Why it isn’t time to panic about Lions after stunning loss to Vikings
The Detroit Lions are not playing the same kind of dominating regular-season football that they did a year ago. Head coach Dan Campbell's team resembled a steam roller as the Lions won the NFC North title. They also finished the season as the No. 1 seed in the conference's playoff structure.
They were clearly the best regular-season team in the conference, but that did not carry over into the playoffs. The Lions lost their divisional playoff matchup with the upstart Washington Commanders by a 45-31 margin. The defense had been torn apart by injuries and that kept the team from performing at a peak level in the postseason.
This season, the Lions dropped their opening game to the Green Bay Packers, a road game to the Chiefs and lost their Week 9 home game to the Minnesota Vikings. That was something of a shocking performance because the Lions were coming off their bye week. They had beaten the Vikings in their five previous meetings.
Vikings were desperate against Lions
However, the Vikings were fighting to rescue their season and they evened their record at 4-4. If they had fallen to 3-5, their season would have almost certainly have been an attempt to regain respectability and their playoff aspirations would have been nothing but a desperate longshot.
The Vikings had been beaten physically in their previous losses to the Lions. Campbell's team had taken it to the Vikings in each of those games. They pushed the Vikings around and getting the best of them with their strength and skill.
Minnesota was not going to let that happen in a make-or-break game for their season. Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell found a way to rally his team and not let the Lions intimidate them. The Vikings were able to match Lions physical game by scoring on their first possession, much as the Lions had done on their opening possession. The Lions had sent a message for the last three seasons that they were the toughest team in the NFC North and that anyone who wanted to compete had to stand up to the Lions.
The Vikings did that in one game, but it doesn't mean they have gained control of the series.
Opponents are now prepared for maximum effort against Lions
The next time the Lions play the Vikings, Packers or Bears, Campbell will almost certainly have his team whipped into a frenzy. That means their offensive and defensive lines will be playing at peak efficiency.
As a result, their key playmakers on offense will be able to make a statement. Jared Goff is one of the most accurate passers in the league and he can deliver the ball in a position that allows his receivers to make game-changing plays. He has completed nearly 75 percent of his passes.
Amon-Ra St. Brown may be just as good as Justin Jefferson of the Vikings and Ja'Marr Chase of the Cincinnati Bengals. He runs crisp patterns and can outfight bigger opponents for the ball. He is a dynamic No. 1 receiver. Jameson Williams is one of the elite No. 2 receivers in the league and he demonstrated that on his athletic TD reception late in the fourth quarter. Tight end Sam LaPorta is one of the best at his position in the league.
The Lions also have a brilliant 1-2 punch at the running back position with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. Gibbs is the team's breakaway threat while Montgomery has enough speed to run through the defense, but it is his power that makes him special.
Lions need to get healthy on defense
The Lions will punish opponents with their hard-hitting defense. They have several game-changing players in Jack Campbell, Alex Anzalone and Brian Branch. They also have a game wrecker in Aidan Hutchinson.
The problem is that many of their key defensive players in the secondary are injured. Once those players return to the lineup, Hutchinson will take over and punish opponents. He had 2 tackles and 1.0 sack in the loss to the Vikings and he already has 8.0 sacks as the Lions near the halfway point of the season.
Hutchinson suffered a major lower-body injury last year and he was lost for the season in a Week 5 demolition of the Cowboys. If the Lions had him in the lineup, they likely would have found a way to advance in the playoffs.
Loss to Vikings shows opponents know they must come with best effort
The Lions are one of the elite teams in the NFL. They have gotten to the point that opponents have to completely focus as if the game was a brutal war. Any team that does not prepare in that manner will get steamrolled.
Opponents have woken up to how good the Lions are and that a maximum effort is required to compete. The battle has been joined and the Lions will make the next move and step up their battle level.
The Lions have no reason to panic
Myles Garrett Makes Feelings Clear to Browns’ Front Office After Trades
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Myles Garrett weighed in on the Browns' recent trades.
The Cleveland Browns may have reshuffled their roster with a pair of surprising trades, but Myles Garrett says the team’s mindset hasn’t changed.
The Browns sent veteran quarterback Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals and also dealt cornerback Greg Newsome to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Both moves yielded Cleveland some late-round picks and the Browns received cornerback Tyson Campbell.
Garrett admitted he was surprised but could see the reasoning behind the deals.
“I mean, I was surprised. Like everyone was surprised about the news, especially for Greg since it happened so late in the evening. This organization is committed to winning, and trying to find a way to win,” Garrett said. “They’re trying to go for someone that they feel suits our style a little bit better and makes the defense better. We’ll always have love for (Greg Newsome II), loved going to work with him, loved being his teammate. He always had a smile on his face. He was always optimistic and we’ll definitely miss that, and hope he does well out there in Jacksonville.”
Browns Star Myles Garrett Demanded Trade in Offseason
Garrett demanded a trade during the offseason, saying he didn’t feel he and the Browns were aligned on their plans. He said he wanted to play for a contender and compete for a Super Bowl. After an extended standoff, Garrett agreed to a four-year, $160 million extension. He feels like winning games is still the goal for Cleveland.
“I think winning is definitely still at the forefront of what we want to do,” Garrett said. “And I think being a player for player, trying to add someone who will come in here and have immediate effect with what his skill set brings.”
The Browns enter Week 6 at 1-4 and are underdogs on the road against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Cleveland’s last regular-season win against the Steelers in Pittsburgh came in 2003. He delivered some advice for the rookies ahead of the AFC North rivalry matchup.
“It’s not going to be pretty. All that matters is that you get the win. We have been through a lot of gritty, grimy matchups with these guys. And it’s a rivalry for a reason,” Garrett said. “Don’t worry about playing the cleanest game or the perfect game. Just worry about the next play and how you can make the most of it.”
Browns DE Myles Garrett Eager to Takedown Aaron Rodgers
A new wrinkle in the rivalry is the addition of Aaron Rodgers as the Steelers’ quarterback. Garrett has 106.5 career sacks but has never taken down Rodgers. He’s looking forward to adding the future Hall of Famer to his “graveyard.”
“I mean, he’s a great one. He’ll probably get propped up a little bit higher than some of the others,” Garrett said. “It’d be an honor to put him in the graveyard, and definitely a lot of respect for what he’s done in his career, because he’s special.”
Rookie Dillon Gabriel will be under center for the Browns. It’s the second career start for Gabriel, who made his debut last week in a 21-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in London.
