is more of the goal,” linebacker Alex Anzalone said. “Obviously, that means you get a home playoff game and something that’s never been done here in the North, so, we’re excited.”

The Lions are spending Christmas Eve with the Vikings. Minnesota is the only team standing between the Lions and their first division title in 30 years, and the only team mathematically capable of catching Detroit in the NFC North. A top-10 scoring defense, a pair of dangerous receivers and a strong offensive line has kept Minnesota afloat, despite multiple changes at quarterback. The Vikings can still win the NFC North if they win out and the Lions lose out. These teams play twice in the final three weeks, so they can certainly make it interesting.


In addition to a division title, the Lions are back in the conversation for the NFC’s No. 2 seed. Week 15 losses by Dallas and Philadelphia set up an intriguing final stretch, with the Cowboys, Eagles and Lions all sitting at 10-4 — and the Lions visit the Cowboys in Week 17. Per the New York Times playoff simulator, if the Lions win their next three games, they’ll finish no worse than the No. 2 seed. They could potentially even catch the 49ers for the No. 1 spot, if Detroit wins out and San Francisco loses two of its final three.

But that’s all secondary, as the Lions inch closer to Sunday. Their magic number is one. The spotlight is on them. This season was always about winning the division. This is what they’ve talked about all year. This was the timeline envisioned when general manager Brad Holmes and Campbell first arrived. To be here, in this spot, by Year 3.



“We talked about that this morning as a team,” Campbell said. “That was the focus when we entered it and that is still the focus, man. We’re going to do everything we can to win this division and there’s nothing that’s going to be easy about it. Man, we’ve got to go out to Minneapolis and face the Vikings, who are a very dangerous team and find a way to win it and get this division.”

No help is needed.


Colton Pouncy is a staff writer for The Athletic covering the Detroit Lions. He previously covered Michigan State football and basketball for the company, and covered sports for The Tennessean in Nashville prior to joining The Athletic. Follow Colton on Twitter @colton_pouncy

[ghandi]

Really we couldnt have asked for a better script....3 game lead with 3 to go and everything is in the Lions corner....If they blow it there is no one else to blame but themselves, and they have the possibility to even make it to second seed (I'd say first but I doubt the 49ers lose 2 of the last 3 games).

[whatever_gong82]

[mason reese]

To make room on the roster, they released Riley Patterson.

So releasing Patterson means they don’t have a kicker in the 53-man roster. Badgley was a practice squad call-up last week, and can only be called-up two more times. So week 18, Badgley either gets promoted to the 53-man roster or maybe they put Patterson back on the Practice Squad(if that’s even possible) and call him up for the last week and playoffs?

Does the Practice squad still count in the post season?

[NewOrleansLion]

Heard an entire ESPN radio segment this morning talking about the NFC playoffs and there was no mention of the Lions at all, just Niners, Eagles, Cowboys. And I’m totally cool with returning to the role of forgotten underdog.

[jaadam4]

Heard an entire ESPN radio segment this morning talking about the NFC playoffs and there was no mention of the Lions at all, just Niners, Eagles, Cowboys. And I’m totally cool with returning to the role of forgotten underdog.

Amen to being an underdog.

[froot loops]

So releasing Patterson means they don’t have a kicker in the 53-man roster. Badgley was a practice squad call-up last week, and can only be called-up two more times. So week 18, Badgley either gets promoted to the 53-man roster or maybe they put Patterson back on the Practice Squad(if that’s even possible) and call him up for the last week and playoffs?

Does the Practice squad still count in the post season?

I think what they are doing is stalling for time in case somebody gets hurt. Same rules apply for the PS for the playoffs. For the next few weeks there has to be some cuts in order to sign Irvin and Badgely. Also, they might have to account for Johnson, Houston and Cabinda. Lucas, Nowasake and Pittman are likely candidates.

[Mainevent]

Need to make that spot for Cabinda.

[froot loops]

I think it would be more for special teams. I'd rather they keep him on IR but Nowasake or Pittman are the guys who would be cut for him. They occupy his spot on special teams.

[Cody_Russell]

They could just keep Badgley on the PS. Call him up a few times and then sign him to the 53 after they use up the eligible call ups. Buys the Lions a few weeks if I understand the rule correctly.

So the Lions will have to sign CJGJ, Badgley, and McNeill to the 53 at some point this season. MAYBE Houston and Cabinda. I would rather cut Charles Harris if the Lions stay healthy at edge during the next few weeks. What’s the point of keeping Harris if he’s a veteran healthy scratch every week? Locker room leadership?

Cut candidates IMHO:
Antoine Green, Chase Lucas, Charles Harris, Bruce Irvin, Steven Gilmore, and Trevor Nowaske.

Lions might want to keep Gilmore and Nowaske long term though. That’s a behind the scenes mystery…

[Mainevent]

Is Cabinda even that good of a special teams player at this point? It's obvious with a guy like Reeves-Maybin who racks up the tackles. Or is he just a culture guy?

[CGVT]

Is Cabinda even that good of a special teams player at this point? It's obvious with a guy like Reeves-Maybin who racks up the tackles. Or is he just a culture guy?

Haven't they been getting the same thing out of Rodrigo?

He looks to be adequate for the few plays that they need a fullback, plays special teams, and some linebacker.