Detroit Lions Need to Make a Playoff Push with Veteran Cornerback
It’s crunch time for the Detroit Lions, and if they want to make it to the playoffs, the 7-5 team has to win out the remainder of their season. Adding to the problems facing the team is their mounting injuries.
The Detroit Lions dropped their game against NFC North rivals the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving, really hurting their chances of getting to the playoffs. It also didn’t help that on Friday, November 28, the Chicago Bears beat the Philadelphia Eagles, making former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and the Bears a solid No. 1 in the NFC North and even No. 1 in the entire NFC.
At one point, there was hope of retired center Frank Ragnow coming back. On Wednesday, November 26, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network shared the news that the team’s “offensive line just got a lot better, as one the game’s greats will return — Center Frank Ragnow is returning. Sounds like he’s in shape and ready to roll sooner, rather than later.”
But, on Saturday, November 29, the Lions announced that he failed his physical. “The medical exam revealed a Grade 3 hamstring strain that will keep him from participating for the remainder of the regular season,” the franchise said in a statement. “For that reason, Frank will not be rejoining the Lions. Frank has always been a team-first guy and is a true warrior. He will forever be a Lion.”
A Silver Lining for the Detroit Lions
It’s too late for a trade, but the Detroit Lions could certainly sign an available free agent. The Lions have lost starting cornerback Terrion Arnold to the injured reserve list after he suffered a shoulder injury against the Packers, so he’s out for at least four games.
But, former Lions cornerback Darius Slay is available. The Detroit Lions drafted Slay in the second round of the 2013 NFL draft, and he was with the Pittsburgh Steelers this season. But, he was only signed to a 1-year, $10 million dollar contract, according to research from Over the Cap. The Steelers released him on Tuesday, December 2, according to the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
The Detroit Lions Need This New Addition
Slay would make for a prized addition to Detroit’s secondary in need of some veteran talent after the Arnold injury. Consider it a “Hail Mary” by the Lions for doing a playoff push.
“After Arnold’s injury, the Lions have DJ Reed, Amik Robertson, and Rock Ya-Sin in their cornerback rotation,” notes Cem Yolbulan of Detroit Jock City in a Tuesday, December 2 feature. “Avonte Maddox and Khalil Dorsey will serve as backups, but the Lions could certainly use one more competent veteran in the mix.”
“The cornerback would be the perfect addition to a Detroit secondary desperate to add starting talent after the loss of Terrion Arnold for the remainder of the season,” adds Candace Pedraza of SideLion Report. “This move would scream playoff push, which is why the Lions should deeply considering making it.”
The Detroit Lions have made mistake this season, more the management than the players, and this would be one move in the right direction.
Texans’ DeMeco Ryans biting the bullet for dreadful offensive game vs. Seahawks
It’s hard to imagine how things could have gone worse for the Houston Texans on Monday night. There certainly was plenty of blame to go around. And head coach DeMeco Ryans decided to bite the bullet about the dreadful offensive game versus the Seahawks.
Ryans talked about the situation involving offensive coordinator Nick Caley, according to a post on X by Aaron Wilson.
“#Texans DeMeco Ryans on Nick Caley and his evaluation of him as OC: ‘We’re pressing forward with everybody we have. We’re collectively in this together. If you want to point the finger at somebody, put it on me. Ultimately, it’s my job. We’re rolling with what we have. As bad as it seems, we’re still one possession from getting that game tied. Can we find a way to make plays to do that? As ugly as it may be, it’s about how you finish. We had opportunity to turn it around. It’s a team, collectively. We’ll stick together as a team and find a way to do that.’ @KPRC2”
You have to admire Ryans for sticking up for his coach. And there are reasons to believe he is spot on, as we will explore.
Texans entered season with hands tied behind their backs
The Texans entered the season with the worst-ranked offensive line in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus. And the reasoning was sound.
“The presence of veterans Laremy Tunsil and Shaq Mason prevented an already shaky Texans’ offensive line from being even worse in 2024, and the team cut ties with both this offseason,” Zoltán Buday wrote. “Now there is very little to suggest that the group isn’t deserving of the No. 32 ranking ahead of the 2025 season.”
Plus, the ground attack lacked Joe Mixon. It’s almost midseason now, and Mixon still isn’t back. Predictably, the Texans have sputtered along at No. 18 in the league with 106.2 yards rushing per game. And the passing attack is at No. 21. C.J. Stroud has been sacked 15 times, which is tied for ninth-worst in the league.
There just hasn’t been a lot of reason to expect great things. This is a general manager issue because of a poorly constructed roster.
And the roster problems have seeped into the head coach’s corner. The case in point is Ka’imi Fairbairn not doing what he was told on the late kickoff, according to NBC Sports.
“The plan at the end of the game was kicking the ball out of bounds so we could utilize the two minute,” Ryans said. “We did not execute it. Just goes to the entire game, frustrating that we’re not executing the things we’re coached to do.”
It’s bad all around in Houston.
