Morning Lions Links for Thursday 12-28-23

NOTEBOOK: Melifonwu named NFC Defensive Player of the Week:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/notebook-melifonwu-named-nfc-defensive-player-of-the-week

Lions at Cowboys practice report: Dec. 27:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-at-cowboys-practice-report-dec-27

Lions' Ifeatu Melifonwu has taken quickly to starting role, named NFC Player of the Week:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2023/12/27/detroit-lions-nfl-ifeatu-melifonwu-nfc-defensive-player-of-the-week/72039255007/

After failing to fall on fumble, Lions' Cominsky won't forget 'Miller Time' again:  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2023/12/27/detroit-lions-john-cominsky-regrets-not-falling-on-fumble/72042432007/

Lions' Dave Fipp had Christmas morning tainted by special teams botch:  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2023/12/27/detroit-lions-dave-fipp-had-christmas-tainted-by-special-teams-botch/72040678007/

Lions' Decker doesn't practice; team not yet ready to start Houston's acclimation clock:  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2023/12/27/detroit-lions-taylor-decker-doesnt-practice/72040759007/

Wealth of effective blitzers giving Lions DC Glenn game-planning flexibility:   https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2023/12/27/effective-blitzers-giving-detroit-lions-aaron-glenn-flexibility/72039600007/

Ex-Packers QB Aaron Rodgers 'not happy' to see Lions win NFC North:  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2023/12/27/ex-packers-qb-aaron-rodgers-not-happy-to-see-lions-win-nfc-north/72036298007/

'Fired Up' Hutchinson Aims to Break Cowboys’ Home Win Streak:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/hutchinson-aims-end-cowboys-home-win-streak

Lions coaches too caught up with mistakes to celebrate division title:  https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2023/12/27/24016722/detroit-lions-coaches-too-caught-up-with-mistakes-to-celebrate-division-title

Pat Caputo: Stafford hovering over Lions as Sandman:  https://www.audacy.com/971theticket/sports/detroit-lions/pat-caputo-stafford-hovering-over-lions-as-sandman

NFL Week 16: PFF Team of the Week & Player Awards (C: Frank Ragnow, Detroit Lions.  RG: Graham Glasgow, Detroit Lions.  S: Ifeatu Melifonwu, Detroit Lions.  Flex: Brian Branch, Detroit Lions.  ROOKIE OF THE WEEK: BRIAN BRANCH, DETROIT LIONS.  Branch played arguably his best NFL game in a win that clinched the NFC North crown for the Lions. He saw eight targets in coverage and allowed five receptions for 82 yards while notching an interception and forcing a fumble.  OFFENSIVE LINE OF THE WEEK: DETROIT LIONS.  The Lions’ starting offensive line allowed only five pressures, with all five starters earning PFF pass-blocking grades of 69.0 or better.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-week-16-pff-team-of-the-week-player-awards-2023

NFL Week 16 Highlights: Notable grades from the weekend's games (CB BRIAN BRANCH, DETROIT LIONS - PFF Grade: 88.0.  The 46th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft had his best game in the NFL to date as the Lions clinched the NFC North. He did give up a career-high 82 yards in coverage, but just 28 of those yards came after the catch. Branch also notched an interception and a forced fumble.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-week-16-highlights-notable-grades-standouts-2023

What we learned from each team in Week 16 (Detroit Lions - Defense has significantly improved over past two games: The Lions defense has been maligned in recent weeks, but have actually turned the corner over the past two games (allowing 20.5 points per game). The run defense has been excellent in allowing only 50.0 rushing yards per game over the last two games, including just 17 on Sunday (1.5 yards per carry). The Vikings became one dimensional as a result, picking off Nick Mullens four times despite allowing 411 yards. The defense allowed 139 yards on the final four possessions with two interceptions, allowing the offense to erase a 21-17 deficit. The unit has been playing a key role in the Lions being tied for the best record in the NFC in recent weeks.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/one-thing-we-learned-about-each-nfl-team-in-week-16-dolphins-shed-popular-narrative-ravens-expose-49ers/

NFL Week 16 Winners and Losers: Ravens Look Super Bowl Bound, Chiefs Struggle (Winners - Detroit Lions

The Lions (11–4) might have been the biggest winners of Week 16, when they clinched their first division title in 30 years.  The Lions celebrated like it’s 1993 after they defeated the Minnesota Vikings, 30–24, on Sunday. More importantly, the Detroit defense has shown improvements in the past two games, including holding the Denver Broncos to 17 points. The Lions had their hands full against Justin Jefferson, but they forced Nick Mullens into four interceptions and allowed only 17 rushing yards.  If the Lions continue to play this well defensively, they might be the second best team in the NFC, behind the 49ers. (The Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles haven’t played well in recent weeks.) And we shouldn’t overlook the surging Rams, who would face the Lions if the playoffs started this week. But Detroit is going to be tough to beat because of its explosive offense, which features running back Jahmyr Gibbs, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and tight end Sam LaPorta.):  https://www.si.com/nfl/2023/12/27/week-16-winners-losers-ravens-playoffs-chiefs-offense

After wrapping up division, Lions aim for bigger goals going into the playoffs:  https://apnews.com/article/lions-analysis-campbell-gibbs-montgomery-887ab412fb1e16e57fb9487afe600eca

Video:

Barry Sanders excited by current Lions:  https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/39192521

Barry Sanders gives credit to Jahmyr Gibbs on 'The Pat McAfee Show':  https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/39192575

What would a Lions win over Cowboys mean for NFC? | 'GMFB':  https://www.nfl.com/videos/what-would-a-lions-win-over-cowboys-mean-for-nfc-gmfb