Wednesday, October 16, 2024

Lions Links for Wednesday 10-16-24

Articles:










Lions Are 2.5-Point Underdogs Against Vikings:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-road-underdogs-against-vikings-2024

Jared Goff: Penei Sewell May Be 'Best Athlete In NFL':  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/jared-goff-penei-sewell-best-athlete-in-nfl

Everybody Is Saying Detroit Lions Broke Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/everybody-is-saying-lions-broke-cowboys-jerry-jones

Film Review: Plays That Defined Lions' Defensive Dominance:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/film-review-plays-that-defined-lions-defensive-dominance




Lions Game Ball, Unsung Hero of Week 6: Detroit demolishes ‘Big D’:  https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2024/10/15/24270505/detroit-lions-week-6-game-ball-unsung-hero-dallas-cowboys

Goff talks Hutchinson injury, Lions offense, and next week's game against the Vikings:  https://www.fox2detroit.com/sports/detroit-lions-jared-goff-talks-blowout-win-over-dallas-devastating-injury-aidan-hutchinson

Campbell sends strong message to Lions fans losing faith without Hutchinson:  https://www.audacy.com/971theticket/sports/detroit-lions/dan-campbell-sends-strong-message-to-detroit-lions-fans


Campbell says Lions could trade for "complementary piece," not star, after Hutchinson injury:  https://www.audacy.com/971theticket/sports/detroit-lions/dan-campbell-detroit-lions-eyeing-role-player-in-trade

Schefter: Lions seeking help, but trading for Maxx Crosby is "fantasy football":  https://www.audacy.com/971theticket/sports/detroit-lions/detroit-lions-schefter-shuts-down-talk-of-maxx-crosby-trade






Maxx Crosby, Trey Hendrickson lead trade targets who could replace Aidan Hutchinson for Lions:  https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/lions-trade-targets-maxx-crosby-trey-hendrickson-hutchinson/8928d6473549c33bd5225df9


Buy, sell or hold: What should each NFL team do at the 2024 trade deadline? (Detroit Lions: BUY.  The devastating injury to edge defender Aidan Hutchinson leaves the Lions in desperate need of a pass-rusher. This is potentially the biggest decision the team will make all year, and while it seems the price for a Trey Hendrickson or a Maxx Crosby will be too high, Haason Reddick is an intriguing option.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-buy-sell-hold-2024-trade-deadline-decisions-all-32-teams

10 NFL players playing above their pay grade this season (S Brian Branch, Detroit Lions - 2024 Cap Number: $1.1 million. After recording a strong rookie season in 2023, Branch has only developed even further in 2024. The 22-year-old has posted an 88.1 overall grade, which ranks sixth among all safeties.  Branch was coveted for having a versatile skillset at Alabama, and he’s extrapolated that as a pro. Branch is the only NFL safety with a grade of 80.0 or higher in both coverage and pass-rushing. His ball-hawking skills have also translated well, with Branch amassing five pass breakups, three interceptions and a forced fumble in only four games. The fact that Branch fell to the 46th overall selection remains puzzling, but it did help the Lions keep his cap hit down. Having a player of this caliber sit 59th among safeties in AAV is ludicrous.):  https://www.pff.com/news/10-nfl-players-playing-above-their-pay-grade-this-season

Why your NFL team won, lost in Week 6 (Why the Lions won: It wasn’t a perfect passing performance from Goff, but he still excelled when kept clean by the offensive line. When not pressured, Goff completed 14-of-19 attempts for 226 yards and three touchdowns while earning a 73.6 passing grade. Why the Cowboys lost: The Cowboys’ pass protection struggled mightily against the Lions, giving up 19 pressures and three sacks over the course of the game. The surprising element is Hall of Fame guard Zack Martin allowing seven pressures and a sack, earning a 0.0 pass blocking grade. No one covered themselves in glory here.):  https://www.pff.com/news/why-your-nfl-team-won-lost-in-week-6

2024 NFL trade deadline: 10 deals that need to happen (Za'Darius Smith to the Detroit Lions - Potential compensation: 2025 fifth-round pick.  The Browns have every reason to be sellers, starting 1-5 but boasting a number of quality defensive assets, and Detroit has every reason to be buying at edge rusher, where star youngster Aidan Hutchinson is out indefinitely with a broken leg. Smith has already toured the NFC North, starting with the Packers and also suiting up for the Vikings, and while he's better suited as a rotational rusher at 32, he'd represent a clear upgrade for a thin unit in Motown, where the Lions are bent on making another run at the NFC title.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2024-nfl-trade-deadline-10-deals-that-need-to-happen-including-qb-for-dolphins-four-big-name-wr-moves/

Answering NFL's biggest questions ahead of Week 7: What does Aidan Hutchinson injury mean for Lions?:  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/answering-nfls-biggest-questions-ahead-of-week-7-what-does-aidan-hutchinson-injury-mean-for-lions/

Lions DB Brian Branch showed ‘sky’s-the-limit’ upside in rout of Cowboys:  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/lions-db-brian-branch-showed-skys-the-limit-upside-rout-cowboys

No debate: Why the NFC North is easily the NFL's best division this season:  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/nfc-north-nfls-best-division-vikings-lions-packers-bears

Schrager's Cheat Sheet: King Henry making MVP case; Saquon's homecoming (3. Brian Branch's Time Is Now - Lost in the sadness and devastation of the Aidan Hutchinson injury on Sunday was a career day from Lions safety Brian Branch against the Cowboys. Back in August, I released my annual "Top 10 Breakout Players" list and included Branch at No. 4. This came from whispers all summer that Branch was not only healthy, but was ready to make a major leap both in responsibility and production on the field. The leadership piece is what we often miss when watching from afar. And from all accounts, in a young, precarious defensive back room, Branch — a second-year guy — is the voice and tone setter. He had his best game as a pro on Sunday in Dallas.  Branch got a game ball from head coach Dan Campbell by recording six tackles, one quarterback hit, two interceptions and one forced fumble against the Cowboys. Since 1999 (when forced fumbles became an official statistic), Branch is just the fourth player to ever go 6 tackles, 2 picks, a forced fumble, and at least a 40-yard INT return. "He means a ton to us," Campbell said at his postgame press conference about the former Alabama star. "What you see is what you get. He's a highly productive player. He is the ultimate football player. He's a football player. He gets it. He sees it."  Branch has spent the past two years in this sweet spot of rising star, breakout player and future All-Pro. With Hutchinson's injury likely meaning he'll be out for not only the regular season but likely the month of January, too — Branch may have to step up in more ways than just the stat sheet. The Lions play the Vikings in Week 7 in what could be inexplicably the NFC's Game of the Year thus far. Branch will have his hands full, no doubt. I'm watching to see if he's the leader of the unit.):  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/schragers-cheat-sheet-derrick-henry-saquon-barkley

NFL Week 6 Winners and Losers: NFC North Establishes Itself As the Best Division:  https://www.si.com/nfl/nfl-week-6-winners-and-losers-nfc-north-establishes-itself-best-division

Lions Don’t Need to Replace Aidan Hutchinson to Reach Super Bowl:  https://athlonsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions/aidan-hutchinson-injury-dan-campbell

NFC North flexing its muscles early with each of its four teams at least two games above .500:  https://apnews.com/article/packers-lions-bears-vikings-85db7b3c53484d752099788afe4c0220

QB Rankings:

Week 6 QB Rankings: Grading the Performances of Lamar Jackson, Dak Prescott, and Aaron Rodgers (2. Jared Goff, DET (at DAL) - Score: 76.5 (A).  Jared Goff has put together two impressive performances in his last two games, both of which rank in the top 10 QB+ performances so far this season. Both games have seen him return a QB+ over 75, with his Week 4 performance having been an incredible 95, ranking fourth in our database since 2019.  Goff did not patch those heady heights, but he was first at the position when throwing out of a clean pocket and in terms of nYPA (11.9). He was also sixth in pressured EPA per dropback, all of which helped him cover up a rather mediocre third-down conversion rate.  Goff is looking in incredible form, and this is helping guide the Lions towards becoming one of the most feared offenses in the NFL.):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-week-6-qb-rankings-grades-2024/

QB Stock Market Week 7: Has Dak Prescott peaked? Daniel Jones is done (10. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions):  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/qb-stock-market-week-7-has-dak-prescott-peaked-daniel-jones-done

Podcast:

Role Player or Star: Debating How Lions Replace Aidan Hutchinson:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/debating-how-lions-replace-aidan-hutchinson-podcast

Posted at 10:43AM


Articles:

NOTEBOOK: McNeill 'extremely thankful' for new extension:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/notebook-mcneill-extremely-thankful-for-new-extension

Lions at Vikings practice report: Oct. 16:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-at-vikings-practice-report-oct-16-branch-davis-ragnow




Lions' Hutchinson back in Michigan, 'trying to process everything' after broken leg:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2024/10/16/detroit-lions-aidan-hutchinson-process-broken-leg-update/75703427007/



Alim McNeill latest Lion to earn extension, vows to continue working hard:  https://lionslowdown.com/2024/10/16/alim-mcneill-latest-lion-to-earn-extension-vows-to-continue-working-hard/

Dan Campbell lays out how the Lions plan to replace injured Aidan Hutchinson:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2024/10/16/dan-campbell-lions-plan-to-replace-adian-hutchinson-radio-interview/

Lions pass coverage tops the NFL in forcing tight-window throws:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2024/10/16/lions-pass-coverage-tops-nfl-forcing-tight-window-throws/

Alim McNeill's display of toughness in 2023 helps earn a 4-year extension:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2024/10/16/alim-mcneills-display-of-toughness-in-2023-helps-earn-a-4-year-extension/

Isaiah Thomas Q&A: New DE Eager to 'Carry The Standard':  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/isaiah-thomas-nfl-interview

Brian Branch Limited Wednesday With Knee Injury:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/brian-branch-limited-with-knee-injury


Lions Reached Out About Reddick, Three Starters Miss Practice:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-reached-out-about-reddick

Campbell: Thomas Signing 'Doesn't Mean We're Done':  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-not-done-after-de-signing

George Pickens Calls Amon-Ra St. Brown ‘Slot Merchant’:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/george-pickens-calls-amon-ra-st-brown-slot-merchant

Vikings Brian Flores To 'Fight Fire with Fire' against Lions' Offense:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/brian-flores-to-fight-fire-with-fire-against-lions


Lions Are 2.5-Point Underdogs Against Vikings:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-road-underdogs-against-vikings-2024







32 NFL observations after Week 6: A.J. Brown thrives against man coverage while Joe Burrow slices through defenses when kept clean (Detroit Lions - The Lions are going to need Alim McNeill even more going forward. He had the most pressures of any defensive interior lineman this week with seven.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-32-nfl-observations-after-week-6-a-j-brown-thrives-against-man-coverage-while-joe-burrow-slices-through-defenses-when-kept-clean

RB Index, Week 7: Running back reunions that would make sense before NFL's Nov. 5 trade deadline (6.  Jahmyr Gibbs (2024 stats: 5 games | 66 att | 348 rush yds | 5.3 ypc | 3 rush TDs | 14 rec | 104 rec yds | 1 rec TD | 0 fumbles lost):  There was no shortage of explosive plays from Detroit's offense in the 47-9 beatdown of Dallas. Four of Gibbs' 12 carries (33.3 percent) were explosive runs, and teammate David Montgomery recorded three of his own. Gibbs, who is so efficient with the ball in his hands, averaged 5.3 yards per attempt and added 28 yards on three catches in the pass game. This weekend's matchup with the league's second-ranked run defense in Minnesota presents a huge test for the Lions' rushing attack. Ben Johnson's group will be ready.  8.  David Montgomery (2024 stats: 5 games | 75 att | 351 rush yds | 4.7 ypc | 6 rush TDs | 10 rec | 94 rec yds | 0 rec TDs | 0 fumbles lost):  Detroit's offense had its way with a Dallas defense that was without two of its best players (Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence), building a three-score lead before halftime on Sunday. The run game was firing on all cylinders, as Detroit averaged 5.1 yards per carry on 36 attempts. Montgomery was like a bowling ball against the Cowboys' front, ping-ponging off defenders for a game-high 80 yards on 12 carries, hitting paydirt twice. He forced 10 missed tackles in the game, the highest missed-tackle rate (83.3 percent) of any rusher this season (min. 10 carries), per Next Gen Stats.):  https://www.nfl.com/news/rb-index-week-7-running-back-reunions-that-would-make-sense-before-nfl-s-nov-5-trade-deadline


NFL Week 7 QB Power Rankings: Goff storms into top 10 (9. Goff:  Everyone, welcome Elite Jared Goff back to the table. He's got arguably the most favorable setup in the NFL, but he's also a perfect distributor for the Lions' deep speed (see: Jameson Williams). (+5)):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2024-nfl-week-7-qb-power-rankings-jared-goff-jordan-love-enter-top-10-as-nfc-north-steals-the-show/

One trade each contender should make before deadline (Lions - Trade target: Haason Reddick, EDGE, New York Jets.  In the aftermath of losing Aidan Hutchinson for the season, it makes sense for the Lions to check in with the Jets to see if they could help cushion his absence with the disgruntled pass rusher. New York has reportedly granted Reddick permission to seek a trade, so they are receptive to the idea of moving him. Last season, Reddick posted 11 sacks and 23 quarterback hits. If he can be that type of player in Detroit, it'll help their chances of absorbing the loss of Hutchinson.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2024-nfl-trade-deadline-one-move-each-contender-should-make-including-chiefs-acquiring-wr-diontae-johnson/

Maxx Crosby, Bryce Young headline 10 potential NFL trades we'd like to see (Maxx Crosby, OLB, Raiders - Crosby, 27, is an elite edge rusher, the kind that really doesn't come available in free agency or trades. He's made the Pro Bowl three years in a row, led the NFL in tackles for loss the past two years, and is leading in that category again this year. The Raiders trading Adams makes you wonder if they'd listen to offers for Crosby, just because they could get a huge package of picks — a first-rounder and more. The instinct here is that cooler heads will prevail, and the Raiders will keep him as a foundational player. But if a team like Detroit really sought a substantial replacement for Aidan Hutchinson, who could be out for the season with a broken leg, Crosby would be the brass ring.  Potential match: Crosby to the Lions, for a 2025 first-round pick and a 2026 second-rounder):  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/nfl-trades-wed-like-see-maxx-crosby-bryce-young-deandre-hopkins-haason-reddick

Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye lead historic week for rookie QBs (NFC North: Division of first-year kickers - The entire NFC North is off to a dominant start, all 4-2 or better, but the unsung common thread in the division: first-year kickers.  Minnesota's rookie kicker, Will Reichard, a sixth-round pick from Alabama, is 25-for-25 this year, hitting all nine field goals and 16 extra points. Green Bay's Brayden Narveson, undrafted out of NC State, already has 12 field goals, and Detroit has a first-year kicker in Jake Bates, who is 25-for-26 to open his NFL career. The NFC North has three first-year kickers, while the rest of the NFL has a total of two.):  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/caleb-williams-jayden-daniels-drake-maye-lead-historic-week-rookie-qbs

QB Room, Week 6: As Jets, Bills acquire firepower for QBs, keep an eye on the Chiefs and Steelers (Jared Goff misfiring on a 2-point conversion throw to offensive tackle Taylor Decker, conjuring memories of the Detroit Lions' Week 17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys last season. In that defeat, the Lions appeared to go ahead late in the fourth quarter on a successful 2-point conversion throw to Decker. Officials overturned the play on what appeared to be their own confusion over which offensive linemen had reported eligible on the play. The Lions said they had left that game in the past leading into this one. They most certainly didn’t, and they wanted everyone to know it. Love the spiteful Lions. Also might explain why they kept their foot on the gas pedal for so long in this 47-9 blowout win.):  https://sports.yahoo.com/qb-room-week-6-as-jets-bills-acquire-firepower-for-qbs-keep-an-eye-on-the-chiefs-and-steelers-140827425.html

The NFL Week 6 Play That Epitomizes Jared Goff and Lions’ Offense:  https://www.si.com/nfl/the-nfl-week-6-play-that-epitomizes-jared-goff-and-lions-offense

1 trade candidate for all 32 NFL teams ahead of the 2024 deadline (Detroit Lions: CB Kindle Vildor - Vildor is probably the only player you can find on the Lions roster that is hypothetically tradable. This probably won’t happen, to be honest. However, for the sake of the exercise, we’ll list him here just in case there’s another NFL team that could use him more than Detroit does right now.):  https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/1-trade-candidate-for-all-32-nfl-teams-ahead-of-the-2024-deadline

Jayden Daniels remains 2024's top NFL quarterback in our Week 7 rankings (4. A massive middle ground of good to very good quarterbacks - 9. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions: 0.119.  Goff has risen up the ranks as 2024 progresses, even if the Lions are defaulting to old tricks (and it didn’t matter in Week 7 because the Cowboys were powerless to stop it). He was 17th last week and now sits in the top 10 which feels like great news for Hurts, who gets to play that Dallas defense twice.):  https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/nfl-quarterback-rankings-week-7-jayden-daniels-josh-allen

2024 NFL Defense Rankings: Insights on Why Jets, Vikings, and Browns Lead the Way (9. Detroit Lions (Grade: B-.  Score: 61): The Detroit Lions’ performance against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 6 was superb, dominating them offensively and defensively. Following that performance, the Lions’ defense is up to sixth in our 2024 rankings and ninth overall. The only downside is that Detroit lost arguably its best player, Aidan Hutchinson.  Losing Hutchinson is likely going to have an immediate impact. The Lions are currently eighth in terms of bringing pressure without blitzing. That will likely fall without a pass rusher as dominant as Hutchinson in the lineup.The question then is where that further impacts. Detroit has been a top-five team in both forcing turnovers and preventing third-down conversions. Those numbers could slide if the defensive line cannot get the same level of pressure without Hutchinson in the lineup. It would also hurt the Lions’ general pass defense, which ranks just outside the top 10.):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-defense-rankings/

NFL Offensive Line Rankings 2024: Stacking All 32 OLs Entering Week 7 (1. Detroit Lions (Starting five: LT Taylor Decker, LG Graham Glasgow, C Frank Ragnow, RG Kevin Zeitler, RT Penei Sewell):  All-Pro right tackle Penei Sewell spearheads Detroit’s dominant offensive line. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has figured out how to weaponize the former first-round pick in the run game, getting him into space and letting him go to work. Sewell even received a lateral on a hook-and-ladder play against the Cowboys in Week 6.  Frank Ragnow might be the NFL’s best center now that Jason Kelce is retired. He missed one week with a pectoral injury but returned to offer his usual standout play in Week 6.  Jared Goff has myriad offensive weapons to work with, but the Lions’ offensive line is their weekly identity.):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/best-offensive-lines-nfl-rankings/

Video:






Peter Schrager coins upcoming Lions-Vikings matchup as NFC North Battle | 'GMFB':  https://www.nfl.com/videos/peter-schrager-coins-upcoming-lions-vikings-matchup-as-nfc-north-battle-gmfb

Posted at 7:52 PM
Posted by LionsFan at 10:43 AM

No comments:

Post a Comment

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