Friday, December 23, 2022

Morning Lions Links for Friday 12-23-22

Articles:

Lions at Panthers injury report: Dec. 22:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-at-panthers-injury-report-dec-22-ragnow-barnes-decker

Frank Ragnow listed as questionable against Panthers, Jason Cabinda among 3 out:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2022/12/frank-ragnow-listed-as-questionable-against-panthers-jason-cabinda-among-3-out.html

Lions Pro Bowler Frank Ragnow having most fun of career amid challenging season:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2022/12/lions-pro-bowler-frank-ragnow-having-most-fun-of-career-amid-challenging-season.html

Lions weighing options at safety, with Ifeatu Melifonwu expected to see reps:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2022/12/lions-weighing-options-at-safety-with-ifeatu-melifonwu-expected-to-see-reps.html

Detroit Lions surprised by Pro Bowl snub for Penei Sewell, Taylor Decker:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2022/12/detroit-lions-surprised-by-pro-bowl-snub-for-penei-sewell-taylor-decker.html






Walder picks the seven biggest Pro Bowl snubs (Jared Goff, QB, Lions - Who he should replace: Kirk Cousins, QB, Vikings:  There's no super obvious candidate for the third NFC quarterback spot, but Goff's numbers are clearly better than Cousins'. Goff is more than 10 points clear in QBR (62.5 to 51.6) and is leading the offense that ranks third in EPA per dropback this season. Third! And he did all that despite not having as strong a receiving group to throw to as Cousins.):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35294350/pro-bowl-snubs-surprises-debating-afc-nfc-rosters-2023-nfl-game

Lions playoff outlook: Detroit's path to the playoffs, remaining games, what needs to happen:  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/lions-playoff-outlook-detroits-path-to-the-playoffs-remaining-games-what-needs-to-happen/

Ranking all five 7-7 teams heading into Week 16: Lions, Jets pushing to make playoffs (1.  Detroit Lions (No. 9 in NFC · 2nd in NFC North, REMAINING GAMES: at Panthers; vs. Bears; at Packers.):  Well, well, well. What have we here? A Lions team that's (gasp) actually fun to watch? Detroit has washed off the stench of a 1-6 start that had some questioning Dan Campbell's future. During their current 6-1 streak, the Lions have boasted an entertaining offense behind coordinator Ben Johnson. The defense has improved, if only slightly, thanks largely to its performance against the run and surging improvement from rookies. With help from a good offensive line, a go-to star in receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and diverse play-calling, Jared Goff is playing the most efficient football of his career -- even better than in his 2018 Pro Bowl season, if not as explosive. The team that general manager Brad Holmes put together, and which Campbell lit a fire under, has overperformed in Year 2. Can the Lions keep the pedal to the metal?  After Sunday's big road win in New York, the schedule sets up nicely for Detroit to make a postseason run, presenting three teams all under .500. Get a little assistance along the way, and the Lions would become just the second team in NFL history to start 1-6 and make the postseason (joining the 1970 Cincinnati Bengals). Of course, all this bubbling optimism is sure to make lifelong Lions fans queasy, anticipating the rug getting pulled out in Week 18 in Green Bay -- probably by backup Packers quarterback Jordan Love, because that's how these things usually go.):  https://www.nfl.com/news/ranking-all-five-7-7-teams-heading-into-week-16-lions-jets-pushing-to-make-playo

2023 Pro Bowl Games snubs: Justin Fields, Tua Tagovailoa among players left out (Penei Sewell:  We can’t lie: Sewell going in motion and then catching an out route to convert a third-and-7 with just over two minutes to go in a tight game against Minnesota did tug at our heartstrings. But his place on this list is far more about what Sewell is doing as a blocker than as a receiver. We might have chosen the Vikings’ Christian Darrisaw, who also has been excellent, but his three-week stint on the sideline due to injury tilted us back to Sewell.  The Lions have a fun, talented young nucleus, and Sewell is a big part of that. He’s been flagged eight times, which is on the high side, and eventually he’ll need to grow out of the false starts. But when Sewell is locked in, especially when the Lions are running the ball in have-to-have-it situations, the former seventh overall pick has looked outstanding.  Amon-Ra St. Brown:  Despite a slow start compounded by multiple injuries, which caused him to miss one game and parts of two others, St. Brown very quietly ranks among the league leaders in receptions (89; sixth), receiving yards (974; 10th) and yards per touch (11.0; seventh). He's surpassed his rookie receiving and rushing totals in about the same number of chances so far this season, becoming more adept at breaking tackles and gaining yards after the catch.  St. Brown has been an absolute monster in the second half of the season, proving he's healthy again. Since Week 9, St. Brown has hauled in a whopping 630 of his 974 receiving yards, while boasting the highest catch percentage (78.3%) among receivers with at least 50 targets, per Next Gen Stats. It's not a coincidence that the Lions have gone 6-1 during that stretch, hurtling back into the playoff picture.):  https://www.nfl.com/news/2023-nfl-pro-bowl-games-snubs

Here are five NFL teams that could shake up playoff mix if they reach postseason (Detroit Lions:  It feels like Dan Campbell’s coaching is paying off for a Lions franchise that has made the playoffs three times since 2000, the latest in 2016.  The Lions (7-7) have won six of their last seven games, including over the New York Giants and Jets in New York and the playoff-bound Vikings. They nearly pulled off an upset of Buffalo last month, losing 28-25. They are No. 9 in the NFC.  Wins over the Carolina Panthers and Chicago Bears in the next two weeks could put Detroit in position, but could face a test in Green Bay against the Packers in the season finale.  Standout Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown said of the team's confidence and momentum, according to ESPN: “when you play with that, I think anything’s possible, and we know that as a team.”):  https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2022/12/21/nfl-playoff-picture-teams-to-fear-in-postseason/10932927002/

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Posted by LionsFan at 4:13 AM

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