Actually if GB beats Minny and we take care of SF, the #1 seed is Clinched and week 18 is a practice game. But of course Dan plays to win.
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2025 Detroit Lions: 2-1 Lions beat Ravens (39 Viewers)
- Thread starter Da Guru
- Start date
Actually if GB beats Minny and we take care of SF, the #1 seed is Clinched and week 18 is a practice game. But of course Dan plays to win.
Da Guru
Fair & Balanced
Nah..I am not saying that.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Here are three observations after a second viewing and a night to ponder the Detroit Lions’ 34-17 win over the Chicago Bears.
Grin and bear it
Things are about to get weird.
OK, I concede it doesn’t have to be that way, but with all due respect to Rasheed Wallace’s mantra “If it ain’t rough, it ain’t right,” the Lions could really use a stress-free week before the start of the postseason.
Hear me out. With the Philadelphia Eagles running into some injury misfortune on Sunday — losing starting quarterback Jalen Hurts and backup Kenny Pickett to injury in a last-second defeat to the Washington Commanders — the Lions gained an incredibly valuable buffer with one of two challengers for the top seed in the NFC.
The other half of that equation, the Minnesota Vikings, did the Lions no such favor. The NFC North rival fended off a stiff challenge from the Seahawks in Seattle with a late Justin Jefferson touchdown.
The Lions and Vikings have matching 13-2 records with two games remaining. The good news is the Lions hold the tie-breaker, but the sides play again in the season finale. Regardless, if the Vikings were to lose next week, paired with a Lions win on Monday Night Football, the Honolulu blue and silver will lock up the conference’s top seed for the first time in the Super Bowl era.
Here’s the catch, you have to root for the Packers.
I get it. It runs against everything you’ve been conditioned to believe in as a fan of the Lions, but in this case, the enemy of your enemy is your ally.
Here’s everything the Lions stand to gain with a Packers’ victory in Minneapolis next Sunday:
No one is asking you to wear a Cheesehead in public. But I promise it’s OK to pump your fist when no one is looking if Josh Jacobs runs one across the goal line or Xavier McKinney picks off Sam Darnold. No one needs to know.
Eye-opening debut
It’s difficult to focus on a singular offensive lineman while watching live, but on second viewing, I zeroed in on rookie Christian Mahogany, analyzing how he answered the bell in place of injured starter Graham Glasgow.
Pleasantly surprised would be an understatement. Despite having significantly more experience playing on the right side coming into the league, Mahogany looked comfortable and natural on the left in his first NFL start.
As a run blocker, he fired off the ball, regularly knocking his man back at the point of attack. Alternatively, he reached his landmarks in the second level to body assignments both on runs and screens.
In pass protection, he played with quick feet, a strong base, and active hands, making the necessary adjustments to mirror his man or help a teammate when Chicago's front tried to execute a twist/stunt. Mahogany regularly provided a late assist to keep quarterback Jared Goff’s pocket clean.
He did have one notable breakdown in pass protection, getting bested one-on-one on a third down that resulted in Goff getting hit as he threw, causing an incompletion. But, overall, the results were stellar.
Not bad for a guy who got knocked on his *** by mononucleosis this offseason, costing him the entirety of his first training camp.
Of course, there will be a level of overreaction, including some who will call for Mahogany to immediately replace Glasgow in the starting lineup. It's unlikely the team would abruptly bench the accomplished veteran, but they could feel compelled to give Glasgow an extra week or rest for his injured knee given Sunday’s results.
The 49ers, like the Bears, don’t have a particularly daunting set of interior defensive linemen, especially with two-time Pro Bowler Javon Hargrave on injured reserve.
More important than the immediate, Mahogany offered a glimpse into a possible future of Detroit’s offensive line. Again, we have to be careful not to overreact to the small sample size, but his movement skills and temperament were as promising a combination as we’ve seen from a Lions backup o-lineman in a while.
The Lions face some offseason decisions with the unit. Presently, the future of the right guard spot is cloudy with stellar veteran Kevin Zeitler operating on a one-year deal. And, even though he’s under contract for two more seasons, it’s difficult to say Glasgow will see the final year of his deal with a projected $8.4 million cap hit in 2026 as he enters his age-34 season.
The Lions could use an injection of youth to the unit with three starters over 30. Perhaps we'll see Mahogany emerge as part of that solution as early as next season.
Easy does it
While Mahogany was a question mark coming into the contest, running back Jahmyr Gibbs was not. There was no doubt the second-year back would be prepared to handle a bigger share of the workload with David Montgomery on the shelf.
Just like he did against the Raiders last season, Gibbs delivered in the featured role in Chicago, grinding out 154 yards and a touchdown with a career-high 27 touches. And while he might be a little sorer than normal this Monday, you couldn’t tell the 5-foot-9, 200-pounder had gone to war for four quarters during a locker room interview shortly after the final whistle.
For as much as we like to think of Gibbs as a speed-and-space weapon, he’s equally physical and tough. Plenty of his runs on Sunday were between the tackles, where he never hesitates to lower his shoulder into a would-be tackler.
During his postgame interview, Gibbs claimed to be used to this type of workload, but that’s not necessarily true. He only topped 27 touches once in college and 20 carries three times.
Still, there’s no question, he won’t hesitate to take on as much as the Lions ask of him. But I’d argue the team has to do a better job managing the back’s load down the stretch. And, to be fair, they did adjust in the second half against the Bears.
Remember what has helped fuel Gibbs’ outstanding sophomore campaign. It's been the rotation with Montgomery. They keep each other's legs fresh. And even though the Lions are on the cusp of earning a first-round bye, and potentially face a less-than-demanding Week 18, they need Gibbs at his best for a possible for a Super Bowl run.
Admittedly, he’s made impressive strides with the way he manages his body, through both his prehab and post-game recovery routines, but this is still a player who has been hindered by soft-tissue concerns his first two seasons.
Craig Reynolds and Jermar Jefferson aren’t as dynamic as Gibbs. It’s a sentence so obvious it didn’t really need to be said. Still, the backups can grind out 4.0 yards per carry, run decent routes out of the backfield, and hold up in pass protection. A little more balance between those two and Gibbs against San Francisco, and Minnesota in Week 18 if necessary, could pay dividends when it matters most
Grin and bear it
Things are about to get weird.
OK, I concede it doesn’t have to be that way, but with all due respect to Rasheed Wallace’s mantra “If it ain’t rough, it ain’t right,” the Lions could really use a stress-free week before the start of the postseason.
Hear me out. With the Philadelphia Eagles running into some injury misfortune on Sunday — losing starting quarterback Jalen Hurts and backup Kenny Pickett to injury in a last-second defeat to the Washington Commanders — the Lions gained an incredibly valuable buffer with one of two challengers for the top seed in the NFC.
The other half of that equation, the Minnesota Vikings, did the Lions no such favor. The NFC North rival fended off a stiff challenge from the Seahawks in Seattle with a late Justin Jefferson touchdown.
The Lions and Vikings have matching 13-2 records with two games remaining. The good news is the Lions hold the tie-breaker, but the sides play again in the season finale. Regardless, if the Vikings were to lose next week, paired with a Lions win on Monday Night Football, the Honolulu blue and silver will lock up the conference’s top seed for the first time in the Super Bowl era.
Here’s the catch, you have to root for the Packers.
I get it. It runs against everything you’ve been conditioned to believe in as a fan of the Lions, but in this case, the enemy of your enemy is your ally.
Here’s everything the Lions stand to gain with a Packers’ victory in Minneapolis next Sunday:
- The chance to lock up the division and the conference on Monday night in San Francisco, securing a first-round bye and home-field advantage through the Super Bowl.
- The ability to rest some key starters for a half or the full game in Week 18.
- Alternatively, it could be an opportunity to give some younger, inexperienced players on the roster live reps to aid their development.
- Who knows? Maybe Hendon Hooker has a Matt Flynn-esque game in him.
No one is asking you to wear a Cheesehead in public. But I promise it’s OK to pump your fist when no one is looking if Josh Jacobs runs one across the goal line or Xavier McKinney picks off Sam Darnold. No one needs to know.
Eye-opening debut
It’s difficult to focus on a singular offensive lineman while watching live, but on second viewing, I zeroed in on rookie Christian Mahogany, analyzing how he answered the bell in place of injured starter Graham Glasgow.
Pleasantly surprised would be an understatement. Despite having significantly more experience playing on the right side coming into the league, Mahogany looked comfortable and natural on the left in his first NFL start.
As a run blocker, he fired off the ball, regularly knocking his man back at the point of attack. Alternatively, he reached his landmarks in the second level to body assignments both on runs and screens.
In pass protection, he played with quick feet, a strong base, and active hands, making the necessary adjustments to mirror his man or help a teammate when Chicago's front tried to execute a twist/stunt. Mahogany regularly provided a late assist to keep quarterback Jared Goff’s pocket clean.
He did have one notable breakdown in pass protection, getting bested one-on-one on a third down that resulted in Goff getting hit as he threw, causing an incompletion. But, overall, the results were stellar.
Not bad for a guy who got knocked on his *** by mononucleosis this offseason, costing him the entirety of his first training camp.
Of course, there will be a level of overreaction, including some who will call for Mahogany to immediately replace Glasgow in the starting lineup. It's unlikely the team would abruptly bench the accomplished veteran, but they could feel compelled to give Glasgow an extra week or rest for his injured knee given Sunday’s results.
The 49ers, like the Bears, don’t have a particularly daunting set of interior defensive linemen, especially with two-time Pro Bowler Javon Hargrave on injured reserve.
More important than the immediate, Mahogany offered a glimpse into a possible future of Detroit’s offensive line. Again, we have to be careful not to overreact to the small sample size, but his movement skills and temperament were as promising a combination as we’ve seen from a Lions backup o-lineman in a while.
The Lions face some offseason decisions with the unit. Presently, the future of the right guard spot is cloudy with stellar veteran Kevin Zeitler operating on a one-year deal. And, even though he’s under contract for two more seasons, it’s difficult to say Glasgow will see the final year of his deal with a projected $8.4 million cap hit in 2026 as he enters his age-34 season.
The Lions could use an injection of youth to the unit with three starters over 30. Perhaps we'll see Mahogany emerge as part of that solution as early as next season.
Easy does it
While Mahogany was a question mark coming into the contest, running back Jahmyr Gibbs was not. There was no doubt the second-year back would be prepared to handle a bigger share of the workload with David Montgomery on the shelf.
Just like he did against the Raiders last season, Gibbs delivered in the featured role in Chicago, grinding out 154 yards and a touchdown with a career-high 27 touches. And while he might be a little sorer than normal this Monday, you couldn’t tell the 5-foot-9, 200-pounder had gone to war for four quarters during a locker room interview shortly after the final whistle.
For as much as we like to think of Gibbs as a speed-and-space weapon, he’s equally physical and tough. Plenty of his runs on Sunday were between the tackles, where he never hesitates to lower his shoulder into a would-be tackler.
During his postgame interview, Gibbs claimed to be used to this type of workload, but that’s not necessarily true. He only topped 27 touches once in college and 20 carries three times.
Still, there’s no question, he won’t hesitate to take on as much as the Lions ask of him. But I’d argue the team has to do a better job managing the back’s load down the stretch. And, to be fair, they did adjust in the second half against the Bears.
Remember what has helped fuel Gibbs’ outstanding sophomore campaign. It's been the rotation with Montgomery. They keep each other's legs fresh. And even though the Lions are on the cusp of earning a first-round bye, and potentially face a less-than-demanding Week 18, they need Gibbs at his best for a possible for a Super Bowl run.
Admittedly, he’s made impressive strides with the way he manages his body, through both his prehab and post-game recovery routines, but this is still a player who has been hindered by soft-tissue concerns his first two seasons.
Craig Reynolds and Jermar Jefferson aren’t as dynamic as Gibbs. It’s a sentence so obvious it didn’t really need to be said. Still, the backups can grind out 4.0 yards per carry, run decent routes out of the backfield, and hold up in pass protection. A little more balance between those two and Gibbs against San Francisco, and Minnesota in Week 18 if necessary, could pay dividends when it matters most
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
The most 50+ yard TD passes in a season in Lions history:
1t. Jared Goff (6 in 2024)
1t. Bobby Layne (6 in 1950)
1t. Jared Goff (6 in 2024)
1t. Bobby Layne (6 in 1950)
Three players that really impressed me yesterday:
1. Christian Mahogany: You'd never know he was a rookie that missed all of training camp plus preseason. In addition, he never played left guard before. It's a small sample size but I think Brad Holmes hit the jackpot here.
2. Ifeatu Melifonwu: He had one sack and almost a second. He is a great blitzer. Really solid given he hasn't played all year and only practiced this week.
3. Amik Robertson: Solid in coverage and made several physical plays in run defense.
1. Christian Mahogany: You'd never know he was a rookie that missed all of training camp plus preseason. In addition, he never played left guard before. It's a small sample size but I think Brad Holmes hit the jackpot here.
2. Ifeatu Melifonwu: He had one sack and almost a second. He is a great blitzer. Really solid given he hasn't played all year and only practiced this week.
3. Amik Robertson: Solid in coverage and made several physical plays in run defense.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Nice bounce back for C Frank Ragnow, who earned Detroit's highest PFF grade Week 16 - 87.1 (84.8 RUNBLOCK grade)
WR Jameson Williams - 86.0 highest PFF grade of his career
Practice squad callup Mitchell Agude had an impressive 79.6 in 14 snaps
SPECIAL TEAMS - O'Connor, Iffy, Pittman, Hatten, Vaki and Nowaske were all exceptional.
WR Jameson Williams - 86.0 highest PFF grade of his career
- Kevin Zeitler 80.0
- Dan Skipper 75.2
- Jahmyr Gibbs 72.2
- Amon-Ra St. Brown 71.9
- Taylor Decker 70.8 (86.1 PASSBLOCK grade)
- Christian Mahogany 70.6 (82.5 PASSBLOCK grade)
- Jared Goff 69.6
Practice squad callup Mitchell Agude had an impressive 79.6 in 14 snaps
- 76.2 Levi Onwuzurike (40 snaps)
- 71.6 Amik Robertson (55 snaps at outside corner, big time step up game)
- 69.8 Brian Branch 87.7 tackling grade, made a dozen tackles, 27 in the last 2 games
- 65.8 Ifeatu Melifonwu (50 snaps in first game of the year)
SPECIAL TEAMS - O'Connor, Iffy, Pittman, Hatten, Vaki and Nowaske were all exceptional.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
To all the regulars
@Da Guru
@ignatiusjreilly
@Ilov80s
@jon_mx
@King of the Jungle
@kutta
@Leroy Hoard
@Moonlight
@TartanLion
@Zeppelin
(representative sample, not meant to be exhaustive)
+ all the FBGs I’ve forgotten
+all the ones no longer here
Thank you for making this thread a good place to be. 13 seasons since @Da Guru fired this thread up, been a lot of bad times, and thankfully an amazing run (not over!) the last 26 months. Never got too negative or bitchy, a little spat here and there, but nothing like in other team threads.
Whatever this year ends up being, nobody I enjoy sharing it with more in my virtual life.
#onepride
@Da Guru
@ignatiusjreilly
@Ilov80s
@jon_mx
@King of the Jungle
@kutta
@Leroy Hoard
@Moonlight
@TartanLion
@Zeppelin
(representative sample, not meant to be exhaustive)
+ all the FBGs I’ve forgotten
+all the ones no longer here
Thank you for making this thread a good place to be. 13 seasons since @Da Guru fired this thread up, been a lot of bad times, and thankfully an amazing run (not over!) the last 26 months. Never got too negative or bitchy, a little spat here and there, but nothing like in other team threads.
Whatever this year ends up being, nobody I enjoy sharing it with more in my virtual life.
#onepride
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BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Lions' defensive snap counts
| Name | Pos. | Snaps Played |
| Jack Campbell | LB | 63 |
| Brian Branch | S | 63 |
| Amik Robertson | CB | 62 |
| Kerby Joseph | S | 62 |
| Terrion Arnold | CB | 62 |
| Ifeatu Melifonwu | S | 50 |
| Josh Paschal | ED | 44 |
| Ben Niemann | LB | 41 |
| Za'Darius Smith | ED | 40 |
| Levi Onwuzurike | DI | 40 |
| Patrick O'Connor | DI | 32 |
| DJ Reader | DI | 30 |
| Trevor Nowaske | ED | 24 |
| Ezekiel Turner | LB | 23 |
| Al-Quadin Muhammad | ED | 19 |
| Mitchell Agude | ED | 14 |
| Anthony Pittman | LB | 11 |
| Chris Smith | DI | 11 |
| Myles Adams | DI | 2 |
Lions' offensive snap counts
| Name | Pos. | Snaps Played |
| Kevin Zeitler | G | 65 |
| Jared Goff | QB | 65 |
| Taylor Decker | T | 65 |
| Frank Ragnow | C | 65 |
| Penei Sewell | T | 65 |
| Christian Mahogany | G | 65 |
| Sam LaPorta | TE | 60 |
| Amon-Ra St. Brown | WR | 55 |
| Jameson Williams | WR | 54 |
| Jahmyr Gibbs | HB | 45 |
| Tim Patrick | WR | 42 |
| Brock Wright | TE | 34 |
| Craig Reynolds | HB | 10 |
| Dan Skipper | T | 6 |
| Jermar Jefferson | HB | 5 |
| Sione Vaki | HB | 5 |
| Allen Robinson II | WR | 4 |
| Tom Kennedy | WR | 4 |
| Shane Zylstra | TE | 1 |
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
With Ben Johnson's imagination, there's an endless supply
Ilov80s
Footballguy
and thanks to you for all the great info and insight you've posted here. It's a great companion to the games themselves. We all love this team and it's awesome to have a place to share that love.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Ben is not calling me for career advice, but if I were him I would want nothing to do with the Bears job
Pro: chance to work Caleb Williams
Con: probably don't have the right GM, scattershot methodology to roster construction, very few core players to build around, ownership structure is muddled and lacks clear leadership, no identity or vision of what they want to build, the next stadium might be great but rn they have the worst facilities in the division by a good margin
IDK what other jobs will be out there but I don't think anyone can succeed in Chicago with the infrastructure and leadership they have in place rn
Pro: chance to work Caleb Williams
Con: probably don't have the right GM, scattershot methodology to roster construction, very few core players to build around, ownership structure is muddled and lacks clear leadership, no identity or vision of what they want to build, the next stadium might be great but rn they have the worst facilities in the division by a good margin
IDK what other jobs will be out there but I don't think anyone can succeed in Chicago with the infrastructure and leadership they have in place rn
Leroy Hoard
Footballguy
Yeah I don't see him going there. It has to be a structure above him more solid than that. And I really don't think it's all about money or title with him. If he's leaving the Lions it's going to be a good one.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Not that anyone wants it, but for those wondering - if the Lions somehow manage to finish as the wildcard, they're going to be the 5 seed.
Which means they'll be on the road against one of four teams:
If ATL, TB and LA win out, we would play at the Falcons.
If ATL loses one and TB and LA win out, we would play at the Bucs.
If LA loses one of their remaining games and ATL or TB lose once (but not both), we would play at the Rams.
If LA loses both remaining games and SEA loses to CHI and ATL or TB lose once (but not both)
OR
If LA loses both remaining games and SEA beats CHI and ATL loses once and TB wins out
we would play at the Seahawks.
Winning, getting a week off, and being home throughout the playoffs sounds like more fun. Let's do that, eh.
Which means they'll be on the road against one of four teams:
- LA Rams (88% chance to win division)
- ATL Falcons (50%) - placeholder, pretty sure since they swept TB it's greater than 50%
- TB Bucs (50%)
- SEA Seahawks (12%)
If ATL, TB and LA win out, we would play at the Falcons.
If ATL loses one and TB and LA win out, we would play at the Bucs.
If LA loses one of their remaining games and ATL or TB lose once (but not both), we would play at the Rams.
If LA loses both remaining games and SEA loses to CHI and ATL or TB lose once (but not both)
OR
If LA loses both remaining games and SEA beats CHI and ATL loses once and TB wins out
we would play at the Seahawks.
Winning, getting a week off, and being home throughout the playoffs sounds like more fun. Let's do that, eh.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Detroit Lions All Time Single Season Scoring:
If Jake Bates scores 8 more points, he will hold the franchise record.
| Rk | Player | Year | Age | Tm | Pos | G | GS | RshTD | RecTD | AllTD | XPM | XPA | FGM | FGA | Pts | Pts/G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jason Hanson | 2012 | 42 | DET | K | 16 | 0 | 38 | 38 | 32 | 36 | 134 | 8.4 | |||
| 2 | Jason Hanson | 1995 | 25 | DET | K | 16 | 0 | 48 | 48 | 28 | 34 | 132 | 8.3 | |||
| 3 | Jason Hanson | 1993 | 23 | DET | K | 16 | 0 | 28 | 28 | 34 | 43 | 130 | 8.1 | |||
| 4 | Matt Prater | 2017 | 33 | DET | K | 16 | 0 | 40 | 41 | 30 | 35 | 130 | 8.1 | |||
| 5 | Doak Walker | 1950 | 23 | DET | LH | 12 | 12 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 38 | 41 | 8 | 18 | 128 | 10.7 |
| 6 | Jake Bates | 2024 | 25 | DET | K | 15 | 0 | 58 | 59 | 23 | 26 | 127 | 8.5 |
If Jake Bates scores 8 more points, he will hold the franchise record.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Jah has a chance to become part of the franchise Top Ten list for all-time best rushing seasons:
| Rk | Player | Year | Age | Tm | Pos | G | GS | Att | Yds ▼ | TD | Lng | Y/A | Y/G | Fmb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barry Sanders | 1997 | 29 | DET | RB | 16 | 16 | 335 | 2053 | 11 | 82 | 6.1 | 128.3 | 3 |
| 2 | Barry Sanders | 1994 | 26 | DET | RB | 16 | 16 | 331 | 1883 | 7 | 85 | 5.7 | 117.7 | 0 |
| 3 | Barry Sanders | 1996 | 28 | DET | RB | 16 | 16 | 307 | 1553 | 11 | 54 | 5.1 | 97.1 | 4 |
| 4 | Barry Sanders | 1991 | 23 | DET | RB | 15 | 15 | 342 | 1548 | 16 | 69 | 4.5 | 103.2 | 5 |
| 5 | Barry Sanders | 1995 | 27 | DET | RB | 16 | 16 | 314 | 1500 | 11 | 75 | 4.8 | 93.8 | 3 |
| 6 | Barry Sanders | 1998 | 30 | DET | RB | 16 | 16 | 343 | 1491 | 4 | 73 | 4.3 | 93.2 | 3 |
| 7 | Barry Sanders | 1989 | 21 | DET | RB | 15 | 13 | 280 | 1470 | 14 | 34 | 5.3 | 98.0 | 10 |
| 8 | Billy Sims | 1981 | 26 | DET | RB | 14 | 14 | 296 | 1437 | 13 | 51 | 4.9 | 102.6 | 9 |
| 9 | Barry Sanders | 1992 | 24 | DET | RB | 16 | 16 | 312 | 1352 | 9 | 55 | 4.3 | 84.5 | 6 |
| 10 | Barry Sanders | 1990 | 22 | DET | RB | 16 | 16 | 255 | 1304 | 13 | 45 | 5.1 | 81.5 | 4 |
| 11 | Billy Sims | 1980 | 25 | DET | RB | 16 | 16 | 313 | 1303 | 13 | 52 | 4.2 | 81.4 | 12 |
| 12 | James Stewart | 2000 | 29 | DET | RB | 16 | 16 | 339 | 1184 | 10 | 34 | 3.5 | 74.0 | 4 |
| 13 | Jahmyr Gibbs | 2024 | 22 | DET | RB | 15 | 2 | 209 | 1156 | 12 | 70 | 5.5 | 77.1 | 1 |
ignatiusjreilly
Footballguy
Realized that if Minnesota beats GB this Sunday, a number of things will instantly happen:
- Philly will be out of the running for the No. 1 seed
- Minnesota-Detroit in Week 18 is for the NFC North AND the No. 1 seed
- Roger Goodell breaks his hand taking out his phone and calling NBC as hard as he can to demand they put that game on SNF
- Det-SF on MNF instantly becomes meaningless. Whatever Detroit does in that game, they can neither clinch nor lose the No. 1 seed.
- Dan Campbell informs the team, the media and anyone else who will listen that there is no ####ing way the Lions aren't going all out to beat the Niners
- Ben Johnson starts designing revenge plays the way he did for the Cowboys game, eg, they throw a pass designed to bounce off of the facemask of a Niners DB.
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BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Amon-Ra hasn't matched last season's high water mark but it's still been one of the best in franchise history, with 2 games to add to these totals.
Pretty sure after his rookie year we all thought "that was nice, now let's go draft an alpha WR to play the X."
| Rk | Player | Year | Age | Tm | Pos | G | GS | Tgt | Rec | Ctch% | Yds | Y/R | TD | Lng | Y/Tgt | R/G | Y/G | Fmb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Herman Moore | 1995 | 26 | DET | WR | 16 | 16 | 206 | 123 | 59.7% | 1686 | 13.7 | 14 | 69 | 8.2 | 7.7 | 105.4 | 2 |
| 2 | Calvin Johnson | 2012 | 27 | DET | WR | 16 | 16 | 204 | 122 | 59.8% | 1964 | 16.1 | 5 | 53 | 9.6 | 7.6 | 122.8 | 3 |
| 3 | Amon-Ra St. Brown | 2023 | 24 | DET | WR | 16 | 16 | 164 | 119 | 72.6% | 1515 | 12.7 | 10 | 70 | 9.2 | 7.4 | 94.7 | 1 |
| 4 | Brett Perriman | 1995 | 30 | DET | WR | 16 | 16 | 179 | 108 | 60.3% | 1488 | 13.8 | 9 | 91 | 8.3 | 6.8 | 93.0 | 1 |
| 5 | Herman Moore | 1996 | 27 | DET | WR | 16 | 16 | 178 | 106 | 59.6% | 1296 | 12.2 | 9 | 50 | 7.3 | 6.6 | 81.0 | 0 |
| 6 | Amon-Ra St. Brown | 2022 | 23 | DET | WR | 16 | 16 | 146 | 106 | 72.6% | 1161 | 11.0 | 6 | 49 | 8.0 | 6.6 | 72.6 | 0 |
| 7 | Herman Moore | 1997 | 28 | DET | WR | 16 | 16 | 170 | 104 | 61.2% | 1293 | 12.4 | 8 | 79 | 7.6 | 6.5 | 80.8 | 0 |
| 8 | Amon-Ra St. Brown | 2024 | 25 | DET | WR | 15 | 15 | 124 | 101 | 81.5% | 1126 | 11.1 | 11 | 66 | 9.1 | 6.7 | 75.1 | 1 |
| 9 | Golden Tate | 2014 | 26 | DET | WR | 16 | 16 | 144 | 99 | 68.8% | 1331 | 13.4 | 4 | 73 | 9.2 | 6.2 | 83.2 | 1 |
| 10 | Mike Furrey | 2006 | 29 | DET | WR | 16 | 14 | 146 | 98 | 67.1% | 1086 | 11.1 | 6 | 31 | 7.4 | 6.1 | 67.9 | 1 |
| 11 | Calvin Johnson | 2011 | 26 | DET | WR | 16 | 16 | 158 | 96 | 60.8% | 1681 | 17.5 | 16 | 73 | 10.6 | 6.0 | 105.1 | 1 |
| 12 | Brett Perriman | 1996 | 31 | DET | WR | 16 | 16 | 170 | 94 | 55.3% | 1021 | 10.9 | 5 | 44 | 6.0 | 5.9 | 63.8 | 0 |
| 13 | Golden Tate | 2017 | 29 | DET | WR | 16 | 12 | 120 | 92 | 76.7% | 1003 | 10.9 | 5 | 71 | 8.4 | 5.8 | 62.7 | 1 |
| 14 | Golden Tate | 2016 | 28 | DET | WR | 16 | 16 | 135 | 91 | 67.4% | 1077 | 11.8 | 4 | 67 | 8.0 | 5.7 | 67.3 | 2 |
| 15 | Amon-Ra St. Brown | 2021 | 22 | DET | WR | 17 | 9 | 119 | 90 | 75.6% | 912 | 10.1 | 5 | 37 | 7.7 | 5.3 | 53.6 | 0 |
Pretty sure after his rookie year we all thought "that was nice, now let's go draft an alpha WR to play the X."
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
now you're stealing my material
I kid, I kid
I said in another thread when someone asked if Detroit would rest it's starters if MIN won, I said "you have no idea how petty this team is; Ben Johnson is probably scheming up a hook n ladder that starts with Goff bouncing it off Kindle Vildor's facemask right now."
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Jack Fox is currently leading the NFL in punting average (51.0) and net average (45.8). Both would be franchise records, or more precisely, would break his own records set in 2020 and 2021.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Jared Goff is enjoying career highs in many categories, including completion %, passing TDs, YPA, passer rating and QBR. With 480 passing yards in the last 2 games he would set a new personal high for yardage.
Stafford leads most of the counting stats, all time and through 9 seasons.
Stafford leads most of the counting stats, all time and through 9 seasons.
| Rk | Player | Year | Age | Tm | Pos | G | GS | QBrec | Cmp | Att | Cmp% | Yds | TD | TD% | Int | Int% | Lng | Y/A | AY/A | Y/C | Y/G | Rate | QBR | Sk | Yds | Sk% | NY/A | ANY/A | 4QC | GWD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matthew Stafford | 2011 | 23 | DET | QB | 16 | 16 | 10-6-0 | 421 | 663 | 63.5 | 5038 | 41 | 6.2 | 16 | 2.4 | 73 | 7.6 | 7.7 | 12.0 | 314.9 | 97.2 | 60.5 | 36 | 257 | 5.2 | 6.84 | 6.98 | 3 | 4 |
| 2 | Matthew Stafford | 2012 | 24 | DET | QB | 16 | 16 | 4-12-0 | 435 | 727 | 59.8 | 4967 | 20 | 2.8 | 17 | 2.3 | 57 | 6.8 | 6.3 | 11.4 | 310.4 | 79.8 | 56.1 | 29 | 212 | 3.8 | 6.29 | 5.81 | 3 | 3 |
| 3 | Matthew Stafford | 2013 | 25 | DET | QB | 16 | 16 | 7-9-0 | 371 | 634 | 58.5 | 4650 | 29 | 4.6 | 19 | 3.0 | 87 | 7.3 | 6.9 | 12.5 | 290.6 | 84.2 | 53.5 | 23 | 168 | 3.5 | 6.82 | 6.40 | 2 | 3 |
| 4 | Jared Goff | 2023 | 29 | DET | QB | 17 | 17 | 12-5-0 | 407 | 605 | 67.3 | 4575 | 30 | 5.0 | 12 | 2.0 | 70 | 7.6 | 7.7 | 11.2 | 269.1 | 97.9 | 60.3 | 30 | 197 | 4.7 | 6.89 | 6.99 | 2 | 3 |
| 5 | Matthew Stafford | 2017 | 29 | DET | QB | 16 | 16 | 9-7-0 | 371 | 565 | 65.7 | 4446 | 29 | 5.1 | 10 | 1.8 | 71 | 7.9 | 8.1 | 12.0 | 277.9 | 99.3 | 65.3 | 47 | 287 | 7.7 | 6.80 | 7.01 | 1 | 4 |
| 6 | Jared Goff | 2022 | 28 | DET | QB | 17 | 17 | 9-8-0 | 382 | 587 | 65.1 | 4438 | 29 | 4.9 | 7 | 1.2 | 81 | 7.6 | 8.0 | 11.6 | 261.1 | 99.3 | 63.3 | 23 | 156 | 3.8 | 7.02 | 7.45 | 3 | 3 |
| 7 | Scott Mitchell | 1995 | 27 | DET | QB | 16 | 16 | 10-6-0 | 346 | 583 | 59.3 | 4338 | 32 | 5.5 | 12 | 2.1 | 91 | 7.4 | 7.6 | 12.5 | 271.1 | 92.3 | 31 | 145 | 5.0 | 6.83 | 6.99 | 1 | 2 | |
| 8 | Matthew Stafford | 2016 | 28 | DET | QB | 16 | 16 | 9-7-0 | 388 | 594 | 65.3 | 4327 | 24 | 4.0 | 10 | 1.7 | 73 | 7.3 | 7.3 | 11.2 | 270.4 | 93.3 | 65.2 | 37 | 216 | 5.9 | 6.52 | 6.56 | 8 | 8 |
| 9 | Matthew Stafford | 2015 | 27 | DET | QB | 16 | 16 | 7-9-0 | 398 | 592 | 67.2 | 4262 | 32 | 5.4 | 13 | 2.2 | 57 | 7.2 | 7.3 | 10.7 | 266.4 | 97.0 | 58.3 | 44 | 251 | 6.9 | 6.31 | 6.39 | 2 | 3 |
| 10 | Matthew Stafford | 2014 | 26 | DET | QB | 16 | 16 | 11-5-0 | 363 | 602 | 60.3 | 4257 | 22 | 3.7 | 12 | 2.0 | 73 | 7.1 | 6.9 | 11.7 | 266.1 | 85.7 | 44.7 | 45 | 254 | 7.0 | 6.19 | 6.03 | 5 | 5 |
| 11 | Jon Kitna | 2006 | 34 | DET | QB | 16 | 16 | 3-13-0 | 372 | 596 | 62.4 | 4208 | 21 | 3.5 | 22 | 3.7 | 60 | 7.1 | 6.1 | 11.3 | 263.0 | 79.9 | 45.3 | 63 | 388 | 9.6 | 5.80 | 4.93 | 1 | 1 |
| 12 | Jared Goff | 2024 | 30 | DET | QB | 15 | 15 | 13-2-0 | 337 | 472 | 71.4 | 4095 | 33 | 7.0 | 10 | 2.1 | 82 | 8.7 | 9.1 | 12.2 | 273.0 | 112.2 | 66.3 | 27 | 203 | 5.4 | 7.80 | 8.22 | 4 | 4 |
| 13 | Matthew Stafford | 2020 | 32 | DET | QB | 16 | 16 | 5-11-0 | 339 | 528 | 64.2 | 4084 | 26 | 4.9 | 10 | 1.9 | 73 | 7.7 | 7.9 | 12.0 | 255.3 | 96.3 | 61.3 | 38 | 254 | 6.7 | 6.77 | 6.89 | 3 | 4 |
| 14 | Jon Kitna | 2007 | 35 | DET | QB | 16 | 16 | 7-9-0 | 355 | 561 | 63.3 | 4068 | 18 | 3.2 | 20 | 3.6 | 91 | 7.3 | 6.3 | 11.5 | 254.3 | 80.9 | 49.0 | 51 | 320 | 8.3 | 6.12 | 5.24 | 2 | 3 |
| 15 | Matthew Stafford | 2018 | 30 | DET | QB | 16 | 16 | 6-10-0 | 367 | 555 | 66.1 | 3777 | 21 | 3.8 | 11 | 2.0 | 67 | 6.8 | 6.7 | 10.3 | 236.1 | 89.9 | 51.3 | 40 | 255 | 6.7 | 5.92 | 5.79 | 0 | 1 |
| 16 | Scott Mitchell | 1997 | 29 | DET | QB | 16 | 16 | 9-7-0 | 293 | 509 | 57.6 | 3484 | 19 | 3.7 | 14 | 2.8 | 79 | 6.8 | 6.4 | 11.9 | 217.8 | 79.6 | 41 | 271 | 7.5 | 5.84 | 5.39 | 3 | 3 | |
| 17 | Jared Goff | 2021 | 27 | DET | QB | 14 | 14 | 3-10-1 | 332 | 494 | 67.2 | 3245 | 19 | 3.8 | 8 | 1.6 | 63 | 6.6 | 6.6 | 9.8 | 231.8 | 91.5 | 45.5 | 35 | 280 | 6.6 | 5.60 | 5.64 | 2 | 2 |
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BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Emmanuel Moseley and Kindle Vildor each played 14 four-phase ST snaps and 0 defensive snaps.
Brian Branch played 47 snaps in the Slot; that was his domain last year, but his previous high for a 2024 game was 19.
Amik Robertson, normally the SCB, moved to outside LCB for 55 snaps. He had 12 snaps on the perimeter in the first 14snaps games. Terrion Arnold, per usual, played all the snaps at RCB.
Great adjustments by Aaron Glenn.
Brian Branch played 47 snaps in the Slot; that was his domain last year, but his previous high for a 2024 game was 19.
Amik Robertson, normally the SCB, moved to outside LCB for 55 snaps. He had 12 snaps on the perimeter in the first 14
Great adjustments by Aaron Glenn.
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BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Dan Campbell on resting players on MNF if the Lions have clinched:
“Let me get this out of the way so everyone can start their criticism. We’re going out to the West Coast to win this football game. It doesn’t matter what other teams do on the weekend.
We’re playing all our guys, the way we normally would, because we want the best 11 guys on the field who will help us win the game this week. Period.”
“Let me get this out of the way so everyone can start their criticism. We’re going out to the West Coast to win this football game. It doesn’t matter what other teams do on the weekend.
We’re playing all our guys, the way we normally would, because we want the best 11 guys on the field who will help us win the game this week. Period.”
Da Guru
Fair & Balanced
I agree. In retrospect Ben might be regretting not taking the Washington job.
Da Guru
Fair & Balanced
Every time I change the title I have to go to the first post and look at it and find it hard to believe it has been 13 years. I will pick a random page once in awhile from the first 4-5 years..you forget how many players come and go. The NFL really does mean "Not For Long" as many guys I thought would be good were out of the game in under 5 years or less.
Thank Bobby for delivering the "Rest of the story" in numbers every week.
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TartanLion
Footballguy
Finally getting round to watching the game. There’s just something so joyous about a big Jamo play, I don’t know what it is, but I just root for the guy to succeed so much
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
You gotta love how transparent Dan Campbell is. They ask about Brandon Joseph and he said
“Yeah look it was kind of a perfect storm. We were moving some things around and he was sort on the bubble and then that news came out so…made it easier.”
“Yeah look it was kind of a perfect storm. We were moving some things around and he was sort on the bubble and then that news came out so…made it easier.”
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
No DFN article on today’s Dan Campbell today as Justin is trying to get somewhere for Christmas, but he dropped this summary into the subscribers chat.
Just recapping Dan Campbell's Monday press conference in the chat today.
The coach opened with a lengthy recap of the game. He praised the lack of turnovers, turnover generation, run game efficiency and the play of Gibbs, St. Brown, Jamo (who did get a game ball), Robertson, Branch and Pat O'Connor, on special teams.
Areas Campbell wants to see improvement is running the ball in the red zone and third-down defense.
Campbell liked Melifonwu performance.
"We need him, we have to have him. There is no other choice, there is no other option, you have to be able to go, so he did. I thought for not having played since training camp, it was solid. It really was. Now, it was rusty, he’s got improvement to make, he knows that, and he will improve."
The coach also praised Christian Mahogany's first start.
"I would say encouraging. It was encouraging. I did think that he tried to play violent. It was not too big for him. I thought Frank (Ragnow) and (Taylor) Decker and them helped him out, sandwiched between those two, and I thought it was – man, first time out, he’s another guy, he didn’t get to play any preseason, a rookie, but he’s continued to just get better and better on our look team, going against our defense all year long and so to be able to get him a game, it was solid."
Injury updates were already posted, but Glasgow expected back and will go right back into the starting lineup. Jalen Reeves-Maybin will be tested in practice for a possible activation and Anzalone is close, but not likely ready to return to practice this week.
With Brandon Joseph's release, I asked if it was more on-field or the off-field incident this weekend.
"I just think it was the perfect storm is what it was," Campbell said. “It was a little bit of both, and it was just the perfect storm of circumstances going into that last game, and so we felt like we had to make that move.”
Also, since some of you asked here, I asked how Campbell would approach the San Francisco game if Green Bay won, rendering Monday's result meaningless in the standings. Here's the response you should have expected.
“Yeah, I’ll make this easy for everybody that way all the critics can jump out and start attacking, but that way you don’t have to debate them anymore. We’re bringing everything that we have to this game, and we are playing, and I don’t care what it looks like, and where it’s at or who’s this, who’s that, we’re going out to play and win this game out on the west coast. So, there you go.”
Campbell said he doesn't think he needs to tap into last year's loss to San Francisco for motivation this week, given everything that's on the table this year, but it doesn't mean the players won't lean into that approach.
“Anytime we lose, the thought of losing is going to motivate you to not want to lose again, particularly with where you were at. So, that’s always going to bring it’s own level of motivation to it, but it’s also, this is where we’re at in the season, we know that we need another win, we understand where we’re at in the division and the NFC, so I think it’s all encompassing. And look, most importantly, it’s the next one. It’s the next one in front of us.”
Just recapping Dan Campbell's Monday press conference in the chat today.
The coach opened with a lengthy recap of the game. He praised the lack of turnovers, turnover generation, run game efficiency and the play of Gibbs, St. Brown, Jamo (who did get a game ball), Robertson, Branch and Pat O'Connor, on special teams.
Areas Campbell wants to see improvement is running the ball in the red zone and third-down defense.
Campbell liked Melifonwu performance.
"We need him, we have to have him. There is no other choice, there is no other option, you have to be able to go, so he did. I thought for not having played since training camp, it was solid. It really was. Now, it was rusty, he’s got improvement to make, he knows that, and he will improve."
The coach also praised Christian Mahogany's first start.
"I would say encouraging. It was encouraging. I did think that he tried to play violent. It was not too big for him. I thought Frank (Ragnow) and (Taylor) Decker and them helped him out, sandwiched between those two, and I thought it was – man, first time out, he’s another guy, he didn’t get to play any preseason, a rookie, but he’s continued to just get better and better on our look team, going against our defense all year long and so to be able to get him a game, it was solid."
Injury updates were already posted, but Glasgow expected back and will go right back into the starting lineup. Jalen Reeves-Maybin will be tested in practice for a possible activation and Anzalone is close, but not likely ready to return to practice this week.
With Brandon Joseph's release, I asked if it was more on-field or the off-field incident this weekend.
"I just think it was the perfect storm is what it was," Campbell said. “It was a little bit of both, and it was just the perfect storm of circumstances going into that last game, and so we felt like we had to make that move.”
Also, since some of you asked here, I asked how Campbell would approach the San Francisco game if Green Bay won, rendering Monday's result meaningless in the standings. Here's the response you should have expected.
“Yeah, I’ll make this easy for everybody that way all the critics can jump out and start attacking, but that way you don’t have to debate them anymore. We’re bringing everything that we have to this game, and we are playing, and I don’t care what it looks like, and where it’s at or who’s this, who’s that, we’re going out to play and win this game out on the west coast. So, there you go.”
Campbell said he doesn't think he needs to tap into last year's loss to San Francisco for motivation this week, given everything that's on the table this year, but it doesn't mean the players won't lean into that approach.
“Anytime we lose, the thought of losing is going to motivate you to not want to lose again, particularly with where you were at. So, that’s always going to bring it’s own level of motivation to it, but it’s also, this is where we’re at in the season, we know that we need another win, we understand where we’re at in the division and the NFC, so I think it’s all encompassing. And look, most importantly, it’s the next one. It’s the next one in front of us.”
ignatiusjreilly
Footballguy
Great minds …
now you're stealing my material
I kid, I kid
I said in another thread when someone asked if Detroit would rest it's starters if MIN won, I said "you have no idea how petty this team is; Ben Johnson is probably scheming up a hook n ladder that starts with Goff bouncing it off Kindle Vildor's facemask right now."
ignatiusjreilly
Footballguy
Least surprising news all day. That said, it’s also the kind of game where if a guy gets slightly dinged up, they’re more likely to keeps him out rather than let him return and risk aggravating the injury. For fantasy, you’re obviously starting Gibbs and ARSB, but you might take that into account for less locked-in starters like Jamo or LaPorta
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
2024 Touchdowns by Quarter
Type
Only 3 teams on this list played 17 g - DAL & TB in 2021, and DAL in 2023. The 17 g season record is 530 by the 2021 Cowboys.
Other 2024 teams on pace for 500+ points: Bills - 532 Ravens - 512. The Commanders (490), Bucs (484) and Bengals (479) will likely fall just short.
XPA - 59 (1 miss); 1 2PA failed, 1 TD was a walk-off TD in OT
- 8
- 27
- 17
- 8
- 1
Type
- Passing - 35 (including 1 hook n ladder, 1 OL reception, 1 RB-to-TE TD pass, 1 WR-to-QB TD pass)
- Rushing - 24 (Knuckles - 12, Sonic - 12)
- Interception - 1
- Punt Return - 1
Only 3 teams on this list played 17 g - DAL & TB in 2021, and DAL in 2023. The 17 g season record is 530 by the 2021 Cowboys.
Other 2024 teams on pace for 500+ points: Bills - 532 Ravens - 512. The Commanders (490), Bucs (484) and Bengals (479) will likely fall just short.
| RANK | TEAM | PTS | SEASON | GP | PASS TD | RUSH TD | RET | ALL TD | FGM | XPM | XP2 | SAF | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Broncos | 606 | 2013 | 16 | 55 | 16 | 5 | 76 | 25 | 75 | 0 | 0 | 37.9 |
| 2 | Patriots | 589 | 2007 | 16 | 50 | 17 | 8 | 75 | 21 | 74 | 1 | 0 | 36.8 |
| 3 | Chiefs | 565 | 2018 | 16 | 50 | 16 | 5 | 71 | 24 | 65 | 1 | 0 | 35.3 |
| 4 | Packers | 560 | 2011 | 16 | 51 | 12 | 7 | 70 | 24 | 68 | 0 | 0 | 35.0 |
| 5 | Patriots | 557 | 2012 | 16 | 34 | 25 | 8 | 67 | 29 | 66 | 0 | 1 | 34.8 |
| 6 | Vikings | 556 | 1998 | 16 | 41 | 17 | 6 | 64 | 35 | 59 | 3 | 1 | 34.8 |
| 7 | Saints | 547 | 2011 | 16 | 46 | 16 | 4 | 66 | 28 | 63 | 2 | 0 | 34.2 |
| 8 | Redskins | 541 | 1983 | 16 | 29 | 30 | 4 | 63 | 33 | 62 | 1 | 33.8 | |
| 9 | Falcons | 540 | 2016 | 16 | 38 | 20 | 5 | 63 | 34 | 56 | 2 | 0 | 33.8 |
| 10 | Rams | 540 | 2000 | 16 | 37 | 26 | 4 | 67 | 24 | 58 | 4 | 0 | 33.8 |
| 11 | Ravens | 531 | 2019 | 16 | 37 | 21 | 6 | 64 | 28 | 57 | 2 | 0 | 33.2 |
| 12 | Cowboys | 530 | 2021 | 17 | 40 | 15 | 9 | 64 | 29 | 47 | 6 | 0 | 31.2 |
| 13 | Rams | 527 | 2018 | 16 | 32 | 23 | 5 | 60 | 34 | 51 | 5 | 2 | 32.9 |
| 14 | Rams | 526 | 1999 | 16 | 42 | 13 | 11 | 66 | 20 | 64 | 2 | 1 | 32.0 |
| 15 | Colts | 522 | 2004 | 16 | 51 | 10 | 5 | 66 | 20 | 64 | 1 | 0 | 32.6 |
| 16 | Patriots | 518 | 2010 | 16 | 37 | 19 | 9 | 65 | 22 | 62 | 0 | 0 | 32.4 |
| 17 | Patriots | 513 | 2011 | 16 | 39 | 18 | 4 | 61 | 28 | 59 | 2 | 0 | 32.1 |
| 18 | Dolphins | 513 | 1984 | 16 | 49 | 18 | 3 | 70 | 9 | 66 | 0 | 32.1 | |
| 19 | Oilers | 513 | 1961 | 14 | 48 | 15 | 3 | 66 | 16 | 65 | 0 | 2 | 36.6 |
| 20 | Buccaneers | 511 | 2021 | 17 | 43 | 18 | 2 | 63 | 25 | 56 | 1 | 0 | 30.1 |
| 21 | Saints | 510 | 2009 | 16 | 34 | 21 | 9 | 64 | 22 | 60 | 0 | 0 | 31.9 |
| 22 | Cowboys | 509 | 2023 | 17 | 36 | 14 | 7 | 57 | 36 | 49 | 4 | 1 | 29.9 |
| 23 | Packers | 509 | 2020 | 16 | 48 | 16 | 2 | 66 | 16 | 59 | 2 | 1 | 31.8 |
| 24 | 49ers | 505 | 1994 | 16 | 37 | 23 | 6 | 66 | 15 | 60 | 2 | 0 | 31.6 |
| 25 | Saints | 504 | 2018 | 16 | 33 | 26 | 1 | 60 | 28 | 52 | 4 | 0 | 31.5 |
| Lions | 493 | 2024 | 15 | 35 | 24 | 2 | 61 | 23 | 58 | 0 | 0 | 32.9 |
XPA - 59 (1 miss); 1 2PA failed, 1 TD was a walk-off TD in OT
ignatiusjreilly
Footballguy
Right back atcha, GB. Your posts add so much to my knowledge, and enjoyment, of this team.
It's been so fun to be on this ride with all of you over the past couple years. Let's hope it keeps on chugging all the way to New Orleans in February
TartanLion
Footballguy
The hook and ladder plays this year. I’ve loved NFL and Lions since I was a kid but it’s really only the last 15 years where I had unfettered access to games on a weekly basis. Nobody has done this to the level I’m suggesting but the type of hook and ladder plays we have run this year I believe should have a more common usage in our offence and any NFL offence really.
The type of throw we are making these guys do is low risk and can really confuse a defence and add yardage to the play. I’d just imagine there would be so many different types of plays you could draw up with the two players running all kinds of different routes in tandem together. Drill 10 different plays of this nature. Use 2-3 of them a week. Why not ? I’m sure someone will be able to tell me.
@BobbyLayne hahahaha thanks for the add, I was only really joking but appreciated !!! Thanks to everyone for making this thread such fun
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Can’t wait to see Goff intentionally bounce one off a face mask for a TD
#letbencook
Ilov80s
Footballguy
The name of Mike Furrey sure sticks out on that list.
Ilov80s
Footballguy
100% agree and then it adds in the fake hook and ladder. It's just a fun wrinkle that I do think we could use a little more.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
The “stumblebum” is really just a variant of a couple different plays we’ve seen from Ben Johnson. We’ve seen tight end leaks - famously Brock! Wright! (who?) against the Jets a couple years ago for 52 yards and the winning score with less than two minutes left. Sam LaPorta has often blocked down and released to the side, or fallen down and then run a pattern. Other teams have run plays where they fake the shotgun snap going over the head of the QB. He just kind of put everything together into a new wrinkle.
Plus he had LaPorta running a wheel from the opposite side, so they a needed extra half beat to let it develop.
Ilov80s
Footballguy
If I am Ben, I think the Jags would be my ideal spot (short of a surprise retirement somewhere else). I still believe in Trevor Lawrence. Brian Thomas looks like a star. Parker Washington, Evan Engram, Christian Kirk, Gabe Davis. Not sure how many of those guys are coming back but they have some receivers with specific skill sets that can be effective if deployed in right manner. I am still a believer that ETN is a top 10ish level NFL RB. They have invested in the o-line (not sure it's helped but at least they have some talent there in theory). Allen and Walker are pretty good defensive building blocks. Khan seems like the type of owner who will be pretty hands off and give his guys whatever they ask for. I assume the Jags will get a new GM too so Ben can hopefully be matched up with a GM who totally aligns with his vision like we got with Brad and Dan.
ETA: Oh and I almost forgot, it's a winnable division. The Titans are at ground zero of their rebuild. The Texans have great talent but this year was a big step back for them. The jury is very much still out on whether Anthony Richardson can be an NFL level passer. The AFC South is soft.
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ignatiusjreilly
Footballguy
ignatiusjreilly
Footballguy
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Transactions yesterday
The Lions have two open roster spots on the 53 man active roster. Probably reserved for a couple LBs and Kalif Raymond, if he makes it back.
Long was signed by the Lions just over a month ago and was active on game day in Weeks 12-16. Over those five games, Long played 70 defensive snaps and 58 special teams snaps, while registering seven tackles, and recording a fumble recovery against the Packers. They may resign Long to the practice squad but could be the end of his time in Detroit.
Long spent most of his time with the Lions in a three-man rotation at WILL linebacker while starter Alex Anzalone recovers from a broken forearm and reserve Jalen Reeves-Maybin recovers from a neck injury. But with Reeves-Maybin nearing a return from injured reserve - he started his 21-day evaluation clock last week - and Anzalone not too far behind, the Lions appear comfortable with the linebacker depth they have on the roster.
These fringe guys have to be resilient trying to survive. Consider the year/career Alexander has had. 5 years out of college, showed out in USFL 2022 after two plus years out of football. Was a practice squad player - with 1 game day call up plus a 3 game contract - in 2022 with the Lions, then spent all of last year on the practice squad without being activated. Played the only 7 offensive snaps of his career.
Mo was signed to a futures contract two days after the NFCCG, waived at the end of camp, signed to the practice squad 11/13, signed to 53-man 11/27 when Kalif went on IR, then waived 3 days later. Re-signed to the practice squad 12/3, signed to the active roster 12/5, waived 12/21, re-signed to the practice squad 12/24. Six contracts, cut three times. Strictly a special teamer/PR this year.
By my count he's had around 15 contracts with the Lions since 2022.
If the Lions and Vikings win this week, one of them will become the first ever 14-win team in NFL history to lose their division.
| 12/24 | The Detroit Lions waive LB David Long and re-sign WR Maurice Alexander to the practice squad. |
The Lions have two open roster spots on the 53 man active roster. Probably reserved for a couple LBs and Kalif Raymond, if he makes it back.
Long was signed by the Lions just over a month ago and was active on game day in Weeks 12-16. Over those five games, Long played 70 defensive snaps and 58 special teams snaps, while registering seven tackles, and recording a fumble recovery against the Packers. They may resign Long to the practice squad but could be the end of his time in Detroit.
Long spent most of his time with the Lions in a three-man rotation at WILL linebacker while starter Alex Anzalone recovers from a broken forearm and reserve Jalen Reeves-Maybin recovers from a neck injury. But with Reeves-Maybin nearing a return from injured reserve - he started his 21-day evaluation clock last week - and Anzalone not too far behind, the Lions appear comfortable with the linebacker depth they have on the roster.
These fringe guys have to be resilient trying to survive. Consider the year/career Alexander has had. 5 years out of college, showed out in USFL 2022 after two plus years out of football. Was a practice squad player - with 1 game day call up plus a 3 game contract - in 2022 with the Lions, then spent all of last year on the practice squad without being activated. Played the only 7 offensive snaps of his career.
Mo was signed to a futures contract two days after the NFCCG, waived at the end of camp, signed to the practice squad 11/13, signed to 53-man 11/27 when Kalif went on IR, then waived 3 days later. Re-signed to the practice squad 12/3, signed to the active roster 12/5, waived 12/21, re-signed to the practice squad 12/24. Six contracts, cut three times. Strictly a special teamer/PR this year.
By my count he's had around 15 contracts with the Lions since 2022.
If the Lions and Vikings win this week, one of them will become the first ever 14-win team in NFL history to lose their division.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Detroit Lions film review: Returning Ifeatu Melifonwu offers immediate reminder of potent versatility
JUSTIN ROGERS
DEC 24, 2024
Detroit Lions defensive back Ifeatu Melifonwu hasn't had much luck since joining the team as a third-round draft pick in 2021.
As a rookie, he suffered a quad injury in his first start, which landed him on the shelf for 10 of the next 11 games. The following season, it was hamstring and ankle issues that sidelined him for seven games. And last year, just as he was slated to enter the starting lineup, he broke his hand in practice, keeping him in a reserve role for a few extra weeks.
When he finally got his shot in 2023, he proved to be an electric playmaker, a true difference-maker down the stretch, even earning the NFC's Player of the Week honors after recording 2.0 sacks and the game-sealing interception in the team’s division-clinching win over Minnesota.
Despite finishing on a heater, Melifonwu’s role was unclear entering this season. The team was committed to moving Brian Branch from nickel to safety, ensuring the dynamic second-year man had an every-down role. Plus, the early slot work went to Emmanuel Mosely, Amik Robertson and rookie Ennis Rakestraw.
The practice reps pointed to Melifonwu reprising a reserve role heading into the 2024 season, at least until another in a long line of injuries took him out of commission. An ankle issue, reportedly tied to agitation with his Achilles, knocked him out the first half of the year. And when he was on the cusp of returning, he suffered a finger injury in practice, reminiscent of last year’s broken hand. That required a second stint on injured reserve, adding a month to his aggravating wait.
In total, Melifonwu missed the first 14 games. If you were starting to wonder if he’d suit up for the Lions this season, or ever again given he’s in the final year of his rookie contract, you weren’t out of bounds.
But there he was Sunday against the Chicago Bears, on the field for the game’s opening snap, despite banking just three practices before the contest. He’d end up playing more than 50 reps in his return to action, necessitated by the loss of cornerback Carlton Davis III to a long-term jaw injury a week earlier.
“We need him,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said about Melifonwu. “We have to have him. There is no other choice, there is no other option, you have to be able to go, so he did. I thought for not having played since training camp, it was solid. It really was. Now, it was rusty, he’s got improvement to make, he knows that, and he will improve.”
After taking a closer look at rookie offensive lineman Christian Mahogany’s first start in our earlier film study, we’ll put a bow on the Bears game by evaluating how defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn chose to deploy Melifonwu on Sunday.
Possession 1
Three plays, 1 yard, punt
Melifonwu was on the field for all three plays of the opening series, aligning as an overhang defender on first down, off the ball but in the box on second-and-10, and at the line of scrimmage in a press-man look over tight end Cole Kmet on third down.
The Bears passed on first and third down with Melifonwu blitzing on both. On the first, Melifonwu was picked up by running back D'Andre Swift as quarterback Caleb Williams got rid of the ball quickly.
But on third down, Melifonwu was highly effective, even though he couldn't finish. Disguising his intent by staring down Kmet until the snap, the defensive back fired into the backfield around right tackle Darnell Wright (58), only for the elusive Williams to step back at the last moment to avoid the sack. The QB was still forced from the pocket, and after avoiding a second tackler, threw the ball away, leading to a punt.
Possession 2
Two plays, 5 yards, fumble
Melifonwu technically started the series on the sideline, but the play was wiped out by a defensive offside penalty.
Lining up off the ball and just outside the box on first-and-5, the Bears ran an end-around with D.J. Moore to Melifonwu’s side. The defender took on the lead block of running back Roschon Johnson (23), and was able to shed it, but showed some rust on a sloppy tackle try, requiring linebackers Jack Campbell and Ben Niemann to clean it up after a short gain.
On second-and-3, Melifonwu aligned in off-coverage over the slot, but slid into the box as an adjustment to late motion. The handoff went to the motion man, rookie receiver Rome Odunze, who couldn’t handle the exchange.
The fumble was quickly recovered by defensive end Josh Paschal. Melifonwu had no impact on the result of the play.
Possession 3
Four plays, 31 yards, fumble
Melifonwu again started a possession off the field, but joined the fray on the second play, filling his run gap as a box defender, helping force Swift to bounce the carry outside where the Bears committed a holding infraction.
Now facing first-and-19, we see Melifonwu drop from the box into a deep zone for the first time, halving the field with Kerby Joseph in Cover-2, which allowed Branch to blitz from the slot.
Then, on third down, Melifonwu played man coverage for the first time in the contest, picking up Kmet’s crosser from the slot. The play’s design called for a throw to the opposite flat to Odunze, who fumbled for a second time on the play.
Possession 4
Four plays, 21 yards, punt
On the bench for the first two snaps as the Bears dug themselves into a first-and-20 hole with another holding penalty, Melifonwu demonstrated an ability to communicate, relaying a late coverage switch to cornerback Terrion Arnold to counter Chicago’s pre-snap motion. That led to Williams turfing the ball on the play.
Melifonwu would have deep, split-field safety responsibilities on second and third downs. On the first, he played a critical role in the defensive stop, dropping 12 yards from an 8-yard, pre-snap depth and combining with Arnold to take away Williams’ first read, a deep out route to Kmet.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Possession 5
14 plays, 70 yards, touchdown
Not only did Melifonwu remain on the sideline for the first two plays of this possession, but he also gave way to three-linebacker packages the final five snaps as the Bears moved into the red zone.
Melifonwu’s first action during the series came on a third-and-8 snap where he was in man coverage on Kmet, who initially stayed in to protect on the pass play. Melifonwu showed good awareness, avoiding Chicago's attempt to use him as a natural pick on Branch, defending a crossing pattern.
For the most part, Melifonwu wasn’t in on most of the plays. He did have a run stop from a box alignment, shedding Odunze’s lead block to drag Swift down after a 7-yard gain up the gut.
I thought Melifonwu's best play during the series was a Cover-2 snap where he dropped from the box to a deep zone, handing off Onduze’s go route to Joseph, then driving to take away Moore (2), who had stemmed his crossing route vertically, before coming up to make the tackle on a screen to Swift.
Possession 6
Three plays, 70 yards, touchdown
Melifonwu was on the field all three snaps during this two-minute drive, with deep zone responsibilities for each. The throw on first down was batted down at the line, while Williams’ subsequent, 25-yard dart to Moore down the middle was to the opposite side of the field.
With a fresh set of downs at Detroit’s 45-yard line, and 46 seconds remaining, Williams went hunting for a big play. It appears the Lions are in Cover-2 man, with Melifonwu lining up deep and responsible for the left half of the field.
Arnold bit hard on Keenan Allen’s double move (at the top of the screen) and Melifonwu got caught flat-footed with his help over-the-top, resulting in the long touchdown.
Possession 7
10 plays, 58 yards, field goal
Melifonwu opened this series with a couple good plays against the run, shutting down the backside lane on one where Swift was dropped for a loss and aggressively filling an inside gap on another to force the carry outside where Swift gained a single yard.
Melifonwu would transition into a series of deep zone snaps where he wasn’t involved in the play’s result before doing a nice job covering up Kmet man-to-man on fourth-and-1 where Williams connected with Allen deep on a 50/50 ball over Amik Robertson.
On the next play, Melifonwu made his best tackle of the game, shedding the block of Allen on the perimeter to stop a wide receiver screen to Moore after a gain of 1 yard.
That led to a third-and-11 from Detroit’s 16, where Melifonwu, as the deep safety, took over coverage responsibilities on Kmet’s deep crossing route as part of a collective blanketing that complemented a pocket-crushing pass rush and forced Williams to scramble.
Notably, those were Melifonwu’s first red-zone snaps of the game.
Possession 8
10 plays, 45 yards, punt
Even though he never suffered consequences for the misplays, this should be viewed as Melifonwu’s worst series of the contest.
The strangeness started when Melifonwu blitzed and got tripped up by eye candy on an end-around for Moore that the receiver fumbled.
Later in the drive, Melifonwu surrenders inside leverage down the middle on a skinny post pattern for Odunze (15). If pressure from Detroit’s front doesn’t prevent Williams from seeing it, there’s a good chance it’s a touchdown.
Two snaps later, Kmet gets quality separation against Melifonwu’s man coverage, running a crossing pattern from the right slot. But it didn’t end up an issue as Al-Quadin Muhammad quickly broke through the blocking for Detroit’s first sack of the game.
Possession 9
10 plays, 54 yards, downs
After hardly blitzing after two rushes on the game’s first three snaps, Melifonwu got a couple of opportunities to get after the quarterback on Chicago’s final series.
On a first-and-10 snap, rushing from off-the-ball, Melifonwu managed to loop around an effective bull rush from Josh Paschal (93) and trip up Williams for a sack as the QB tried to bail from the pocket.
The Lions tried that same blitz later in the possession, with Mitchell Agude rushing in Paschal’s place, but the ball came out too quickly for Melifonwu to impact the pocket.
Regardless, on the next snap, Melifonwu found an inside lane and hit Williams as he released a pass that was broken up in the end zone by Branch.
Concluding thoughts
Melifonwu saw more playing time than I anticipated. I appreciate the versatility of the role Glenn crafted with pre-snap alignments in the box, in the slot and deep.
His standout contributions came as a communicator and a blitzer, carrying over last season's success in that area. On five rushes, he recorded a sack, a hit, and a pocket-flushing pressure on third down that resulted in an incompletion. You can't do it every play, obviously, still, it's a challenge to imagine the Lions won't look to use his blitz ability more down the stretch.
Melifonwu put a lot of work into being a vocal communicator as he settled into safety ahead of the 2023 season and that showed. You could sense his deep understanding of the scheme with how he confidently navigated bunch formations and pre- and post-snap coverage switches.
The rust both he and coach Campbell mentioned showed up in a couple areas. The tackling was subpar in the first half but improved as the game progressed. And there were a couple slow reactions/missteps in zone coverage that left the Lions exposed deep. That’s understandable after an 11-month layoff.
Overall, Melifonwu provides a huge and needed boost to Detroit’s secondary, allowing the team to do more with Joseph and Branch, both in the back end and rushing the passer.
14 plays, 70 yards, touchdown
Not only did Melifonwu remain on the sideline for the first two plays of this possession, but he also gave way to three-linebacker packages the final five snaps as the Bears moved into the red zone.
Melifonwu’s first action during the series came on a third-and-8 snap where he was in man coverage on Kmet, who initially stayed in to protect on the pass play. Melifonwu showed good awareness, avoiding Chicago's attempt to use him as a natural pick on Branch, defending a crossing pattern.
For the most part, Melifonwu wasn’t in on most of the plays. He did have a run stop from a box alignment, shedding Odunze’s lead block to drag Swift down after a 7-yard gain up the gut.
I thought Melifonwu's best play during the series was a Cover-2 snap where he dropped from the box to a deep zone, handing off Onduze’s go route to Joseph, then driving to take away Moore (2), who had stemmed his crossing route vertically, before coming up to make the tackle on a screen to Swift.
Possession 6
Three plays, 70 yards, touchdown
Melifonwu was on the field all three snaps during this two-minute drive, with deep zone responsibilities for each. The throw on first down was batted down at the line, while Williams’ subsequent, 25-yard dart to Moore down the middle was to the opposite side of the field.
With a fresh set of downs at Detroit’s 45-yard line, and 46 seconds remaining, Williams went hunting for a big play. It appears the Lions are in Cover-2 man, with Melifonwu lining up deep and responsible for the left half of the field.
Arnold bit hard on Keenan Allen’s double move (at the top of the screen) and Melifonwu got caught flat-footed with his help over-the-top, resulting in the long touchdown.
Possession 7
10 plays, 58 yards, field goal
Melifonwu opened this series with a couple good plays against the run, shutting down the backside lane on one where Swift was dropped for a loss and aggressively filling an inside gap on another to force the carry outside where Swift gained a single yard.
Melifonwu would transition into a series of deep zone snaps where he wasn’t involved in the play’s result before doing a nice job covering up Kmet man-to-man on fourth-and-1 where Williams connected with Allen deep on a 50/50 ball over Amik Robertson.
On the next play, Melifonwu made his best tackle of the game, shedding the block of Allen on the perimeter to stop a wide receiver screen to Moore after a gain of 1 yard.
That led to a third-and-11 from Detroit’s 16, where Melifonwu, as the deep safety, took over coverage responsibilities on Kmet’s deep crossing route as part of a collective blanketing that complemented a pocket-crushing pass rush and forced Williams to scramble.
Notably, those were Melifonwu’s first red-zone snaps of the game.
Possession 8
10 plays, 45 yards, punt
Even though he never suffered consequences for the misplays, this should be viewed as Melifonwu’s worst series of the contest.
The strangeness started when Melifonwu blitzed and got tripped up by eye candy on an end-around for Moore that the receiver fumbled.
Later in the drive, Melifonwu surrenders inside leverage down the middle on a skinny post pattern for Odunze (15). If pressure from Detroit’s front doesn’t prevent Williams from seeing it, there’s a good chance it’s a touchdown.
Two snaps later, Kmet gets quality separation against Melifonwu’s man coverage, running a crossing pattern from the right slot. But it didn’t end up an issue as Al-Quadin Muhammad quickly broke through the blocking for Detroit’s first sack of the game.
Possession 9
10 plays, 54 yards, downs
After hardly blitzing after two rushes on the game’s first three snaps, Melifonwu got a couple of opportunities to get after the quarterback on Chicago’s final series.
On a first-and-10 snap, rushing from off-the-ball, Melifonwu managed to loop around an effective bull rush from Josh Paschal (93) and trip up Williams for a sack as the QB tried to bail from the pocket.
The Lions tried that same blitz later in the possession, with Mitchell Agude rushing in Paschal’s place, but the ball came out too quickly for Melifonwu to impact the pocket.
Regardless, on the next snap, Melifonwu found an inside lane and hit Williams as he released a pass that was broken up in the end zone by Branch.
Concluding thoughts
Melifonwu saw more playing time than I anticipated. I appreciate the versatility of the role Glenn crafted with pre-snap alignments in the box, in the slot and deep.
His standout contributions came as a communicator and a blitzer, carrying over last season's success in that area. On five rushes, he recorded a sack, a hit, and a pocket-flushing pressure on third down that resulted in an incompletion. You can't do it every play, obviously, still, it's a challenge to imagine the Lions won't look to use his blitz ability more down the stretch.
Melifonwu put a lot of work into being a vocal communicator as he settled into safety ahead of the 2023 season and that showed. You could sense his deep understanding of the scheme with how he confidently navigated bunch formations and pre- and post-snap coverage switches.
The rust both he and coach Campbell mentioned showed up in a couple areas. The tackling was subpar in the first half but improved as the game progressed. And there were a couple slow reactions/missteps in zone coverage that left the Lions exposed deep. That’s understandable after an 11-month layoff.
Overall, Melifonwu provides a huge and needed boost to Detroit’s secondary, allowing the team to do more with Joseph and Branch, both in the back end and rushing the passer.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
[Thinking Football]
Why the NFL is OBSESSED with this concept
(ignore the cringe title)
Great breakdown of defensive run fits from single high / two high, and how using a fast motion insert blocker (like ARSB or LaPorta) is helping teams win the numbers game in the trenches.
Not Lions specific but their offense is heavily featured. Great content. This channel should have millions of subscribers.
From a few months ago:
How the Lions Outsmart the NFL
Similar theme. how the Lions condensed splits & motion overwhelms two high run fits.
Why the NFL is OBSESSED with this concept
(ignore the cringe title)
Great breakdown of defensive run fits from single high / two high, and how using a fast motion insert blocker (like ARSB or LaPorta) is helping teams win the numbers game in the trenches.
Not Lions specific but their offense is heavily featured. Great content. This channel should have millions of subscribers.
From a few months ago:
How the Lions Outsmart the NFL
Similar theme. how the Lions condensed splits & motion overwhelms two high run fits.
Leroy Hoard
Footballguy
ignatiusjreilly
Footballguy
What’s the motivation here? Is he needed? Are they worried about Hooker having to step in during a playoff game?
Leroy Hoard
Footballguy
And for those Lion fans that
Cheap insurance policy imo. Plus he's a great locker room guy for the playoffs and playoff run.What’s the motivation here? Is he needed? Are they worried about Hooker having to step in during a playoff game?
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
And for those Lion fans that
Cheap insurance policy imo. Plus he's a great locker room guy for the playoffs and playoff run.What’s the motivation here? Is he needed? Are they worried about Hooker having to step in during a playoff game?
Why not? Could be the first guy to get high school championship & Super Bowl rings in the same season.
Great mentor for Hendon + Jamo (he took Williams under his wing last year). Full of positivity & brings a level of maturity to the locker room. It’s all good.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
At this point, it’s unclear if Bridgewater is signing to the team’s 53-man roster or practice squad - they do have two open spots on the active roster and one on the practice squad at this time.
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