The Official Detroit Lions Den Thread
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1/3 of the season through, here's a report
1. I hate starting with bad news when the team is 4-1 with a +60 point differential after five games but you have to start with the Hutchinson news. It was a tibia break and wasn't a compound, that is good news. We have to assume he's done for the year. I personally am sick about it. He's the heart of the defense, the most important player on the team and was playing at DPOY rate with a massive contract extension waiting for him in the Spring. It absolutely sucks how good this team is and they just lost a core piece to this type of injury. I just hope Hutchinson has successful surgery, a good rehab and can be ready to go whenever he gets the chance. I don't own many jerseys. He's one of them because of his heart and hustle. He embodies this franchise and the state of Michigan. Get well soon Hutch.
2. The Lions cannot replace Aidan Hutchinson barring a miracle trade for Maxx Crosby, which will cost a significant amount. Josh Paschal had his best game of the year against Dallas, and the interior of the DL constantly harrasses QB's. But with how Glenn calls his defense, they will have to find a replacement of some sort to take over Hutch's spot. Maybe Trey Hendrickson or Hassan Reddick get their trade requests approved. That seems like the easiest way to try and replace #97's production. Onwuzurike has been solid but he just is not Aidan Hutchinson and does better as the other DE. We will see what Holmes comes up with at the trade deadline. They must find some explosiveness off the EDGE to play the physical, aggressive defense Aaron Glenn loves. Brad Holmes has three weeks to find a guy and add to this defense.
3. I think you can make the case the Detroit Lions have the best offense in the NFL. Jared Goff has played the two best games of his Detroit career in my opinion and has finally found his rhythm after a little bit of a shaky start the first three weeks. When he is playing clean football, he plays at an elite rate. The running game has been excellent in every game and David Montgomery looks better than ever. What him and Gibbs can do to defenses because of how fresh they are throughout the game wears out defenses. The OL is incredible and has played better than anyone. Goff continues to get a clean pocket and you can tell the run game just leaves team in a heap after the first quarter. The physicality of the offense absolutely bears down on teams. And Ben Johnson is in his bag with his playcalling, having complete confidence to call any play in any situation. This is what Dan Campbell envisioned when he took over. A diverse, physical juggernaut that can play any type of football on offense.
4. If you want to know how in sync the Lions offense is, they scored on 9/12 drives on Sunday. Two of those were end of half/game and the other was with Hendon Hooker as the QB. Out of the Lions last 19 Jared Goff led drives, they have scored on 15 of them (with 11 TD's) and one of those drives was a kneel down to end the half. They are the best play action & run action team in the league. Their advanced stats on offense are all ahead of where they were in 2023. And that is with some of the early struggles finishing drives they had in the first three weeks. I honestly can't find a complaint about the offense except Jared can sometimes hold the ball a tad too long. That's about it. Everyone is playing at such a high level at the moment.
5. And a big reason why the offense has become such a machine is what Jameson Williams has become. He is on pace for over 1,200 yards and 10 TD's and that was with a 9 yard performance against Arizona. He makes the defense have to play two safeties back at all times and he clears the middle of the field with the fear he strikes in defenses with his verticality. He's become a trusted player over the middle. You saw the bad drop he had today and then came back the next play and converted a first down on a dig route. He's feisty as a blocker and anytime he is in motion the defense panics because of his run ability on reverses. He gets better every week and I love the energy he brings to the team.
6. Let's talk about the defensive improvements. The backfield reconstruction was a success. Kerby and Branch playing 95% of the snaps has improved the back end so much. Branch can roam more and gets more snaps on the field. Having a good nickelback is important but you're limited in what you can do. And we saw how important he is to the backfield. Seattle torched the Lions passing defense, especially over the middle without Branch. Dallas, which is a better pass offense, was shut down with Branch back. He takes away the middle of the offense for offenses and it really expands what Detroit can do. And I have to give a shout out to Kerby Joseph. I thought he was a disappointment last year and didn't take the expected steps in year 2. In year 3, he's been an absolute menace. He's such a natural playmaker and complement to Branch. He's done much better covering TE's when he's been asked and he deters QB's from taking shots middle of the field deep. Those two have really raised the ceiling of the defense.
7. Brad Holmes really hit with adding DJ Reader to the program. It has freed up McNeill to go after the passer and be more of an upfield attacker and this has made Detroit a monster in the interior. They have a top 5 run defense at the moment and have a top pressure rate from their DT's. Mekhi Wingo has been a disruptor on passing downs as well but Reader has really allowed the defensive front to wreak havoc while he dominates from the NT spot. He's also shown chops putting pressure on the QB and you can tell how uncomfortable the QB has been from the pocket. He's helped maintain QB's in the pocket and they can't get up field while he takes on two blockers. That was a massive hit.
8. Okay, so biggest concern on offense right now is Sam LaPorta's involvement. Through five games, Sam only has 13 catches, which is a 34 catch pace for the season. I cannot believe that will continue but I think it's two factors that has contributed to the lack of targets. One, Detroit has spread the ball around more evenly. Tim Patrick and Jameson Williams have contributed, you know the RB's are going to get a few targets and of course Amon-Ra will be the focal point. Because teams have played so much 2 high defense, Detroit has taken what is given in the run game. Goff has thrown the ball 30 times or more just once (the weird Tampa game) because Detroit is pounding the rock. Two, I think teams are really trying to muck up the middle of the field and focus more on keeping eyes on LaPorta. Teams are keying on him and focusing on what he can do and using him as a focal point to stop. In response, when Detroit goes to their run/play action, they've used LaPorta more as a run blocker or a decoy to open things up to other players. I'm sure Ben and Dan will figure out ways to use him. Right now, they are taking what the offense gives them. And I'm sure Sam LaPorta is happy with that as long as the team keeps winning.
9. Okay, so biggest concern on defense is the penalties, a significant amount coming from the defensive backfield. I think teams know how physical the Lions want to play in the secondary and making it a point of emphasis to the referees. I also believes Detroit is okay with a few holding penalties or low yardage DPI's because they want to set a tone. Tom Brady said it during the Cowboys game, the referees do not want to call flags all day. By establishing a certain level of physicality, they can get away more later in the game (we've seen that the last two games). This also is how the Lions want to play on defense. They want to play press man and make you work for every yard on every route. With that comes a mindset, especially with a rookie like Terrion Arnold playing at one of the CB spots. They want to pressure the QB and pressure the WR's to make plays. They have to clean up some of it but I'd rather it be like this than what we've seen the last two years.
10. The next four weeks are massive. Two divisional road games against the Vikings and Packers who are both playing good football and then a road game against Houston on Sunday night on 11/3 with Tennessee squeezed in week 8. 3-1 is probably a massive ask considering that's three road games in the next 4 but the NFC North is damned good. First time ever since the four divisions were introduced that all four teams teams won 4 games in the first 6 weeks. Every divisional game is going to be a bloodbath. If you can pull off 3-1 and get to 7-2 that's a hell of a start, especially if somehow you pull off both divisional games.
11. Take out that sloppy Tampa Bay game (1 TD in 7 red zone trips for Detroit is an anomaly) and Detroit would be 5-0 with maybe the best resume in the NFC. They clearly have the best offense in the NFC and the defense is playing (overall) at an above average rate with an elite run defense. The Hutchinson injury is absolutely devastating. Again, you can make the case he's the most important Detroit Lion because of the lack of explosiveness at the EDGE position and how the defense really revolves around his play-to-play disruption. It simply cannot be replaced by one player. Aaron Glenn will have to get creative until Brad Holmes decides how he wants to proceed. I am really enjoying how this team is playing and beating the Cowboys that badly felt really good after last year. The defense is better and improved from 2023 and with a ton of young guys playing they can continue to get better. Glenn finally seems to have the personnel he's comfortable with to play his defense. This team is going to go on the run game and Jared Goff playing clean football. Make some noise for #97.
1. I hate starting with bad news when the team is 4-1 with a +60 point differential after five games but you have to start with the Hutchinson news. It was a tibia break and wasn't a compound, that is good news. We have to assume he's done for the year. I personally am sick about it. He's the heart of the defense, the most important player on the team and was playing at DPOY rate with a massive contract extension waiting for him in the Spring. It absolutely sucks how good this team is and they just lost a core piece to this type of injury. I just hope Hutchinson has successful surgery, a good rehab and can be ready to go whenever he gets the chance. I don't own many jerseys. He's one of them because of his heart and hustle. He embodies this franchise and the state of Michigan. Get well soon Hutch.
2. The Lions cannot replace Aidan Hutchinson barring a miracle trade for Maxx Crosby, which will cost a significant amount. Josh Paschal had his best game of the year against Dallas, and the interior of the DL constantly harrasses QB's. But with how Glenn calls his defense, they will have to find a replacement of some sort to take over Hutch's spot. Maybe Trey Hendrickson or Hassan Reddick get their trade requests approved. That seems like the easiest way to try and replace #97's production. Onwuzurike has been solid but he just is not Aidan Hutchinson and does better as the other DE. We will see what Holmes comes up with at the trade deadline. They must find some explosiveness off the EDGE to play the physical, aggressive defense Aaron Glenn loves. Brad Holmes has three weeks to find a guy and add to this defense.
3. I think you can make the case the Detroit Lions have the best offense in the NFL. Jared Goff has played the two best games of his Detroit career in my opinion and has finally found his rhythm after a little bit of a shaky start the first three weeks. When he is playing clean football, he plays at an elite rate. The running game has been excellent in every game and David Montgomery looks better than ever. What him and Gibbs can do to defenses because of how fresh they are throughout the game wears out defenses. The OL is incredible and has played better than anyone. Goff continues to get a clean pocket and you can tell the run game just leaves team in a heap after the first quarter. The physicality of the offense absolutely bears down on teams. And Ben Johnson is in his bag with his playcalling, having complete confidence to call any play in any situation. This is what Dan Campbell envisioned when he took over. A diverse, physical juggernaut that can play any type of football on offense.
4. If you want to know how in sync the Lions offense is, they scored on 9/12 drives on Sunday. Two of those were end of half/game and the other was with Hendon Hooker as the QB. Out of the Lions last 19 Jared Goff led drives, they have scored on 15 of them (with 11 TD's) and one of those drives was a kneel down to end the half. They are the best play action & run action team in the league. Their advanced stats on offense are all ahead of where they were in 2023. And that is with some of the early struggles finishing drives they had in the first three weeks. I honestly can't find a complaint about the offense except Jared can sometimes hold the ball a tad too long. That's about it. Everyone is playing at such a high level at the moment.
5. And a big reason why the offense has become such a machine is what Jameson Williams has become. He is on pace for over 1,200 yards and 10 TD's and that was with a 9 yard performance against Arizona. He makes the defense have to play two safeties back at all times and he clears the middle of the field with the fear he strikes in defenses with his verticality. He's become a trusted player over the middle. You saw the bad drop he had today and then came back the next play and converted a first down on a dig route. He's feisty as a blocker and anytime he is in motion the defense panics because of his run ability on reverses. He gets better every week and I love the energy he brings to the team.
6. Let's talk about the defensive improvements. The backfield reconstruction was a success. Kerby and Branch playing 95% of the snaps has improved the back end so much. Branch can roam more and gets more snaps on the field. Having a good nickelback is important but you're limited in what you can do. And we saw how important he is to the backfield. Seattle torched the Lions passing defense, especially over the middle without Branch. Dallas, which is a better pass offense, was shut down with Branch back. He takes away the middle of the offense for offenses and it really expands what Detroit can do. And I have to give a shout out to Kerby Joseph. I thought he was a disappointment last year and didn't take the expected steps in year 2. In year 3, he's been an absolute menace. He's such a natural playmaker and complement to Branch. He's done much better covering TE's when he's been asked and he deters QB's from taking shots middle of the field deep. Those two have really raised the ceiling of the defense.
7. Brad Holmes really hit with adding DJ Reader to the program. It has freed up McNeill to go after the passer and be more of an upfield attacker and this has made Detroit a monster in the interior. They have a top 5 run defense at the moment and have a top pressure rate from their DT's. Mekhi Wingo has been a disruptor on passing downs as well but Reader has really allowed the defensive front to wreak havoc while he dominates from the NT spot. He's also shown chops putting pressure on the QB and you can tell how uncomfortable the QB has been from the pocket. He's helped maintain QB's in the pocket and they can't get up field while he takes on two blockers. That was a massive hit.
8. Okay, so biggest concern on offense right now is Sam LaPorta's involvement. Through five games, Sam only has 13 catches, which is a 34 catch pace for the season. I cannot believe that will continue but I think it's two factors that has contributed to the lack of targets. One, Detroit has spread the ball around more evenly. Tim Patrick and Jameson Williams have contributed, you know the RB's are going to get a few targets and of course Amon-Ra will be the focal point. Because teams have played so much 2 high defense, Detroit has taken what is given in the run game. Goff has thrown the ball 30 times or more just once (the weird Tampa game) because Detroit is pounding the rock. Two, I think teams are really trying to muck up the middle of the field and focus more on keeping eyes on LaPorta. Teams are keying on him and focusing on what he can do and using him as a focal point to stop. In response, when Detroit goes to their run/play action, they've used LaPorta more as a run blocker or a decoy to open things up to other players. I'm sure Ben and Dan will figure out ways to use him. Right now, they are taking what the offense gives them. And I'm sure Sam LaPorta is happy with that as long as the team keeps winning.
9. Okay, so biggest concern on defense is the penalties, a significant amount coming from the defensive backfield. I think teams know how physical the Lions want to play in the secondary and making it a point of emphasis to the referees. I also believes Detroit is okay with a few holding penalties or low yardage DPI's because they want to set a tone. Tom Brady said it during the Cowboys game, the referees do not want to call flags all day. By establishing a certain level of physicality, they can get away more later in the game (we've seen that the last two games). This also is how the Lions want to play on defense. They want to play press man and make you work for every yard on every route. With that comes a mindset, especially with a rookie like Terrion Arnold playing at one of the CB spots. They want to pressure the QB and pressure the WR's to make plays. They have to clean up some of it but I'd rather it be like this than what we've seen the last two years.
10. The next four weeks are massive. Two divisional road games against the Vikings and Packers who are both playing good football and then a road game against Houston on Sunday night on 11/3 with Tennessee squeezed in week 8. 3-1 is probably a massive ask considering that's three road games in the next 4 but the NFC North is damned good. First time ever since the four divisions were introduced that all four teams teams won 4 games in the first 6 weeks. Every divisional game is going to be a bloodbath. If you can pull off 3-1 and get to 7-2 that's a hell of a start, especially if somehow you pull off both divisional games.
11. Take out that sloppy Tampa Bay game (1 TD in 7 red zone trips for Detroit is an anomaly) and Detroit would be 5-0 with maybe the best resume in the NFC. They clearly have the best offense in the NFC and the defense is playing (overall) at an above average rate with an elite run defense. The Hutchinson injury is absolutely devastating. Again, you can make the case he's the most important Detroit Lion because of the lack of explosiveness at the EDGE position and how the defense really revolves around his play-to-play disruption. It simply cannot be replaced by one player. Aaron Glenn will have to get creative until Brad Holmes decides how he wants to proceed. I am really enjoying how this team is playing and beating the Cowboys that badly felt really good after last year. The defense is better and improved from 2023 and with a ton of young guys playing they can continue to get better. Glenn finally seems to have the personnel he's comfortable with to play his defense. This team is going to go on the run game and Jared Goff playing clean football. Make some noise for #97.
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