Monday, October 26, 2026

Lions Links for Monday 10-26-26

Articles:

KEY QUESTIONS: How important was it to start stacking wins?:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/key-questions-how-important-was-it-for-lions-to-start-stacking-wins-goff-stbrown-carter


NOTEBOOK: Goff continues impressive play in Lions' win over Packers:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/goff-continues-impressive-play-lions-victory-packers-wonnum-gibbs







3 Things We Learned About Detroit Lions After Win Over Packers:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/three-things-we-learned-about-detroit-lions-after-win-over-packers

Lions Provide Key Injury Updates: Will St. Brown, Rakestraw Miss Practice?:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/lions-provide-key-injury-updates-will-st-brown-rakestraw-miss-practice




Everything Dan Campbell Said After Lions Defeated Packers:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/everything-dan-campbell-said-after-lions-defeated-packers






The NFL is likely to screw over multiple Lions players this week, and it will be quite a hypocritical moment:  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/the-nfl-is-likely-to-screw-over-multiple-lions-players-this-week-and-it-will-be-quite-a-hypocritical-moment/

Monday Overreaction: I thought the Lions had to make a huge trade at cornerback. I’m not so sure anymore:  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/monday-overreaction-i-thought-the-lions-had-to-make-a-huge-trade-at-cornerback-im-not-so-sure-anymore/

The Lions are running out of cornerback trade options, but there’s one team Brad Holmes should be watching closely:  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/the-lions-are-running-out-of-cornerback-trade-options-but-theres-one-team-brad-holmes-should-be-watching-closely/

The Lions made their choice between Cade Mays and Juice Scruggs, but one rough game could make this complicated fast:  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/the-lions-made-their-choice-between-cade-mays-and-juice-scruggs-but-one-rough-game-could-make-this-complicated-fast/

What the box score didn’t tell you: The Lions defense took a real step against Green Bay, but one problem still won’t go away:  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/what-the-box-score-didnt-tell-you-the-lions-defense-took-a-real-step-against-green-bay-but-one-problem-still-wont-go-away/

A little-used Lions defender just forced his way into a bigger conversation after Sunday’s win:  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/a-little-used-lions-defender-just-forced-his-way-into-a-bigger-conversation-after-sundays-win/

Can the Lions Catch the 6-0 Vikings? Answering 5 Questions Lions Fans Are Asking:  https://athlonsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions/lions-vikings-questions-fans-asking-week-8

Dan Campbell Should Have Kicked at the Packers' 6, and the Lions Nearly Paid for It Later:  https://athlonsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions/dan-campbell-lions-fourth-down-packers-field-goal

4 Uneasy Takeaways From Lions' Walk-Off 20-17 Win Over Packers in Week 7:  https://athlonsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions/lions-packers-takeaways-week-7-20-17-win

Jahmyr Gibbs’ 29-Carry Day Exposes Lions’ Short-Yardage Gap:  https://athlonsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions/lions-jahmyr-gibbs-29-carries-short-yardage

Cade Mays' Lions debut validated decision to sign with Detroit:  https://www.audacy.com/971theticket/sports/detroit-lions/cade-mays-lions-2678145809

'He’s our tone-setter:' Brian Branch reminds Lions what they were missing:  https://www.audacy.com/971theticket/sports/detroit-lions/brian-branch-lions-2678143717


Early bets for NFL Week 8: Two games we're jumping on before potential odds changes (Detroit Lions -3 vs. Minnesota Vikings - Bowen: Will the Lions have enough answers for the Vikings' pressure? Brian Flores' unit leads the NFL in blitz rate (69.9%) and is tied for the most sacks (21) in the league. It will be on Jared Goff, who has completed 72.7% of his throws versus the blitz this season, to get the ball out on time. And I'm betting that he does.  Last week: Vikings -5.5 vs. Colts (Result: Vikings 16, Colts 10)):  https://www.espn.com/espn/betting/story/_/id/50250601/nfl-week-8-betting-odds-props-early-picks-predictions

NFL Week 7: Team of the Week & Player Awards (EDGE: Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit Lions.  S: Brian Branch, Detroit Lions):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-week-7-team-of-the-week-player-awards

Week 7 overreactions: Dan Campbell actually got it right? (Dan Campbell's fourth-down decision was reasonable - Overreaction or reality: Reality.  The Lions beat the Packers 20-17 Sunday despite a horrific failed fourth-and-1 at their own 24-yard line late in the fourth quarter.  Lots of people were probably pulling their hair out saying "What is Dan Campbell thinking?!"  Well, he explained what he was thinking: "Well, I thought we would get it, number one. I really believed we would get that. Number two, I knew we would get the ball back if it didn't work out. And those were the two thoughts."  Here's why it's defensible. To his first thought, the Lions were two-for-three on fourth-and-1 this season and are 10-for-14 since the start of last season.  But when they didn't get it, his second thought came into play. The Lions had all three timeouts with nearly five minutes remaining. The Lions would have almost certainly gotten the ball back with significant time/timeouts left, no matter what happened. In fact, the short field for the Packers basically worked in the Lions' favor.  Would you rather have him punt the ball away and give the Packers the ball with five minutes and 40-50 yards to go to reach field-goal range? There's a solid chance the Packers score with basically no time left and/or the Lions use up all their timeouts in that scenario.  Would I have gone for it there? Probably not. But Campbell's logic is legitimate here, and analytical models supported it or had it as a toss-up.  It ended up working out, too. The Packers had to settle for a field goal attempt, which was blocked, and the Lions drove down and won on a walk-off field goal. But even if Trey Smack's kick had gone in, the Lions would have had the ball with 3:21 left and all three timeouts, only down three. Campbell would take that every day of the week.  Don't think "Oh, there's dumb Dan Campbell making a dumb, over-aggressive decision." It was defensible at worst and completely reasonable -- and maybe even the right choice -- at best. And guess what? His team won!):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-overreactions-panthers-bryce-young-ravens/



5 momentous plays in Week 7: Dan Campbell gets bailed out after bonkers fourth-down gamble, and red-zone woes hurt Saints, Ravens and Packers (3. Wonnum's block saved Campbell's bacon - For a 20-17 game, Packers-Lions had a lot going on. Especially in the final five minutes.  The Lions got the ball back after the Packers tied it, 17-17, with just over seven minutes left. They acted like a team that was going to end the game right then and there. After a 9-yard gain on first down, the Lions had back-to-back no-gains.   That set up a fourth-and-1 from his own 24-yard line with just under five minutes remaining. And, boy, that's Dan Campbell's music. Detroit's head coach went for it, and Jahmyr Gibbs was stopped for a 2-yard loss. The Packers were in terrific shape at the Lions' 22-yard line, and had they converted a first down, they'd have put Campbell in a bind with timeouts and the clock.  But it was all moot when the Packers missed on third down and Trey Smack's field-goal try was barely deflected by the Lions' D.J. Wonnum. It's hard to say whether it affected the flight of the ball, but one way or another, the kick missed.  The Lions took the ball down and drained the clock well, with Gibbs smartly refusing to score when the Packers tried to lure him into doing so. It was a win, but a fortunate one, given how Campbell's decision panned out.   "We need to be better as a staff there," Campbell said in his postgame locker-room speech. But he praised Wonnum and his team for toughness in the face of adversity. Self-created adversity at that. Thankfully, Wonnum's block made that decision null and void.):  https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/article/5-momentous-plays-in-week-7-dan-campbell-gets-bailed-out-after-bonkers-fourth-down-gamble-and-red-zone-woes-hurt-saints-ravens-and-packers-010837936.html

The Obvious Solution To Fix Chiefs’ Offense; Packers Can't Stop Beating Themselves (2. Green Bay Packers - Two Plays That Said It All: Matt LaFleur Has Yet To Figure Out How To Keep The Packers From Beating Themselves.  It would be overly generous to say the Lions won this game. Really, the Packers lost it.   The Packers might have been the better team, but they suffered from a handful of bad breaks (including with the officiating), which compounded their own mistakes. And that’s how talented teams lose. The Lions won 20-17 on a field goal as time expired.  So let’s look at two bad breaks. The most notable one came on a roughing the passer penalty that the officials tacked onto an 18-yard completion from quarterback Jared Goff to tight end Sam LaPorta with 2:45 left in the game on the Lions’ go-ahead drive.  "That’s definitely not roughing the passer," FOX Sports analyst Tom Brady said. This play — aided in part by the incorrect call — added 12.8% to the Lions’ win probability, per Next Gen Stats.  It was one of four second-half (and three fourth-quarter) calls that were generous for the Lions. There was another roughing the passer penalty where Packers defensive lineman Brenton Cox (barely) bumped Goff, who sold the bump theatrically, which turned a third-down incompletion into a first down. There was the intentional grounding on Jordan Love in the fourth quarter that was … rough. And there was another penalty where Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown seemed to continue to try to play after the whistle, which prompted a tackle from a Packers defender, which drew a roughness penalty.  "I'm not a big fan of the refs right now," Packers safety Xavier McKinney told reporters after the game, via FOX6’s Lily Zhao. "I think it's bulls--- a lot of the times."  But then there was the real backbreaker: Josh Jacobs’ drop. You can’t blame that one on the officials.  If the Packers running back hadn’t dropped a touchdown pass with three minutes left in the fourth quarter, this game might have been different. Of course, the Packers are infamous for their drops — both this season and in recent seasons. Dropping passes might be "Packer-ing."  Going into this week, Love was second in the NFL in drop yards lost (158), per Next Gen Stats. And Love led the NFL in pass-catcher drops (20) — far ahead of second-place Cam Ward (12). But they rarely cost Love quite like this one cost Green Bay.  And it’s easy to imagine an outcome where the Packers win this game if Jacobs had caught the ball. Because on the next play, the Lions blocked the Packers’ field-goal attempt, which also would’ve given them the lead. And Detroit really shouldn’t have been able to block what should’ve been a chip-shot field goal.  To the Lions’ credit, they baited the Packers a few times — dangling a hook for Green Bay to make more mistakes. And the Packers took it willingly. It was third-and-5 at the 2-minute warning and the Packers fell for a hard count, which gave the Lions a new set of downs. Detroit’s offense responded by dancing on the field.  There were just too many mistakes by the Packers (and the officials) to count.  The Packers could be the best team in the NFC North — which sounds crazy, because they’re at the bottom of the division. But the Packers have this unshakable habit of hurting themselves. They did it again on Sunday.):  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/solution-chiefs-offense-packers-beating-themselves-caleb-williams-jj-mccarthy

The Week 7 Plays That Stood Out: The 49ers' Woes To The Seahawks' Dominant Defense (Three And Out - 1. Packers defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon has tormented opposing offenses with his exotic blitzes on third down, so credit to the Lions coaching staff for having an answer on Sunday. Sometimes, the solution to a complex schematic problem is as simple as putting the ball in your best player’s hands. For Detroit, that’s Jahmyr Gibbs, who moved the chains on two key third-down runs, with both coming on the same run play against the same pressure look from Green Bay.  The first one came on third-and-5 on the opening drive. With the Packers showing blitz, Detroit ran a crack toss with Amon-Ra St. Brown motioning across the formation and the play-side offensive tackle pulling outside, leading the way for Gibbs on third-and-5.  That extended the Lions' first of two touchdown drives on Sunday. The second play essentially iced the game for Detroit. Facing third-and-7 and a similar pressure look from Green Bay, the Lions tossed it to Gibbs with St. Brown and Penei Sewell clearing out a path to a first down.  Gibbs wisely went down, letting Detroit bleed the clock before a chip-shot field goal to win.):  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/week-7-plays-stood-out-49ers-woes-giants-run-game

Officiating Under Fire: Packers, Tom Brady Question Controversial Calls vs. Lions:  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/officiating-under-fire-packers-tom-brady-question-controversial-calls-vs-lions

NFL Week 7 Defining Stats: Rodgers Passes Manning, Burrow Catches Fire (Goff the Charts - Jared Goff’s 14 touchdown passes without an interception through his first six games this season tie Russell Wilson (2019) for the most in NFL history.  Detroit Lions - The Lions 4-2 start marks the first time in franchise history they’ve won at least four of their first six games in four consecutive seasons.):  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/nfl-week-7-defining-stats-aaron-rodgers-passes-peyton-manning-joe-burrow-catches-fire

NFL Fallout Week 7: Lions Announce Themselves As Super Bowl Contenders:  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/nfl-fallout-week-7-lions-announce-themselves-super-bowl-contenders

From Christian McCaffrey's thigh to gutsy Giants moves, what stood out in NFL Week 7 | Monday Morning JB (Quick slants - While Packers running back Josh Jacobs made his season debut after being reinstated from the Commissioner’s exempt list, Lions safety Brian Branch made his debut, too, back from the torn Achilles that ended his 2025 season in December. He made a difference in the victory against Green Bay as Detroit’s much-maligned defense allowed season-lows for points (17), yards (324) and passing yards (264), with its best third-down conversion rate (33.3%, 5 of 15). And Branch, patrolling the deep middle, snagged the lone interception of Jordan Love.  What I’m looking forward to in Week 8 - Vikings at Lions. Minnesota packs the NFL’s best defense for the trip to Ford Field, where one of the NFL’s most prolific offenses awaits in an NFC North clash. The Vikings live and die by the blitz, and they are living rather well as the NFC’s only undefeated team (6-0), and, dating to last season, the league’s longest active winning streak at 11 games. D-coordinator Brian Flores blitzed Colts quarterback Daniel Jones on 85.2% of his dropbacks on Sunday, the highest rate ever in the NextGen Stas era (dating to 2016). Yet the Lions present their toughest matchup yet, given Jared Goff’s ability to lean on a deep array of weapons to beat the blitz with Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon St. Brown, Jameson Williams and Sam LaPorta. Detroit, third in the NFL with 184 points, is averaging 30.6 points per game. Minnesota is allowing an NFL-low 12.3 points per game. Something’s gotta give.):  https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/columnist/bell/2026/10/26/nfl-week-7-highlights-christian-mccaffrey-jj-mccarthy-joe-burrow-josh-simmons/92440492007/

32 things we learned in Week 7: Taylor, more shine before trade deadline (22. It didn’t appear Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell nor Green Bay Packers K Trey Smack really wanted to win Sunday’s game at Ford Field. We kid, of course, but Campbell’s failed fourth-down gamble at his own 24-yard line in the final five minutes – with the game tied – was immediately followed by the rookie’s blocked field-goal try from 35 yards (his second miss of the day, the other from 26 yards) and gave this intra-divisional battle a hot-potato feel.  32. The jersey number of Lions DB Brian Branch, who played his first game since he ruptured an Achilles last December. He had four tackles and a fourth-quarter interception in a game Detroit won 20-17 on a field goal at the gun. Welcome back, sir.):  https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/columnist/nate-davis/2026/10/25/nfl-week-7-takeaways-trade-deadline-jonathan-taylor-tony-pollard/92433481007/


NFL contenders & pretenders after Week 7 (Contender: Detroit Lions - The Lions may have picked up their biggest win of the season. NFC North is very competitive, and they went against a hungry Packers team. They took them down, and Jahmyr Gibbs continues to have strong games, along with Amon-Ra St. Brown. Their biggest issue is their defense, which they may address at this upcoming trade deadline. A big win for Dan Campbell and this Lions squad. This NFC North may feature multiple NFC North teams, with the Vikings still unbeaten, the Bears are 5-2, and the Lions are 4-2.):  https://www.thebiglead.com/nfl-contenders-pretenders-after-week-7-2026/

Mike Tomlin defends Dan Campbell for controversial fourth down decision, makes a good point:  https://www.thebiglead.com/dan-campbell-lions-fourth-down-packers/

Tom Brady Spoke for Every NFL Fan When He Ripped the Refs in Packers-Lions Game:  https://www.si.com/nfl/tom-brady-spoke-every-nfl-fan-ripped-refs-packers-lions-game

Dan Campbell’s Puzzling Fourth-Down Calls Nearly Cost Lions in Win Over Packers:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/dan-campbell-puzzling-fourth-down-calls-win-packers

Albert Breer’s Week 7 NFL Takeaways: One Hidden Reason the Lions Are Dangerous (Detroit Lions
- The Lions look increasingly dangerous. We all know what the offense is capable of. The defense, with Brian Branch back and Kerby Joseph’s return looming, showed signs of life Sunday, halting the Green Bay run game, and keeping the Packers from making a single play of more than 28 yards, while keeping any of their skill players from getting to even 60 yards rushing or receiving.  And then, at the end of their 20–17 win, I think you got to see the team’s IQ.  About a half hour after the game ended, I had the game’s star, Jahmyr Gibbs (143 yards on 34 touches) on the phone, and asked him about giving himself up on two of his final three runs of the game. On the first one, a first-and-10 from the Green Bay 15 with two minutes left, the Packers tried to let him score. Gibbs figured ahead of the play they might do that, and he was ready. He slid at the 7—though that wasn’t exactly what the coaches wanted.  I told him I thought he did it because, with the Packers holding all their timeouts, putting the Lions in position to run another play or two before picking up the first down would set them up to run out the rest of the clock.  “Yeah, I mean, that’s what I was thinking, too!” he said. “I was like, O.K., this is good. Then it was like, Oh, he wants you to get the first down. I was like, Oh, s---. O.K.”  You know the rest. It worked out. Gibbs got a yard on the next run to set up third-and-1, then, after a false start penalty, converted third-and-6 with an eight-yard gain. He gave himself up at the 3 on that one, setting up a Jared Goff kneeldown and Jake Bates’s winning kick.  There are, of course, merits to going either way, and in a way the Lions did both here.  The bigger thing, though, is the reminder of how that roster was assembled, and how the young core is filled with smart guys like Gibbs who now have the experience to match. It’s also why, before that 10-play, 71-yard drive, the team could survive a Dan Campbell dice roll, where he left the offense on for a fourth-and-1 from the Lions’ own 24 in tie game with 4:53 left.  “I mean, we expect to get every one of those,” Gibbs said. “So we weren’t really worried about anything.”  And because of how the defense was playing—“They told us they have our back, and we have full confidence in that,” Gibbs added—no one was devastated when Packers corner Keisean Nixon tracked down Gibbs from behind on the fourth down. The defense got the stop. The Packers missed a field goal. The Lions took the ball back, and then the game.  Methodically, the Lions squeezed time from the clock, as they inched into Bates’s range.  The goal was twofold. Score, and eliminate any chance the Packers could do the same.  “We want to control the ball,” Gibbs said. “We want to be aggressive. We want to dictate the game. So our philosophy is we finish with the ball. And if we lose with the ball, that’s that. But we don’t want to give the ball back. We want to be in control at all times.”  They certainly were Sunday. As a result, they’re getting closer to controlling the NFC North.  Next week, they’ll get the undefeated Vikings at home. And they couldn’t be more ready for that after riding out some bumps, and injuries, early in the year. Branch and Cade Mays are back now. Joseph will be soon. The team, coming together and beginning to illustrate how Campbell and GM Brad Holmes built it, is starting to roll.  “We’ve been really good,” Gibbs said. “Actually, we started off way better in previous games. I think that was really the only difference. This game, we had two turnovers, could have been three. Usually, we don’t do that. So that part we need to clean up. We left a lot out there. I don’t think the score should have been as close as it was, but we still found a way to win. So, I mean, that’s a positive.”  One of a few on this Sunday for Detroit.):  https://www.si.com/nfl/albert-breer-week-7-nfl-takeaways-hidden-reason-lions-dangerous

NFL Week 7 Lessons: Don’t Be Fooled by the Steelers’ Three-Game Winning Streak (Lions’ defense finally shows improvements - It’s not surprising that the Lions defeated the Packers, 20–17. But few expected Detroit’s defense to stifle an offense that had been rolling for a few weeks and recently got back running back Josh Jacobs.  It was the kind of performance defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard had needed for a long time. It would have been difficult for coach Dan Campbell to continue defending him as his coordinator had Jordan Love lit up this suspect secondary. But Love (27-of-45, 274 yards, two TDs, INT) struggled to connect with emerging second-year wideout Matthew Golden (12 targets, six catches, 39 yards) and probably should have been picked off two or three times if Lions’ defenders hadn’t dropped balls.  Detroit (4–2) held Green Bay (4–3) to 324 yards and only 17 first downs. Perhaps Sheppard figured out what was wrong with his defense over the bye week because the unit looked different on Sunday. It also certainly helped that the team got back versatile safety Brian Branch, who registered an interception in his season debut. Having a reliable defense would go a long way toward bolstering the Lions’ hopes of winning a competitive NFC North. Minnesota leads the division at 6–0, while Chicago sits in second at 5–2.):  https://www.si.com/nfl/nfl-week-7-lessons-don-t-be-fooled-by-steelers

$.10 After NFL Week 7 ($.03: Two NFC teams that everyone fancied as serious contenders entered Week 7 with almost must-win games in national broadcasts. The Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks each picked up massive victories that should reinvigorate the teams and the respective fan bases after uneasy starts for both teams. Detroit came first. Hosting Green Bay, the Lions came out of their bye week at 3-2 but looking up at every other team in the loaded NFC North. A dismal pass defense looked like it could be exploited by Packers QB Jordan Love and his speedy supporting cast, which would effectively bury the Lions in the divisional race before the halfway point of the season. That’s not what Dan Campbell or the Lions, nor most of the Detroit fan base, expected coming into a season with all its offensive weapons and strong defensive players. One of those defenders, safety Brian Branch, made his season debut against Green Bay and made it count. Branch picked off an ill-advised Love arm punt and delivered several key tackles in a strong all-around game from the Detroit defense. The Lions had their struggles on fourth downs but held strong in the red zone, aided by two short missed FGs by Packers kicker Trey Smack. Detroit’s offense was the unit that struggled for the home team, plagued by two lost Jahmyr Gibbs fumbles and a couple of truly terrible fourth-down conversion failures. The defense did enough to allow kicker Jake Bates to win it as time expired with a 22-yard field goal, by a 20-17 score that laughed at the pregame over/under total of 54.5.  Detroit desperately needed a win, let alone a quality win like this one. The Seahawks followed it up in the Sunday nightcap with the same outcome, a much-needed win over a good opponent. Seattle dominated the previously unbeaten Chiefs, 20-3, with a fantastic display of complementary football. Sam Darnold and the offense struck in the air with the incredible Jaxson Smith-Njigba (9 catches, 150 yards, 1 TD). Other than one huge mistake just before halftime, Darnold turned in an impressive night versus a very good, aggressive Chiefs defense. Emanuel Wilson ground out 100 yards on the ground, also finding the end zone. It proved more than enough to outscore Kansas City, thanks to a phenomenal display from the Dark Side defense at home.  Seattle’s D suffocated former teammate Kenneth Walker on the ground, and the pass rush and coverage consistently flummoxed and frustrated Patrick Mahomes. Kansas City could not string together positive plays at all. The Seahawks hang their hat on a fast and physical defense, exactly what carried them to a Super Bowl title. That group just hadn’t quite been as sharp, as fierce, as swift. They showed their best against the best offense they’ve faced, and got right back into NFC contender status in the process.  It doesn’t get easier for either Detroit or Seattle next week. Detroit welcomes Minnesota, the last unbeaten team, to Ford Field, while the Seahawks host a dangerous 5-2 Bears squad. Had either lost in Week 7, next week could have been do-or-die. The light at the end of the tunnel is no longer a freight train, but an opportunity for Detroit and Seattle.  Jared Goff needs more love in the MVP conversation. Yeah, really):  https://football.realgm.com/analysis/3729/$10-After-NFL-Week-7


Lions’ Dan Campbell says his trust in Jared Goff enabled him to take a huge 4th-down gamble:  https://apnews.com/article/lions-analysis-campbell-goff-fourth-down-473b01e567e606bbd770ba9156c11a4d

‘That Was Blasphemous’ — 3-Time Super Bowl Champ Blasts Referees Over ‘Bad’ Officiating During Packers-Lions Showdown:  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/super-bowl-champ-referees-packers-lions/

‘Just Ridiculous,’ ‘The League Has To Fix This Rule’ — NFL Fans React As Controversial Calls Mount in Packers-Lions Week 7 Game:  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-fans-packers-lions-week-7-refereeing-controversy/

‘Message Coming From the Wrong Person,’ ‘He’s the Reason the League Became Soft’ — NFL Fans Mock Tom Brady for Complaint About Refs:  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-fans-mock-tom-brady-complaint-refs/

‘Investigate Them,’ ‘That Was an Awful Call’ — Ex-Packers QB Joins Fans in Calling Out Refs Over Controversial Decision in Favor of Lions:  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/ex-packers-qb-fans-refs-lions/

2027 NFL Draft Order After Week 7: All 32 Teams' Biggest Emerging Roster Need (25. Detroit Lions (4-2) - Biggest Need: CB.  The Detroit Lions are allowing a league-high amount of passing yards per game. The alleged Terrion Arnold off-field situation was very unfortunate. The Lions desperately need some cornerbacks who can consistently cover the opposition.):  https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/onsi/news/2027-nfl-draft-order-after-week-7-all-32-teams-biggest-emerging-roster-need

Grades:

Grades: Lions Earn Early Season Statement Win Over Division Rival:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/grades-lions-earn-early-season-statement-win-over-division-rival


We graded every Lions player from the Packers win; Jameson Williams was perfect, but one defender hit a brutal low:  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/we-graded-every-lions-player-from-the-packers-win-jameson-williams-was-perfect-but-one-defender-hit-a-brutal-low/

Video:



Packers vs. Lions Week 7 Recap | NFL Daily:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/packers-vs-lions-week-7-recap-nfl-daily

Lions defeat the Packers in Week 7:  https://www.fox2detroit.com/video/fmc-jsts4vh6h4kd88bb

Lions win; Pistons start the year 3-0; Michigan and Michigan St. both lose | Sportsworks Oct. 25:  https://www.fox2detroit.com/video/fmc-tuem9rdhmpas8u8s

There Is No Defense For Campbell's Fourth Down Calls | The Valenti Show with Rico:  https://www.audacy.com/971theticket/video/there-is-no-defense-for-campbell-s-fourth-down-calls-the-valenti-show-with-rico-xbrdv9u


Lions win | Awful Officiating? | Costa Sounds Off On A Hutchinson Critic | Costa and Jansen:  https://www.audacy.com/971theticket/video/lions-win-awful-officiating-costa-sounds-off-on-a-hutchinson-critic-costa-and-jansen-xbrbt8u


Refs Of Lions/Packers Is Everything Wrong With The NFL | The Valenti Show with Rico:  https://www.audacy.com/971theticket/video/refs-of-lions-packers-is-everything-wrong-with-the-nfl-the-valenti-show-with-rico-xbreb26




Lions top Packers 20-17 on last second Jake Bates field goal:  https://www.fox2detroit.com/video/fmc-at8x4yhji0wkwhwa



REACTION: Lions Outlast Packers In Tight Divisional Showdown | HQ NFL:  https://www.cbssports.com/watch/nfl/video/reaction-lions-outlast-packers-in-tight-divisional-showdown-hq-nfl






Officials Become Story in Detroit Lions Win Against Green Bay Packers:  https://sports.yahoo.com/videos/officials-become-story-detroit-lions-192717597.html


Brian Branch made a massive impact in his return for the Detroit Lions:  https://sports.yahoo.com/videos/brian-branch-made-massive-impact-142735524.html

Jameer Gibbs Handled Nearly Every Lions Carry Sunday:  https://sports.yahoo.com/videos/jameer-gibbs-handled-nearly-every-032435245.html

The Lions Just Got A HUGE Boost In Their Win Over The Packers:  https://sports.yahoo.com/videos/lions-just-got-huge-boost-011317689.html
Posted by LionsFan at 10:05 PM 0 comments

Sunday, October 25, 2026

Lions Links for Sunday 10-25-26

Articles:

FOUR DOWNS: Branch makes immediate impact in return to game action:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/four-downs-branch-makes-immediate-impact-in-return-to-game-action-stbrown-bates

RECAP: Lions vs. Packers:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/recap-lions-vs-packers-goff-williams-stbrown-branch


Lions Injury Update Confirms Star Avoided Serious Issue:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/lions-injury-update-confirms-star-avoided-serious-issue

Key Takeaways From Detroit Lions 20-17 Victory Against Packers:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/key-takeaways-detroit-lions-20-17-victory-against-packers


Dan Campbell explains 4th-down decision that could’ve cost Lions game vs. Packers:  https://www.prideofdetroit.com/detroit-lions-news/178253/dan-campbell-explains-4th-down-decision-couldve-cost-lions-game-vs-packers



7 Lions winners and 3 losers from the Packers win: Brian Branch is back, but one big lineup decision already looks shaky:  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/7-lions-winners-and-3-losers-from-the-packers-win-brian-branch-is-back-but-one-big-lineup-decision-already-looks-shaky/

What We Learned About the Lions: The Lions somehow survived the Packers in one of the drunkest games you’ll ever see, and Brian Branch made his return count:  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/what-we-learned-about-the-lions-the-lions-somehow-survived-the-packers-in-one-of-the-drunkest-games-youll-ever-see-and-brian-branch-made-his-return-count/

Are the Lions, Falcons, Bengals and Giants on the right track? Lingering questions from NFL Week 7 (Detroit 20, Green Bay 17 - Lions:  Has the Lions' defense turned the corner? The Lions defense entered the week as one of the worst units in the NFL, and Sunday's game against a surging Packers offense looked daunting. But the defense held strong. Detroit allowed just 17 points, forced a turnover -- by recently returned DB Brian Branch -- and held Green Bay to 5-of-15 on third down. Couple Sunday with an encouraging effort against the Cardinals before their bye, and there's two weeks of evidence DC Kelvin Sheppard's troops may finally be trending in the right direction.  Trend to watch: Wideout Jameson Williams is becoming more of a focal point in the offense. His two touchdown catches Sunday made him the third player this season with multiple receiving TDs in back-to-back games, joining Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. -- ESPN Staff):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/50239544/week-7-sunday-games-takeaways-questions-2026

NFL Week 7 Recap: Green Bay Packers 17, Detroit Lions 20:  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-week-7-recap-green-bay-packers-17-detroit-lions-20

2026 NFL season, Week 7: What We Learned from Sunday's games (Lions 20 Packers 17 - Kevin Patra's takeaways:  1. Lions escape with win over Packers in sloppy affair. Dan Campbell’s club didn’t make it easy. Detroit committed a host of offensive miscues, including back-to-back fumbles to end the second quarter and open the third. With a chance to extend a three-point lead, the Lions marched into the red zone, but Jahmyr Gibbs fumbled. Detroit came out in the second half and botched a snap between Cade Mays, playing his first game of the season, and Jared Goff. The swing let Green Bay take its first lead of the game. Detroit stalled several times, including failing on fourth down in the red zone and turning it over on downs on its 24-yard line with less than five minutes remaining. Luckily for the Lions, Green Bay made more miscues, and Detroit benefited from several penalties. After the Packers botched their second kick, Detroit marched down the field to secure the game-winning field goal as time expired. The ease with which the Lions offense can move the ball at times only makes their toe-stubs more head-scratching. Goff continued his excellent season, throwing for 303 yards and two touchdowns and picking apart the Packers' secondary with ease for stretches. If not for the miscues, the scoreboard could have looked much different. Detroit gobbled up 415 yards, got 26 first downs, and punted only twice, but scored just 20 points. 2.  Packers have a Smack problem. Green Bay rookie kicker Trey Smack missed two easy kicks, a 26-yarder on the opening drive and a 35-yarder on the last possession. The first miss was pushed right, and the second was tipped, partly because Smack didn't get enough air on such a short kick. With kickers routinely able to bash long, 60-yard boots this year, it's cringeworthy that Smack missed two chippies. In a close game, that difference mattered. Smack, however, wasn’t the only Packers player whose mistake contributed to the loss. Once again, the offense dropped too many passes, including one by Josh Jacobs that would have gone for a TD (ruining what was otherwise a good return for the running back). Jordan Love threw an arm-punt interception. Goff gutted the defense that had little pass rush. It looked like we’d have a track meet early in Detroit, but the wheels came off both cars due to mechanical and mental mistakes.  3.  Lions defense not terrible. Detroit entered the game with the NFL's worst pass defense. While it still allowed Love to throw for 274 yards and two TDs, it wasn’t as easy as some passers have found it against the Lions. Detroit’s defense stepped up in spots, forcing the first-drive field goal, turning the Packers over on downs in the red zone, forcing two three-and-outs and getting a stop after Dan Campbell’s decision to go for it from his own 24. Brian Branch’s return helped, as the safety netted the fourth-quarter interception. Branch played 43 snaps in his return (66.2%). Most of the Packers' pass production came against the linebackers, with Jack Campbell and Derrick Barnes combining to allow 127 yards and two TDs in coverage. They still have strides to make, but given where they were early in the season, count Sunday as a significant step.  Next Gen Stats Insight for Lions-Packers (via NFL Pro): Aidan Hutchinson generated seven pressures at an average time to pressure of 2.49 seconds in Week 7 against the Packers, the quickest average time he has recorded this season.  NFL Research: Jared Goff is the only player to have multiple games with 300-plus passing yards, multiple passing touchdowns and zero interceptions in 2026 and now has 18 such games over the last five seasons, eight more than any other player since 2022. Goff broke a tie with Matthew Stafford for the most such games in Lions franchise history.):  https://www.nfl.com/news/2026-nfl-season-week-7-what-we-learned-from-sunday-s-games

Jared Goff Leads Lions Past Packers, Earning Tom Brady’s LFG Player Of The Game:  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/jared-goff-leads-lions-past-packers-earning-tom-bradys-lfg-player-game

Detroit Holds Onto Valuable Win: 3 Takeaways From The Lions' Win Over The Packers:  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/green-bay-packers-vs-detroit-lions-takeaways-week-7-october-25

Lions vs. Packers Highlights: Jake Bates’ FG Lifts Detroit Over Green Bay:  https://www.foxsports.com/live-blog/nfl/packers-vs-lions-live-updates-score


NFL Week 7 Good, Bad and Ugly: Ravens Continue Hallmark Issue Against Bengals (BAD: Every coach who now hates taking the points.  The Packers and Lions played a riveting game at Ford Field, with Detroit coming out on top 20–17 to stay within two games in the loss column of the unbeaten Vikings in the NFC North.   But the bigger-picture story might be the continuation of a league-wide trend: more coaches refusing easy points in an all-out frenzy for touchdowns.   In Detroit, the Packers and Lions each rolled the dice on fourth down inside the opponent’s 10-yard line, only to come up snake eyes. In the second quarter and trailing 10–7, Green Bay faced fourth-and-4 at Detroit’s 7-yard line. Incomplete pass. In the third quarter, the Lions led 17–14 and had fourth-and-5 at the Packers’ 6-yard line—incomplete pass.  Then there was the worst call of the day: Detroit coach Dan Campbell chose not to punt from his own 24-yard line in a 17–17 tie with under five minutes left. Instead, he called a run play—stuffed.  Analytics often say to play aggressively, but a game’s feel can be an art form. At times, that art seems to be lost. In the fourth quarter and trailing 14–13 to the Bengals, Ravens coach Jesse Minter could have stemmed the tide of Cincinnati’s momentum, with the Bengals having scored two unanswered touchdowns. Instead, Minter eschewed a 30-yard field goal attempt and gambled on fourth-and-2 with Tyler Huntley—incomplete pass.  There are times to play for a touchdown. There are also times to tie up a key divisional game, or take a six-point lead and control the scoreboard. Or, in Minter’s case, slow the tsunami and inject life into your wilting team. Football isn’t played on a spreadsheet. Or it shouldn’t be, anyway.):  https://www.si.com/nfl/nfl-week-7-good-bad-ugly-steelers-aaron-rodgers-turns-back-clock

National TE Day winners and losers: Davis Allen, Mason Taylor shine; Isaiah Likely, Sam LaPorta have holiday duds (National TE Day losers - Sam LaPorta, Lions.  Fresh off a pretty clear message to the Lions that he's prepared to leave unless the team ups its contract offer, LaPorta put up just one catch for 18 yards against the Packers. With big days from Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jahmyr Gibbs, however, Detroit picked up a win over the Packers.):  https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/national-te-day-winners-losers-holiday/054e2d9dfbdcc781800c99f0

Micah Parsons called out 2 suspect roughing-the-passer calls that cost the Packers:  https://ftw.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2026/10/25/micah-parsons-roughing-passer-packers-call-out/92437080007/


Jahmyr Gibbs on injury watch after scary slide at end of Lions-Packers:  https://www.thebiglead.com/jahmyr-gibbs-injury-watch-scary-slide-lions-packers/

Amon-Ra St. Brown cleated a referee while getting body-slammed by Packers defender:  https://www.thebiglead.com/amon-ra-st-brown-body-slammed-packers-cleated-referee-flag/








Jake Bates kicks 22-yard FG as time expires to give Lions 20-17 win over Packers:  https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap/_/gameId/401873020

Referee in Packers-Lions game responds to questions about disputed penalties:  https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/referee-packers-lions-game-responds-012117914.html

Grades:

CBS Grades (Lions Grade: B.  There's a fine line between being aggressive and being crazy, and Dan Campbell was certainly walking it in this game. Campbell had the Lions go for it on fourth-and-1 from their own 24 in the fourth quarter, and although they failed, Detroit's special teams bailed Campbell out by tipping the kick and knocking it off course. And that was the story of the day for the Lions: Whenever they needed someone to come up with a big play, they got it. The offense was firing on all cylinders with Jared Goff (303 passing yards), Jahmyr Gibbs (116 rushing yards) and Amon Ra St. Brown (153 receiving yards) all going off. The Lions defense came through with its best performance of the season, holding an opponent under 21 points for the first time all year. This was a well-rounded win by a Lions team that's undefeated at home this season (3-0).):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-week-7-grades-falcons-buccaneers-giants-panthers/

Video:











Every Jameson Williams catch from 2-TD game vs. Packers | Week 7:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/every-jameson-williams-catch-from-2-td-game-vs-packers-week-7

Jahmyr Gibbs' best plays from 143-yard game vs. Packers Week 7:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/jahmyr-gibbs-best-plays-from-143-yard-game-vs-packers-week-7

Every Amon-Ra St. Brown catch from 153-yard game vs. Packers | Week 7:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/every-amon-ra-st-brown-catch-from-153-yard-game-vs-packers-week-7

HIGHLIGHT: Goff finds Williams for the duo's second TD of the game:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/highlight-goff-finds-williams-for-the-duo-s-second-td-of-the-game

HIGHLIGHT: Williams' leaping pylon-reach TD opens scoring:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/highlight-williams-leaping-pylon-reach-td-opens-scoring

HIGHLIGHT: Walk-off winner in Detroit! Bates delivers FG over division rival Packers:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/highlight-walk-off-winner-in-detroit-bates-delivers-fg-over-division-rival-packers

Jake Bates puts Lions in lead with 40-yard FG vs. Packers:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/jake-bates-puts-lions-in-lead-with-40-yard-fg-vs-packers

Jahmyr Gibbs selflessly seals Lions win with clutch first down run:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/jahmyr-gibbs-selflessly-seals-lions-win-with-clutch-first-down-run

Jahmyr Gibbs churns through Packers defense for 15-yard run:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/jahmyr-gibbs-churns-through-packers-defense-for-15-yard-run

Sam LaPorta's first catch of game comes in crunch time for 18 yards:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/sam-laporta-s-first-catch-of-game-comes-in-crunch-time-for-18-yards

Jared Goff's 30-yard connection with Jameson Williams gets Lions into Packers' territory:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/jared-goff-s-30-yard-connection-with-jameson-williams-gets-lions-into-packers-territory

Amon-Ra St. Brown is wide open on 40-yard gain vs. Packers:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/amon-ra-st-brown-is-wide-open-on-40-yard-gain-vs-packers

Jameson Williams finds space on 24-yard gain from Goff:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/jameson-williams-finds-space-on-24-yard-gain-from-goff

Jared Goff finds Amon-Ra St. Brown for 28 yards:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/highlight-goff-finds-st-brown-for-28-yards


HIGHLIGHT: BB is back! Branch gets UP to intercept Love:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/highlight-bb-is-back-branch-gets-up-to-intercept-love

Turnover on downs: Lions stuff Packers' red-zone pass play on fourth down:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/turnover-on-downs-lions-stuff-packers-red-zone-pass-play-on-fourth-down

Aidan Hutchinson's fifth sack of 2026 results in 10-yard loss for Jordan Love:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/highlight-hutchinson-drops-love-for-10-yard-loss

Instant Reaction to Detroit Lions Defeating Green Bay Packers 20-17:  https://sports.yahoo.com/videos/instant-reaction-detroit-lions-defeating-233941249.html

Tom Brady’s LFG Player of the Game: Lions’ Jared Goff | Week 7 DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2M42XyVaCMM

Posted by LionsFan at 10:20 PM 0 comments

2027 Mock Draft Round Up #3

Tankathon (21. CB Kelley Jones) (10-25-26):  https://www.tankathon.com/nfl/mock-draft

Athlonsports (21. Detroit Lions - Ashton Hampton | CB | Clemson:  Even before they had to move on from a recent first-round pick in Terrion Arnold, the Lions already had depth issues in the secondary, and now they need to find a new No. 1 corner. Hampton has an ideal combination of size and length for the position, and he’s shown impressive technique and competitiveness so far this season. If he continues to make the most of his physical tools while showing all of those intangible traits, he could quickly become the best corner on this roster.) (10-23-26):  https://athlonsports.com/nfl/2027-nfl-mock-draft-updated-first-round-darian-mensah-arch-manning-cj-carr

AtoZ Sports DeLeone and Roberts (22. Detroit Lions — Kelley Jones, CB, Mississippi State:  Detroit adds help in the secondary with Jones. A young cornerback who can compete for playing time and develop into a reliable coverage option would help the Lions manage the demands of facing high-powered passing offenses. His ability to handle different receiver types and remain consistent in coverage will be important to his NFL outlook.) (10-22-26):  https://atozsports.com/nfl-draft/2027-nfl-mock-draft-early-quarterback-run-jeremiah-smith-reunited-old-friend-drew-mestemakar-arch-manning/

Walter Football Charlie (21. Ashton Hampton , CB, Clemson :  The Lions' terrible cornerback play is a result of Brad Holmes decisions like drafting Hendon Hooker instead of Tyrique Stevenson, selecting Terrion Arnold over Nate Wiggins or Kamari Lassiter, and signing D.J. Reed instead of re-signing Carlton Davis. Detroit badly needs cornerback talent. In 2026, Hampton has 19 tackles, one interception, and nine passes broken up thus far. To open 2026, on the second play of the blowout loss to LSU, Hampton had a nice interception of Sam Leavitt. Hampton was excellent versus Miami, showing the speed and twitch to cover the ultra-fast Malachi Toney. That was a huge tape for Hampton to show he can run with speed receivers. Hampton (6-3, 204) is a big cover corner who is long and physical. In 2025, he totaled 45 tackles with eight passes broken up and an interception. He had 27 tackles with two interceptions and five breakups as a freshman.) (10-22-26):  https://walterfootball.com/draft2027charlie.php?rbBot

SI Manzano (21. Detroit Lions (3–2): Devan Thompkins, edge, Alabama:  The USC transfer has made the most of the extra attention he’s gotten from playing next to Yhonzae Pierre at Alabama. He’s bigger than most edge rushers (6'5", 300 pounds) and knows how to use his size and strength to his advantage. He’s a polished pass rusher who could end Detroit’s long search for a serviceable No. 2 opposite Aidan Hutchinson. Thompkins has three sacks and one forced fumble.) (10-21-26):  https://www.si.com/nfl/2027-nfl-mock-draft-gilberto-manzano-pick-predictions-rounds-1-2

CBS Edwards (23. DE Boubacar Traore - PROSPECT RNK:  29th, POSITION RNK:  6th. Cornerback is a bigger need, but it may be easier to attack that position on Day 2. Detroit used a second-round pick on edge rusher Derrick Moore in 2026, but the team should not stop there, given its issues in recent years.) (10-19-26):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2027-nfl-mock-draft-week-6-quarterback-shake-up/

AtoZ Sports Crabbs and Gregson (22. Detroit Lions — Clev Lubin, EDGE, Louisville:  Detroit’s defensive depth chart hasn’t been at full health for quite some time. But one spot that has constantly been in need is the EDGE2 position. Yes, DJ Wonnum and second-round pick Derrick Moore are in-house. But I think Lubin is a brand fit for the Lions like few players in this class.  54. TE Luke Reynolds) (10-15-26):  https://atozsports.com/nfl-draft/2-round-2027-nfl-mock-draft-drew-mestemaker-arch-manning-jeremiah-smith-dante-moore/

USA Today Middlehurst-Schwartz (19. Detroit Lions – Ellis Robinson IV, CB, Georgia: Whether in free agency or the draft, Detroit has to take drastic steps to upgrade a woefully undermanned secondary. A former five-star recruit, Robinson offers the size and athleticism to hang in man coverage as well as the coverage instincts and ball skills to thrive in zone looks. The former five-star recruit might take some time to settle in as a pro, but he gives the defense some hope for holding up against top receivers in the long term.) (10-14-26):  https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2026/10/14/nfl-mock-draft-2027-arch-manning/92235302007/

Walter Football Walt (25.  Damon Wilson II, DE, Missouri:  The Lions really liked Keldric Faulk, but had to pass on him for a tackle. Here's another bookend for Aidan Hutchinson.  Damon Wilson has great speed off the edge.) (10-14-26):  https://walterfootball.com/draft2027_1.php


PFF McGuiness (25. Detroit Lions: IOL Kade Pieper, Iowa - PFF Big Board Rank: 37.  Juice Scruggs is playing the best football of his career with the Lions this season, but he is set to become a free agent in 2027. That could make center one of Detroit's top needs heading into next season. Pieper has played right guard this season, earning PFF grades above 85.0 in both pass blocking and run blocking, and should be capable of making the move to center.) (10-13-26):  https://www.pff.com/news/draft-mock-draft-1-jeremiah-smith-goes-no-1-to-titans-five-qbs-land-in-first-round

Fox sports Rang (15. Detroit Lions: Ashton Hampton, CB, Clemson - Compelled to release former first-round pick Terrion Arnold following an offseason arrest, the Lions have since struggled in coverage and acknowledged they were in on Joey Porter Jr. trade talks. With Porter now in Dallas, Detroit may have little choice but to wait until next year to patch the position. Hampton has the size and agility to project as a future star in the NFL.) (10-8-26):  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/2027-nfl-mock-draft-arch-manning-first-qb-selected-jeremiah-smith-no-1-overall

Yahoo Tice (15. Detroit Lions — Kelley Jones, CB, Mississippi State:  As the late Owen Hart would say, "enough is enough and it's time for a change." The Lions desperately could use two things: A center (Minnesota's Greg Johnson came to mind) or a cornerback. They choose to improve one of the biggest holes in the NFL right now, even with three cornerbacks off the board. Jones has been a more consistent player to start this season and can fit in both zone or man schemes. His Inspector Gadget arms head up north to Detroit.) (10-8-26):  https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/article/2027-nfl-mock-draft-first-version-includes-a-huge-trade-that-powers-arch-manning-to-no-1-spot-170653524.html

Yahoo (15. Detroit Lions — Dylan Stewart, Edge, South Carolina:  Figuring out where Stewart fits in this class now — or whether he might stay in college — is trickier than it was a month ago. Stewart's suspension has raised some character questions, although it appears he's back on a track to return to playing. Stewart's production has also been somewhat underwhelming considering his rare gifts. If he can find a way to display those skills, this might be too tempting for Detroit to pass on. The Lions badly need a rusher to pair with Aidan Hutchinson.) (10-8-26):  https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/article/2027-nfl-mock-draft-10-5-quarterbacks-land-in-round-1-but-wr-jeremiah-smith-lands-at-no-1-154904997.html

Athletic Baumgartner (19. Detroit Lions: Ellis Robinson IV, CB, Georgia - Detroit’s situation in the secondary is a mess right now, and few teams are as light at corner. Robinson is a bit undersized, at 6-0, 180, but he is very long and extremely fluid athletically. This could be about the first-round floor for the former five-star prospect.) (10-7-26):  https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7665591/2026/10/07/nfl-mock-draft-2027-smith-carr/

CBS Wilson (25. Ty Benefield S - PROSPECT RNK:  57th.  POSITION RNK:  4th.  The Lions have two of the best safeties in football ... when they're healthy. Benefield is a tackling machine coming downhill, but he's been good in coverage, too.) (10-5-26):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2027-nfl-mock-draft-arch-manning-first-round-quarterback/

Draftwire Banks (16. Detroit, Zabien Brown, CB, Alabama:  The OnePride really needs to improve pass defense.) (10-5-26):  https://draftwire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2026/10/05/time-for-a-full-nfl-mock-draft-update-with-more-player-descriptions/92105596007/ 

OnSI Melo (21. Detroit Lions: Kelley Jones, CB, Mississippi State - The Detroit Lions were allowing a league-high 299.3 passing yards per game prior to Sunday Night Football. The Terrion Arnold situation did not help. Cornerback will be high on Brad Holmes' offseason to-do list. Mississippi State's Kelley Jones has carried over the momentum from his breakout 2025 season to 2026, having already recorded six pass breakups.) (10-5-26):  https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/onsi/news/2027-nfl-mock-draft-trinidad-chambliss-crashes-the-qb1-race

Round 1 (10 CB, 5 DE, 2 S, 1 G):

4 CB Kelley Jones
3 CB Ashton Hampton 
2 CB Ellis Robinson IV
1 CB Zabien Brown
1 S Ty Benefield 
1 S KJ Bolden
1 DE  Damon Wilson II
1 DE Clev Lubin
1 DE Dylan Stewart
1 DE Boubacar Traore
1 DE Devan Thompkins
1 G Kade Pieper

Round 2 (1 TE):

1 TE Luke Reynolds 



Posted by LionsFan at 3:23 PM 0 comments

Pre-Game Lions Links for Sunday 10-25-26

Articles:

INACTIVES: Lions vs. Packers:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/inactives-lions-vs-packers-branch-mays



Detroit Lions Second-Year DE Remains Inactive Against Packers:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/lions-ahmed-hassanein-remains-inactive-against-packers

Setting Lions Fans Expectation for Alim McNeill Against Packers:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/setting-lions-fans-expectation-for-alim-mcneill-against-packers

Key Matchup Detroit Lions Must Win Against Green Bay Packers:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/key-matchup-detroit-lions-must-win-against-packers-week-seven




Amon-Ra St. Brown vs. Packers Week 7: Three Expectations for Lions WR:  https://athlonsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions/amon-ra-st-brown-lions-packers-week-7-expectations

Here's What Should Scare the Detroit Lions About the Green Bay Packers' Takeaway Machine:  https://athlonsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions/what-should-scare-lions-packers-week-7



Packers Media:

Josh Jacobs Will Play vs. Lions; How Should Packers Handle Offense Going Forward?:  https://www.si.com/nfl/packers/onsi/josh-jacobs-will-play-vs-lions-how-should-packers-run-offense-going-forward

Sacked: Three Reasons Why Packers Will Lose Shootout Against Powerful Lions:  https://www.si.com/nfl/packers/onsi/sacked-three-reasons-why-packers-will-lose-shootout-against-powerful-lions

Predictions:

Week 7:  

Video:

Lions Gameday Live: Week 7 against Green Bay Packers:  https://www.fox2detroit.com/video/fmc-ri0lcnig7zifj4he

Wired for Sound: Honolulu blue takes over Arizona:  https://www.fox2detroit.com/video/fmc-fyyomlqy19xfzne6

Woody Wonders with Lions center Cade Mays:  https://www.fox2detroit.com/video/fmc-97ckexd1airemnc5

Sunday Sitdown: Cornerback Roger McCreary on defensive communication:  https://www.fox2detroit.com/video/fmc-m89aa8e3wrfyg4vt

Coach's scouting report: Dan Campbell previews Week 7 against Packers:  https://www.fox2detroit.com/video/fmc-hg2gudg56v3phx67

Detroit Lions Week 7 Preview Against Green Bay Packers:  https://sports.yahoo.com/videos/detroit-lions-week-7-preview-144512016.html
Posted by LionsFan at 3:19 PM 0 comments

Saturday, October 24, 2026

Lions Links for Saturday 10-24-26

Articles:

'Going back to our DNA' | Lions' secondary looks to build on Week 5 performance following bye:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/going-back-to-our-dna-lions-secondary-looks-to-build-on-week-5-performance-following-bye-mccreary-abney

Why Waiting on Sam LaPorta Deal Could Be Disaster For Detroit Lions:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/why-waiting-sam-laporta-deal-could-be-disaster-for-detroit-lions

'Everybody's Ass Was Tight': Detroit Lions' Defense Loosened Up:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/how-lions-defense-loosened-up-before-cardinals-game

Behind Enemy Lines: Can Lions Slow Down Packers Passing Attack?:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/behind-enemy-lines-can-lions-slow-down-packers-passing-attack





Juice Scruggs is too good to sit, and the Lions already have a pretty obvious way to keep him on the field:  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/juice-scruggs-is-too-good-to-sit-and-the-lions-already-have-a-pretty-obvious-way-to-keep-him-on-the-field/


Brad Holmes Hates Losing High Picks, and That Should Push the Lions to Pay Sam LaPorta Soon:  https://athlonsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions/sam-laporta-lions-contract-brad-holmes-brock-bowers



9 NFL Second-Round Rookies Already Falling Short of the Early-Season Hype (Derrick Moore, EDGE, Detroit Lions:  The Detroit Lions drafted Derrick Moore to hopefully become Aidan Hutchinson's running mate. It's been a fairly slow start for the former Michigan standout, who had an injury throughout the predraft process. Moore has two tackles and is still searching for his first career sack. Pro Football Focus has credited him with four pressures. A bigger impact should eventually arrive.):  https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/onsi/news/9-nfl-second-round-rookies-already-falling-short-of-the-early-season-hype


Packers Media:


Ultimate Mismatch Is Among Three Reasons Why Packers Will Beat Lions:  https://www.si.com/nfl/packers/onsi/ultimate-mismatch-is-among-three-reasons-why-packers-will-beat-lions

Packers Make Big Roster Move, And It’s Not Just Activating Josh Jacobs:  https://www.si.com/nfl/packers/onsi/packers-make-big-roster-move-and-it-s-not-just-activating-josh-jacobs

Packers vs. Lions Score Prediction for NFL Week 7 (Can Detroit Win Crucial NFC North Showdown?):  https://www.si.com/betting/packers-vs-lions-score-prediction-for-nfl-week-7-can-detroit-win-crucial-nfc-north-showdown-2026

Ten Most Important Packers for Pivotal Game Against Lions Features Backup:  https://www.si.com/nfl/packers/onsi/ten-most-important-packers-for-pivotal-game-against-lions-features

 Video - Packers QB Jordan Love on Detroit Lions' Defense:  https://sports.yahoo.com/videos/packers-qb-jordan-love-detroit-122444274.html

Video - Packers QB Jordan Love on Showdown at Lions:  https://sports.yahoo.com/videos/packers-qb-jordan-love-showdown-122317591.html


Video - How much do Detroit Lions really value Sam LaPorta?:  https://sports.yahoo.com/videos/much-detroit-lions-really-value-200606665.html

Video:


TJ Lang On The Current Contract Situation With Sam LaPorta | The Valenti Show with Rico:  https://www.audacy.com/971theticket/video/tj-lang-on-the-current-contract-situation-with-sam-laporta-the-valenti-show-with-rico-xbqtbju

What Are You Expecting From Brian Branch Is His First Game Back? | Karsch and Anderson:  https://www.audacy.com/971theticket/video/what-are-you-expecting-from-brian-branch-is-his-first-game-back-karsch-and-anderson-xbqsm8y




Could the Lions defeat the Packers on Sunday?:  https://www.fox2detroit.com/video/fmc-fgk8k36anqdl7n4h
Posted by LionsFan at 8:08 PM 0 comments
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