Morning Lions Links for Friday 10-11-19

Articles:

NOTEBOOK: Lions' passing game vs. Packers' secondary a matchup to watch:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/notebook-lions-passing-game-vs-packers-secondary-a-matchup-to-watch

Week 6 opponent: What the Packers are saying:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/week-6-opponent-what-the-packers-are-saying

O'HARA: The race is on in the NFC North as Lions prepare for first division game:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/o-hara-the-race-is-on-in-the-nfc-north-as-lions-prepare-for-first-division-game

Lions at Packers practice report: Oct. 10:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-at-packers-practice-report-oct-10

NOTEBOOK: Lions return from bye fairly healthy:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/notebook-lions-return-from-bye-fairly-healthy

Lions sign free agent RB Wes Hills to practice squad:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-sign-free-agent-rb-wes-hills-to-practice-squad

Run game making Packers’ offense even more difficult to defend:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/run-game-making-packers-offense-even-more-difficult-to-defend

10 takeaways from Bevell & Pasqualoni:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/10-takeaways-from-bevell-pasqualoni-x2815

O'HARA: Offense finding rhythm in Bevell's scheme:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/o-hara-offense-finding-rhythm-in-bevell-s-scheme-stafford-johnson-golladay

O'HARA: How the Lions' roster has evolved since Quinn became GM:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/o-hara-how-the-lions-roster-has-evolved-since-quinn-became-gm

Packers coach Matt LaFleur: Matthew Stafford is an elite QB:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2019/10/packers-coach-matt-lefleur-matthew-stafford-is-an-elite-qb.html

A’Shawn Robinson latest D-lineman to miss Lions practice heading into Packers showdown:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2019/10/ashawn-robinson-latest-defensive-lineman-to-miss-practice-heading-into-packers-showdown.html

Barry Sanders says excitement in Detroit Lions, RB Kerryon Johnson is warranted:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2019/10/barry-sanders-says-excitement-in-detroit-lions-rb-kerryon-johnsons-start-is-warranted.html

So far, so very good in Frank Ragnow’s return to center:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2019/10/so-far-so-very-good-in-frank-ragnows-return-to-center.html

Carson Palmer: ‘Matthew Stafford has more talent than most QBs in league, but plays for Detroit’:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2019/10/carson-palmer-matthew-stafford-has-more-talent-than-most-qbs-in-league-but-plays-for-detroit.html

Lions down to 4-point underdogs for Monday night tilt with Green Bay Packers:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2019/10/lions-down-to-4-point-underdogs-for-monday-night-tilt-with-green-bay-packers.html

Lions’ T.J. Hockenson returns to practice, remains in concussion protocol:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2019/10/lions-tj-hockenson-returns-to-practice-remains-in-concussion-protocol.html

Looking ahead: Detroit Lions preparing to face yet another elite QB in Packers’ Aaron Rodgers:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2019/10/looking-ahead-detroit-lions-preparing-to-face-yet-another-elite-qb-in-packers-aaron-rodgers.html

The Lions swept Aaron Rodgers last season. That makes Matt Patricia nervous.:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2019/10/the-lions-swept-aaron-rodgers-last-season-that-makes-matt-patricia-nervous.html

Lions’ big investment in Trey Flowers starting to yield returns:   https://www.mlive.com/lions/2019/10/lions-big-investment-in-trey-flowers-starting-to-yield-returns.html

Stafford parody video bothers Lions RB Kerryon Johnson:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/10/10/detroit-lions-kerryon-johnson-matthew-stafford-parody/3936333002/

Lions' D-line battling injury bug heading into Packers game:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/10/10/detroit-lions-defensive-line-green-bay-packers/3931982002/

Lions' Stafford bypasses talk of spoof video; says his hip feels better:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/10/09/detroit-lions-matt-stafford-video-joker-bleacher-report/3925506002/

Lions offense connecting on more big plays: 'We love it':  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/10/09/detroit-lions-offense-marvin-jones/3925047002/

Here's why the Lions rotate offensive linemen
Lions:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/10/09/detroit-lions-unusual-offensive-line-rotation/3921949002/

Lions about to hit NFC North's stiffest defenses, including Packers'
Lions:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/10/08/detroit-lions-nfc-north-defense-green-bay-packers/3913569002/

Evaluating the Lions before Packers showdown: What are they missing?
Lions:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/10/07/detroit-lions-playoffs-chances/3897239002/

Lions draft database: Compare picks since 2009
Lions:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2018/04/23/detroit-lions-nfl-draft/528101002/

Lions mailbag: NFC North rivals NFC West as NFL's top division:  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/10/10/detroit-lions-mailbag-nfc-north-rivals-nfc-west-nfls-top-division/3908215002/

Lions ready for brisk weather, mystique of Lambeau Field:   https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/10/10/detroit-lions-brace-brisk-weather-mystique-lambeau-field/3937166002/

Lions brace for Packers' newfound devotion to motion on offense:  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/10/09/detroit-lions-brace-green-bay-packers-devotion-motion-offense/3921138002/

Packers' new and improved pass defense will test Lions' Matthew Stafford:  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/10/09/packers-new-and-improved-pass-defense-test-lions-matthew-stafford/3921341002/

Lions' Kerryon Johnson, Packers' Aaron Jones get it done, despite cautious workload:  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/10/08/lions-kerryon-johnson-packers-aaron-jones-get-done-despite-cautious-workload/3912368002/

Ultra-competitive Aaron Rodgers always has Lions' Matt Patricia on edge:   https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/10/08/ultra-competitive-aaron-rodgers-always-has-lions-matt-patricia-edge/3912989002/

Lions feel their tackling is trending in the right direction:  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/10/08/lions-feel-tackling-trending-in-right-direction/3913266002/

Pat Caputo - 5 reasons the Lions could beat the Packers Monday:  https://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/pat-caputo---reasons-the-lions-could-beat-the/article_c4b7889e-ea4a-11e9-9b08-77ed4ec5da10.html

Detroit Lions QB Matthew Stafford has found recent success at Green Bay:  https://lionslowdown.com/2019/10/09/detroit-lions-qb-matthew-stafford-has-found-recent-success-at-green-bay/

Lions tied for fewest dropped passes through five weeks:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2019/10/10/lions-tied-for-fewest-dropped-passes-through-five-weeks/

Matt Patricia gives a great in-depth explanation of the impact of pre-snap motion:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2019/10/10/matt-patricia-in-depth-explanation-of-impact-of-pre-snap-motion/

What exactly is the NFL's concussion protocol and how do players get activated?:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2019/10/09/what-exactly-is-the-nfls-concussion-protocol-and-how-do-players-get-activated/

Marvin Jones and Kenny Golladay both grade as top-16 WRs per PFF:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2019/10/10/marvin-jones-and-kenny-golladay-both-grade-as-top-16-wrs-per-pff/

3 areas of offensive improvement the Lions need to fix coming off the bye week:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2019/10/10/3-areas-of-offensive-improvement-the-lions-need-to-fix-coming-off-the-bye-week/

Frank Ragnow is NFL's No. 1 center, Graham Glasgow No. 3 guard per PFF:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2019/10/09/frank-ragnow-is-nfls-no-1-center-graham-glasgow-no-3-guard-per-pff/

Packers safety Adrian Amos on Stafford: 'He is a great quarterback':  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2019/10/09/packers-safety-adrian-amos-on-stafford-he-is-a-great-quarterback/

Lions workout roundup: A familiar WR tries out and a Zach Zenner sighting:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2019/10/09/lions-workout-roundup-bennie-fowler-zach-zenner-sighting/

T.J. Hockenson still grading out as one of the best first-round rookies:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2019/10/08/t-j-hockenson-still-grading-out-as-one-of-the-best-first-round-rookies/

NFC North Week 5 Recap: Lions move into second place after bye:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2019/10/08/nfc-north-week-5-recap-lions-move-into-second-place-after-bye/

Lions can follow 49ers' path to 'Monday Night Football' glory in Week 6:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2019/10/08/lions-can-follow-49ers-path-to-monday-night-football-glory-in-week-6/

Vegas Watch: Lions open Week 6 as 4.5-point underdogs at Packers:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2019/10/07/vegas-watch-lions-open-week-6-as-4-5-point-underdogs-at-packers/

Bye Week Mailbag: Is versatility a key to success this season?:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2019/10/07/bye-week-mailbag-is-versatility-a-key-to-success-this-season/

Lions, Packers set for division clash on Monday night:  https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/lions-packers-set-for-division-clash-on-monday-night-101019

QB rankings, 1-32: Daniel Jones falls out of top 20 (8. Stafford:  Blair: Loyal QB Index readers already know this, but Stafford is having a pretty good season! He's thrown nine touchdowns passes, two short of his previous personal best for TDs in his team's first four games (11, in 2011), and he's been picked off just twice, less than he's managed to this point in every season except 2017 (not counting the 2010 campaign, in which he attempted just 15 passes before being injured). And he's currently on pace to finish with a passer rating of 100-plus for the first time in his career. Stafford will get a chance to show a prime-time audience just how well he's playing against the Packers on "Monday Night Football." (I swear I'm not trying to jinx him. I want all our QBs to be winners!)):  http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001064131/article/qb-index-week-6-russell-wilson-catches-patrick-mahomes

NFL Week 6 QB Power Rankings: Mahomes, Wilson, Watson slug it out for top spot, Mayfield plummets (4. Stafford:  Surprise, surprise. There's no denying how well Stafford is playing through Week 5. The last time we saw him, he was outplaying Mahomes in a game the Lions should've won. Through four games -- they just had their Week 5 bye -- Stafford is averaging a career-high 8.0 yards per attempt and he's throwing a touchdown on a career-high 6.4 percent of his passes. His 1.4 interception rate would also be the lowest of his career, not counting his injury shortened 2010 season. Stafford is unquestionably playing elite football, but the question is, can he sustain it? I'm skeptical.):   https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-week-6-qb-power-rankings-mahomes-wilson-watson-slug-it-out-for-top-spot-mayfield-plummets/

NFL Week 6 PFF Preview: Players to watch, fantasy football advice and betting projections (Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers - Players to Watch:  Lions receivers Marvin Jones Jr. and Kenny Golladay have both been fantastic in contested-catch situations so far this season. Jones has caught 7-of-9 contested-catch opportunities, while Golladay has caught 10 of his 18 contested targets. Among the 26 receivers with at least eight contested targets through Week 5, Jones and Golladay rank second and eighth, respectively, in contested-catch percentage.  Jaire Alexander did not have a good outing against Amari Cooper and the Cowboys, and he faces another tough challenge with Jones and Golladay coming to Green Bay. After earning a season-low 45.3 coverage grade in Week 5, Alexander owns a 77.8 coverage grade on the year with an NFL-high 11 forced incompletions.  Fantasy Football Preview:  The Packers’ offense did plenty to beat the Cowboys in Week 5, but the job was done almost entirely by Aaron Jones, who had 182 of the team’s 335 yards of offense. That meant that despite leading the team to 34 points, Aaron Rodgers finished only 24th among quarterbacks in fantasy scoring in Week 5, not even reaching 10 points. Rodgers is still passing plenty (his 36.0 pass attempts per game is the third-highest mark of his career) and getting decent passing yardage (261.4, middle of the road for his career), but he’s not throwing for touchdowns. So far, Rodgers has averaged only 1.2 passing scores per game. It would be his first time as a starter averaging under 1.6 passing touchdowns per game.  Greenline Preview:  Monday night showcases the two teams sitting atop the NFC north as Matthew Stafford and the Lions travel to Lambeau. This total has clung to 47, with the Lions coming off their bye and the Packers showing their ability to establish the run in last week’s dominating performance over Dallas. With both teams ranked in the top half of the league according to our defensive rankings, Greenline offers no real edge on the total. The Lions have found backing on the spread — after opening as six-point ‘dogs, it has settled in at -4.5. Right now, Greenline finds some value on that number, but with it continuing to move, action needs to happen quickly.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-week-6-pff-preview-players-to-watch-fantasy-football-advice-betting-projections

PFF Rankings: Top-25 Wide Receivers through Week 5 (13. MARVIN JONES JR., DETROIT LIONS: Jones Jr. has only lined up in the slot on 50 passing plays so far this season, but it’s a role that has worked out well for him and the Lions. From those 50 plays, he has been targeted nine times and racked up 146 yards in the slot.  16. KENNY GOLLADAY, DETROIT LIONS:  There’s a lot to like about Golladay’s play so far in 2019, from the fact that he has dropped just one of the 20 catchable passes thrown his way this season, to the fact that 13 of his 19 receptions have gone for a first down or touchdown.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-pff-rankings-top-25-wide-receivers-week-5-2019

PFF Rankings: Top-25 Cornerbacks through Week 5 (5. JUSTIN COLEMAN, DETROIT LIONS: Slot cornerbacks matter, people. Coleman is proving that he is worth all of that four-year, 36-million dollar contract that he signed this offseason with the Lions. His best game of the season came prior to the bye against the Chiefs, breaking up multiple passes in the endzone and forcing a fumble with a well-placed punch on a ball secured by Sammy Watkins. His five pass breakups on the season are tied for the second-most in the NFL.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-pff-cornerback-rankings-nfl-week-5-2019

Grading all 32 first-round picks after Week 5 of the 2019 NFL season (PICK NO. 8: TE T.J. HOCKENSON, DETROIT LIONS (2019 overall grade: 62.7):  Hockenson and the Lions were on a bye this week, so the next chance he’ll get to build on his Week 4 bounce-back performance will be in Week 6 against the Packers. He caught all three of his targets for 27 yards and a touchdown in Week 4, with 22 of his total yards coming after the catch. Even with his two disappointing games that came in Week 2 and Week 3, Hockenson has still generated a passer rating of 142.2 so far this season, second among tight ends with at least 15 targets.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-grading-all-32-first-round-picks-after-week-5-of-the-2019-nfl-season

Davante Adams says toe “doesn’t feel how I want it to feel at the moment”:  https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/10/10/davante-adams-says-toe-doesnt-feel-how-i-want-it-to-feel-at-the-moment/

2020 Draft:

PFF Rankings: College starting quarterback rankings through Week 6:   https://www.pff.com/news/college-pff-rankings-starting-quarterback-rankings-for-2019

Georgia's Jake Fromm has turned the narrative around, leads all college quarterbacks in overall grade through six weeks:  https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-georgias-jake-fromm-leads-college-quarterbacks-in-overall-grade-after-week-6

College Football: Inside the matchups that will decide Week 7's biggest games:  https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-matchups-that-will-decide-week-7-biggest-games

College Football Week 6: 2020 NFL Draft Scouting Notes:  https://www.pff.com/news/draft-college-football-week-6-2020-nfl-draft-scouting-notes

PFF College Football Heisman Watch after Week 6:  https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-heisman-watch-after-week-6

College Football Week 6: Highest-graded offensive lines:  https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-week-6-highest-graded-offensive-lines

College Football Week 6: Eckrich Big-12 Team of the Week:  https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-week-6-eckrich-big-12-team-of-the-week

College Football Week 6: Eckrich ACC Team of the Week:  https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-week-6-eckrich-acc-team-of-the-week

College Football Week 6: Eckrich Big Ten Team of the Week:  https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-week-6-eckrich-big-ten-team-of-the-week

College Football Week 6: Eckrich Pac-12 Team of the Week:  https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-week-6-eckrich-pac-12-team-of-the-week

College Football Week 6: Eckrich SEC Team of the Week:  https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-college-football-week-6-eckrich-sec-team-of-the-week

Draft prospects to watch in Week 7:  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2020-nfl-draft-prospects-to-watch-red-river-showdown-top-10-sec-showdown-highlight-this-weeks-slate/

RB Draft Watch: Taylor, Swift stock up:  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2020-nfl-draft-rb-watch-dandre-swift-jonathan-taylor-display-elite-traits-in-big-wins/

2020 NFL Draft Wide Receivers Watch: TCU's Jalen Reagor flashes on quiet weekend for top receiver prospects:  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2020-nfl-draft-wide-receivers-watch-tcus-jalen-reagor-flashes-on-quiet-weekend-for-top-receiver-prospects/

Draft QB Watch: Eason, Herbert struggle:  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2020-nfl-draft-qb-watch-justin-herbert-jacob-eason-show-blemishes-in-close-contests/

NFL draft: Pac-12 QB, plus two standout wideouts top our prospects to watch this week:  https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-draft-pac-12-qb-plus-two-standout-wideouts-top-our-prospects-to-watch-this-week-182008812.html

NFL draft winners and losers: Utah State QB Jordan Love struggles, but Round 1 still alive:  https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-draft-winners-and-losers-utah-state-qb-jordan-love-struggles-but-round-1-still-alive-181047962.html

NFL draft: How Oklahoma's Jalen Hurts has become a pro QB prospect:  https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-draft-how-oklahomas-jalen-hurts-has-become-a-pro-qb-prospect-204356828.html

Video:

Patricia on preparing for Green Bay:    https://www.detroitlions.com/video/patricia-on-preparing-for-green-bay

Stafford on Green Bay’s defense:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/stafford-on-green-bay-s-defense

Golladay on Monday Night Football matchup against Packers:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/golladay-on-monday-night-football-matchup-against-packers

Johnson on setting goals for himself:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/johnson-on-setting-goals-for-himself

Jones on offense’s growing strength:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/jones-on-offense-s-growing-strength

Diggs on playing first division game:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/diggs-on-playing-first-division-game

Tori's Take LIVE: Week 5:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/tori-s-take-live-week-5

3 and Out with Chris Spielman: Bye Week:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/3-out-with-chris-spielman-bye-week-x9941

Lions outlook for rest of season, how they stack up in NFC North:  https://www.freep.com/videos/sports/nfl/lions/2019/10/09/detroit-lions-nfc-north/3922546002/