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**whatever_gong82** · November 9, 2024, 02:06 PM

Detroit Lions' looseness is special, and even the dudes on the sidelines can see it

Another paywall article from yesterday's Freep.

Jeff Seidel
Detroit Free Press

This story — and how I found a fresh perspective on the Detroit Lions — happened by accident.

Because I was hungry.

Late Sunday night, after finishing a column about the Lions in a Green Bay, Wisconsin, hotel room, I went down to the hotel restaurant to grab some food. I found a seat at the corner of the bar and asked for a menu, and the dude next to me was eating wings.

“Should I go with wings or a hamburger?” I asked the server.

“I had the burger last night,” said the dude eating wings. “Can’t go wrong either way.”

So, we started talking. As it turned out, he too had spent the day working at the Lions-Packers game.

“I was on the Detroit sideline for this game,” he said.

“What was it like?” I asked him.

“It’s different,” he said. “This team is different.”

I don’t want to use his name and I don’t want to say what he was doing on the sideline because I don’t want to get him into trouble. But his perspective is important, if not illuminating.

“This team has a looseness and a confidence,” he said. “And you can tell it starts with Dan Campbell.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“There are no egos on this team,” he said.

OK, I think we can all sense that.

We have heard it.

It’s part of the Lions’ DNA. But it’s interesting when an impartial observer spends a few hours around the Lions, watching them up close on the sideline and walks away so impressed that he was talking about it during a late-night dinner.

“I’ve been on sidelines where a team is 6-2 and everybody is uptight,” the dude said. “You can feel the stress.”

“But not with the Lions?”

“Not the Lions,” he said. “They just have fun.”

Yes, we can see that as well.

Shoot, it’s a fun team to watch.

A window into everything right

Aaron Glenn, 52, has spent exactly half of his life in the NFL.

He played in the NFL for 15 years, spending time with five different teams, and he has coached 11 years in the NFL, the last four as Lions defensive coordinator.

So, on Thursday, I asked him about the vibe on the Lions sideline and how it compares to other teams he has been around.

“I do feel like there’s a confidence with our players, that each week we feel like we can go out there and we’re going to give ourselves a chance to win,” Glenn said. “And that’s different than some teams I’ve been a part of.”

Different? OK, now he had my full attention.

“These guys, each week, feel like, ‘Man, we’re going to win, and we don’t know how we’re going to do it, but we’re going to do it,’” he said. “That can be a close game, that can be a blowout, that can be an end-of-game situation, and the reason why they think that is because we go over so much during the week, and you’ve got to credit our head coach for that. So, any situation that comes about, we feel like we have an opportunity to win the game because we know exactly what to do and how to do it.”

There is a healthy confidence, if not cockiness, that lingers under the surface with this coaching staff. And I mean that as a compliment.

These coaches are convinced and have full confidence that they prepare the players the right way, and the players have complete buy-in.

In return, the players exude confidence that nothing will surprise them, that they are prepared for anything and that they have the talent to win. When you combine all of that together, it’s such a healthy place to be.

“You give the credit to players in that situation because they know exactly what we’re trying to coach,” Glenn said. “But yeah, there’s a confidence with every player on our team, offense, defense and special teams. They’re going to go out there and they’re going to execute well.”

Want an example of how this team is prepared?

How nothing seems to go to chance?

I heard an interesting tidbit on Thursday.

Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson was talking about calling plays against the Dallas Cowboys, and he casually mentioned how he took into consideration how the sunlight streams through the windows in AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

I know there was a controversy in Dallas in a 2022 playoff game when a Cowboys receiver couldn’t see the ball because of the sunlight, leading to a loss to the San Francisco 49ers. But I never thought about how that might alter play-calling for the Lions.

“We knew that the sun was going to be a factor that game because of that time of day, where it was going to be,” Johnson said. “So, for me, it’s selective on knowing when we want to throw the ball down the field, but make sure it’s not in our receivers’ eyes. So, little things like that, we certainly calculate in terms of how we’re attacking our opponent, and we’ve got some smart players that have been around.”

The fact that the Lions considered what plays they were gonna call based on the time of day and the sunshine shining through windows tells you the level of detail they think about.

And why everybody exudes so much confidence.

Loose, confident and having fun

The looseness on the sideline is a direct result of the togetherness in this organization, and it starts with the coaches.

You can sense it, just the way they talk about each other.

On Thursday afternoon, Johnson went to the podium in the media room for his weekly chat with reporters to talk about the offense, presumably.

“How about that defense, huh?” Johnson said, stepping to the microphone. “They’re rolling. They did a heck of a job the other day. … AG’s doing fantastic, and those guys are really rolling over there right now.”

When you have an offensive coordinator praising the defense, that sets a tone.

And it’s the kind of thing that is contagious.

As the season progresses, the pressure is going to ramp up, either as the Lions chase the No.1 seed or as they start churning through the playoffs.

But a loose, fun-loving atmosphere can combat the stress.

Having no egos? Yes, that makes the atmosphere even better.

That vibe doesn’t start on the sideline.

But that sideline is a window behind the curtain of this organization.

You can see it in how running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs don’t seem to be bothered by who gets the ball.

“That’s who they are,” quarterback Jared Goff said. “That’s who they are, and I think it’s the culture we’ve put in place and (Lions general manager) Brad (Homes) has a good way of not bringing in guys that aren’t that way. So, it’s kind of just organic.”

It has spread all the way to the special teams guys: kicker Jake Bates, holder/punter Jack Fox and long snapper Hogan Hatten.

“Those three guys get along really well,” special teams coach Dave Fipp said Thursday. “They work really hard at it, they’re very, very competitive and very prideful about their performance.”

From the long snapper to the star running backs.

From the offense to the defense.

The Lions are loose, confident and having fun.

It’s just different from other teams — well, according to the guy I met at the bar.

By the way, I went with the hamburger.

The dude was right about that, too.

Contact Jeff Seidel: jseidel@freepress.com. Follow him on X @seideljeff. To read his recent columns, go to freep.com/sports/jeff-seidel

**ghandi** · November 9, 2024, 02:16 PM

Interesting matchup to watch: Lions DTs vs Houston interior OL...Houston has the worst interior OL in NFL for pressures and sacks allowed and the Jets absolutely destroyed them last week.

**whatever_gong82** · November 9, 2024, 02:22 PM

Za'Darius Smith's time off a reminder of how much Detroit Lions culture has changed

Paywall article from today's Freep.

Shawn Windsor
Detroit Free Press

Dan Campbell doesn’t know yet whether Za’Darius Smith will play Sunday night in Houston. He is certain the defensive end needed a couple days off this week and gave them to the Detroit Lions’ newest player.

Smith arrived via trade from Cleveland earlier this week. The Browns had their bye. Campbell wanted to honor the break, at least for a couple of days, since the Lions already had theirs.

The Lions' head coach has made countless decisions like this since he took over almost four years ago. And if you were still wondering what makes him so popular in the locker room, the decision to give Smith time off is the latest reminder.

Popularity, though, doesn’t lead to winning by itself. Plenty of coaches are beloved and don’t win. Talent is obviously critical, as QB coach Mark Brunell said Friday when he met with reporters in Allen Park and explained part of Jared Goff’s success this season.

“We have really good players,” Brunell said“... and that’s where the credit starts.”

Goff, it should be noted, is quick to say the same thing, and often does, and it’s that deferential spirit that embodies the culture in Allen Park as much as anything else.

Yes, building a good football team starts with talent. Yet even talent isn’t enough. Communication and scheme and development matter, too. So do chemistry and accountability.

Campbell forges all of it together in decisions broad and narrow, and when news of Smith’s two-day break broke Wednesday, a fella nicknamed “Snacks” chimed in with a reminder of how different it used to be.

“Snacks,” of course, is Damon Harrison, the former defensive tackle signed by Bob Quinn and Matt Patricia. He played 10 seasons in the NFL for five teams, though he spent most of his time in New Jersey, suiting up for the Jets (the team that drafted him) and the Giants.

He played major parts of two seasons in Detroit, and when he heard about Campbell’s decision to give Smith a couple of days off, he posted this on social media:

“Detroit truly has changed … them folks threw me out there ASAP with swollen knees from the plane ride.”

He ended his tweet with a handful of laughing-so-hard-I'm-crying emojis. Shade thrown. And point made.

Still, Campbell isn’t all cotton candy and hosannas, though he’ll shed a tear doling each out in a post-victory locker room. He’s the ultimate equilibrium coach, like Thai food — forever in search of salt and sweet, of acid and fat.

Take this week, and his choice to ask his players to pad up for practice Thursday, something he doesn’t always do, and is at times reluctant to do. His reasoning? The defense hasn’t been as sharp against the run the last few weeks, and he wanted his guys to rep shedding blocks and finding the right gaps against the run game.

“Ordinarily,” he said, “I don’t love putting guys in pads on Thursday, but ... we did it the first portion of practice, you’re talking about eight plays and a little one-on-one. I just think it gives you confidence, it forces you to play a little bit lower, your hands, it’s just — it’s game-like (conditions) and just for a few shots. Now, you can’t do that every week. But I feel like it was good for us last week, I feel like it’s going to be good for us this week.”

Josh Jacobs, Green Bay’s running back, got loose a few times in Lambeau Field. He also got stuffed, especially in the second half. Campbell said it was either matter of fit — gap control — or inability to shed a block.

“(The coaches) were talking (Thursday) about one of our players, and I said, ‘Do you think if you told him his life depended on getting in this gap and playing this gap, he could do it?’” Campbell said. “You kind of have to think that way. You really kind of have to have that mentality.”

On some weeks, that might mean extra time in pads. Campbell is intentional about how often and when, and when he tells his team that they are going to get in pads, he always tells them why, and for how long.

Remember the viral clip of him pleading with his team to trust his ratio of pad play in practice a couple summers ago during training camp? When he asked his players for their trust? And told them all he thought about was their safety and conditioning and development?

He has only built on that theme, and it’s noticeable not just to former Lions such as Harrison, but to players in the league in general. It’s most notable, however, within the Lions' locker room.

This was Goff back in January in the days leading up to the NFC title game:

“The No. 1 thing is his emotional intelligence, how well he can read the room and know people. He knows when to push, when to pull, when to tell you he needs a little bit more, when to love you up. He’s got a feel, that’s what makes him special.”

And?

“He tells us how it is,” Goff said, “He understands on Day 15 of training camp, it’s hard, and we’re tired. We know he gets it, and when a guy like that pushes ...”

Well, it lands better, because he’s not afraid to give a guy like Smith a couple of days off. Clearly, Campbell — and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn — would have loved to have thrown Smith into practice Wednesday and Thursday.

The team needs help on the edge, obviously, and no doubt Campbell and Glenn are itching to see what Smith can do for the team in that area. But they weren’t going to decide without weighing the cost. Again, it’s about balance, about chasing that equilibrium.

Aside from getting needed rest from the pounding, Campbell knew Smith’s home in Florida had been hit by a hurricane. Smith was grateful for the chance to go see it.

“Happy that I got a couple days, got a chance to go back home to Florida and see my house from the hurricane,” Smith told reporters Friday. “It’s real bad down there. But I’m glad he gave me the opportunity to go back home to see that.”

Will that make Smith a better teammate? More amped on Sundays — or Mondays or Thursdays? Possibly.

Yet this isn’t why Campbell did it, or why he has made player-friendly choices since he arrived in Allen Park. Players would sniff it out if it were exclusively transactional. Yeah, this is a business, and the bottom line is never far from view.

But the best leaders figure out when to demand and when to back off, and how to gauge the room.

Few coaches do it better than Campbell. Just ask the new guy. Or the old guy called “Snacks.”

Contact Shawn Windsor: swindsor@freepress.com. Follow him@shawnwindsor.

**whatever_gong82** · November 9, 2024, 02:34 PM

Lions vs. Texans: Scouting report and prediction for Week 10 Sunday Night Football

Paywall article from today's Freep.

Dave Birkett
Detroit Free Press

Detroit Lions (7-1) at Houston Texans (6-3)

The coaches: Lions — Dan Campbell (36-34-1 overall, 31-27-1 with Lions); Packers — DeMeco Ryans (16-10 overall, 16-10 with Texans).

Last game: Lions beat the Green Bay Packers, 24-14; Texans lost to the New York Jets, 21-13.

Last meeting: Nov. 26, 2020: Texans won, 41-25.

Key matchups

Lions DT Alim McNeill vs. Texans RG Shaq Mason

The Lions have struggled to get consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks since Aidan Hutchinson broke his leg in Week 6, but the Texans have the leakiest offensive line in the NFL. Quarterback C.J. Stroud has been sacked 30 times this season, second-most behind Deshaun Watson. Mason has allowed 7½ sacks according to the Houston Chronicle, most among guards. And the Texans will start a new left guard this week after Kenyon Green suffered a season-ending shoulder injury.

McNeill is in prime position to take advantage of the Texans’ struggles up front. He hasn’t piled up sacks (2½) this year, but has been the Lions’ most consistent lineman in Hutchinson’s absence with the ability to wreck games from the interior. The Lions bounce McNeill around both tackle spots and sometimes play him off the edge, and he should have plenty of one-on-one opportunities against Mason.

Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown vs. Texans CB Jalen Pitre

St. Brown is in the midst of a remarkable streak, catching 30 straight targets from quarterback Jared Goff. That stretch dates to Week 3, and according to the NFL’s Next Gen Stats, had just a one in 780,000 chance of extending this far based on the probability of each catch.

St Brown is coming off an All-Pro season and may be playing his best football. He’s averaging a career-low 9.7 yards per catch, but leads the Lions with 48 catches, 464 yards and six receiving touchdowns, and could see a boost in production with the return of deep threat Jameson Williams from a two-game suspension.

Houston plays the highest amount of nickel defense in the NFL in large part, Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson said, because they don’t want to take Pitre, their slot defender, off the field. “He’s all over the place,” Johnson said. “Great cover guy, great run defender, they’ll blitz him. I think he’s kind of a guy that pops off the tape early in the week.”

Scouting report

Lions run offense vs. Texans run defense

The Lions have two of the best running backs in the NFL in David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, backs who Johnson said would start for 28 of the NFL’s other 31 teams. In Detroit, they split the workload almost evenly, with Montgomery wearing opponents down with body blows and Gibbs knocking them out with explosive plays.

Gibbs is averaging 6.4 yards per carry and has topped 100 yards rushing in two of the past three games. He ahs been more consistently dynamic than Montgomery, though Montgomery has rushing touchdowns in six of the Lions’ eight games.

The Texans have allowed 150 or more yards rushing three times this season, oddly, all in victories. They have a strong pass rush and solid secondary that are deadly in third-and-long, so it’s imperative the Lions hit their efficiency markers — a third of the yards needed for a first down on first down, half of the yards on second down and converting on third down — running the ball. Overall, Houston ranks 12th against the run overall at 114.2 ypg. Edge: Lions

Lions pass offense vs. Texans pass defense

This Lions offense could go down as one of the best in NFL history. They’re just as effective attacking teams through the air as they are on the ground, and they enter the weekend first in the league in points per game (32.3) and scoring margin (13.8), and seventh in total yards.

Goff has the highest passer rating in the league on third downs (123.3) and has completed 82.8% of his passes during the Lions’ six-game win streak, the best mark in any six-game span in NFL history. Williams’ return gives the Lions a true vertical threat, but the offensive line must do a better job protecting Goff after allowing nine sacks in 71 pass attempts (12.7%) the past three weeks.

The Texans allow just 5.4 yards per pass attempt, second best in the league. Derek Stingley Jr. hasn’t been challenged enough to put up big interception numbers, but he’s covering at an All-Pro level, allowing completions on just 50% of the passes thrown his way according to Pro Football Reference. Will Anderson Jr. (7½ sacks) and Lions killer Danielle Hunter (5½) front a disruptive pass rush, but Anderson is out with an ankle injury. Edge: Lions

Texans run offense vs. Lions run defense

Like Josh Jacobs with the Packers, whom the Lions faced last week, and Aaron Jones with the Minnesota Vikings, the Texans have found success on the ground with a retread running back, Joe Mixon, who’s having one of the best years of his career.

Mixon has 100-plus yards rushing in five of the six games he has played this season, only missing the mark in Week 3 when he left early with an ankle injury. Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik is a Kyle Shanahan disciple, and features the same wide zone rushing attack. Houston must run the ball effectively to win given its problems in pass protection.

The Lions have seen some slippage in their run defense of late. Jacobs was on pace to become the first back to top 100 yards rushing against the Lions since 2022 before last week’s game got out of hand, and the defense has been gashed for big perimeter runs in three straight games. McNeill and D.J. Reader are stout interior defenders, and Jack Campbell has 24 tackles the past two games at middle linebacker. Edge: Texans

Texans pass offense vs. Lions pass defense

Stroud had a remarkable rookie season, when he led the NFL in passing yards per game (273.9) and threw just five interceptions. Things haven’t come quite as easily this year as he has been under constant duress and has looked skittish at times in the pocket.

Along with their offensive line problems, the Texans are hurting at receiver. Nico Collins (Michigan) is questionable after missing the past four games with a hamstring injury, and Stefon Diggs is out for the season with an ACL tear. Tank Dell is a chain mover out of the slot, but he's questionable with a back injury. Dalton Schultz has 26 catches at tight end, but there’s not much of a vertical element to the passing game right now.

The Lions are physical at cornerback and have two of the league’s top playmakers at safety in Kerby Joseph (six interceptions) and Brian Branch (four). It’s not clear yet if new defensive end Za’Darius Smith will play, and if he does he’ll have a limited role. But defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn has done a good job creating turnovers with the blitz game in Hutchinson’s absence. Edge: Lions

Special teams

The Lions don’t have any weaknesses on special teams. Jack Fox has consistently controlled the field punting the ball, Jake Bates is a perfect 12 for 12 on field goals and the Lions lead the league in punt return average (16.6 ypr) thanks to Kalif Raymond. The Lions are good enough they don’t need to try and steal possessions anymore, but coach Dan Campbell always seems to have a fake ready to go in big games.

Lions special teams coordinator Dave Fipp spoke highly of the Packers’ special teams last week, and said he’s even more impressed with Houston’s kick and punt teams. The Texans are third in the NFL in punt-return defense, and kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn has won AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors twice this season for his big leg and clutch kicking. The Texans don’t get much from the punt return game, but Fairbairn is 10 of 12 on field goals of 50-plus yards. Edge: Lions

Prediction

The Texans sit comfortably in first place in the AFC South, but this game doesn’t have quite as much juice as it did early in the season given Houston’s meandering play. Stroud has looked like a young quarterback at times, and the Texans have lost two of their past three games. They’re still dangerous because of Mixon and their defense, and if they win the turnover the battle, might put an end to the Lions’ win streak. But no team is playing better all-around football than the Lions, and I don’t see that stopping in a prime-time game. As long as Goff takes care of the ball and the defense keeps Mixon relatively in check, the Lions will come home 8-1 and well-positioned to earn the one seed in the NFC playoffs. Pick: Lions 30, Texans 20.

Dave Birkett will sign copies of his new book, "Detroit Lions: An Illustrated Timeline" at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Our Lady of Victory in Northville. Order your copy here. Contact him at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on X and Instagram at @davebirkett.

Contact him at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on X and Instagram at @davebirkett.

**whatever_gong82** · November 9, 2024, 02:42 PM

Could Texans Shock NFL, Upset Lions?

https://www.si.com/nfl/texans/news/could-houston-texans-shock-nfl-upset-lions

The Houston Texans are getting ready to face off against one of the best teams in the NFL in the Detroit Lions on Sunday Night Football in Week 10. The Lions ar

**chemiclord** · November 9, 2024, 02:47 PM

Could the Texans win? Absolutely. Even if by no measure than "Any Given Sunday." Even the worst teams in the NFL have the talent to win any game if the ball bounces right.

Should the Texans win, everything being equal and the bounces fall largely evenly? Nah. The talent level between the two teams (especially with how many key players the Texans are gonna be missing) is vast enough that the Lions would win probably 4 out of every 5 times they played.

**whatever_gong82** · November 9, 2024, 03:08 PM

DFN Lions mailbag: Za'Darius Smith beyond 2024 and where Sam LaPorta's targets are going

Justin Rogers
Nov 9

Welcome to another mailbag. A lot of great questions this week, so let’s get right to them.

Q: What do you need to see from Za’Darius Smith to keep him and his contract in Detroit next year? — John Heintz

Justin: That’s a good question, John. It’s going to be a mix of culture fit and production. The initial impressions have been strong, but let’s see how he meshes with his teammates and coaches over the next two or three months.

In terms of production, you want to see a steady execution of Detroit’s rush style, leading a decent amount of pressure and a handful of sacks, all while helping stabilize the run defense that's been shaky the past few weeks.

At this stage in his career, Smith’s ceiling isn’t as high as Marcus Davenport’s in Detroit's scheme, but there’s little question Smith is more likely to be available. The Lions will need someone opposite Hutchinson next season, and while an $11 million cap hit (spread over 2025/26) isn’t cheap, it’s a reasonable price tag for the role if Smith can continue to produce at the levels he was in Cleveland.

Q: What’s your take on Washington? Legit NFC team or have they beat up on the weaker parts of their schedule? — Mike W

Justin: I think it can be both. You’d probably find most good teams build their records on the backs of bad opponents. Four of the Commanders’ seven wins have come against Carolina, Cleveland, and the New York Giants, twice.

But they’ve also fared well against some of the better competition they faced. Only Tampa Bay, in the season opener, handled Washington with ease. But how much can we really make of the first game of the year, with new coaches, schemes and players, including a rookie QB making his debut?

I absolutely believe the Commanders’ high-scoring offense is legit. QB Jayden Daniels and coordinator Kliff Kingsbury appear to be a good match, and the operation is boosted by quality weapons like Brian Robinson Jr. and Terry McLaurin.

Defensively, they’re not as dynamic, but they’re getting solid contributions from several veterans they added in free agency. That’s a credit to coach Dan Quinn, who I’ve always thought was underrated. He's a strong motivator and manager of people beyond his schematic accument.

They’re probably a year away from more serious contention, but it looks like Daniels has superstar potential.

Q: Does Dan Campbell have enough input with the offense, or do we have to worry when Ben Johnson leaves? — Daniel

Justin: Dan is not just some pretty face with unlimited soundbites. Your coach knows ball.

Campbell is heavily involved in shaping the offensive identity, and while the scheme and play-calling are Johnson’s purview, Campbell has his fingerprints on all of it.

If and when Johnson leaves for a head coaching job, it would be foolish to suggest you shouldn't be concerned about a drop-off. But there’s also no way to predict where the Lions go next. Scottie Montgomery or Tanner Engstrand could get the in-house bump, or the team could snap up someone from outside the organization who may or may not be available currently.

I wouldn’t call it likely, but I also can’t rule out Campbell choosing to call plays.

Q: How involved are players when they go on injured reserve? Are there set expectations/requirements for participating in meetings, etc.? Does everybody always rehab at the facilities? — Jeff Guynn

Justin: Each situation is unique and often tied to a player’s future with the franchise, but most players out long-term are given the option to rehab with the team or back home. When a player is under a longer-term contract, that’s usually impetuous to stick around.

I’m always intrigued by the guys who stick around when they aren’t required or expected to go that route. Emmanuel Moseley was one of those guys last year. He was a big help to the younger cornerbacks in the meeting room, which I believe was a factor in the team's decision to bring him back in 2024.

A little bit of a teaser here, but I had a conversation with a player in a similar situation this week — on an expiring deal, done for the year, but rehabbing with the team. I’m tucking that one away for a lull, maybe after one of the Thursday games later this month.

Q: Would love to read an analysis on Jack Campbell's progress this year, along with any opinions on his ceiling. — Substack user

Justin: Get a better username, man.

A deeper dive into Campbell's second season is probably an offseason project. It would be a big undertaking. My initial impression from my week-to-week tape study is he continues to be outstanding against the run but inconsistent in coverage. I was reasonably stunned to see PFF has graded him so well in that area. I’d argue one of his biggest opportunities for growth is trusting his eyes and reacting quicker when in zone coverage.

In terms of his ceiling, I’m not sure how much better Campbell can get in coverage with time, but Derrick Barnes made significant strides with experience and growth in his conceptual understanding of the scheme. Campbell has all the physical gifts you dream about for his position, started with a better foundation, and possesses the football character required to match Barnes’ growth.

Q: Hypothetically, how far into the season would the Lions need to go before you’d feel comfortable buying Super Bowl tickets and making travel arrangements? — Mark Petzold

Justin: If I were a fan with the means to make that trip, I’d strongly consider buying tickets and booking refundable airfare and a hotel once the team captures the No. 1 seed in the NFC.

From there, if they were to stumble, you could cancel the travel and probably be able to recoup most, if not all your ticket costs on the secondary market.

Q: What do you think the Lions do at right guard next year? — PJ

Justin: It’s not a simple prediction, but I recently laid out the various scenarios in a “Thoughts to End the Week” post.

One option is re-signing Kevin Zeitler. He’s been a good fit, on and off the field, and he continues to play at a high level despite barreling toward his 35th birthday.

That’s also the most expensive option.

Alternatively, the Lions could hold an open competition between Christian Mahogany, Colby Sorsdal and Netane Muti, who was having a strong training camp before suffering a season-ending injury. I'm confident he’ll be brought back on a futures deal in 2025.

There’s also Door No. 3, snagging a plug-and-play interior lineman in the first three or four rounds of the draft.

Q: General manager Brad Holmes and the Lions seem to have a long-term plan for signing and retaining their homegrown talent, but they keep drafting studs. Is there a breaking point with the salary cap coming up? — Matt Hunter

Justin: Probably, but an NFL roster changes so much each offseason that it’s difficult to tell you how things will look in two years. I bring up that timeframe intentionally because it's when the Lions could first run into some trouble as QB Jared Goff’s cap number balloons to nearly $70 million and Penei Sewell, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Alim McNeill each carry hits of at least $28 million.

That overlaps with needing to re-sign Aidan Hutchinson, Kerby Joseph, and, potentially, Jameson Williams. There will be the opportunity to restructure some of the aforementioned deals, but you’re just kicking those cap obligations down the road, in that hypothetical.

Consistently drafting guys who develop into stars is an awesome problem to have, but, yeah, it will probably catch up to the Lions at some point, in the sense they’ll be priced out of what they can pay to keep their own.

Q: What do you think is going well with DFN so far? What are your challenges? Anything you wish was going better? — MrJT

Justin: Most things are going really well. Substack, as a publishing platform, meets my needs, the early subscriber numbers have been encouraging, and I’m not having any problems with content generation.

The biggest challenge, which I’ve discussed previously, is creating a better work/life balance. I’ve established a routine and expectations for this season, so I’m going to stick to those for the sake of consistency, with a plan to re-evaluate my content strategy in the offseason.

This week, I’m probably sitting at 50-55 hours as I write this mailbag, have a flight to Houston in a couple of hours, an 11-12 hour game day shift tomorrow and a 5:20 a.m. flight back home rolling into the same routine.

You’d think that’s not sustainable, but I've been doing something close to this for more than a decade. That said, there are stretches in this profession where you need to power through burnout, physically and mentally. I haven’t hit one yet since launching the platform, but recognize it could potentially be more difficult to power out of one on my own.

Q: How have PFF grades compared to your own film study? — Justin Conlon

Justin: Outside of Goff, where I don’t think their system is equipped to effectively grade masterful game management at the quarterback position, the offensive marks line up reasonably well with what I’ve seen.

Defensively, as noted above, they’re higher on Campbell’s coverage than I am. They’re also probably a little lower on Amik Robertson and Josh Paschal than I would be, but that’s more gut feeling than anything. I don’t have a data-driven counter for the grade of either player.

continued..

**whatever_gong82** · November 9, 2024, 03:08 PM

Q: If you’re wearing the hat of the opposing team, how do you stop the Lions offense? — Minki

Justin: It doesn’t matter what you do if you don’t have the talent. Generically speaking, I’d feel the need to rush with four and drop seven as much as possible. I’m probably playing more man than zone, even if that takes my corners' eyes out of the backfield, and shifting between Cover-1 and Cover-2 depending on down-and-distance, using early downs to creep that extra piece into the box as either run support or a coverage bracket on St. Brown or Sam LaPorta. In those looks, I’m almost always shading the deeper safety to Jameson Williams’ side of the field.

If I have the personnel to do it, I’m playing more zone in the red zone. The condensed spacing naturally helps tighten the windows. Tampa Bay showed us what a disciplined zone team can do to make life hell on opposing offenses, even one as potent as Detroit.

Of course, everything starts with stopping the run against the Lions. It would probably help to have a two-gapping front and versatile linebackers who can get downhill and capably fill behind the line, but are athletic enough to quickly recover to the proper depth in play-action situations or pick up David Montgomery or Jahmyr Gibbs in man coverage when they leak out of the backfield.

Lastly, I'm going to pray.

Q: What are the players' attitudes towards the international games? — Darren Byrne

Justin: I haven’t had to cover one in a decade, so I’m not able to give you firsthand accounts. But I can tell you that most players enjoy routine and international games tend to disrupt that. Additionally, there are playing surface concerns and tax implications, since players are subject to local taxes.

That said, big picture, international games are significant revenue generators for the league, which improves the bottom line for owners and trickles down to the steadily increasing salary cap for players.

Q: How much more fun is it to cover a winning team instead of the same old Lions? Are you turning into a fan? Just a little? — JW

Justin: I’m a fan of quality football. It’s better to cover consistently good football than consistently poor football. The interactions with fans are also better. You’re excited and I’m excited for you.

Q: Can you do a deeper dive with Terrion Arnold's progress? He seems to have gotten rid of the penalties while still keeping pretty sticky coverage. — BWR

Justin: You’re correct, Arnold has sharply cut down on actions that were generating holding and pass interference penalties. That’s positive growth. But, overall, I’d contend he’s still a below-average cornerback with a lot of room for improvement in coverage.

That's not a surprising assessment for a first-year defender who won't celebrate his 22nd birthday until March.

The thing that stands out when watching Arnold’s films is his reaction times are often slow. That includes how he addresses route concepts while playing zone and the late usage of his hands to disrupt the throw when he has tighter man coverage.

That’s experience, not athleticism. He’s still learning how players and schemes are attacking him, so the instincts built through seeing it over and over haven't fully developed yet.

There should be a significant jump in Year 2, and if he keeps banking reps at this rate, we might be talking about one of the better young corners in the league in 2026.

Q: How do you find a balance between reporting news about the players and team, with adding your own opinion on things? — Steven Klobucarich

Justin: It’s about being measured and fair. That extends to tone when asking questions. As long as you don’t make it personal while striving to be accurate and fair with your reporting and criticism, you won’t run into many problems.

Q: Why did we cut Isaiah Williams? — Trainer Mike Ward

Justin: He was the low man on the totem pole.

I get it, Williams had a really exciting preseason, and he made a good impression with his work ethic, including the serious approach he took to his work on the scout team. Still, he was a redundant roster piece behind Amon-Ra St. Brown and Kalif Raymond, who remain under contract for years beyond this season. The lack of special teams contributions beyond kickoff returning sealed Williams' fate when the team needed a spot.

Q: LaPorta is on pace for just over half the catches he had last season. I'm curious about your take on what's led to such a significant drop in his involvement in the passing game? — Nick Olah

Justin: Let’s start by re-establishing context. The Lions are operating differently as an offense this season, running the ball at a higher clip, requiring Goff to throw less. This season, LaPorta is seeing 12.3% of the targets in the passing game, compared to 19.8% last year. Even framing it that way, the decline in usage is real and significant.

But why?

First, it should be acknowledged that a training camp injury likely played a role in the sluggish start, especially during the first few games. But where are Goff’s passes going this year that they weren’t in 2023?

Honestly, it’s a little of everywhere. The most notable jump has been Williams’ role in the offense, doubling his target share from a year ago. But that was to be expected with Josh Reynolds’ departure. Still, Williams/Patrick/Raymond in 2024 compared to Reynolds/Williams/Raymond last season are netting 5% more of the pie.

Additionally, St. Brown is up close to 1% and Montgomery has gone from 4% to 8.5%.

That's all to say the ball is being distributed differently, and because Detroit’s offense has been as good as ever, currently ranking No. 1 in the league, it shouldn’t matter. I don’t think anyone would tell you that LaPorta is suddenly a worse player.

Q: What are the odds we re-sign Carlton Davis? Is he under contract for next season? — Philip Fracassi

Justin: Davis is not under contract after 2024.

Optimistically, it's a coin flip, but realistically, probably under 50%. He’s been their best corner this season, a strong fit not just on the field, but in the locker room, and just this week he told me how much he’s enjoying playing for this coaching staff. Still, as we discussed above, cap space is becoming a concern and his next deal could cost around $18-20 million per season, based on market rates.

Another factor to consider is the Lions have Ennis Rakestraw developing behind the scenes and waiting in the wings.

Thanks for reading Detroit Football Network! This post is public so feel free to share it.

Email: jrogers@detroitfootball.net

X: Justin_Rogers

**foxhopper** · November 9, 2024, 03:40 PM

Feels like a trap game. I feel like this week has been nothing but constant praise about how great this team is by every sports expert in the world. Comes with being good but many times that goes to your head. Even for the pros.

I haven't watched a ton of Stroud games but when I have that dude seemed to scramble all over the place and make good throws. The half glass empty guy I am admits to being a little worried.

**foxhopper** · November 9, 2024, 03:49 PM

I just looked at Strouds stats. Not near as scary as what I thought running the ball.

**-Deborah-** · November 9, 2024, 03:54 PM

**-Deborah-** · November 9, 2024, 05:43 PM

FB_IMG_1731192156772.jpg

**whatever_gong82** · November 9, 2024, 05:44 PM

I'm about to post some articles from the home of the team the Lions are playing tomorrow night.

Here's the first one below:

How can Houston Texans slow down Detroit Lions' potent offense? Stop missing tackles

By Sam Warren,
Staff writer

Nov 8, 2024

10 days removed from a brutal collapse, the Houston Texans defense will try to rebound against a challenge no NFL team has conquered this season in the Detroit Lions offense.

Houston hosts the league’s leader in points per game (32.3) in prime time Sunday night. 1,000-yard pace seasons from running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, the league’s most accurate passer in Jared Goff and a smorgasbord of receiving threats have led Detroit to a 7-1 record and the No. 1 seed in the NFC. The Lions' only loss came Week 2 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when their offense still had 463 total yards.

The Texans' first-half defense in a 21-13 loss to the New York Jets on Halloween seemed ready for this test. The unit blanked New York through the first two quarters and gave up just 69 total net yards, the least it’d allowed in a half this season.

The Texans’ second-half defense against the Jets seemed like they’d be overwhelmed by Detroit’s attack. Spearheaded by the quick passing game from Aaron Rodgers and strong running from Breece Hall, New York rattled off 21 points and 224 yards in the final two quarters. Both were the most Houston had allowed in a half this season.

“It's not a big adjustment or anything going on. We’ve got to execute in the second half,” coach DeMeco Ryans said postgame about the shift. “There’s no adjustment to come out and tackle better, right? You’ve got to tackle. If you want to win, you want to stop the run, you’ve got to tackle.”

If Houston wants to win Sunday, it will have to stop the run and will have to tackle. Gibbs and Montgomery lead the NFL in rush success rate at 48.5% and 48.2%, respectively. That means that nearly half of their run attempts result in their team having a higher expectancy to score points after the play than before. The rates include a fair share of scoring from themselves, as each has seven rushing touchdowns this season, putting them tied for the league’s third most.

Each back has a different style. Gibbs’ breakaway speed lends him the most yards before contact per carry (3.3) this year while Montgomery’s strength has helped him break 14 tackles on rushes this season, fifth most in the NFL. Detroit running backs coach Scottie Montgomery nicknamed the duo “Sonic and Knuckles” after the speedy and strong video game characters. But Texans defensive coordinator Matt Burke said the two backs are more similar than they may seem.

“I know Gibbs has sort of the reputation of being a more explosive outside guy... but they don’t change the runs they’re running with each of those backs,” Burke said. “They both can run outside; they both can run inside and they both can run gap schemes. They do a really good job, and I think it’s scheme and personnel-driven. It’s going to be a really good challenge for us this week and I’m excited for it.”

Part of that challenge will be the Texans improving their tackling. Houston has been good against the run this season, stopping a fifth-best 19.8% of runs for no gain or a loss. But the Texans should be even better. The team's 15.8% missed tackle rate and 610 yards allowed from missed tackles are second and third highest in the NFL this season. Missed tackles allowed the Jets to extend drives and score points, something linebacker Henry To’oTo’o knows Gibbs and Montgomery will take advantage of if they don’t tighten up.

“They’ve got two great backs that break arm tackles, which is what we were trying to do last game,” To’oTo’o said. “They break arm tackles and they try to fight for extra yards. They do a really, really good job of making yards where there shouldn’t be yards. I think that’s what makes their offense so successful.”

To’oTo’o said shoring up their tackling was a point of emphasis this week. If they don’t, safety Jimmie Ward said the game’s outcome won’t be in Houston’s favor.

“It comes down to tackling. We gotta tackle those guys,” Ward said. “They force a lot of missed tackles. I’m pretty sure you all have been watching that over the last nine weeks, so that’s what it’s going to come down to.”

The missed tackles are masked in Houston’s second-ranked defense in terms of yards-per-game (281.7) this year. A lot of that success has come from Houston’s pass rush, which leads the league in pressures (137) and has the fourth most sacks (29) through Week 9. The unit has won the Texans games, suffocating quarterbacks to a league-low 36.6% completion percentage when pressured.

But Goff is the NFL’s best quarterback against the rush this season. He leads the NFL in passer rating (118.1), completion percentage (71.0%) and yards per attempt (10.4) when under pressure. Ryans said Goff’s tendency to “take what’s given” has made him effective amongst chaos, adding that he “keeps the offense on schedule.” To get the Lions off their agenda, To’oTo’o said the Texans need strong coverage so Goff has no choice but to succumb to the pressure.

“Coverage and rush gotta be tied together,” To’oTo’o said. “That’s how we look at it. Being able to get to (Goff), being able to cover guys so that our guys in the front end can get him. Because we’ve got some dominant rushers. It’s our job in the back end to cover them as long as we need to and for the guys up front to go get him.”

While the Texans' defense focuses on their jobs, their offense is focused on limiting their workload. They’ve been the best in the NFL in doing so as Houston leads the league in time of possession (33:00). That’s helped the Texans defense play just 523 snaps this season, second least among teams who’ve played nine games.

Controlling the time of possession will keep the Lions' offense off the field and limit their opportunities to score. That’s at front of mind for offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik when facing a team as complete as Detroit.

“(Controlling the pace) is a lot of how we are approaching this game,” Slowik said. “A lot of this game is that there is really no three units. It is just everybody working together in this one.

"To be able, as a team, to handle that because their offense is really good, their special teams is really good, their defense is really good, you have to do it all together. We have an approach as a team how we are going to attack this game, and we have to go implement it.”

The Texans can implement that attack by giving the ball to running back Joe Mixon, who’s aiming to become the first player in franchise history to run for 100 yards in five consecutive games. Detroit hasn’t allowed a 100-yard rusher yet this season, but a lot of that is due to a lack of volume. Their 176 opposing rushing attempts are the second least in the NFL, but they’ve allowed the sixth-most yards per play when run against.

Detroit’s ability to jump out to leads quickly has prevented their opposition from utilizing the run in time-saving efforts. But if Houston stays out of the hole, opportunities in the run game will present themselves. Mixon acknowledged the potency of the Lions' ground game, but took ire that Houston wasn’t getting the same shine.

“We obviously know that they're very efficient offense,” Mixon said. “They got good players over there. And I think that they have a hell of two running backs. Their style of football, they play fast, they play physical. But at the end of the day, don't get it twisted, we do that too.”

Playing fast and physical will be key for Mixon and the Texans offense in executing in critical situations Sunday, making the rest of the team’s tasks easier. Mixon said if they do that, he won’t have to pay any attention when Detroit has the ball.

“At the end of the day, whoever’s taking care of the football, whoever’s converting on third downs and whoever’s obviously scoring touchdowns, that's what's gonna win the game. It's as simple as that.

"Honestly, as long as we do what we gotta do in here, I ain't worrying about nothing. I’ll tell you that now."

Sam Warren
Pro Sports Trending Reporter

Sam Warren is a Pro Sports Trending Reporter for the Houston Chronicle. He previously worked in production and editorial for ESPN and for the San Francisco Chronicle as a Sports Reporting Intern. A proud graduate of Syracuse University, Sam played for the SU football team and wrote for Syracuse.com and The Daily Orange while attending school. Sam is a native of Tiburon, Calif., and is excited to call Houston home.

**whatever_gong82** · November 9, 2024, 05:53 PM

How a speech by Joe Mixon and a players-only meeting could save the season for the Houston Texans

By Jonathan M. Alexander,
Staff writer

Nov 9, 2024

It was just after 1 a.m., a little more than an hour after the Houston Texans’ 21-13 loss to the New York Jets last Thursday, when the team finally boarded a plane for the nearly four-hour flight home from Newark, N.J.

On the flight, few people talked.

There was mostly silence because no one had any answers.

The loss to the Jets was their second in three weeks. The Texans were slipping.

But this one was flat-out embarrassing, and it happened on prime-time television in front of millions of people. Entering the matchup, the Jets had lost five consecutive games and were the epitome of dysfunction, firing their head coach after four games and changing playcallers. None of it had worked.

It was a game the 6-2 Texans were supposed to win.

But the same issues that plagued the Texans in previous games — poor offensive line play, an inefficient offense, a bad third quarter — cropped up again against the Jets.

“It’s the NFL. You’ve got to show up every single snap, every single game and every single practice,” wide receiver Robert Woods said. “It really matters.”

And that wasn’t happening.

The Texans have reached a critical point in their season. They’ve hit a lull but are 6-3. They have fallen from the second-best record in the AFC to fourth best, and next face arguably the NFL’s most-talented team in the Detroit Lions (7-1) on Sunday Night Football.

It will be their second of three consecutive prime-time games. And if they don’t get things fixed offensively, it could be their third loss in four games and second in front of a nationally televised audience.

“I believe that this is a wakeup call for us to get things fixed,” quarterback C.J. Stroud said.

Coach DeMeco Ryans gave the players the weekend off after the Jets game, which not only allowed them to recover physically, but also gave them a chance to reflect on what had gone wrong over the past three weeks.

After returning to NRG Stadium and practicing Monday afternoon, tight end Dalton Schultz rounded up a few of the team’s leaders and called a meeting.

The meeting included Stroud, Schultz, safety Jalen Pitre, edge rusher Will Anderson Jr., linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, safety Jimmie Ward, left tackle Laremy Tunsil, running back Joe Mixon and others.

The meeting, which lasted two hours according to players involved, gave each of them a chance to talk about what they felt was going wrong.

Al-Shaair told his teammates not to panic. He said he’s been in much more dire situations.

When he was in San Francisco in 2021, the 49ers began the year 3-5 before winning nine of their next 11 games, including two playoff games. Their season ended in the NFC championship game with a loss by three points to the Rams, who eventually won the Super Bowl.

So he and Ward, who was also on that 49ers team along with Ryans and offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, relayed to the leaders that their current situation at 6-3 wasn’t all that bad.

“I’ve been in way worse situations that we’ve come back from,” Al-Shaair said.

Stroud, who said he took the weekend to connect with his faith, felt like the team wasn’t having fun anymore. He recalled their Week 3 game in 2023 against the Jaguars. They were clicking on all cylinders and celebrating each other’s accomplishments.

When the offense made a play, the defense was hyping the offense up and vice versa. But they haven’t done that lately. He said they needed to get back to having fun again.

At some point in the meeting, one player interjected.

“Well if we all feel like this, this is our team,” Woods recalled one player saying. “We’ve got to change.”

The rest of the team’s leaders agreed. It couldn’t just be on the coaches to figure things out. It was on the players, too. They are the engine for change.

But first, the rest of the team needed to hear this, too.

Joe Mixon’s speech

The struggles the Texans have shown in recent weeks foreshadowed this moment.

Each week, something new happened, and the protection around Stroud got worse.

Against the Packers in Week 7, Stroud threw for a career-low 86 yards.

Against the Colts in Week 8, Stroud was pressured on 57.5% of his dropbacks, a career high. The Texans won, but wide receiver Stefon Diggs tore his ACL in the third quarter and is out for the season.

Against the Jets in Week 9, Stroud was sacked a career-high eight times. And Anderson, the team’s leader in sacks, went down after teammate Neville Hewitt fell on his ankle. He’ll miss Sunday’s game.

The Texans' front office did not make any additions at the NFL’s trade deadline, either. It was a realization for this team that no one was coming to save them. What they had was going to have to be good enough.

Still, something needed to be said. And everyone needed to hear it.

On Wednesday morning, during their weekly offensive meeting before practice, Slowik was getting ready to address the team when Mixon stopped him. “Let me holla at the boys,” Mixon said.

Mixon said he didn’t plan what he was going to say.

“If it’s real, it comes from the heart,” he told the Houston Chronicle.

Mixon said his message to his teammates was to understand the opportunity they have in front of them, and not let it go to waste.

“Everybody know we’ve got a hell of a team, and obviously we’ve been battling injury, and that ain’t no excuse,” Mixon said. “But at the same time, it’s like s---, we’ve got the guys who can go get it with the best of them.

“Really getting guys to understand that buying in to what’s being preached out there and what’s being ran. It’s up to us to make it shake.”

That wasn’t all Mixon said, players who attended the meeting recalled. Mixon called out everyone, from Slowik to the O-line to Stroud and even pointed at himself. They all needed to pick it up or their opportunity would slip away.

“You can’t help but respect that,” a player who heard Mixon’s speech said.

Said Stroud: “Ultimately, that is what you want because at the end of the day we all came here for one common goal and that is to win.

“If that is hurting somebody’s feelings, we are grown men, we get paid to do this,” he continued. “So, you have to be able to understand it, take it for love because he really just cares about the game, and he cares about this team and his coaches.”

The speech reverberated around the building. It was all anyone could talk about.

And in practice you could see it. The energy had picked up. There was a little more bounce in their steps. They hope this is the first step in moving forward after a rough stretch.

They were back to having fun again, as Stroud insisted.

“It’s a great thing to see,” Mixon said of the energy picking up. “But at the same time, can you do it the next day? Can you do it the day after that? Can you let it translate to Sunday? And that’s what we have to go do.”

A new team captain

Two days after Mixon’s speech to the offense, Ryans surprised him in a team meeting in front of all his teammates and coaches. He put up a PowerPoint and said he appreciated Mixon for doing all the right things since he arrived.

Mixon has been the team’s most consistent player since returning from an ankle injury in Week 6. He has four consecutive games with 100 yards rushing or more and five in six games he’s played.

But not only was he putting up the statistics, he had become one of the team’s most important leaders by his actions and his voice.

Shortly after putting up the PowerPoint, Ryans surprised Mixon by making him a team captain.

Mixon said he wasn’t seeking the accolade but it further motivated him to lead this team to where he believes they are capable of going. Mixon still believes this team has what it takes to take down the top teams in the NFL, including the Lions, whom they play Sunday night in front of another national audience where everything will be magnified.

“I’m going to make it an emphasis to stay on top of them boys, like yeah, we’ve got to go get this s---,” Mixon told the Chronicle. “Because it’s there for the taking. I think we’re in a great spot. To everybody, we’re the worst team in the NFL. This will be able to put us right back into that (conversation) like 'nah, this s--- for real over here.' "

“The good teams is the ones who adjust and we have the perfect team to be able to adjust and adapt and bounce back from the s--- we put on tape. What a great week to do it against these guys.”

A loss on Sunday would bring further scrutiny. A win Sunday would change the perception and put everyone on notice.

Jonathan M. Alexander
Texans/NFL Reporter

Jonathan M. Alexander is a staff writer for the Houston Chronicle covering the Houston Texans and NFL. He can be reached at jonathan.alexander@houstonchronicle.com.

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