Monday, January 2, 2023

Morning Lions Links for Monday 1-2-23

Articles:

NOTEBOOK: Lions keep playoff hopes alive with big win over Bears:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/notebook-lions-keep-playoff-hopes-alive-with-big-win-over-bears

FOUR DOWNS: Rookie pass rushers come up big in Lions' win over Bears:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/rookie-pass-rushers-big-in-lions-bears-houston-hutchinson-paschal

Aidan Hutchinson, James Houston set all kinds of pass-rushing records for Lions:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2023/01/aidan-hutchinson-james-houston-set-all-kinds-of-pass-rushing-records-for-lions.html

Inside the locker room: Justin Fields says Lions had playoff atmosphere in Week 17:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2023/01/inside-the-locker-room-justin-fields-says-lions-had-playoff-atmosphere-in-week-17.html

Playoff outlook: The Lions still need 1 more win, miracle from Rams to qualify:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2023/01/playoff-outlook-the-lions-still-need-a-miracle-from-rams-to-make-postseason.html

Detroit Lions draft pick via Rams climbs after LA’s Week 17 loss:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2023/01/detroit-lions-draft-pick-via-rams-climbs-after-las-week-17-loss.html

Lions RB D’Andre Swift, rushing attack finds pulse in 41-10 beatdown of Bears:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2023/01/lions-rb-dandre-swift-rushing-attack-finds-pulse-in-41-10-beatdown-of-bears.html

Lions irked by Aaron Rodgers smack talk heading into titanic finale vs. Packers:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2023/01/lions-irked-by-aaron-rodgers-smack-talk-heading-into-titanic-finale-vs-packers.html



Lions keep playoff hopes alive with 41-10 win over Bears; 5 reasons why they won:  https://lionslowdown.com/2023/01/02/lions-keep-playoff-hopes-alive-with-41-10-win-over-bears-5-reasons-why-they-won/

Lions set Ford Field single-game rushing mark in Week 17 win over the Bears:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2023/01/01/lions-set-ford-field-single-game-rushing-mark-in-week-17-win-over-the-bears/

Lions' Studs and Duds: Hutchinson, Houston Dominate Bears:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/studs-duds-lions-pass-rushers-dominate





NFL Week 17 takeaways: Giants clinch playoff spot, Bucs win NFC South and Eagles lose (Detroit 41, Chicago 10 - Lions.  What to know: The Lions are clinging to hope they can reach the postseason for the first time since 2016. But even though their chances are minimal - jumping from 16 to 23 percent after beating Chicago, according to ESPN Analytics -- the longer they play in games with playoff ramifications, the more this season becomes an important learning moment for a team on the rise.This is especially true for the younger guys like rookies Aidan Hutchinson (interception, fumble recovery Sunday), James Houston (3 sacks vs. Bears) and second-year receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (4 receptions, 62 yards), who have never played in important games in December and January.  What's been one of Detroit's bigger offensive surprises? After the 1-6 start, many questioned the decision to trade Pro Bowl tight end T.J. Hockenson. But since he left, the tight end production has increased drastically as quarterback Jared Goff has developed connections with Brock Wright - who scored twice against Chicago - as well as James Mitchell and Shane Zylstra. The Lions have 12 passing touchdowns to tight ends this season, which is their most this century, according to ESPN Stats & Information. This was also Detroit's eighth 30-point game this season, passing the 2011 season for their most in franchise history, and a big part of that has been the production of its tight ends. -- Eric Woodyard):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35359060/nfl-week-17-takeaways-2022-big-questions-every-game

2022 NFL season, Week 17: What We Learned from Sunday's games (Lions win 41-10 - Kevin Patra's takeaways:  1.  Lions steamroll Bears to keep playoff hopes alive. After getting their faces kicked in last week, Dan Campbell's crew did the booty-whipping in Week 17 against a division rival. In the comfy confines of Ford Field, Jared Goff and the Lions' offense took whatever it wanted. Receivers jaunted wide open, running backs dashed into the second level. Rarely under pressure, Goff picked apart Chicago's undermanned secondary, guiding Detroit to points on six of its first seven drives to blow the game open. Goff hit 10 different receivers for 255 yards and three touchdowns as Detroit racked up 504 total yards. D'Andre Swift displayed his elusiveness in space, taking a pitch for a 17-yard score to give the Lions a second-quarter lead they wouldn't relinquish. The running back later hauled in a screen pass and scampered for a 21-yard TD. When Detroit's offense rolls like it was Sunday, it's one of the most fun units in the NFL. The victory kept the 8-8 Lions' playoff hopes alive heading to Green Bay in Week 18.  2.  Bears offense goes into hibernation. Facing a Lions defense that has been ripped apart this season, Chicago put up a dismal effort. Justin Fields offered some jaw-dropping runs early as the Bears sprinted to a 10-7 lead, including a 60-yard gash. But with offensive line injuries piling up, Chicago couldn't move the ball when the Fields runs dried up. The Bears picked up just two first downs in the second and third quarters and went three-and-out on their first four drives of the second half. Fields generated 132 rushing yards on 10 carries, his third time over the 100-yard mark this season (twice versus Detroit). But the lack of weapons and time to throw makes the passing attack nonexistent. Fields completed just 7 of 21 pass attempts (33.3 %) for 75 yards with a TD, an INT, and took seven sacks. Chicago had seven net passing yards at the half and 30 for the game. Playing in a dome in 2023, that output will never win any games. It was an ugly, ugly performance for Chicago falling to 3-13.  3.  Young Lions D-linemen roar in final home game. Sixth-round draft pick James Houston continues to surge, as he generated three sacks of Fields. Houston's late third-quarter sack was impressive, as he dropped in coverage, saw Fields escape the pocket, and blasted off to wrangle the elusive QB to the ground. Houston's emergence has been massive for the Lions' third-down rush. No. 2 overall pick Aidan Hutchinson added a half-sack to the party, earned his third INT of the season, and added a team-high five QB pressures. Second-round defensive tackle Joshua Paschal chipped in two sacks, giving Lions rookies 5.5 of the club's seven QB takedowns. The improvement from the Lions' young defensive linemen as the season has progressed is an excellent sign for the future in Detroit.  Next Gen stat of the game: Justin Fields reached a top speed of 20.39 mph on his 60-yard scramble run, his ninth carry reaching 20-plus mph this season (most in a season of the NGS era).  NFL Research: Aidan Hutchinson recorded the third interception of his rookie season, tied for the most by any defensive lineman in a season in the Super Bowl era. Hutchinson is the only player with at least five sacks and three INTs in 2022.):  https://www.nfl.com/news/2022-nfl-season-week-17-what-we-learned-from-sunday-s-games

Lions finding rhythm on offense, defense as a playoff spot comes within reach:  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/lions-finding-rhythm-on-offense-defense-as-a-playoff-spot-comes-within-reach

NFC contenders should hope Lions don't earn 7th seed, which says a lot about how far Detroit has come:  https://sports.yahoo.com/nfc-contenders-should-hope-lions-dont-earn-7th-seed-which-says-a-lot-about-how-far-detroit-has-come-233707184.html

NFL Winners and Losers: Nobody is shocked by Carson Wentz failing, except the Commanders (Winners - The Detroit Lions' playoff chances: The way Lions head coach Dan Campbell enthusiastically greeted Panthers head coach Steve Wilks at midfield last week, congratulating Wilks for his Panthers kicking the Lions' behinds, you knew Detroit would not be flat in Week 17.  The Lions bounced back and kept their playoff hopes alive. They looked like a different team than the one that got run out by the Panthers last week, routing the Chicago Bears 41-10.  Campbell is a motivator and while that means he deserves some blame for his team being so bad last week, it wasn't going to happen two consecutive weekends. He won't need any additional motivation for his team for next week's game at the Green Bay Packers):  https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-winners-and-losers-nobody-is-shocked-by-carson-wentz-failing-except-the-commanders-212348885.html
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Grades:

Grades: Lions Battle To End in Playoff Push:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/grades-lions-pass-rush-excels

CBS (Lions Grade - A.  The Lions needed a win to keep their playoff hopes alive and they responded by destroying the Bears. Jamal Williams led a rushing attack that streamrolled the Bears defense for 265 yards on the ground, which was the Lions' highest rushing total for Detroit since 1991. The Lions passing game was almost as good as their rushing attack with Jared Goff throwing three touchdown passes. Not to be outdone, the Lions defense beat up Justin Fields, sacking the Bears QB seven times. The Lions also came away with three turnovers in what was arguably the team's best all-around performance of the season. If the Lions (8-8) can sneak into the playoffs, they could be a dangerous team.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-week-17-grades-tom-bradys-buccaneers-earn-an-a-for-beating-panthers-dolphins-get-d-for-loss/ 

Video





Hutchinson on leading defensive lineman in interceptions:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/hutchinson-on-leading-defensive-lineman-in-interceptions




Jamaal Williams' best plays from 157-yard game | Week 17:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/jamaal-williams-best-plays-from-157-yard-game-week-17



Video recap: Lions stifle Bears QB Justin Fields and ho-hum passing attack:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2023/01/video-recap-lions-stifle-bears-qb-justin-fields-and-ho-hum-passing-attack.html


Podcast:

Twentyman in the Huddle: Lions win, defeat Chicago Bears 41-10 | Week 17 postgame breakdown:   https://www.detroitlions.com/news/twentyman-in-the-huddle-lions-win-defeat-chicago-bears-41-10-week-17-postgame-br
Posted by LionsFan at 4:38 AM

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