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**-Deborah-** · November 4, 2024, 07:23 AM

Originally posted by whatever_gong82 View Post

I live for these lockerroom videos! This coaching staff is incredible and these guys genuinely love each other. What a team!

**whatever_gong82** · November 4, 2024, 10:21 AM

**El Axe** · November 4, 2024, 10:30 AM

Jack Fox has been incredible this season. We were outgained by 150 yards and he kept flipping the field with bombs.

1st punt 55 yards w/5 yd return
2nd punt 60 yards no return
3rd punt 44 yards no return (inside 20)
4th punt 41 yards 7yd return

**DanO** · November 4, 2024, 10:57 AM

Originally posted by El Axe View Post

Jack Fox has been incredible this season. We were outgained by 150 yards and he kept flipping the field with bombs.

1st punt 55 yards w/5 yd return
2nd punt 60 yards no return
3rd punt 44 yards no return (inside 20)
4th punt 41 yards 7yd return

Best kicker in the league. We have the best kicker in the league, the best running back tandem and the best safety tandem. What's next?

**whatever_gong82** · November 4, 2024, 11:07 AM

Three and out: Goff running out of boxes to check, expectations if Lions acquire Smith, and identity validated in rain

Justin Rogers
Nov 4

Allen Park — Here are three observations after a second viewing and a night to ponder the Detroit Lions’ 24-14 win over the Green Bay Packers.

Running out of tests to pass

Count me among those who were skeptical about how quarterback Jared Goff would handle Sunday’s conditions. At the top of the list was his recent ball security issues in the pocket, which I worried could be worsened by the steady rain that had been forecasted for the contest.

The rain did end up being a factor, but not for Goff. While Packers quarterback Jordan Love struggled to handle multiple snaps, Goff was sharp, not just with his grip of the ball, but the accuracy of his throws, never putting it in harm’s way against the league’s most opportunistic defense.

“I thought we handled it great,” Goff said. “Having no turnovers again is pretty remarkable in that weather and we’ve been doing it all year and have to keep doing it.”

Wearing gloves on both hands to enhance his handle, Goff made it clear during the team’s first drive that he wasn’t going to play conservatively in the conditions, ripping a pass down the middle to Sam LaPorta for 19 yards.

Those downfield throws were view and far between, but that’s not what the game plan and weather demanded. Slow and steady was going to win the race, and Goff has embraced that, even if it goes against the inherent mindset of a quarterback.

“I’ve just grown so much mentally and physically, obviously,” Goff said. “As you get older, you just start to learn when to take chances and when not to. I know I’ve said this before, but I just feel like I’m playing pretty disciplined, trying to take care of the ball and get it in our playmakers' hands.

“There’s a couple I’d like back today where I think I might have had Kalif (Raymond) open and I didn’t get back to him as the number two in the progression,” Goff said. “I may have had St. Brown open on third down and I didn’t get it to him. Those will still drive me to get better, but I’m taking care of the ball pretty well right now and I’m going to try to keep doing it.”

The evolution of Goff continues to impress. When he arrived in Detroit, I believed the two biggest flaws in his game were his deep-ball accuracy and the propensity for one big mistake each game, often due to a poor decision. He’s made remarkable strides in both departments, particularly the latter. He had one of the longest streaks without an interception in NFL history, and after some early-season shakiness this year, he hasn’t thrown a pick in five straight games.

But Sunday hit differently: It was in inclement conditions, against a good opponent, and Goff didn’t flinch.

“I’m sure the next time we play outdoors, they’ll say this is the second time they played outdoors and write a big old story about that again,” Goff said with his trademark soft sarcasm. “We’re supposed to be the dome team who can’t play outside. Were supposed to be the team that can only win one way. I think we’ve shown a handful of times that we can win in multiple ways. We’re chameleons and whatever it takes to win and whatever way, that’s what we’re going to do.”

But Goff doesn't change. He's impressively consistent, regardless of circumstance. If anyone is waiting for the other shoe to drop with him, they might be wasting their time.

A potential good get, not a savior

Pass-rushing help is reportedly on the way. According to Pro Football Talk — who likely got it directly from the player’s agent — Za’Darius Smith is on the verge of being shipped to Detroit ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline.

It would be a strong addition, bringing in an experienced veteran who has the frame and playing style to seamlessly fit into coordinator Aaron Glenn’s scheme.

Still, assuming the deal gets done, fans would be wise to temper expectations. Smith would fill a critical void, but his production is likely to be closer to peak Marcus Davenport than Aidan Hutchinson.

Looking at Smith’s stat line in recent seasons, you’ll undoubtedly like what you see. According to Pro Football Focus, he generated 141 quarterback pressures the past two seasons and had a respectable 24 before Sunday’s game. But remember, he was playing opposite a premier edge rusher during that stretch. The past two seasons it’s been the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Myles Garrett. Before that, it was Danielle Hunter, who earned All-Pro honors in 2022, the year he played with Smith.

In Detroit, Smith would immediately be the No. 1 edge. That means he’d be the one most likely to draw extra attention — the chips and nudges from tight ends and running backs.

I don’t mean to paint this as Michael Brockers situation. The former defensive tackle's play fell off a cliff in Detroit, without Aaron Donald serving as a block-absorbing black hole beside him.

Smith would help, tremendously. And by all accounts, he’ll add some extra leadership to the room. But if you’re expecting 7-10 sacks down the stretch, you’re probably setting yourself up for disappointment.

Rain reinforces identity

The more I thought about yesterday’s victory, the more I realized the game plan naturally suited the offense’s previously established identity. It hit me in the locker room after the game when I asked Jahmyr Gibbs if he gets amped when he gets the game plan early in the week and sees it centers around the ground game.

“I mean, regardless, any game, we rely on the run game first,” Gibbs said. “This was just another day.”

He’s right, this was just another day at the office of the Lions doing what they do. Despite minimal changes to personnel, the Lions are playing differently this year. They’re running the ball almost as much as anyone, they're using significantly more zone blocking on those snaps and they’re running fewer plays overall. When those factors are tallied, you'll understand why Goff’s pass attempts are down 28% through eight games this season compared to last.

These Lions dictate a game’s pace, not in a way you might traditionally think, with no-huddle and hurry-up, but by being methodical and leaning into the power of their offensive line.

And through the ground game, it opens up the play-action attack, which the Lions use more than anyone and Goff is as good as any quarterback in the league, in part because he’s so detail-oriented in executing fakes.

The one game where the Lions got away from this formula, arguably because they hadn’t established who they were yet, was against Tampa Bay. In that one, Goff threw it 55 times. That’s comically 26% of his attempts on the season.

Every team takes a minute to figure out exactly who they are, even when there’s a lot of continuity. Halfway into this season, the picture is clear, and it's a strategy that plays well in almost any matchup.

Email: jrogers@detroitfootball.net

X: Justin_Rogers

**Mainevent** · November 4, 2024, 11:23 AM

I have to give some props to Glenn, too. He frustrates me sometimes at the start of games where sometimes it looks like he just gets caught with his pants down by the opponents. But either he makes really good in-game adjustments or he gets the guys to better execute the game plan as it goes along and they play better once they settle down.

**whatever_gong82** · November 4, 2024, 11:28 AM

Pride Of Detroit Direct
by Jeremy Reisman

The Detroit Lions are 7-1, and, man, does it feel good. Every week, I feel the need to pinch myself, because this team is undeniably one of the best three teams in football, and they may not be three or two.

On this week’s postgame newsletter, we talk about the reversed roles in the NFC North, what Za’Darius Smith can bring to the Lions’ pass rush (if Detroit closes the deal), and recap everything from Lambeau.

The Packers are the Lions. The Lions are the Packers. Finkle is Einhorn

The Detroit Lions went down to Lambeau Field and controlled the majority of the game for a win that was far more comfortable than the 24-14 final score suggest. We’re not even a decade removed from Detroit’s 24-game drought in Green Bay, and suddenly the Lions have won three straight on the field that felt impenetrable. Dan Campbell has only lost in Green Bay once in four tries.

The Packers hold a commanding 106-77-7 record in the all-time rivalry between the two teams, but the Lions have now stolen five of the last six games against Green Bay. You know the last time the Lions won five-of-six vs. the Packers? It’s only happened three times: 1980-1983, 1974-1977, and 1948-1954 (they won 11 in a row then–not a relevant fact, but a gratuitous one, because FTP.)

Sunday had all the makings of all those ugly trips to Lambeau. The weather was crappy, the Packers were considered one of the best teams in football, the Lions were beat up on defense, and lost their best player midway through the second quarter to a questionable ejection. Everything was set up to have a letdown game against Green Bay and forfeit the NFC North lead to the team that always seems to win it.

But the roles have shifted, my friend. While we may still feel the presence of those ghosts that haunted us for decades, they are not still there. Every nagging moment of doubt–no matter how brief–is unwarranted. The Lions are the unflappable team that we see in Super Bowl champions.

First outdoor weather game of the season? Doesn’t matter. Jared Goff will drop an 81.2% completion percentage on your ass. Brian Branch gets ejected in the second quarter? They’ll still hold you out of the end zone for the entirety of the competitive part of the game. Jameson Williams suspended? No worries, they’ve got a handful of other players that will hurt you.

Oh no! Amon-Ra St. Brown gave the Packers bulletin board material with his “Green Bay Sucks” hoodie? Whatever shall we do? Oh, right. We’ll prove to them that we suck.

This team is unafraid of curses, jinxes, bulletin board material, bad officiating, rainy weather, upset New Jersey governors, and injuries. And best of all, they throw all that caution to the wind. They’ll run trick plays in a monsoon. They’ll give you all the bulletin board material you want. They tempt fate, and then spit in its face and do a headstand, just because.

Meanwhile, the Green Bay Packers…

Packer tears_11-3-2024.jpg

Remember those days? Where we tried to justify bad performances by some combination of forces outside of the team’s controls? The officials! The injuries! It’s a conspiracy!!!! “We beat ourselves! We actually outgained them, so if you play that game 10 more times, I bet the Packers win nine.”

Watching the Packers on Sunday evening, you may have well just been peeking through a portal to the 2000s Lions. Dropped passes, botched snaps, dumb pre-snap penalties, and coaches throwing tantrums on the sideline. Then, Packers starting offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins had the GALL to say this after the game.

“The team that executed won. Not the better team.”

Oh, buddy. The cope is real.

I understand, Elgton. You’ve been around since 2019. You’ve seen the Lions at their worst. But I’m afraid I have to be the first one to let you know that those Matt Patricia Lions are dead and gone. You’re living in a reality that hasn’t existed in four years. The Packers aren’t a better team than the Lions this year. They weren’t a better team than the Lions in 2023. In fact, by the end of 2022, the Lions very clearly proved they were better than you when you walked off the very same field as losers and no longer playoff bound.

You need to clear your cache, reset your cookies. You’re operating on Windows 98, while the Lions are cruising on Linux.

The Lions have been ahead of the Packers as a franchise for three years now, and slowly but surely, the rest of the world is starting to figure that out.

Lions comfortably win in Lambeau

By Brett Whitefield, owner and COO of Fantasy Points

*Before we dive in, remember that all data cited in this section is provided exclusively by Fantasy Points Data Suite - right now you can get 25% off of a Data Suite subscription by using our exclusive promo code POD25.

The Lions marched into Lambeau field in a cold-weather rain game and took care of business rather easily against the Packers, despite a glaringly bad pass-rush.

Pass rush check-in

Part of me wants to ignore this topic for the time being considering the Lions are still winning games and doing so decisively. It's honestly hard to be critical of anything they are doing when they have a point differential of +110 on the season and are blowing everyone out. However, it is pretty obvious the Lions pass-rush, in its current state, has the potential to be their Achilles heel.

By the numbers the Lions got pressure on 34% of Jordan Love’s dropbacks. While in a vacuum, this seems decent and would rank just outside the top-10 if duplicated for an entire season. Context is important though, and three things stick out like a sore thumb.

1.) No sacks! None of these pressures amounted to anything meaningful.

2.) Jordan Love’s average time to throw this week was over 4.2 seconds! I have now hit this point in every game since Hutch’s injury and this Time To Throw (TTT) number just keeps going up every week. Opposing QBs have zero respect for the Lions’ pass rush and are willing to hold the ball forever.

3.) The Lions had the Packers in predictable pass situations for most of the game. In fact, this has been true all season as the Lions’ pass-rate against over expectation (+5.2%) is the second highest in the NFL. Despite being able to pin the ears back and go after QBs, the Lions just aren’t getting home and when they do, it's usually because the opposing quarterback is holding the ball too long.

Last chance to make a splash!

With the trade deadline finally here (we have been talking about it since Marcus Davenport went down) we kind of have news? Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio has reported the Lions are likely to trade for Cleveland Browns EDGE defender Za’Darius Smith sometime after the Lions game vs. the Packers. If you have been following this segment since the Hutch injury, I identified Smith as not only the most realistic “big-fish” they could get but also probably the best bang for buck trade they could make.

What you need to know: Smith has been uber productive and one of the most consistent EDGE defenders in the NFL. Over the past three years, he has a pass-rush win rate of nearly 20%, which would rank him top-12 in any given season over that stretch. He pressures the quarterback at a high rate and converts a huge amount of those pressures into hits and sacks. Generally speaking, he has been good for about 30 or more hits+sacks a season, even in 2023 where he was part of a deep rotation rather than an every-down player like he had been for most of his career. His heavy hands and strength on the edge will also help the Lions get their run defense on track, which has been leaky on the edges the past few weeks.

Furthermore, unless an alternate arrangement is made, Smith will likely cost the Lions less than $1 million this year, with the option of having him on a relatively, non-guaranteed deal for 2025. That kind of money is by no means prohibitive or derailing to the Lions following the path they have been on in retaining their own players.

Lastly and most importantly, what does Smith specifically bring to the Lions as a player? Well here is a brief film analysis on him after watching every single snap of his 2023 and 2024 seasons.

Speed to power + bullrush ability: The starting point for Smith’s ability as a pass-rusher is his physicality. A physicality he demonstrates via his bullrush and his ability to convert speed to power and crush the pocket. As part of that package, he has a nice long arm technique that opens up a variety of counters both inside and out. All of these assets align perfectly to the desired pass-rush style of defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn: crush and squeeze the pocket.

Variety of chops for a counter: I mentioned a nice package of developed counters from Smith. His main go-to counter is his cross chop. He sets it up when aligned shading the outside shoulder of the tackle where he sells a speed rush to the outside to then time a violet cross swipe of the tackle’s hands winning him the corner. Two of his sacks this season have come on said move as well as a handful of other wins. When he hits it cleanly, it lands as immediate pressure.

Even has a spin move: Every complete pass rusher has an inside counter to go with his outside attacks and it's just so fitting that the guy who might be tasked with picking up a majority of the pass-rush production left behind by Aidan Hutchinson has an excellent spin move. It's not quite as effective as Aidan’s of course, but it's definitely in the conversation for second best in the league.

Elite motor, GRIT, and ability to set the edge: From the moment trade talks began, one of the reasons I immediately had Smith on my radar as a potential fit is because he already seems like a Lion. His teammates love him and he has the grit factor. He plays through just about anything with a blazing hot motor and is willing to do all the dirty work that endears him to his coaches, including setting the edge. Before he really developed as a pass-rusher, he established himself as one of the league's best run defenders on the edge and that remains true.

Chess piece versatility: Perhaps my favorite thing about Smith is that all throughout his career he has demonstrated an unique ability to be deployed all over the place. He is a guy you can scheme up to get optimal looks. This year alone he has lined up from a 3-point stance, in wide-9, all the way inside at 3-technique, and everything in between. He can rush from a 2-point stance while over a tight end. He has been excellent kicking inside from a 2-point stance rushing as a “mug” LB rusher in either the A gap or B gap. He has been great on stunts, twists, and delays, and you can even play him in this SAM LB role the Lions have tried with the likes of Derrick Barnes and Trevor Nowaske.

Long story made short, he can do it all.

VIDEO: Lions vs. Packers recap with Jeremy and Erik

**whatever_gong82** · November 4, 2024, 12:19 PM

A mistake-free day in Green Bay has Lions in control of NFC North

By Colton Pouncy
7h ago

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Amon-Ra St. Brown, habitual pot-stirrer, stepped off the team bus in a black “GREENBAY SUCKS” sweatshirt. He would later leap into a sea of Honolulu Blue at Lambeau Field. Potential All-Pro safety Brian Branch flipped double birds as he exited stage right. He then watched his defense hold it down without him. And finally, Jared Goff, the man who might as well have “can’t play in cold weather” on his Wikipedia page, completed his first 11 attempts and 18 of 22 overall. The visiting crowd, to no one’s surprise, chanted his name.

All this to say, the Detroit Lions are comfortable here in Green Bay.

Really, everywhere these days.

“We know we killas, man,” defensive back Amik Robertson said after the Lions’ 24-14 win over the Packers. “Killas kill. That’s what we do.”

Before we talk about the game that was on Sunday, let’s talk about the game the Lions learned they’re built for this. On a cold January evening in 2023, the Lions, on a national stage, announced their arrival. A season finale in Green Bay had playoff implications. A win for the Packers and Aaron Rodgers, future up in the air, would put Green Bay back in the playoffs. Detroit’s playoff hopes were thwarted by a Seahawks win over the Rams, rendering the game meaningless. Or so you’d think.

“I think anybody that expected anything different doesn’t know the Detroit Lions,” left tackle Taylor Decker said after that game. “I think it’s that simple.”

That evening, the Lions — winners of seven of their last nine at the time — wanted to leave no doubt. They believed their run was no fluke. One of the NFL’s youngest rosters had figured out how to play at this level. They had figured out how to play together. Most importantly, they had figured out how to win. They made a statement, winning 20-16 in the 2022 finale. They’d follow it up the next time around with a convincing 34-20 win in September 2023.

Look around the locker room and you’ll see some faces who were there for those early moments — when everything was fresh and new — and some who’ve since been added to ensure this remains the standard. They’re all cut from the same cloth, brought here to play ball and stack wins. As a result, outcomes like this are now expected.

Detroit paid its dues. And the NFC North is paying the price.

“First of all, give Detroit a ton of credit,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. “They played a clean game. Much cleaner than we did. I was disappointed with the number of penalties and just self-inflicted wounds that we had. You can’t do that against a really good football team.”

The Lions have made a habit out of blowing teams out of the stadium. They beat the Cowboys 47-9 in their own building. They put up 52 against the Titans last week. But in this one, a game in which the rain poured for three hours, the Lions won by simply not beating themselves.

Detroit was outgained 411-261. The trick plays were held in check. They didn’t get to 50, 40 or even 30. But the Lions played a clean, efficient game. They knew they’d need to.

“That was big,” coach Dan Campbell said. “We knew that coming in here. There were a number of things we talked about: run game supremacy … whoever could come up with the most explosives, field position and turnover ratio. … We preached it all week. We worked it. Wet ball drills every day at practice outdoors. Our guys really did a great job. Goff took great care of the football and it was the difference. It was a big difference.”

Goff completed 18 of his 22 attempts for 145 yards and a touchdown. Not the most eye-popping numbers, but he threw the ball with authority, got it out cleanly to his playmakers in pouring rain, didn’t turn it over and got the Lions into good situations and out of bad ones at the line of scrimmage. He found his No. 1 target, St. Brown, seven times for 56 yards and a touchdown, on a successful fourth-down conversion rather than settling for a field goal. The type of game that puts a pin in some narratives.

Detroit’s offensive line had a strong day against a good Packers defensive front. It gave Goff time to throw and paved the way for David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs to rush for a combined 138 yards and a touchdown — with Gibbs’ score again the result of a successful fourth-down try. Watch Penei Sewell on this play, then remember to thank Brad Holmes for drafting him.

As Campbell mentioned, the Lions did not have a turnover, against a team that led the league in turnovers forced. What you saw Sunday was a mature, composed team that executed in ways its opponent didn’t.

“I think we’ve shown a handful of times that we can win in multiple ways,” Goff said. “We’re chameleons, and whatever it takes to win and whatever way, that’s what we’re going to do.”

Detroit’s defense has it, too. Let’s take a look at how short-handed Aaron Glenn’s defense is. Here’s who the Lions were without on Sunday: DE Aidan Hutchinson, DE Marcus Davenport, DE Josh Paschal, DE John Cominsky, DT Kyle Peko, DT Mekhi Wingo, LB Derrick Barnes, LB Malcolm Rodriguez, CB Emmanuel Moseley, S Ifeatu Melifonwu and even Branch from the second quarter on. A mix of starters and key rotational players. Injuries are part of the game, but when you look at the full list, it’s eye-opening. Detroit defenses of the past simply wouldn’t be able to overcome an injury list that long. You’d be praying for the offense to score 40 just to have a chance.

And yet, this group held a Packers offense — a unit that averaged 27 points per game — to 14 points. It tightened up near the goal line, holding the Packers to 1-for-4 in the red zone. It could’ve crumbled without Branch.

“Defense, our job is to limit points,” said safety Kerby Joseph, who gave the Lions points with a pick six in the second quarter. “The more we can limit points, that helps our offense and that helps the team win. So shout out to the defense, man. It wasn’t perfect, but we really got the job done. Takeaways is just important to the defense. … We’re just going to continue to get better, watch this film, learn from it and continue to get better.”

“We just resilient, man,” defensive tackle DJ Reader said. “We got a lot of guys who believe not only in themself but in the guy beside them. We practice with each other. We know what we’ve got. … We’re just playing together. We talked about it when it happened — that you’re gonna have to disperse the load, and our DBs on the back end, they’ve definitely been doing their thing. It’s been a blessing, man, just to be able to fight and get us back where we needed to be.”

With the win, the Lions are 7-1 — off to their best start since 1956. They’re on a six-game winning streak, accomplishing this for the first time since 1995. Detroit has won three straight road games at Green Bay for the first time since 1986-88. And the Lions are 11-3 in their last 14 NFC North contests.

Each week, the Lions remind you that it has all come together. Linear success is hard in this league, but everything about this trajectory has been just that. They have arguably the league’s best offense. They have a defense that gets it done regardless of who’s on the field (and one that could be getting some much-needed help by Tuesday’s deadline). They can hit you with explosives, play the slow and methodical game, play mistake-free football and make you beat yourself, force you to play a brand you aren’t built for and be the last one standing when the clock hits zero.

A bit weird, sure. But it’s the new norm for this franchise.

“I am not shocked one bit that we came over here and played pretty good football out in the elements,” Campbell said. “We are built for this, man, and it doesn’t matter just because we play indoors. It doesn’t matter. We can play anywhere. We can play in the snow. We can play in the rain. Play in the mud. That is just us, and we are built to win, man.”

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