Saturday, January 13, 2024

Morning Lions Links for Saturday 1-13-24

Articles:


NOTEBOOK: St. Brown talks motivation ahead of Wild Card matchup:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/notebook-st-brown-talks-motivation-ahead-of-wild-card-matchup

All signs point toward Sam LaPorta playing for Lions, listed as ‘questionable’:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2024/01/all-signs-point-toward-sam-laporta-playing-for-lions-listed-as-questionable.html

Sam LaPorta returns to practice with hulking knee brace, another tight end out:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2024/01/sam-laporta-returns-to-practice-with-hulking-knee-brace-another-tight-end-out.html

Dan Campbell has envisioned Ford Field’s playoff atmosphere for 3 years:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2024/01/dan-campbell-has-envisioned-ford-fields-playoff-atmosphere-for-3-years.html

Penei Sewell, still dogged by the 1 sack he allowed, named All-Pro; 4 others too:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2024/01/penei-sewell-still-dogged-by-the-1-sack-he-allowed-named-all-pro-4-others-too.html





Strengths, weaknesses for all 14 NFL playoff teams (Strength: Late-Game Offensive Poise - Unsurprisingly, the Dan Campbell-led Lions finish games strong and rarely go down without a fight. Detroit plays its best ball down stretch, leading the league in a variety of late-game metrics. In the fourth quarter and overtime, the Lions pace the NFL in expected points added per play (0.104), touchdowns (17), conversion rate (32.4%) and yards per play (5.6).  Weakness: Coverage - The Lions' coverage unit couldn’t find its footing in 2023, dropping near the bottom of the league in several key metrics. On passing downs, Detroit ranked 28th in expected points allowed per play, due largely to surrendering 108 explosive passes (31st) and 29 touchdowns (26th).):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-strengths-weaknesses-all-14-nfl-playoff-teams-2024

NFL playoffs: One X-factor on each of the 14 teams (3. Detroit Lions Jahmyr Gibbs:  With David Montgomery and Gibbs, the Lions boast a spectacular 1-2 backfield punch that is problematic for opponents attempting to neutralize the Jared Goff-led aerial attack. The soft coverage needed to slow down Amon-Ra St. Brown and Co. leaves plenty of space for the two RBs to chew up yardage as runner/receivers on the perimeter. The reason I'm spotlighting Gibbs, in particular, as Detroit's X-factor? With a robust average of 5.2 yards per carry, 52 catches and 11 total touchdowns, this rookie is a true home run hitter who can change the tenor of a game with one touch. I can't wait to see what creative offensive coordinator Ben Johnson does with such a potent weapon in his first):  https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-playoffs-one-x-factor-on-each-of-the-14-teams

One reason why each playoff team can win SB LVIII (Detroit Lions: Depth at skill positions - No playoff team sans the 49ers can match the offensive depth that is in Detroit. The Lions have the NFL's top RB duo in David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, who combined to run for 1,960 yards and 23 touchdowns during the regular season. The Lions also have one of the NFL's best wideouts (and arguably this year's biggest Pro Bowl snub) in wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown, who is flanked in the passing game by Pro Bowl tight end Sam LaPorta and fellow wideout Josh Reynolds.  At the center of all this talent is Jared Goff, who is hoping to knock off his former team this weekend.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2024-nfl-playoffs-one-reason-why-each-playoff-team-can-win-super-bowl-lviii-including-cowboys-steelers/

Ranking all six 2024 wild-card QB matchups (1. Jared Goff (Lions) vs. Matthew Stafford (Rams)
The one QB matchup no one can afford to miss. Goff and Stafford swapped teams when the Rams went all in for a QB upgrade back in 2021, and while Stafford has already proven worth the deal, delivering a Lombardi in his L.A. debut, Goff has arguably been the steadier starter since that point, and he's a big reason Detroit is hosting its first playoff game in 30 years.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2024-nfl-playoffs-ranking-all-six-wild-card-round-qb-matchups-including-patrick-mahomes-vs-tua-tagovailoa/

Ranking 10 most important non-QBs in 2024 playoffs (9. Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown:  Detroit gets a lot of credit for the way it balances the run and pass, with coordinator Ben Johnson utilizing both Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery in the backfield. But St. Brown is a machine out wide, serving as an endless safety valve and playmaker for Jared Goff. Take him out of the lineup, and you're working with an entirely different offense.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2024-nfl-playoffs-ranking-10-most-important-non-qbs-including-chiefs-chris-jones-49ers-trent-williams/



NFL wild-card weekend: What to watch as Rams' Matthew Stafford faces his old team in Detroit:  https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-wild-card-weekend-what-to-watch-as-rams-matthew-stafford-faces-his-old-team-in-detroit-190027647.html

NFC wild-card preview: Lions and Rams each face a familiar face at quarterback:  https://sports.yahoo.com/nfc-wild-card-preview-lions-and-rams-each-face-a-familiar-face-at-quarterback-154424102.html

The Overhang: Matthew Stafford has unlocked the most advanced version of the Rams offense yet:  https://sports.yahoo.com/the-overhang-matthew-stafford-has-unlocked-the-most-advanced-version-of-the-rams-offense-yet-180807199.html


Video:


Lions LB Alex Anzalone previews wild card matchup vs. Rams:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/lions-lb-alex-anzalone-previews-wild-card-matchup-vs-rams

Kyle Brandt talks to Lions fans ahead of playoff game vs. Rams:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/kyle-brandt-talks-to-lions-fans-ahead-of-playoff-game-vs-rams

The 'Mad Minute' on Rams-Lions in NFC Wild Card Game | 'GMFB':  https://www.nfl.com/videos/the-mad-minute-on-rams-lions-in-nfc-wild-card-game-gmfb

Posted by LionsFan at 9:47 AM

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