Pride Of Detroit: All Posts by Ryan MathewsA Detroit Lions blog by Lions fans, for Lions fans.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51601/pod-fav.png2024-02-09T10:00:00-05:00https://www.prideofdetroit.com/authors/ryan-mathews/rss2024-02-09T10:00:00-05:002024-02-09T10:00:00-05:00Dan Campbell wasn’t 2023 NFL Coach of the Year despite memorable Lions season
<figure>
<img alt="NFC Divisional Playoffs - Tampa Bay Buccaneers v Detroit Lions" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/W9wJaO96-Xgg2je3vd_Qz1g6oQo=/0x0:6000x4000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73125544/1950730504.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Detroit Lions had their most successful season in over fifty years, but Campbell being named the league’s coach of the year became a tough mountain for him to climb with the way his team finished 2022.</p> <p id="M366Oo">Despite having a feeling this was going to happen last night, it didn’t seem like there was going to be <em>this </em>much blowback over the NFL Honors.</p>
<p id="9hP8CO">The uproar was loud in <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a>-centric circles after head coach <a href="https://twitter.com/RobMaaddi/status/1755786910142976151">Dan Campbell finished third in this year’s Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year award</a>, earning a total of 33 points on three first-place votes, three second-place votes, and nine third-place votes. Kevin Stefanski of the <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a> won the tiebreaker over <a href="https://www.battleredblog.com/">Houston Texans</a> head coach DeMeco Ryans, earning 21 first-place votes to Ryans’ 20-first place selections. For Stefanski, this is his second time winning the award since he first became the team’s head coach in 2020.</p>
<p id="5XSOJp">Historically speaking, the NFL’s Coach of the Year award has been a narrative-driven award for those who either ridiculously outperform expectations (Brian Daboll in 2022, Sean McVay in 2017), lead a juggernaut (Bill Belichick in 2007, Ron Rivera in 2015) or like Mike Vrabel in 2021, lead a team to their conference’s No. 1 seed <a href="https://www.nfl.com/news/titans-coach-mike-vrabel-named-2021-ap-nfl-coach-of-the-year">despite having the most injured roster in football</a>. </p>
<p id="bO0Bsq">The problem is that none of those describe the 2023 Detroit Lions, and Campbell’s chances of winning the distinction all but went out the window when his team finished 2022 on an 8-2 run as one of the hottest teams in the league. This year, the Lions accomplished exactly what many had expected them to do—win the NFC North—but they were a relatively healthy football team who had a veteran quarterback starting for them from start to finish. For the two coaches who finished ahead of Campbell, that wasn’t the case, and the narratives took hold.</p>
<p id="mgPbl9">With a first-year head coach in Ryans and a rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud—the winner of the league’s AP Offensive Rookie of the Year award—this year’s Texans team was tasked with picking up the pieces from a 3-13-1 campaign last season. They responded in a way almost no one could have anticipated, posting a 10-7 record and winning the AFC South despite having a preseason over/under win total set at just 6.5. </p>
<p id="LC6s3E">The Browns ran through a rolodex of quarterbacks this year, starting five different signal callers: Deshaun Watson, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, P.J. Walker, Joe Flacco, and Jeff Driskel. Watson, the team’s $50 million anchor, played in only six games this season, and the team’s defense had done everything it could to keep the team afloat with a 7-4 record. Stefanski got the absolute most out of a discarded and disregarded Joe Flacco—the winner of this year’s AP Comeback Player of the Year—and went 4-1 over his five starts to propel the team to 11 wins.</p>
<p id="mDdsgc">In comparison to those situations, the Lions faced little adversity in the way of injuries or uncertainty at the quarterback position. However, does it seem like Campbell deserved to be on more than just 15 of the 50 ballots submitted by AP voters? Maybe, but there were enough other teams that played better than Detroit down the stretch to diffuse the vote thanks to recency bias. Kyle Shanahan’s <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">49ers</a>, winners of seven out of eight in November and December en route to the No. 1 seed in the NFC, stole some votes. McVay’s Rams won seven out of eight themselves to finish the season, their only loss in overtime to the 13-win <a href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Baltimore Ravens</a>—the AFC’s No. 1 seed who helped John Harbaugh earn some votes of his own.</p>
<p id="44DP0a">Make no mistake, the Lions had arguably their most successful season in my father’s lifetime, but preseason expectations have a lot to do with the Coach of the Year award, and the Lions simply met those expectations to win the division. The only way Campbell’s team clearly <em>exceeded </em>their expectations was the playoff run they went on, and since voting happens before the postseason takes place, there wasn’t enough there to stir up a vote for a team that had their over/under total set at 9.5 wins. This is the territory that comes with a good football team: you’re going to have to remember, this team is good, and they’ve proven to be good for over 30 games the past two seasons, so now they need to be <em>better than good</em> to win awards.</p>
<p id="lBeFEX">Expectations are sky high, and that’s the unfortunate reality of people taking this football team seriously; they’re <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2024/2/5/24062448/detroit-lions-gm-brad-holmes-promises-fans-only-going-get-better">not the “Cinderella” story Brad Holmes assured they weren’t in his end-of-season press conference</a>. This is the next challenge that Campbell and this organization will have to navigate. In order for him to win this award, he isn’t going to do it by taking anyone by surprise—he’ll have to keep this team playing at a high level from start to finish without a late-season lull like there was in November.</p>
<p id="5Bkfz9">But if there’s one guy I wouldn’t bet against to climb that mountain and make voters take notice, it’s Dan Campbell.</p>
<p id="f5kvCr"></p>
https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2024/2/9/24067123/dan-campbell-wasnt-2023-nfl-coach-of-the-year-despite-memorable-lions-seasonRyan Mathews2024-01-25T07:30:00-05:002024-01-25T07:30:00-05:00Lions vs. 49ers 5Qs preview: Brock Purdy elevates SF offense to record heights
<figure>
<img alt="NFC Divisional Playoffs - Green Bay Packers v San Francisco 49ers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/cU1IE3urN1h-Lf0rZ2X-gjWDiE4=/0x0:4973x3315/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73083626/1951441561.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Ryan Kang/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><em>A conference championship playoff preview with Ryan Bainbridge about the matchup between the Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers.</em></p> <p id="Q7lRh5">Dan Campbell’s Detroit Lions are leaving the friendly confines of Ford Field to face their toughest task yet: the No. 1 seed San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, the site for this year’s NFC Championship game.</p>
<p id="jZDsbv">As always, we would never pass up the opportunity to get some intel from the opponent’s perspective. Ahead of this matchup between the Lions and 49ers, we called on <a href="https://x.com/RyanBainbridge0?s=20">Ryan Bainbridge</a> from <a href="http://NinersNation.com">NinersNation.com</a> to give us some insight into what makes this San Francisco offense such a juggernaut, the misconceptions surrounding Brock Purdy, the challenge linebacker Fred Warner presents for opposing offenses, what sort of difference Chase Young has made since being acquired at the NFL’s trade deadline, and what Deebo Samuel’s health status could mean for your betting slip this weekend.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="1GAp93">
<p id="3crsoq"><strong>Finishing the regular season with the ninth-best offense DVOA (31.8%) since 1981, this </strong><a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/"><strong>49ers</strong></a><strong> offense is one of the best we’ve ever seen in the NFL. In fact, it’s the greatest San Francisco offense in the franchise’s storied history according to the DVOA statistic.</strong></p>
<p id="FbcHka"><strong>What is it about this offense this year that helped catapult it to unprecedented heights in the Kyle Shanahan era?</strong></p>
<blockquote>
<p id="LBtEJA">First off, it starts with the quarterback. I know Purdy’s abilities and success is a topic of hot discussion, but what he brings to the offense is not something we have had in the Kyle Shanahan offense. The skill players are obviously an incredible bunch and Shanahan has created a scheme to get the ball in their hands. But Purdy’s ability to create when plays break down has given the offense an extra layer. His decision making, and ability to diagnose pre-and post- snap has gotten the offense out of jams countless times. </p>
<p id="LeKXA9">This offense is able to sustain long drives AND now has the explosive play variable when pushing the ball <em>deep</em>. Again, that is not something that existed with Jimmy G (or any other recent 49ers QBs) under center. It should be noted too that for as dynamic as the offense is, the offensive line has not been the best iteration of the unit in the Shanahan era. Purdy’s quickness and pocket presence has helped hide some of the blemishes up front, especially in the passing game. But of course, this side of the ball is at its best when the running game is executing at a high level and having a guy like Christian McCaffrey makes that possible almost every down. He has been a true difference maker this season and deserves plenty of recognition and praise, too. </p>
</blockquote>
<p id="rZw9QH"><strong>Brock Purdy had one helluva season full-time quarterbacking this offense from the jump. The national opinions on Purdy’s attributes and abilities range from “MVP” to “right place at the right time.”</strong></p>
<p id="4WXiGI"><strong>What are some misconceptions about his game, what is Purdy’s quarterback superpower, and how has that helped this offense reach the heights it has this season?</strong></p>
<blockquote>
<p id="8Lr9rE">To continue a bit from the first answer, one of the general misconceptions about Purdy is that he is throwing a bunch of screens and checkdowns and accumulating stats on the back of yards after the catch. Are the 49ers the best YAC team in the league? Probably. But Purdy led the league in air yards per attempt. The percentage of his passing yards that is a result of YAC is about the same percentage as the past few MVP’s seasons (and lower than Mahomes rate in 2022). So while there is an element of added juice to his numbers from the skill players around him, it isn’t an outlier when compared to other elite quarterback seasons. </p>
<p id="IwUzQ8">49ers fans aren’t blind. We see the differences in skillsets between Purdy and guys like Mahomes and Allen. We don’t even try to compare athletic abilities. But we do find it odd that other fan bases try so hard to discredit his MVP-level production this season just because he doesn’t have the arm or athleticism of the other top guys in the league. His superpower isn’t like their superpowers, and that’s okay. What Purdy <em>does</em> do at an elite level is mental processing. For a 24-year old to exhibit the composure and confidence to know what to do before and after the ball is snapped in <em>this </em>offense is really remarkable. Pressure doesn’t get to him and he makes his reads and progressions like a 10-year veteran. And he won’t get credit for it because it’s this intangible thing, but 49ers fans know that every time Purdy lines up to take the snap, we trust whatever comes next. Against the blitz. In the red zone. On third down. You name it, Purdy is prepared to handle it. </p>
</blockquote>
<p id="n32A4x"><strong>Fred Warner is the prototype/unicorn at linebacker for a modern defense: a three-down player who doesn’t come off the field because of the down and distance. He plays the run (90.7 run defense grade) and the pass (83.3 coverage grade) unlike any other guy at his position in the league.</strong></p>
<p id="81GfTE"><strong>What kind of possibilities does Warner’s abilities open up for this San Francisco defense?</strong></p>
<blockquote><p id="fEqtgf">In years past, you could point to the 49ers front four and claim that was the reason the defense was so dominant. They were able to generate pressure constantly and it forced opposing offenses to rely on a quicker passing game which let the secondary take more chances. This year that has not been the case. Instead it’s the pass coverage that is leading the defense. And at the middle of that is Warner, who seems to always know what the opponent wants to do and is able to take it away. Throwing in the middle of the field against Warner is a dangerous game. He can run with wide receivers in the slot and is physical enough with tight ends and running backs that there really is no mismatch when he drops back. In the running game, he commits quickly, which is a result of diligent film study and trusting his cues. There just aren’t many weaknesses to Warner’s game and it allows everyone else on the defense to play much looser. </p></blockquote>
<p id="LRdPQO"><strong>Detroit’s defense has been starving for a pass-rush threat opposite of Aidan Hutchinson all season, and many fans were left scratching their heads at the trade deadline when the Lions stood pat. Meanwhile, the 49ers went out and added Chase Young for a relatively low price tag.</strong></p>
<p id="1QYT81"><strong>Can you boil down the impact Young had on the 49ers defense in the second half of the season, and maybe touch on one of the few statistical weaknesses exhibited by this group: their 15th-ranked DVOA run defense?</strong></p>
<blockquote>
<p id="XnvpEw">Young has been solid since coming to San Francisco midyear. It was a low-risk, high-reward trade for San Francisco which has shown mixed results. Young isn’t as explosive as he was expected to be coming out of <a href="https://www.landgrantholyland.com">Ohio State</a> in 2020. While he has some flashes of speed-to-power rush ability, overall he hasn’t provided the impact the San Francisco defense needed opposite Bosa. Young nabbed only 2.5 sacks in 8 games with the Niners. What hurts even more is that Young hasn’t proven to be a commodity against the run. He posted one PFF run defense grade over 70.0 in his time with San Francisco, and was credited with 8 ‘stops.’ He had 13 stops while in Washington for the first half of the season. It’s not that Young isn’t a welcomed addition that may get better as he gets more comfortable in the 49ers defensive system. It’s just that we were hoping for another Nick Bosa and got more of what was already on the roster. </p>
<p id="pV718K">With that being said, Young hasn’t been the only one struggling against the run. Teams have been very efficient this season running on San Francisco and it’s hard to pinpoint why. The linebackers are really strong in pursuit and it doesn’t feel like they are out of position. But the defensive line is getting very little push, especially on the interior, and the secondary has been very inconsistent in support and tackling. Last week’s Divisional matchup against the <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Packers</a> showed that explosive running teams (like Detroit) will find success on the ground if they stick to it. Which is worrisome heading into the Championship game.</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="uRc2iE"><strong>Each week, I’ve asked other writers about </strong><em><strong>any </strong></em><strong>sort of wisdom they’d share for the week’s game, but I have to shoehorn the topic of Deebo Samuel’s health ahead of this NFC Conference Championship game into this question because DraftKings makes the rules.</strong></p>
<p id="27gBMd"><strong>If Deebo can’t go, how different does San Francisco’s offense look, who do you think gets the extra attention in this game, and how can a gambling Lions fan capitalize on this with their bet slip for the NFC Conference Championship?</strong></p>
<p id="jcFN2B"><em>[Note: </em><a href="https://dksb.sng.link/As9kz/qqa5?_dl=https%3A%2F%2Fsportsbook.draftkings.com%2Fgateway%3Fs%3D341866674%26wpcid%3D163146%26wpcn%3DInarticle%26wpsrc%3DVox%26wpcrid%3DNFL&pcid=163146&psn=Vox&pcrn=Inarticle&pscn=NFL"><em><strong>You can catch the latest odds here at DraftKings Sportsbook</strong></em></a><em>]</em></p>
<blockquote>
<p id="VtqlHc">We have seen this season that the 49ers offense is much less dynamic without Deebo on the field. Kyle Shanahan hadn’t done much to adapt to Samuel’s absence last week, and after the injury was still calling plays for his ‘role’ that ended up in touches for Ray-Ray McCloud and Jauan Jennings. Nothing against those players, but it’s not the same variable by a long shot. If Deebo can’t go this week, I think there is reason to suggest Shanahan will focus more on the running game with McCaffery and hopefully add in some snaps for Elijah Mitchell, potentially getting both backs on the field at the same time. But Detroit’s pass defense would be wise to send extra coverage to Brandon Aiyuk. He was shut down a bit last week after Deebo’s departure, in large part to Green Bay’s extra eyes on the first time all-pro receiver. </p>
<p id="zQuCTf">The spread for this game stands at San Francisco (-7). It’s hard not to feel a bit anxious about facing the Lions offense. They can win from all over the field and have the playmakers to make you pay for bad tackling or missed assignments, which plagued the Niners in the Divisional round. But, I still like the 49ers offense to find a rhythm in this game and put up a ton of points. If the defense can make Goff uncomfortable just once or twice, and either force a turnover or punt, it could be the difference in this game. I will take the Home Team and the points and hope to see the Scarlet and Gold in Vegas for the big game.</p>
</blockquote>
https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2024/1/25/24049521/lions-49ers-playoff-preview-5-questions-brock-purdy-kyle-shanahan-fred-warner-deebo-samuel-injuryRyan Mathews2024-01-24T14:30:00-05:002024-01-24T14:30:00-05:00Craig Reynolds wasn’t even supposed to be on the field for 4th down touchdown vs. Bucs
<figure>
<img alt="NFL: NFC Divisional Round-Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/TbLxMxf5c8GNC0JFmEK-g_ITdmM=/0x0:2908x1939/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73081864/usa_today_22345136.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Sometimes it’s all about being in the right spot at the wrong time, and Craig Reynolds wasn’t going to let anything—or anyone—stop him in his moment against the Buccaneers.</p> <p id="q4zJ6u">The <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> win over the <a href="https://www.bucsnation.com/">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a> in the Divisional Round of the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-playoffs">NFL playoffs</a> will remain memorable for plenty of reasons. The victory propelled Detroit to just their second NFC Conference Championship game in the team’s history, <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2024/1/23/24048111/ford-field-sets-new-decibel-record-again-in-lions-playoff-win-over-the-buccaneers">the crowd inside Ford Field was the loudest it had ever been for the second week in a row</a>, and there were highlight reel plays made by depth players like Brock Wright and Derrick Barnes, guys who have been around since the beginning of the Dan Campbell era. But there was one play made by another one of those players who fit that bill that shouldn’t have even been on the field when his moment happened.</p>
<p id="e9HduT"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nd-n_3HBG_c">On this week’s installment of the 33rd Team’s “The St. Brown Bros” podcast</a>, Lions wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown talked with Equanimeous St. Brown, his brother and <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a> wide receiver, about a wide range of topics from Detroit’s latest playoff win. At the 13:30 mark, the St. Brown brothers discussed the touchdown that wasn’t supposed to happen from Lions running back Craig Reynolds.</p>
<p id="mcYZRx">“Bro, you know what’s crazy? He wasn’t even supposed to be in,” Amon-Ra St. Brown said about Reynolds touchdown that gave the Lions a 17-10 lead in the game. “Bruh, we had a different—the personnel got messed up.”</p>
<p id="UjDQ5B">Amon-Ra explained that after the Lions didn’t convert on third down, he was on the sideline waiting for Dan Campbell to make the call to go for it, and when he did, they called for 12 personnel—one running back, two tight ends, and two wide receivers.</p>
<p id="HfZUSN">“I go in and then they change it to 12-Saint, which makes me go to X [receiver] and I think J-Rey [Josh Reynolds] go to Z,” St. Brown explained. “So at that point, they’re probably changing the play in the headset. And then Craig comes running onto the field, I’m like ‘Damn, okay,’ and I’m thinking it’s one play that we practice and it’s a different play and I’m like, ‘Okay, this play works, this is the 12-Saint play where I motion.’”</p>
<p id="mxxdrz">As Amon-Ra got ready to be sent into motion, he explains how Reynolds’ white cleats caught his attention out of his peripheral vision.</p>
<p id="SLnBFf">“David [Montgomery] and Jahmyr [Gibbs] don’t wear white cleats. I’m like, it was just a quick thought in my head like, ‘Who’s in the backfield?’” St. Brown wondered. “So I’m just going for the motion, he [Jared Goff] sends me on the motion, I go in my motion, I look back at the play, I see Craig [Reynolds] get the ball on the handoff on the 1-yard line.”</p>
<div id="IHowa9">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">A fourth-down TOUCHDOWN for <a href="https://twitter.com/13_CJR?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@13_CJR</a>!!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TBvsDET?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TBvsDET</a> | NBC <a href="https://t.co/5j1oBJzRaJ">pic.twitter.com/5j1oBJzRaJ</a></p>— Detroit Lions (@Lions) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lions/status/1749193147840672012?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2024</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="EJyID0">“He hit that bitch so hard, I’m like, ‘Oh my god, Craig, you wanted that bad, huh?’” St. Brown recounted. “He’s [Craig Reynolds] like, ‘Bro, no one was stopping me,’ and I’m like, ‘Yeah, I mean, you got that shit crazy.’”</p>
<p id="oN5F3m">Despite the wrong personnel being on the field, Reynolds made the most of his moment and opportunity, and the mixup only adds to the lore of one of the most memorable plays from Detroit’s playoff run this season.</p>
<p id="geIylp"><em>[Check out the rest of the “St. Brown Bros” podcast this week to catch an interview with Lions legend Calvin Johnson, including topics ranging from his favorite musicians, living in Michigan and snowboading, and the keys to a Lions victory over the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game.]</em></p>
<p id="sxbyIb"></p>
https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2024/1/24/24049364/craig-reynolds-wasnt-even-supposed-to-be-on-the-field-for-4th-down-touchdown-vs-bucsRyan Mathews2024-01-20T11:00:00-05:002024-01-20T11:00:00-05:005Qs preview: Tampa Bay’s offense more ‘in sync’ since Week 6 matchup
<figure>
<img alt="NFL: Detroit Lions at Tampa Bay Buccaneers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Ff8D8a0RAZS3g8p0M7BZUDBdK2w=/0x0:2122x1415/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73071489/usa_today_21657768.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><em>A divisional round playoff preview with Evan Wanish about the matchup between the Detroit Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.</em></p> <p id="Q7lRh5">During tomorrow’s mid-afternoon slot, the <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/"><strong>Detroit Lions</strong></a> host their second playoff game, a rematch from Week 6 with the NFC South winning <a href="https://www.bucsnation.com/">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a>. The Bucs knocked off the defending NFC Champion Philadelphia Ealges in the first round of the 2023 <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-playoffs"><strong>NFL Playoffs</strong></a>, and they did it decidedly, 32-9.</p>
<p id="jZDsbv">As always, we would never pass up the opportunity to get some intel from the opponent’s perspective. Ahead of this matchup between the Lions and Buccaneers, we called <a href="https://x.com/EvanNFL?s=20">Evan Wanish</a> from <a href="http://BucsNation.com">BucsNation.com</a> to give us some insight into Tampa Bay’s growth since these two teams met over three months ago, the Bucs commitment to running the football, and what’s something to know about Baker Mayfield for your betting slip.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="3zOeXG">
<p id="YXiNb4"><strong>Detroit versus Tampa Bay is one of three rematches scheduled for the NFL’s divisional round, but looking back at a Week 6 matchup between these two teams hardly seems like an indicator of what’s to come this Sunday.</strong></p>
<p id="XtDGof"><strong>The Buccaneers loss to the Lions was the start of a four-game slide, but winning five of their final six games led them to their third straight NFC South title. What did the Bucs learn during their early-season skid, and what’s the biggest difference between the team the Lions faced in Week 6 and the group that just annihilated the </strong><a href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/"><strong>Philadelphia Eagles</strong></a><strong> in the Wild Card round?</strong></p>
<blockquote><p id="84zreR">I think the biggest difference between the Bucs then and the Bucs now is that the offense is much more in sync. Back in Week 6, Tampa was still trying to work in a brand new offensive system with a brand new QB and multiple younger players. There were growing pains in that process but over the last 6-7 weeks outside of a few performances, the Bucs offense has been a real strength and a big reason why they are in the position they are in right now.</p></blockquote>
<p id="KMnEbi"><strong>When we talked earlier this season, the Bucs shared the best turnover differential in the NFL heading into Week 6 with the </strong><a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/"><strong>San Francisco 49ers</strong></a><strong> (+7), but finished the season 9th in the NFL with a +8 differential. Tampa Bay got off to a torrid pace of 10 takeaways through four games, the Bucs forced 16 turnovers over their last 13.</strong></p>
<p id="dSWjUt"><strong>Did water just happen to find its level with this defense’s ability to force turnovers? And the Bucs only coughed up the ball 18 times (10 interceptions, 8 fumbles lost) this year–only five teams had fewer giveaways in 2023. How important has ball security been for this football team’s ability to win games?</strong></p>
<blockquote><p id="ymW3fy">I do think things just leveled out when it came to the turnovers the defense was forcing. The early season success of taking the ball away was great but ultimately not sustainable. Protecting the football has been a huge key for Tampa Bay this year. The Bucs are 0-5 this season when the offense commits two or more turnovers. That has been a huge point of emphasis for Tampa Bay this year. The Bucs goal is to play complementary football and protect the ball as much as possible, but they also like to take their shots down the field, it’s just not as often as it was when Bruce Arians and Tom Brady were in town. </p></blockquote>
<p id="lYkUTX"><strong>For a Tampa Bay rushing offense that ranked 28th in rush DVOA this year, do you have a reason to be optimistic the Bucs could run the football against one of the best run defenses in the NFL? If not, how has Tampa Bay’s offense sustained itself when they’ve needed to rely on the pass to move the ball down field?</strong></p>
<blockquote><p id="r1unUE">If I had to bet, I would say the Bucs probably won’t be able to run the ball for much success this week, but that doesn’t mean they won’t try. Offensive coordinator Dave Canales likes to try and establish the run early and work play action and bootlegs off of that, so I would expect Tampa Bay to try and run the ball. If they can’t, however, I think you see them try to get the ball in the hands of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin in space and try and let them break a tackle or two and head up field, which worked well last week even if Godwin and Evans weren’t as involved. Is that type of game plan sustainable? It’s tough because you don’t know what type of game you are going to get out of Baker Mayfield. If he’s on and is given the time in the pocket, this Bucs team can really sling it. </p></blockquote>
<p id="ry87uO"><strong>On paper, Tampa Bay’s defense seems to be an underrated and overlooked story this year in the NFL. Really good against the run (fourth in yards per carry) and 8th in run defense DVOA. They rank 14th in pass defense an overall defense DVOA, but it has some star power to their advantage (Vita Vea, Antoine Winfield Jr., and the eternal Lavonte David).</strong></p>
<p id="y8azF2"><strong>Who are some players who have made a bigger difference on defense than expected this season?</strong></p>
<blockquote><p id="WZJ1ST">There are a lot of players that deserve some credit for Tampa Bay’s defense being as good as it’s been. Rookies Calijah Kancey and Yaya Diaby have made instant impacts and Diaby even lead the team in sacks in the regular season with 7.5 despite not being named a starter until week 12. Those two deserve a lot of recognition, but the unsung heroes are guys like defensive back Zyon McCollum, who has made great strides in his second season, linebacker K.J. Britt who figures to be in the starting lineup for the team in 2024 and undrafted free agent Christian Izien. The depth that general manager Jason Licht has built this team with has been outstanding and while the stars have been the stars, the defense would certainly not be as effective without those players that I mentioned. </p></blockquote>
<p id="U5c1l5"><strong>Each week, I’ve asked other writers about </strong><em><strong>any </strong></em><strong>sort of wisdom they’d share for the week’s game, but I have to shoehorn the topic of Baker Mayfield into this question because DraftKings makes the rules.</strong></p>
<p id="oR3Nfz"><strong>What’re a few nuggets of intel about Baker Mayfield’s play that a gambling Lions fan would find useful for their bet slip this weekend? Maybe give us your favorite line if you’re feeling generous.</strong></p>
<p id="k0MgKx"><em>[Note: </em><a href="https://dksb.sng.link/As9kz/qqa5?_dl=https%3A%2F%2Fsportsbook.draftkings.com%2Fgateway%3Fs%3D341866674%26wpcid%3D163146%26wpcn%3DInarticle%26wpsrc%3DVox%26wpcrid%3DNFL&pcid=163146&psn=Vox&pcrn=Inarticle&pscn=NFL"><em><strong>You can catch the latest odds here at DraftKings Sportsbook</strong></em></a><em>]</em></p>
<blockquote><p id="xkSp1S">Even though they didn’t do it as often last week, running back Rachaad White has become a favorite of Mayfield’s in the passing game. Part of the offense’s evolution lately has been the involvement of White. I would feel good about taking the over prop on both White receiving yards at 21.5 and receptions at 3.5. </p></blockquote>
<p id="jQKT6y"></p>
https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2024/1/20/24044018/lions-buccaneers-playoff-preview-5-questions-jared-goff-baker-mayfieldRyan Mathews2024-01-16T14:05:15-05:002024-01-16T14:05:15-05:00Report: Lions OC Ben Johnson has 2 head coaching interviews this week
<figure>
<img alt="Syndication: Detroit Free Press" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GM-8npFklUEoteObjuzBYYVOgL0=/805x48:1733x667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73059687/usa_today_19074684.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>After reportedly having serious interest in Ben Johnson, the Commanders and Panthers have scheduled interviews with the Lions current offensive coordinator about their vacant head coaching positions.</p> <p id="8HP9tG">With the first round of the playoffs in the books, the coaching carousel is starting to turn a little faster, and the news of teams being “reportedly interested” in candidates is becoming a reality with interviews being scheduled.</p>
<p id="oO2Ekd">Nicki Jhabvala, the <a href="https://www.hogshaven.com/">Washington Commanders</a> beat writer for the Washington Post, <a href="https://x.com/NickiJhabvala/status/1747323580856037380?s=20">reported that the Commanders have scheduled a virtual interview with Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson this Friday</a>. The Commanders interest in Johnson goes back to Jan. 8, when <a href="https://x.com/TomPelissero/status/1744381749956665701?s=20">Washington requested both Johnson and Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn for interviews.</a></p>
<p id="Hzlwql">For the <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a>, their offense has carried them to a lot of team success, and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has been instrumental in that development. After a season where the Washington Commanders finished 26th in team offense DVOA and 25th in points for (19.2 per game), and armed with the second overall pick in the upcoming 2024 <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">NFL Draft</a>, they could be looking for an offensive-minded head coach to revitalize the franchise.</p>
<p id="y2LJHc">In addition to the Commanders, <a href="https://x.com/josephperson/status/1747324610868039749?s=20">the Carolina Panthers have also reportedly scheduled a virtual interview with Johnson for this Friday</a>. The Panthers interviewed Johnson for the team’s head coaching vacancy last offseason—and was reportedly among the favorites to land the job—but <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2023/1/19/23562281/detroit-lions-gave-ben-johnson-large-raise-stay-offensive-coordinator">Johnson stayed in Detroit thanks to a big pay raise</a> and the allure of accomplishing big things in Detroit.</p>
<p id="9wTPYJ">Campbell noted on Monday that interviewing for head coach jobs will be a stress on both Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, but he’s confident both will be fully ready for Sunday’s Divisional Round playoff game against the <a href="https://www.bucsnation.com/">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a>.</p>
<p id="fcbqqP">“That puts a stress on them, on us,” Campbell said. “But they’ll do the best they can with it, make the most of it, which they should. And then—but they’ll be prepared for us to get ready (for) the next game.”</p>
<p id="DtKBmK">To track all of the interview requests, completed interviews, and other coaching carousel news, <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2024/1/8/24030859/2024-nfl-coaching-carousel-tracking-interviews-detroit-lions-coordinators-ben-johnson-aaron-glenn">follow our 2024 Detroit Lions coordinator tracker</a>. </p>
https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2024/1/16/24040428/detroit-lions-oc-ben-johnson-interview-scheduled-washington-commanders-panthers-coach-searchRyan Mathews2024-01-15T23:11:54-05:002024-01-15T23:11:54-05:00Lions to host rematch against Buccaneers in NFC Divisional Round
<figure>
<img alt="Detroit Lions v Tampa Bay Buccaneers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/g8of6-fE7RxlRccTt5hVGXmYV0o=/0x0:5158x3439/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73058005/1742926821.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Detroit Lions will face off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the next round of the playoffs—a rematch of Week </p> <p id="d95yDt">The next opponent for the <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> in the 2023 <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-playoffs">NFL Playoffs</a> will be the <a href="https://www.bucsnation.com/">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a>, the four seed this year in the NFC. The Buccaneers are coming off a convincing victory against the <a href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Philadelphia Eagles</a>, knocking off the reigning and defending NFC Champions from a year ago.</p>
<p id="mkeU7W">After winning their third consecutive NFC South title, Tampa Bay proved their team was much more than just the product of Tom Brady picking Florida on his way to retirement. Baker Mayfield helped the Bucs defy the low expectations set for them this season—their preseason O/U was set at 6.5 wins—and a defense that stayed steady, posting the 14th-best team defense DVOA (14th against the pass, 8th against the run).</p>
<p id="Uwpplo">This is the third rematch of a regular season matchup for this year’s divisional round, as the Lions and Buccaneers met in Tampa Bay in a Week 6 contest that saw Detroit come away with a 20-6 victory and push their record to 5-1. The loss would send the Bucs into a midseason tailspin as Tampa Bay lost four in a row to drop their record to 3-5 before rebounding with five victories in six weeks to wrap up the division and season with a 9-8 record.</p>
<p id="QprSbX">The Lions and Buccaneers will play at 3 p.m. ET. on Sunday, Jan. 21 at Ford Field with a chance to be one of the final four remaining and a spot in the NFC Conference Championship on the line.</p>
<p id="3L5fI6">Here’s a look at the entire divisional round bracket and schedule: </p>
<p id="8OPTYc"><strong>Saturday, Jan. 20</strong></p>
<p id="RNKhMQ">4:30 p.m. ET — 4 <a href="https://www.battleredblog.com/"><strong>Texans</strong></a> at 1 Ravens — ESPN/ABC<br>8 p.m. ET — 7 <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/"><strong>Packers</strong></a> at 1 <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/"><strong>49ers</strong></a> — FOX</p>
<p id="e9WsHj"><strong>Sunday, Jan. 21</strong></p>
<p id="qRkO84">3 p.m. ET — Buccaneers (4) at Lions (3) — NBC<br>6:30 p.m. ET — Chiefs (3) at Bills (2) — CBS</p>
<p id="CAcr6A"></p>
https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2024/1/15/24039602/detroit-lions-tampa-bay-buccaneers-playoffs-nfc-divisional-round-rematch-schedule-opponent-bracketRyan Mathews2024-01-11T10:00:00-05:002024-01-11T10:00:00-05:00Lions vs. Rams 5Qs playoff preview: Detroit’s defense must pick their poison
<figure>
<img alt="Detroit Lions v Los Angeles Rams" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/RsL4pYaHzYoaLmlxqmBgPpUlOm0=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73045047/1348764877.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><em>A playoff preview with Evan Craig about the Wild Card matchup between the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams.</em></p> <p id="Q7lRh5">On Sunday, the <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> host the <a href="https://www.turfshowtimes.com/">Los Angeles Rams</a> in the Wild Card round of the 2023 <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-playoffs">NFL Playoffs</a>.</p>
<p id="ynx5EY">The Lions? Like the NFC team that hasn’t won a playoff game in over 30 years? They’re hosting a playoff game? <a href="https://youtu.be/6Yp7c7omoNc?si=hXe7wsnFeyv9hcab">I’m just trying to understand here...</a></p>
<p id="jZDsbv">As always, we would never pass up the opportunity to get some intel from the opponent’s perspective, especially for the biggest game in many Lions fans’ lifetime. Ahead of this matchup between the Lions and Rams, we called on <a href="https://www.turfshowtimes.com/authors/evan-craig#:~:text=Evan%20Craig%20has%20covered%20the,with%20a%20ceremonial%20championship%20ring.">Evan Craig</a> from <a href="http://TurfShowTimes.com">TurfShowTimes.com</a> to give us some insight into Los Angeles’ hot streak to end the regular season, the personnel turnover on the defensive side of the ball, and the emergence of some rookies not named Puka Nacua.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="gbTLJP">
<p id="cintnF"><strong>During his time spent quarterbacking the Lions offense, Matthew Stafford hardly had any semblance of a running game, or at least one that posed enough of a threat to consistently make defenses take it seriously. Even during the Rams </strong><a href="https://www.sbnation.com/super-bowl"><strong>Super Bowl</strong></a><strong> run in 2021, their rushing attack was near the middle of the pack, ranked 14th in DVOA and averaging just 4.3 yards per attempt between Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson respective workloads.</strong></p>
<p id="hKEzsf"><strong>Fast forward to 2023 and the Rams have the 7th ranked rushing offense according to DVOA, led by </strong><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-pro-bowl"><strong>Pro Bowl</strong></a><strong> running back Kyren Williams and his 5.0 yards per attempt over 228 carries. Just how big of a difference have Williams and this Rams running game made for this offense that’s been on fire since Week 11?</strong></p>
<blockquote>
<p id="nqt4PG">Heading into the season, Cam Akers was expected to carry the load after having three straight games of 100+ yards to end 2022. Kyren Williams was almost an afterthought until Akers proved he was fool’s gold and was traded to the Vikings ahead of Week 3. Having Williams mentioned in the same breath as Todd Gurley during his heyday in only his sophomore campaign is quite a feat. It might not be much of a stretch in saying that Kyren is perhaps the best running back Matthew Stafford has ever played with. The cupboard was pretty bare for Stafford in Detroit, so I honestly wouldn’t doubt it. No offense. </p>
<p id="OqUGAV">What the presence of Williams has allowed has been a more balanced and consistent offense. Part of why Stafford started to light it up after the bye is because he had a ground attack that was taking the pressure off him so he didn’t feel the need to carry the offense on his back all the time. Excluding the regular season finale, the Rams averaged 27.2 points per game with Kyren in the lineup compared to averaging only 14 in the four-game span while he was on IR. Williams also adds another element by being involved in the passing game so he’s been taken even more seriously by opposing defenses. The kid can do it all and he could make a strong push for the rushing title next year after just falling short. I also found it pretty incredible how close he was stat-wise to Christian McCaffrey which again proves exactly why I’m very excited about his future. </p>
</blockquote>
<p id="JPZs0m"><strong>Detroit’s defense has struggled mightily against potent passing attacks this season, especially so over the past month. The likes of CeeDee Lamb and Justin Jefferson have been able to take what they want through the air, and the Lions have yet to find an answer to slowing down opposing offenses through the air.</strong></p>
<p id="nkoJqo"><strong>Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua have formed one of the better 1-2 punches in the league this year. How do the Rams get the most out of this tandem, and where do these two do the most damage on the field?</strong></p>
<blockquote>
<p id="KL40kH">Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua have simply excelled at consistently being on the same page as Matthew Stafford. Even though Kupp is in his third season with Stafford and Nacua his first, they all play like they’ve been together a decade-plus. Their chemistry is rivaled by very few tandems across the league and they each possess a great nose for the ball. Kupp and Puka are almost always wide open so Stafford can throw up any pass to them as he trusts them enough to come down with it. Chemistry is the one thing you truly can’t coach. Either you have it or you don’t and these two have it with Stafford.</p>
<p id="8wPdCB">The tandem does the most damage when moving the chains. Puka for example was in the top-5 with 68 first downs on the season. Kupp had about half that total at 33 which seems low, but remember he was out for the first four weeks. When either of them gets going and keeps drives going, stopping them is no easy feat. Basically you’re picking your poison as the Lions are unlikely to stop one or both of them completely. </p>
</blockquote>
<p id="9uWn5Q"><strong>The Rams defense isn’t the dominant unit it’s been in years’ past (first in points allowed [296] and yards per play [4.6] in 2020, third in team defense DVOA [-12.1%] in 2021). How much of that is moving on from aging stars like Jalen Ramsey or Bobby Wagner? How much of it is the Rams playing a dangerous game with draft picks and not restocking their depth? Where has it left them thin and susceptible in 2023?</strong></p>
<blockquote>
<p id="C0uXgI">I think it’s a mix of both moving on from aging stars and playing a dangerous game as you alluded to. Getting rid of Bobby Wagner after one season despite the multi-year contract he was offered last free agency period was questionable to me, but I came to understand the reasoning. Same with the Jalen Ramsey trade. It’s hard letting go of productive veterans as the risk sometimes doesn’t end up paying off. I would argue releasing Wagner has paid off for the Rams.</p>
<p id="zbjxhp">The emergence of third-year linebacker Ernest Jones is proof. Jones has become one of the more reliable contributors on the defense and clearly learned a few things from Wagner. While a costly move to part with, it still seemed to work out for LA in the end. Not restocking their depth heading into the year was risky, yet the defense has gradually located its form. There will be lapses in coverage and other questionable plays that have left me shaking my head, but they often don’t break. This young defense is holding its own and has a touch of physicality that equals those great units of the past despite the stats not lining up. </p>
<p id="lcKUiy">However, the Ramsey trade has left LA quite susceptible in the secondary. Veteran CB Ahkello Witherspoon was a smart pick up by Les Snead. The rest of the cornerback room is littered with mostly first and second-year guys who have been unable to serve as suitable replacements for Ramsey. They’ve also struggled against top wideouts like CeeDee Lamb so I fear what the “Sun God” will do to them. </p>
</blockquote>
<p id="3RciNo"><strong>Setting aside the breakout debut season from Nacua, the Rams have received some big contributions from fellow rookies Byron Young and Kobie Turner on the defensive side of the ball. Tell us a little more about their roles and how important they’ve been to the defense this season.</strong></p>
<blockquote>
<p id="vqTXRl">What more can I possibly say about this dynamic duo? Early in the season, I wrote a weekly rookie report and came away impressed with how much Kobie Turner and Byron Young were improving with each game. There were some fans who were worried about their sack totals which was a legitimate concern. Of course those were the same fans who were concerned that Puka wasn’t scoring any touchdowns. You can’t please everyone. Like anything when it comes to young players, things take time. So many fanbases and people involved with the NFL expect instant gratification with every draft pick which is entirely unrealistic. I could see how Turner and Young were producing in hitting and pressuring the quarterback, even if the sacks hadn’t followed through at the time. </p>
<p id="5fsV65">The duo first took off against the <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Packers</a> when they combined for 20 total tackles and three sacks. That was the game where I felt like my prior comments were finally coming to fruition. Turner has grown into a solid complementary piece alongside Aaron Donald. The future HOFer hasn’t had to do everything because of Kobie’s presence. Registering nine sacks at the nose tackle spot as a rookie is no small feat. With Young, he’s complemented Ernest Jones really well and has recorded eight sacks of his own. Turner and Young have been in the DROY conversation for much of the season’s second half. I don’t expect either one to win since top draft position and popularity rules all on the NFL awards front. No matter, these two are irreplaceable foundational pieces for the defense. I feel so much better about the unit’s future with these two on the field. </p>
</blockquote>
<p id="jyXTrr"><strong>What’s one nugget of Rams’ intel that a gambling Lions fan would find useful for their bet slip this Wild Card weekend?</strong></p>
<p id="qynlKx"><em>[Note: </em><a href="https://dksb.sng.link/As9kz/qqa5?_dl=https%3A%2F%2Fsportsbook.draftkings.com%2Fgateway%3Fs%3D341866674%26wpcid%3D163146%26wpcn%3DInarticle%26wpsrc%3DVox%26wpcrid%3DNFL&pcid=163146&psn=Vox&pcrn=Inarticle&pscn=NFL"><em><strong>You can catch the latest odds here at DraftKings Sportsbook</strong></em></a><em>]</em></p>
<blockquote><p id="PPCtx0">In Sean McVay’s first four seasons in Hollywood, the Rams were 36-26-2 ATS. The last two years have been a stark contrast for LA as the team has gone 14-19-1 ATS, including going 6-10-1 during their dreadful 5-12 disasterclass. This season has been a stark contrast as the Rams completely reversed their record ATS, finishing the regular season with a 10-6-1 mark. LA has gone over their ATS difference in six of their last seven matchups. For anyone who understood what in the hell any of that meant, power to you and I wish you the best of luck on your gambling endeavors.</p></blockquote>
<p id="uwfDkF"></p>
https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2024/1/11/24034267/lions-rams-playoff-preview-5-questions-matthew-stafford-jared-goff-sean-mcvayRyan Mathews2024-01-07T19:00:00-05:002024-01-07T19:00:00-05:00Amon-Ra St. Brown returns after injury on dirty play, scores big TD
<figure>
<img alt="NFL: Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/QaXtE0dr5ir2y5ZNEUxu68KLGuY=/0x0:3600x2400/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73033082/usa_today_22241778.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Amon-Ra St. Brown crossed the 1,500-yard receiving mark on the season after suffering an injury to his midsection against the Vikings.</p> <p id="xXacMJ">Heading into this week’s matchup against the <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a>, <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown sat at 1,371 yards receiving through 15 games played this season—a career high for the third-year receiver. Through three quarters on Sunday, St. Brown had amassed 1,445 yards, but suffered an apparent injury to his midsection with around five minutes to play in the third quarter.</p>
<div id="vtZwdj">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Vikings defensive tackle Harrison Phillips drove their knee into St. Brown <a href="https://t.co/2YEIYtPveQ">pic.twitter.com/2YEIYtPveQ</a></p>— Ryan Mathews (@Ryan_POD) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ryan_POD/status/1744089587620737182?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2024</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="7udOzI">In the replay, you can see that Vikings defensive tackle Harrison Phillips, <a href="https://www.vikings.com/news/harrison-phillips-2023-walter-payton-nfl-man-of-the-year-nominee#:~:text=Harrison%20Phillips%20Recognized%20as%202023,Man%20of%20the%20Year%20event.&text=All%2032%20nominees%20will%20be,up%20to%20Super%20Bowl%20LVIII.">Minnesota’s nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award in 2023</a>, plants his knee on top of St. Brown and gets back to his feet by driving his knee into the midsection of the Lions star wide receiver.</p>
<p id="fZojBj">In the Week 16 contest between the Lions and Vikings, where Detroit claimed their first NFC North Championship in team history, <a href="https://operations.nfl.com/inside-football-ops/rules-enforcement/gameday-accountability/">Phillips was fined $10,927 for unnecessary roughness</a>.</p>
<p id="RKjmVj">St. Brown would spend some time on the sideline, but later returned to the field on Detroit’s next drive on offense that started at the end of the third quarter. After a 5-yard run by Jahmyr Gibbs on first down to make it second-and-5, Jared Goff connected with St. Brown for the receiver’s longest reception from scrimmage in his career—and his 10th touchdown of the year.</p>
<div id="A5oeaf">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">JG ASB for the 7⃣0⃣ strike!<a href="https://twitter.com/JaredGoff16?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JaredGoff16</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/amonra_stbrown?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@amonra_stbrown</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MINvsDET?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MINvsDET</a> | FOX <a href="https://t.co/kgYmhNwQoO">pic.twitter.com/kgYmhNwQoO</a></p>— Detroit Lions (@Lions) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lions/status/1744093442366443862?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2024</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="bHJkaD">In the postgame press conference, <a href="https://x.com/Lions/status/1744112223629295777?s=20">Lions head coach Dan Campbell mentioned that he thinks St. Brown is alright after the injury</a>, which never was reported by the team officially.</p>
<p id="MwQTLg">“I think he’s [St. Brown] good,” Campbell said. “He may get something, but I think he’s okay.”</p>
<p id="PX9DYb">Also from the postgame coverage, <a href="https://twitter.com/BenjaminSRaven/status/1744114207656686074">MLive Lions beat reporter Benjamin Raven spoke to St. Brown</a>, where the Lions receiver said he didn’t know “what he [Harrison Phillips] was on,” and that he felt like what Phillips did was “on purpose.”</p>
<p id="KwuEhB">St. Brown finished the season with 119 catches for 1,515 receiving yards, the third-most catches by a Lions player in a single season in franchise history—and the fourth-most receiving yards.</p>
<p id="ax9cny"></p>
https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2024/1/7/24029040/amon-ra-st-brown-dirty-play-lions-vikings-harrison-phillips-quote-videoRyan Mathews2024-01-04T08:00:00-05:002024-01-04T08:00:00-05:00Lions vs. Vikings 5Qs preview: Kevin O’Connell and the backup QB conundrum
<figure>
<img alt="Detroit Lions v Minnesota Vikings" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/C14gxDeAtlFNez_edd23LnyDKu8=/0x0:6017x4011/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73022073/1887494502.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><em>A preview with Christopher Gates about the Week 18 matchup between the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings.</em></p> <p id="Q7lRh5">Week 18 has amounted to little more than a mere formality for the <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> this season, and how refreshing is that to read? The Lions wrapped up the division in Week 16 by knocking off the <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> in a nail-biter at U.S. Bank Stadium, but this week, they meet again to put a bow on the 2023 regular season.</p>
<p id="jZDsbv">As always, we would never pass up the opportunity to get some intel from the opponent’s perspective. Ahead of this Week 18 matchup between Detroit and Minnesota, we once again called on Christopher Gates from <a href="http://DailyNorseman.com">DailyNorseman.com</a> to give us some insight into how this Vikings team has seen the wheels fall off their season over the past couple of weeks, the concerns about Kevin O’Connell’s approach to play-calling with a bunch of different faces under center, and how <em>Aqua Teen Hunger Force </em>can be a source of wisdom for the Vikings fan base.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="IjZqz2">
<p id="gjLdKy"><strong>The Vikings have tried just about everything at quarterback this season after Kirk Cousins‘ injury, but it just seems like this is a case where the drop off from the starter to the backup was insurmountable. On top of that, injuries to key skill players like Justin Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson haven’t helped.</strong></p>
<p id="a5ZLF8"><strong>Is that the case, or are there any long-term concerns with the offensive play-calling from Kevin O’Connell?</strong></p>
<blockquote>
<p id="6j2C8G">The concerns that I have with Kevin O’Connell’s play-calling at this point is that, for some reason, he seems to be calling the offense the same way for his backup quarterbacks that he would call it for Cousins. None of the Vikings’ other quarterbacks have the experience or the processing speed that Cousins has developed after over a decade in the NFL, but O’Connell seems to insist on running the offense the same way despite those limitations. He didn’t really take as much advantage of the extra mobility that Dobbs or Hall brings to the table and didn’t get them out on the edges much like he probably should have when they were in the game.</p>
<p id="X5xzo5">Mullens is probably the closest thing that the Vikings have to Cousins, but he isn’t on anywhere near the same level. The Vikings were really leaning on Cousins to stay healthy, and up until this season he hadn’t had any significant injuries since he came into the league. It’s difficult for teams to come back after dealing with an injury to the starting quarterback, and the quarterback play the Vikings have gotten since the injury shows not only that but exactly where Cousins is in the hierarchy of NFL quarterbacks. It’s a shame that it took Cousins getting hurt for a lot of Really Smart Football People™ to finally come to the realization that, “Hey, that guy’s actually pretty good at what he does.”</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="twBaJb"><strong>For a couple weeks in a row, the Vikings defense has been giving up points unlike it has since they turned things around in early October.</strong></p>
<p id="zxZ6JH"><strong>What’s going on with their defense, and how much of it seems to be the Vikings turnovers on offense putting undue pressure on Minnesota’s defense?</strong></p>
<blockquote>
<p id="CCXIbz">I think it’s a combination of injuries to significant players, the defense being on the field too much, and a bit of an overall lack of talent. In the last two games, the defense has been on the field for about 37 minutes/game, which isn’t a recipe for success. The fact that they were one decent throw away from potentially winning the Week 16 game despite the defense being on the field for nearly two-thirds of the game is strangely impressive, to be honest. But the pass rush doesn’t have a whole lot outside of Danielle Hunter now that D.J. Wonnum is gone, and Marcus Davenport has turned out to be a complete slug, and without Byron Murphy out there the cornerbacks have been less than stellar.</p>
<p id="gdobyF">The defense carried this team to a lot of wins in the middle portion of the season and had them in position to win enough games where, if the offense could have done anything positive, this team would have salted away a playoff spot by now. But they’ve completely fallen apart since the fourth quarter of the Cincinnati game and it’s really just a combination of a bunch of things that all came to a head at the same time.</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="o2BOG0"><strong>Who would you want to see as the team’s starter in this game? Jaren Hall, Nick Mullens, or Josh Dobbs? Is there any sort of incentive beyond this game to start any of these guys, or would you like the Vikings to invest at the backup/developmental QB spot in the offseason?</strong></p>
<p id="vRKIZl"><em>[Note: Since this question was asked, the Vikings named Nick Mullens the starter]</em></p>
<blockquote>
<p id="NDcVke">In the words of noted football analyst Carl Brutananadilewski, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX-YfuVQmX8&ab_channel=MattMoonCrazy">“It don’t matter. None of this matters.”</a></p>
<p id="uUnJAT">Ideally you’d like to see Hall get another opportunity, but he made it pretty abundantly clear last week that he’s simply not ready for this right now. There’s really nothing to play for but stats at this point, and given that, Mullens should probably get the start. Justin Jefferson is currently 118 yards away from 1,000, and after the injury issues he’s had this year, it would be nice to get him over that mark again for the fourth straight season. Mullens <em>did</em> throw for over 400 yards the last time these two teams got together, so at least he’s not afraid to let it rip and at least try to push the ball downfield. Plus, if the Vikings are actually trying to win this game, Mullens pretty clearly gives them the best chance of doing that.</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="9uCWBW"><strong>Who is a player or coach you want to see put something on film in this game to give you confidence about them as part of the Vikings organization going into next season?</strong></p>
<blockquote><p id="yzvIyl">I would like some sort of confirmation that Lewis Cine is actually still on the roster and capable of contributing anything. He had a nasty injury that ended his rookie season after four games, and though he’s been healthy for most of this season, he’s been a scratch from a lot of games. The Vikings obviously saw something in him when they spent a first round pick on him, and with Harrison Smith possibly on his way out after this season, the Vikings are going to need some help at the safety position. It would be nice if Cine could show any sign that he was capable of being that player.</p></blockquote>
<p id="AYWI4i"><strong>What piece of Vikings’ intel would you lend to a Lions fan who’s interested in gambling on this game?</strong></p>
<p id="xUL7zX"><em>[Note: </em><a href="https://dksb.sng.link/As9kz/qqa5?_dl=https%3A%2F%2Fsportsbook.draftkings.com%2Fgateway%3Fs%3D341866674%26wpcid%3D163146%26wpcn%3DInarticle%26wpsrc%3DVox%26wpcrid%3DNFL&pcid=163146&psn=Vox&pcrn=Inarticle&pscn=NFL"><em><strong>You can catch the latest odds here at DraftKings Sportsbook</strong></em></a><em>]</em></p>
<blockquote><p id="1AVo0i">I mentioned it earlier, but if you’re looking at player props, the over/under on receiving yards for Justin Jefferson is what I’d target. I think the Vikings are going to try to do everything they can to get him over that 1,000-yard mark. Jefferson had 141 yards the last time these teams met, and the Lions just gave up a huge game to CeeDee Lamb, so their secondary still clearly has issues with top-flight receivers. So, honestly, I think the “over” is a safe bet on that one. Other than that, the Lions are probably a safe bet to cover the number in this one, so if you want to put your money down on the home team that’s probably the best way to go.</p></blockquote>
https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2024/1/4/24022541/detroit-lions-minnesota-vikings-preview-5-questionsRyan Mathews2023-12-28T12:40:32-05:002023-12-28T12:40:32-05:005Qs preview: Cowboys offense needs to throw ‘changeups’ to get back on track
<figure>
<img alt="Detroit Lions v Dallas Cowboys" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/6H8Fc-udd7Od982Cz1v2pt1TtOk=/0x0:8640x5760/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73004660/1437053779.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><em>A preview with David Halprin about the Week 17 matchup between the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys.</em></p> <p id="Q7lRh5">Even though the <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2023/12/24/24014224/detroit-lions-win-the-nfc-north">clinched their division for the first time in 30 years</a>, the celebration will be as short-lived as your break from work this holiday season. Division champs one moment, on to Dallas for the matchup with the Cowboys the next—with still plenty at stake for both teams.</p>
<p id="jZDsbv">As always, we would never pass up the opportunity to get some intel from the opponent’s perspective. Ahead of this Week 17 matchup between Detroit and Dallas, we called on David Halprin from <a href="http://BloggingTheBoys.com">BloggingTheBoys.com</a> to give us some insight into how this Cowboys team has held serve at home like no other team in the NFL, what’s been up on both sides of the ball during their current two-game losing streak, and how he expects Dallas to bounce back in a game they need to win in order to have a shot at the NFC East crown.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="3yggAY">
<p id="Y78tXo"><strong>The Cowboys find themselves as losers of two in a row, a spot they haven’t been in all season long.</strong></p>
<p id="5Z35W2"><strong>What’s your level of confidence in Mike McCarthy and this coaching staff stopping this skid–and how much of that has to do with playing in the friendly confines of AT&T Stadium?</strong></p>
<blockquote>
<p id="zXMYku">I feel pretty good about the Cowboys chances this week, and yes, a lot of that has to do with Dallas playing at home. We’ll discuss the home field advantage a little later in another answer, but suffice it to say that it is a big thing for Dallas. But there are other elements, too.</p>
<p id="wANbvs">The big one is the way the team played against the <a href="https://www.thephinsider.com/">Miami Dolphins</a> last week. The week before that, Dallas put in an abysmal performance against the <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a>. That performance put some doubt in our minds about the true quality of this team. For three-quarters of the season Dallas had been beating up on plenty of bad teams, and had some good games and bad games versus good teams. But they sputtered badly against the Bills. Even though they lost against the Dolphins last week, they played much better and only lost on a last-second field goal. They were able to hold the most prolific scoring offense in the NFL to just one touchdown. If not for a few issues on offense, including a brutal fumble at the goal line, they would have won the game. So that at least leaves some confidence that the Bills game was just a one-off and overall the team is still in good shape.</p>
<p id="XbpUNK">Also, Mike McCarthy has done a decent job of keeping this team from going into slumps. The back-to-back losses over the past two weeks hadn’t happened since back in the 2021 season. McCarthy has been able to get the team going after some bad performances. He’s also had the Cowboys playing well in December during his time here, so adding all that up gives some confidence the team will bounce back.</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="1O4WTi"><strong>Dak Prescott was the favorite to be the league’s MVP heading into Week 15’s matchup against the Bills, but one of his worst performances of the season in Buffalo slowed that talk to a halt.</strong></p>
<p id="SSj81b"><strong>Prescott picked himself up with his play against the Dolphins, but what does the Cowboys offense need to do in order to get back on track and play like the top-ranked offense (9th in team offense DVOA, 2nd in points per game) they have been all year?</strong></p>
<blockquote><p id="XLMJgp">It’s really just the basic stuff you would expect. The Cowboys offensive line struggled with the pass rush versus the Bills and Dolphins, forcing Prescott into some bad throws and sacks. The line had been doing a good job of protecting Prescott throughout the year, so there is an expectation that they will be better after slumping for a bit. Defenses the last few weeks have also been trying to disrupt Prescott’s first read and make him hold the ball a little longer. This has contributed to the issues on the line as they have needed to hold their blocks a little longer. Teams may be catching up to some of the Cowboys tendencies on offense and this will require the offense to change it up a little going forward. The Cowboys run game has also been mediocre to poor much of the year, so that’s always an issue. But if their running game can just give them a decent showing, the offense takes off and scores points. I don’t think there is one silver bullet here to do the trick, they just need to execute better and maybe throw a few changeups at defenses to keep them from zeroing in on their tendencies.</p></blockquote>
<p id="TirnMy"><strong>Dallas has also been one of the best defenses in the league this season–ranked 6th in team defense DVOA and 5th in points per game against (19.1). However, the Cowboys have surrendered 25.3 points per game over their last four games, and their aforementioned game against the Bills saw them give up a season-high 266 rushing yards (5.4 yards per carry over 49 carries).</strong></p>
<p id="mp6fPh"><strong>What’s been concerning about the Cowboys' defense over this stretch, and what reasons are there to be optimistic about them tightening things up on this side of the ball?</strong></p>
<blockquote>
<p id="1J9tiW">What’s concerning is that it’s not just one thing that is breaking down on the defense, although run defense has been an issue with the Dallas defense for a while. But some of that comes from the design of Dan Quinn’s defense that prioritizes pass defense over run defense. In the Seattle game a few weeks ago, the Cowboys secondary had all kinds of issues, including cornerback DaRon Bland having an absolutely awful game. D.K. Metcalf ate his lunch. The Cowboys had to move Stephon Gilmore over to cover Metcalf at the end and that worked as Dallas was able to win a shootout. In Buffalo, it was just a disaster in the running game. James Cook went wild and Josh Allen barely had to throw the ball. Some of this comes from Quinn’s defensive design where the defensive line stunts a lot, lines up in unusual formations and goes after the pass rush. That leaves gap discipline for the run game in disarray sometimes. Dallas also likes to use safeties as linebackers in some formations, so that gives them a very light box for defending the run. Additionally, the Cowboys uncharacteristically just missed a bunch of tackles.</p>
<p id="Safeqa">Fortunately, things were much better against the Dolphins. Miami only scored 22 points, and only six of those came from a touchdown, The rest were field goals (and an extra point), and some were very long field goals. They kept the Miami running game in check, and that’s hard to do versus Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane. That bodes well for the Cowboys attempting to contain David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs this week.</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="pdquee"><strong>Who are some of the unsung heroes on this Cowboys roster, on both sides of the ball, that have made a big difference this season?</strong></p>
<blockquote>
<p id="KqkM93">Offensively it’s been pretty much the known guys who have shined. Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, a little bit of Brandin Cooks, and a veteran offensive line. Tight end Jake Ferguson is a guy some might not know much about, but he has become the Cowboys second option on offense. His ability to find the open areas in zones, or win down the seams has been so important to Prescott. Feguson is also a very solid blocker and looks to be a star at the position for the future.</p>
<p id="niuGSV">On defense, the linebacker duo of Markquese Bell and Damone Clark have managed to hold things together at a position where the Cowboys are very thin. Dallas lost Leighton Vander Esch early in the season and really had nowhere else to turn except to Clark and Bell. They have had their growing pains, but are showing a lot of promise. Bell is a converted safety and really shows well when defending tight ends or running backs in the passing game. Clark is more of a traditional off-ball linebacker who is a sure tackler. They were not good against the Bills, but for the most part have been solid all year.</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="GdzlaI"><strong>What’s one nugget of Cowboys’ intel that a gambling Lions fan would find useful for their bet slip this weekend?</strong></p>
<p id="1eEOIr"><em>[Note: </em><a href="https://dksb.sng.link/As9kz/qqa5?_dl=https%3A%2F%2Fsportsbook.draftkings.com%2Fgateway%3Fs%3D341866674%26wpcid%3D163146%26wpcn%3DInarticle%26wpsrc%3DVox%26wpcrid%3DNFL&pcid=163146&psn=Vox&pcrn=Inarticle&pscn=NFL"><em><strong>You can catch the latest odds here at DraftKings Sportsbook</strong></em></a><em>]</em></p>
<blockquote><p id="LcvPNP">It has to be the Cowboys playing at home. When I saw the line was about six points in favor of the Cowboys, I thought that’s a little much for a team coming off two losses versus a team that has won their division and has a better record. But when you look at the split of how the Cowboys play on the road versus how they play at home, you start to see why. The Cowboys are undefeated at home, and average just under 40 points per game. They have yet to score under 30 points at home this season. The defense, on average, gives up just over 15 points at home. The difference in how this team plays at home versus on the road is striking. It’s probably the one thing that gives Cowboys fans confidence that they will win this week.</p></blockquote>
https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2023/12/28/24017601/detroit-lions-dallas-cowboys-preview-5-questionsRyan Mathews