Morning Lions Links for Tuesday 9-24-19

Articles:

KEY QUESTIONS: Who steps up if Slay can't go vs. Chiefs?:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/key-questions-who-steps-up-if-slay-can-t-go-vs-chiefs

TIM AND MIKE: Week 3 observations:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/tim-and-mike-week-3-observations-x8575

3 things we learned: Rookie T.J. Hockenson is in a bit of a rut:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2019/09/3-things-we-learned-rookie-tj-hockenson-is-in-a-bit-of-a-rut.html

With Darius Slay’s status unknown, Lions CB Mike Ford staring down larger role vs. Chiefs:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2019/09/with-darius-slays-status-unknown-lions-cb-mike-ford-staring-down-larger-role-vs-chiefs.html

Lions preparing to tweak defense if Darius Slay can't play:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/09/23/detroit-lions-injury-report-darius-slay/2422290001/

Detroit Lions gave game ball to assistant offensive line coach Hank Fraley:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/09/23/detroit-lions-football-game-ball-offensive-line-coach/2418315001/

Four Downs: Measuring-stick game awaits unbeaten Lions:  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/09/23/four-downs-measuring-stick-game-awaits-unbeaten-detroit-lions/2419812001/

Nick Bawden's hurdle, Joe Dahl's spike earn rave reviews with Lions:  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/09/23/nick-bawdens-hurdle-joe-dahls-spike-earn-rave-reviews-detroit-lions/2424549001/

Lions backup QB David Blough gets first taste of game day duties:  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/09/23/detroit-lions-backup-david-blough-gets-first-taste-game-day-duties/2423987001/

Lions quickly turn the page with 'phenomenal' Chiefs up next:  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/09/23/detroit-lions-quickly-turn-page-phenomenal-chiefs-up-next/2423965001/

Ford tough: Second-year cornerback reliable in reserve role for Lions:  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/09/23/ford-tough-second-year-cornerback-reliable-reserve-role-detroit-lions/2418288001/

By the numbers: examining the Lions 27-24 win over the Eagles:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2019/09/23/by-the-numbers-examining-the-lions-27-24-win-over-the-eagles/

The last time the Lions were unbeaten in Week 4 or later and faced another unbeaten team was Oct. 7, 1962:  http://www.espn.com/espn/now?nowId=21-41077872-4

Lions off to the start Stafford and Patricia needed:  https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/lions-off-to-the-start-stafford-and-patricia-needed-092319

PFF's NFL Team of the Week: 2019 NFL Week 3 (FLEX: WR MARVIN JONES JR., DETROIT LIONS: Jones burst into action after a slow start to the year, setting season highs in targets, receptions, yards and touchdowns. Four of his six receptions went for a first down, with another finding the end zone. Throws to him resulted in an NFL passer rating of 141.4 on the day.  K/PR JAMAL AGNEW, DETROIT LIONS
We didn’t see a return for a touchdown in the opening two weeks of the season, but Agnew sorted that out early against the Philadelphia Eagles with an impressive 100-yard return for a score.):  https://www.pff.com/news/pro-pffs-nfl-team-of-the-week-2019-nfl-week-3

Who do you trust more: 3-0 Pack or 3-0 'Boys? Patrick Mahomes or Tom Brady? (7) Detroit Lions or Minnesota Vikings as the Pack's biggest challenger?  Green Bay was/is my pick to win the North. But who is the most worthy No. 2? Dalvin Cook was tremendous (again) in the Vikings' blowout of the Raiders. But there's still something about Kirk Cousins that makes Minnesota tough to bank on. The Lions deserve a little bit of credit and respect here. After a disappointing collapse/tie against the Cardinals in Week 1, Detroit beat Philip Rivers and Carson Wentz in back-to-back weeks. Yes, Philly had injuries, but that's football. There were moments on Sunday -- special teams mistakes, coaching head-scratchers -- that had "same old Lions" written all over them. Yet the Lions survived! That's a strong road win, and Matthew Stafford is clearly the second-best quarterback in the division. I'm sporting Honolulu Blue!):  http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001058378/article/trust-questions-patrick-mahomes-or-tom-brady-pack-or-boys

Lions’ defense hurting with Chiefs coming to town:  https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/09/23/lions-defense-hurting-with-chiefs-coming-to-town/

Lions pleased with their resiliency:  https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/09/23/lions-pleased-with-their-resiliency/

Miles Sanders on his fumbles: I’ve got to play better:  https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/09/22/miles-sanders-on-his-fumbles-ive-got-to-play-better/

Kerryon Johnson Is Too Nice to Face Stacked Boxes:  https://www.thebiglead.com/posts/kerryon-johnson-is-too-nice-to-face-stacked-boxes-01dnfww90vs0

MMQB ARE THE LIONS STARTING TO GET MATT PATRICIA?:  https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/09/23/jacoby-brissett-daniel-jones-teddy-bridgewater-gardner-minshew-mmqb-week-3

FMIA Week 3: Daniel Jones Energizes Previously Sleepy Giants With Win (The Lions are 2-0-1, and they’re not beating themselves. They looked like the same old Leos after blowing a big lead and tying Arizona in Week 1. But then they’ve had physical wins over the Chargers and Eagles, two returning final-eight teams from last year, and strong Super Bowl hopefuls this year. At Philly, Matthew Stafford didn’t turn it over and he wasn’t sacked—and that’s a rare daily double for him. “Welcome to the NFL—this is what it feels like,” coach Matt Patricia told his team post-game. Very interesting matchup Sunday in Detroit: Chiefs-Lions, combined 5-0-1, in a surprisingly interesting game. Special Teams Players of the Week - Jamal Agnew, kick returner, Detroit. Four minutes into Lions-Eagles at Philly, Agnew set the tone for the Lions. His 100-yard kick return stunned the crowd and helped them to a 20-10 halftime lead. Special-teams play has been a huge point of emphasis by Matt Patricia, and it paid off Sunday in Detroit’s upset of the Eagles.):   https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/09/23/daniel-jones-giants-nfl-week-3-fmia-peter-king/

32 things we learned from Week 3 of NFL season (17. The Lions (2-0-1), who really should be 3-0, have beaten my preseason Super Bowl teams (Chargers, Eagles) in successive weeks. Shrug. I'm still feeling — slightly — better than my colleagues, who all picked the Saints.  17a. But credit Detroit. They don't appear spectacular in any particular area, but they converted two Philadelphia fumbles into field goals and benefited from a 100-yard kickoff return by Jamal Agnew — the team's first TD off a kickoff in six years and first in the NFL this season. Good teams find a way.):   https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2019/09/22/nfl-week-3-32-things-we-learned-2019/2411447001/

Winners, losers: Steelers struggle with new QB (Losers - Philadelphia Eagles: In the past, coach Doug Pederson’s teams had been offensively efficient, highlighted by taking care of the football. That was the opposite of what happened in a 27-24 loss against the Lions. The Eagles (1-2) have dropped two in a row and have committed five turnovers in that span. Philly is minus-2 in turnover margin overall. Most concerning was that the Lions offered the Eagles plenty of chances late in the game to take the lead. Instead, turnovers, dropped passes and an ineffective pass rush never let Philly capitalize.):  https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2019/09/23/nfl-winners-losers-daniel-jones-mason-rudolph/2415545001/

Ranking the NFL's Unbeaten Teams Through Week 3 (6. Lions:  Despite their absolute best efforts, the Lions have yet to lose a game. They did tie against the Cardinals, but that is not a loss, even if it really felt like one after Detroit dominated for three quarters. They nearly blew a huge game on the road against the Eagles after Malcolm Jenkins blocked what would have been a game-sealing field goal with less than two minutes left. But they didn't!  There have been blunders, but there's a lot to like about Matthew Stafford in this offense. Similarly, the defense has struggled at times, but when things click, they've looked like an above-average unit. In years past, the Lions absolutely would have lost to the Cardinals and Eagles. That's just how things go for Detroit. The fact that they did not already gives this year an optimistic feel. As is, they have a ways to go, but the Lions look like a tough team to beat.):  https://www.thebiglead.com/posts/ranking-the-nfl-s-unbeaten-teams-through-week-3-01dnf6z2bqfm

$.10 After NFL Week 3 ($.03--The most unlikely of the unbeaten teams are the Detroit Lions. Matt Patricia’s team somehow advanced to 2-0-1 with an improbable road win in Philadelphia over the self-destructive Eagles.  As a Lions fan, and the “long-suffering” modifier is implicit in that status, this was a very unexpected result. Detroit sure tried to lose it, too. Up 27-24, a miserable job of trying to eat clock ended with a long Matt Prater FG attempt getting blocked and nearly returned for a TD by the Eagles. But Philadelphia wanted to lose the game just a little more.  An iffy offensive pass interference call on Darren Sproles negated a clutch conversion. On the final gasp, Carson Wentz’s heave came up a little less than heroic. The flashbacks of Aaron Rodgers to Richard Rodgers danced in Lions fans’ heads, but the ball fell to the Lincoln Financial Field turf and Detroit escaped with the win.  They might be winning, but they’re doing it ugly. No matter. The Lions organization doesn’t need style points. They need wins, and they’re quietly racking them up by forcing opponents to look dreadful. It worked in Week 2 against the Chargers and it worked again in Philadelphia. If not for blowing a 16-point fourth-quarter lead in Week 1 at Arizona (that game ended as a tie), the Lions would be right there with the top teams at 3-0.  These are games the Eagles cannot afford to drop. Now 1-2, they’re looking way up at the 3-0 Cowboys in the NFC East. Losing an NFC conference game two weeks in a row sure waters down their potency in potential tiebreakers down the road, too. Injuries definitely played a role in this loss, but the poor execution and inattention to detail doomed Doug Pederson’s Eagles on Sunday.):  https://football.realgm.com/analysis/3183/$10-After-NFL-Week-3

RB Barkley out 4-6 weeks with high ankle sprain:  http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001058359/article/saquon-barkley-high-ankle-sprain-out-several-weeks

Articles from Opposing Teams Media:

Chiefs-Lions preview: 5 things to know about Detroit:  https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/for-petes-sake/article235381532.html

2020 Draft:

College Football Week 4: Eckrich Pac-12 Team of the Week:  https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-week-4-eckrich-pac-12-team-of-the-week

College Football Week 4: Eckrich SEC Team of the Week:  https://www.pff.com/news/college-college-football-week-4-eckrich-sec-team-of-the-week

College Football Week 4: Eckrich ACC Team of the Week:  https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-week-4-eckrich-acc-team-of-the-week

NFL Draft Risers and Sliders: Week 4:  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-draft-risers-and-sliders-week-4/

NFL draft winners and losers: Wisconsin's Jonathan Taylor, Notre Dame's Cole Kmet rising:  https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-draft-winners-and-losers-wisconsins-jonathan-taylor-notre-dames-cole-kmet-rising-175054048.html

2020 QB Stock Watch: Burrow makes case:  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2020-nfl-draft-qb-stock-watch-joe-burrows-fantastic-start-to-the-season-has-gotten-everyones-attention/

Video:

Patricia on building momentum from Eagles game:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/patricia-on-building-momentum-from-eagles-game

Bawden on first down hurdle:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/bawden-on-first-down-hurdle

Flowers on preparing for Kansas City:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/flowers-on-preparing-for-kansas-city

Ford on staying tough:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/ford-on-staying-tough

3 and Out with Chris Spielman: Week 3:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/3-out-with-chris-spielman-week-3-x2737

Tori's Take LIVE: Week 3:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/tori-s-take-live-week-3

Detroit Lions off to hot start, but are they legitimate?:  https://www.nbcsports.com/video/detroit-lions-hot-start-are-they-legitimate

Miller goes one-on-one with Stafford:  https://www.fox2detroit.com/video/608042