GBU: Fried Seachicken Tastes Good

[chemiclord]

Geno is good and seems to have the Lions number, and the Lions certainly were in position and didn’t close the deal on some key plays. Still, I had some frustration with Glenn’s play calling at times and committing to his style of defense each week is going to invite these types of games against a good QB. Also, the LBs are just not good in coverage. I thought Jack Campbell struggles last night outside of one or two run fits (edit: and obviously forced the big fumble).

But the offense did what it was supposed to do against a defense missing some key pieces.

There's a degree that I'm just not sure what the Lions could do other than completely change their defensive strategy solely for the Seahawks, which would be a pretty tall fucking ask.

It's just how it's going to be anytime the Lions play them. What they do offensively is simply a terrible matchup for the Lions. The Lions want to keep everything in front of them and force teams to march down the field on long drives. Seattle is one of the few teams in the league that can, and does, win that way. They can go on 10+ play drives and score TDs on the regular.

Fortunately for the Lions, the Lions are also a terrible matchup for what Seattle wants to do on defense. The Seahawks like to play bully ball, and demand opponents match their physicality. The Lions are one of the few teams that (you guessed it) can, and does, win that way. The Lions will absolutely beat the ever loving shit out of you and score TDs with pure tenacity.

[Mainevent]

It's just how it's going to be anytime the Lions play them. What they do offensively is simply a terrible matchup for the Lions. The Lions want to keep everything in front of them and force teams to march down the field on long drives. Seattle is one of the few teams in the league that can, and does, win that way. They can go on 10+ play drives and score TDs on the regular.

Maybe, maybe not. It's not like the Lions are running some exotic defensive scheme. And plenty of teams have slowed Seattle down enough over the last couple of years. But it may be true that Glenn is just going to run his shit with only minor scheme or play calling adjustments, competition be damned. And if that means certain teams are going to slice them up, then that's just going to be the way it is.

[Mainevent]

The Montgomery catch and run is a fun re-watch, so much happening:
- First, Weatherspoon lucky he sort of had his feet slip out from him on that hit, he crunched his head and neck pretty good, coming away from that uninjured is a win.
- Montgomery barely moved when he got hit, just a rock.
- Decker and Kayode getting downfield with blocks - Kayode in particular sending a Seattle defender out of the club and running over one of his own (think Patrick?) with a little help from Jamo
- Weatherspoon got up and chased Montgomery all the way across the field and was one of the defenders who ran him out of bounds. That dude is a dog.

[froot loops]

Maybe, maybe not. It's not like the Lions are running some exotic defensive scheme. And plenty of teams have slowed Seattle down enough over the last couple of years. But it may be true that Glenn is just going to run his shit with only minor scheme or play calling adjustments, competition be damned. And if that means certain teams are going to slice them up, then that's just going to be the way it is.

Generally when they go away from their base scheme, they tend to blitz a lot with their safeties or the nickel guys. Mainly they use Branch and Iffy who were out.

[El Axe]

Lions won despite a lot of things going against them historically:
- Seattle has had their number
- Macdonald's Baltimore defense completely shut them down
- Lions have been terrible when Ragnow is out
- Branch, IMO, might be their best/most important secondary defender

That's a good win

(edit: added secondary to Branch. Hutch is obviously the best)

[froot loops]

The one thing you have to think about the defense and the weird offensive stats that Seattle dominated in TOP (34:04 to 25:56) and total plays (78 to 50). That was the result of the Lions scoring quick and often. They had 6 offensive touchdowns with only one short field caused by the turnover. The Lions only got to 3rd down on offense 6 times. They were scoring on quick drives fueled by big chunk plays. When the opposing offense gets that many opportunities they are going to create fun house mirror stats when they are always playing from behind.

In the NFL, if you are playing inside with two teams that have two highly accurate quarterbacks with weapons, this is a result you are likely to see. The short stuff is always going to be there and if you try too hard to stop it, they are going to hit you over the top. The bend but don't break scheme is frustrating but ultimately it worked last night.

[chemiclord]

Generally when they go away from their base scheme, they tend to blitz a lot with their safeties or the nickel guys. Mainly they use Branch and Iffy who were out.

And on top of that, if you press too hard, Metcalf can get behind your secondary pretty easily (that happened once on the Seahawks' second TD drive, iirc), and that's... well... not where you want him to be.

[RoaryFontes]

G- Great win over 3-0 team. I'm happy about it no matter how it comes.
B- Flags, flags, and more flags (seemed like Davis couldn't catch a break)
U- Feeling like they are going to miss every extra point. Can we just smash it through the center?

[-Deborah-]

Metcalf is a beast!

Poor Hutchinson was held so much -- I don't know how his motor keeps going, that must be incredibly frustrating.

We lost the ABC signal right before Jamo's TD. Got it back and the complexion of the game had changed considerably! Found a cool photo of his celebration -- why the penalty?!

image.png

[Mainevent]

They outlawed the dunking over the goal posts a few years back. Can do it, but you can’t actually touch the goal post itself.

[-Deborah-]

Thanks.

[froot loops]

One good thing I think that came out of the game is Tim Patrick was a decent part of the offense. You don't need to have a world heater in that position but you do need someone to catch a few passes and make the defense pay attention.

[Trickalicious]

They outlawed the dunking over the goal posts a few years back. Can do it, but you can’t actually touch the goal post itself.

If someone air humps the goal post, it should be offsetting penalties.

[Cody_Russell]

It’s better that Arnold has a grabby / technique issue when compared to different issues with former high draft pick Lions CBs. Such as Okudah and Tabor. My guy Tabor would consistently be burnt due to athletic issues. Nothing he could do about that.

I’m sure Arnold will improve. It’s annoying now, but we have to always remember to be patient with rookies. Hutchinson didn’t really get going until after the Lions bye week in 2022. A few overreactions.

The Lions secondary is ultimately an upgrade when compared to years past and it has the potential to improve due to youth and inexperience. I’m happy with the situation.

One good thing I think that came out of the game is Tim Patrick was a decent part of the offense. You don't need to have a world heater in that position but you do need someone to catch a few passes and make the defense pay attention.

Two nice catches by Patrick. Keep improving!

[El Axe]

They outlawed the dunking over the goal posts a few years back. Can do it, but you can’t actually touch the goal post itself.

As I understand it, it's the Jimmy Graham rule. He tried dunking on the goal post and screwed it up, delaying the game for awhile.