Friday, September 13, 2024

Lions Links for Friday 9-13-24

Articles:


NOTEBOOK: Rookie Terrion Arnold learned a lot from first NFL start:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/notebook-rookie-terrion-arnold-learned-a-lot-from-first-nfl-start

10 QUESTIONS WITH TWENTYMAN: Can Williams keep the momentum going after hot start Week 1?:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/10-questions-with-twentyman-can-williams-keep-the-momentum-going-after-hot-start-week-1


Lions have found the front seven chess piece they've been missing on defense:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2024/09/13/derrick-barnes-detroit-lions-defense-nfl/75189449007/



Dan Campbell Leaves Out James Houston When Talking D-Line Depth:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/james-houston-left-out-d-line-depth-talk


Lions Evaluating Playing Two Running Backs Together More:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-could-play-two-running-backs-together-more

Why Buccaneers Have to Worry About Lions' Jared Goff:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/player-to-watch-jared-goff-2024-week-two

Lions Kicker Jake Bates Able to Stay Calm in Pressure Moments:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/jake-bates-able-to-stay-calm

Jameson Williams' Week 1 Performance Is 'Only the Beginning':  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/only-the-beginning-for-jameson-williams

'He Just Wants to Win': St. Brown Unfazed by Lackluster Numbers:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/he-just-wants-to-win-st-brown-unfazed-by-lackluster-numbers

Notebook: Lions Tied for NFL Lead in Two Roster Categories:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/notebook-lions-tied-for-nfl-lead-in-two-roster-categories






Lions host Bucs in another playoff rematch from last postseason:  https://www.wxyz.com/sports/lions-host-bucs-in-another-playoff-rematch-from-last-postseason




PFF Grades and Data: Key insights for every NFL Week 2 game (Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Detroit Lions - Mike Evans continues to rack up contested catches for Tampa Bay. His touchdown grab early in the second quarter last week against Washington marked his 112th contested catch since 2017 — the most in the NFL.  Carlton Davis III will likely line up against his former teammate, Mike Evans, on several plays this week. Davis ranks second among all defensive players with 81 forced incompletions since being drafted in 2018.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-grades-and-data-key-insights-for-every-nfl-week-2-game

NFL Week 2 Preview: Schedule, storylines and matchups to watch (Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Detroit Lions (-7) - Storyline of the game: Rematch of the 2023 NFC divisional-round matchup
The Bucs and Lions run it back after their close contest in the playoffs after starting off their 2024 campaigns on a high note.  Detroit’s toughness was on full display as it paved the way on the ground. This top-tier offensive line set the tone, allowing David Montgomery to flourish on his way to the second-highest rushing grade (88.5) in the league in Week 1.  On the other hand, Tampa did most of its damage through the air. Baker Mayfield linked up with his talented receiver tandem all day, resulting in the league’s highest EPA per dropback on the week while WR Chris Godwin earned the position-leading 89.1 PFF receiving grade.  Matchups to watch: Buccaneers LT Tristan Wirfs vs. Lions edge defender Aidan Hutchinson
A massive game in Week 1 has many buzzing about a possible Defensive Player of the Year run for the Lions' elite young pass-rusher. Hutchinson went ballistic, racking up 11 pressures on an insane 47.7% pass-rush win rate on his way to earning the league’s highest PFF pass-rush grade (95.7).  Last week, the Bucs tackle recorded the 28th game of his career in which he earned an 80-plus PFF pass-blocking grade. Wirfs is already in playoff form, and he’ll need it to slow down Hutchinson.  Additional news:  After Jameson Williams‘ breakout night in Week 1, the Lions WR was limited at practice.  Bucs All-Pro FS Antoine Winfield Jr. (ankle) is expected to miss at least two weeks.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-week-2-preview-schedule-storylines-and-matchups-to-watch

NFL QB Index, Week 2: Baker Mayfield enters top 10; Kirk Cousins, Aaron Rodgers slide (10.  Jared Goff (2024 stats: 1 game | 64.3 pct | 217 pass yds | 7.8 ypa | 1 pass TD | 1 INT | 7 rush yds | 0 rush TD | 0 fumbles):  Goff didn't miss a beat between the NFC Championship Game and Week 1, staying right in the comfortable slot in which he operates Ben Johnson's offense by taking what the defense gave him and delivering without hesitation. His long connections with Jameson Williams were fun, too, and carried much of Detroit's passing offense. That was enough, because David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs handled the rest, combining for 131 rushing yards and two scores on 28 attempts and taking a significant chunk of responsibility off Goff's shoulders. I will admit, it's interesting to see Goff attempt to execute when a defense dedicates significant resources toward eliminating the middle of the field from his available target area. The Rams did so in the second half, forcing Goff into an awful interception that bought them new life. But Goff didn't crumble, leading an efficient two-minute drill to buy Lions kicker Jake Bates a chance to send them to overtime. And once they got there, they barely needed Goff at all, which certainly isn't a knock on him.):  https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-qb-index-week-2-baker-mayfield-enters-top-10-kirk-cousins-aaron-rodgers-slide

Back Detroit's Jameson Williams to win Offensive Player of the Year:  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/back-detroits-jameson-williams-win-offensive-player-year

NFL Week 2 bold predictions (Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield throws at least three more TDs in upset win over Lions - The Detroit Lions won both matchups against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2023, including the NFC Divisional Round. This game is also being played in Detroit, which is why the Lions are 7.5-point home favorites, per SportsLine consensus odds.  However, Baker Mayfield is going to do something he didn't do last season: lead the Buccaneers to victory against Detroit. Yeah, he picked on a bad Washington Commanders defense in Week 1, throwing for an NFL-high four touchdowns last week, but that's kind of who Mayfield is now. He's thrown 18 touchdowns to only four interceptions in his last seven games played, including the playoffs. Why is Mayfield so on fire? Simple. He is finally on the same page with his top two targets, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. No doubt about it. Last week, Mayfield completed13 of his 14 passes thrown their way for 143 passing yards and three touchdowns against Washington. Evans and Godwin are going to torch their former Buccaneers teammate in cornerback Carlton Davis, now with Detroit after an offseason trade, and the Lions' youth of 2024 first-round corner Terrion Arnold and 2024 second-round cornerback Ennis Rakestraw. That leads to Mayfield throwing for at least three touchdowns and helping a secure a road, upset win over the team that eliminated them last postseason.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2024-nfl-week-2-bold-predictions-baker-mayfield-tosses-3-tds-in-bucs-upset-of-lions-another-likely-outburst/

Biggest need for each NFL team ahead of Week 2 (Lions: Edge rusher - There is not a position on Detroit's roster that requires dire attention. Even at a position like edge rusher, the franchise has options opposite Aidan Hutchinson. It is strictly a matter of whether or not they can stay healthy. The Lions have heavily invested in Marcus Davenport and Josh Paschal so the ideal outcome is that either or both rise to the occasion in 2024.  General manager Brad Holmes did an outstanding job turning cornerback into a position of strength this offseason by trading for Carlton Davis, drafting Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr.. Those additions give the defense more freedom.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/biggest-need-for-each-nfl-team-ahead-of-week-2-colts-and-jaguars-dealing-with-injuries-at-cornerback/


Ranking NFL’s Best OT Duos: Where Does Chargers’ Rashawn Slater-Joe Alt Tandem Land? (2. Detroit Lions | LT Taylor Decker and RT Penei Sewell - Penei Sewell is arguably the NFL’s best player under the age of 25. A two-time Pro Bowler, Sewell made his first All-Pro team in 2023 after allowing the second-lowest pressure rate (3%) among offensive tackles, per TruMedia.  The former No. 7 overall pick routinely shuts down opposing pass rushers with his size, strength, and technique. However, Sewell is also more than athletic enough to make inconceivable run blocks in space.  Taylor Decker slogged through years of poor surrounding play in Detroit and now might be underrated around the NFL. A locker room leader and a tough player, Decker has battled through injuries but largely stayed on the field during his career. He missed two weeks with an ankle issue in 2023 but otherwise has played 100% of the Lions’ snaps over the past two years.):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/ranking-nfl-best-ot-duos-2024/

Podcast:

Twentyman in the Huddle: Lions-Buccaneers Week 2 preview:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/twentyman-in-the-huddle-lions-buccaneers-week-2-preview

Video:



WATCH - Dan Miller goes 1-on-1 with Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone:  https://www.fox2detroit.com/video/1515744

The 'Mad Minute' on Buccaneers-Lions in Week 2 | 'GMFB':  https://www.nfl.com/videos/the-mad-minute-on-buccaneers-lions-in-week-2-gmfb
Posted by LionsFan at 5:27 PM

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)
.main-inner .sidebar .Poll { background-color: #AD966C; padding: 15px; }