Morning Lions Links for Wednesday 1-3-24

Articles:

Lions-Vikings preview: Playoff implications at stake for both Detroit and Minnesota:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2024/01/lions-vikings-preview-playoff-implications-at-stake-for-both-detroit-and-minnesota.html

Detroit Lions waive former starting defensive tackle:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2024/01/detroit-lions-reportedly-waiving-former-starting-defensive-tackle.html

Lions to play starters, despite small stakes, in season finale vs. Vikings:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2024/01/01/dan-campbell-detroit-lions-play-starters-minnesota-vikings-season-finale/72078834007/

NFL releases memo with Lions-Cowboys footage to remind teams of proper reporting process:  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2024/01/02/nfl-releases-memo-with-lions-cowboys-footage-to-remind-teams-of-proper-reporting-process/72089806007/

Isaiah Buggs thanks Lions fans, says goodbye to Detroit:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2024/01/02/isaiah-buggs-lions-goodbye-roster-move-pending/

Lions re-sign FB Jason Cabinda to the practice squad:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2024/01/02/lions-re-sign-jason-cabinda-practice-squad-detroit-roster-move-buggs/

St. Brown, Hutchinson Among Highest PFF-Graded Players against Cowboys:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-cowboys-pff-grades

Lions QB Jared Goff: "We know how good we are" as playoffs near  https://www.audacy.com/971theticket/sports/detroit-lions/detroit-lions-qb-jared-goff-we-know-how-good-we-are

Dan Campbell challenges Jim Costa: "I'm on the radio, say it like you want to say it":  https://www.audacy.com/971theticket/sports/detroit-lions/dan-campbell-challenges-jim-costa-to-go-ahead-and-say-it

NFL Rookies: Top 15 highest-graded players after Week 17 (14. CB BRIAN BRANCH, DETROIT LIONS: 77.3

After last featuring on this list back in Week 9, Branch returned to the top 15 with a fantastic recent stretch of games. Over the last month, Branch has been a ballhawk in coverage, securing a pair of interceptions and five forced incompletions.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-rookies-top-15-highest-graded-players-after-week-17

Grading all 31 first-round picks after Week 17 of the 2023 NFL season (PICK NO. 12: DETROIT LIONS: RB JAHMYR GIBBS - Overall Rookie Grade: 76.7 (Rank: 3/8), Principal Opponent: Jourdan Lewis, Week 17 Snaps: 43, Week 17 Grade: 68.7.  Gibbs finished Week 17 with his lowest yardage output of the season. He gained just 43 yards on 15 carries. Twenty-eight of those yards came on his only two explosive runs of the night midway through the second quarter. Gibbs was targeted twice on Detroit’s first drive and just once the rest of the day as he tied a season-low with one reception.  PICK NO. 18: DETROIT LIONS: LB JACK CAMPBELL - Overall Rookie Grade: 56.8 (Rank: 2/4), Principal Opponent: Jake Ferguson, Week 17 Snaps: 40, Week 17 Grade: 58.2. Detroit continues to hide Campbell from coverage situations. He was targeted just once on 13 coverage snaps, though he was beaten up the seam by Jake Ferguson. Luckily, Kerby Joseph made an excellent play to break up the pass. His day in run defense was a mixed bag, as he earned three positive and three negative grades. Despite that, Campbell has earned at least a 64.0 run-defense grade in six straight weeks.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-grading-all-first-round-picks-week-17-2023-nfl-season

One thing we learned about each team in Week 17 (Detroit Lions:  Dan Campbell doesn't care: Campbell's statement in his three seasons in Detroit is taking risks on fourth down and on two-point attempts to win the game. Campbell even called a play to throw the ball to an offensive lineman in the final minute to win a game, which resulted in controversy regarding Taylor Decker reporting as eligible or not. The penalty put Detroit back on the Cowboys' 7-yard line, and Campbell still went for two! No matter the situation, Campbell is going to go for the win and put a defense on its heels -- even if he has to go for two three different times to win a game. The strategy has worked for the Lions before, but it just didn't this week.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/one-thing-we-learned-about-each-nfl-team-in-week-17-chiefs-big-plays-return-ceedee-lambs-case-as-best-wr/ 

Dan Campbell admits Lions tried to confuse Cowboys as to who was eligible on two-point play:  https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/dan-campbell-admits-lions-tried-to-confuse-cowboys-as-to-who-was-eligible-on-two-point-play

Blown tripping call led to Lions even getting a chance at two-point conversion:  https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/blown-tripping-call-led-to-lions-even-getting-a-chance-at-two-point-conversion

2024 NFL Draft:

Perfect 2024 NFL Draft prospect for all 32 teams: Marvin Harrison Jr. to the Cardinals, Bo Nix to the Broncos and more (DETROIT LIONS: CB TERRION ARNOLD, ALABAMA - If it weren’t for injuries, maybe this need wouldn’t be as high, but the Lions still need to get better on the defensive side of the ball. A lockdown CB1 type of cornerback feels like their perfect fit given where they’ll be drafting. Arnold has serious ball skills with five interceptions and 13 forced incompletions this season.):  https://www.pff.com/news/draft-perfect-2024-nfl-draft-prospect-all-32-teams-marvin-harrison-jr-cardinals-bo-nix-broncos

2024 NFL Draft prospects who can improve stock in CFP:  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2024-nfl-draft-prospects-who-can-improve-their-draft-stock-with-big-college-football-playoff-performances/

Video:

How do Lions stay the course after odd loss to Cowboys? | 'GMFB':  https://www.nfl.com/videos/how-do-lions-stay-the-course-after-odd-loss-to-cowboys-gmfb

Of all potential playoff matchups, is Rams-Lions the most intriguing? | 'GMFB':  https://www.nfl.com/videos/of-all-potential-playoff-matchups-is-rams-lions-the-most-intriguing-gmfb