Friday, November 8, 2024

Lions Links for Friday 11-8-24

Articles:


NOTEBOOK: Smith takes part in first Lions practice, status for Sunday TBD:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/notebook-smith-takes-part-in-first-lions-practice-status-for-sunday-tbd





Lions can continue to rewrite their history in Week 10 against the Texans:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2024/11/08/lions-texans-game-story-preview-detroit-football-matchup-history/

Za’Darius Smith Explains Cryptic Post: 'It Was Taking Too Long':  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/zadarius-smith-explains-cryptic-post


Terrion Arnold Is Confident, Expects to Make 'More Plays':  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/terrion-arnold-confident-expects-to-make-more-plays

'Detroit Truly Has Changed': Former Lions DT Praises Team:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/detroit-has-changed-former-lion-praises-team

Lions' Safeties 'Not Even Close' to Finished Products:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-safeties-not-even-close-to-finished-products

Results from our Detroit Lions midseason MVP awards surveys:  https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2024/11/8/24291188/detroit-lions-midseason-mvp-awards-surveys



Why Lions’ pass rush has to execute against the Texans’ offensive line on Sunday night:  https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2024/11/8/24287712/lions-texans-preview-struggling-pass-rush-explosive-houston-offense

Terror in the trenches: Alim McNeill is rising at the right time for Lions:  https://www.audacy.com/971theticket/sports/detroit-lions/alim-mcneill-is-rising-at-the-right-time-for-detroit-lions

Analyzing the matchups that could define the NFL in Week 10 (Lions’ 12 personnel offense vs. Texans’ defense - Defending the Lions' offense feels like a paradoxical task: If you can somehow take away the run, then Jared Goff can find Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta or Jameson Williams schemed up open downfield. Detroit ranks fourth in EPA per play in 2024 and ranks second since Week 5.  If the Texans want any shot at containing Ben Johnson’s bunch, it will have to come when the Lions are in 12 personnel. Detroit has run plays with one running back and two tight ends (primarily LaPorta and Brock Wright) on 170 plays, the sixth most in the NFL. Unsurprisingly, the Lions place third in EPA per play when using the formation.  The silver lining for Houston is that its defense sits fourth in EPA per play against 12-personnel looks. Neville Hewitt, Danielle Hunter and Eric Murray are three of the top 26 defenders in PFF overall grade when encountering the formation.  With potentially no Will Anderson Jr. on Sunday night, head coach DeMeco Ryans will need his defense to maximize its chances for disruption when it can. If Houston can lean into its success against two tight ends, then this could be a thrilling battle between Super Bowl hopefuls.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-matchups-could-define-nfl-week-10-2024


Week 10 bold predictions: Bryce Young wins in Germany (Lions QB Jared Goff throws an incompletion to 
WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, duo doesn't connect for a TD at Texans.  No quarterback-wide receiver combo has been more in sync this season than the Detroit Lions dynamic duo of of Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown. St. Brown has caught his last 30 targets from Goff, which is the longest single-seasons streak by a quarterback-wide receiver/tight end duo since at least 1991, per NFL Pro Insights. He has also caught a receiving touchdown in six consecutive games, which is tied for the longest single season streak in Lions history, per CBS Sports Research. Goff finally throws an incompletion when targeting St. Brown, and the duo doesn't connect in the end zone for touchdown in Week 10 at the Houston Texans. Here's a couple reasons why. No. 1 is Texans cornerback Derek Stingley, whose 52.1 passer rating allowed in man coverage this season is the fifth-lowest among NFL cornerbacks this season, minimum 10 targets in man coverage. Another is Houston's pass rush. They have generated pressure at the second-highest rate in the NFL (42%), per NFL Pro Insights, and Goff will get rid of the football quickly when pressured, throwing it 0.41 seconds after initial pressure on average, which is the second-quickest in the league, per NFL Pro Insights. The combination Stingley and Texans edge rushers Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter will slow down Goff and St. Brown in a way they haven't seen since their six-game winning streak began in Week 3.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-week-10-bold-predictions-panthers-bryce-young-win-away-from-home-drake-maye-outduels-caleb-williams/ 

Players who will be difference-makers in second half (Kerby Joseph (Detroit Lions) - Of all the talent the Lions have on offense, one of their defensive backs may be the league's defensive player of the year. Joseph is tied for the league lead in interceptions (6) as opposing quarterbacks have completed just 47.4% of passes when targeting him.  Joseph has more interceptions returned for touchdowns (1) than touchdowns given up (0). Opposing quarterbacks have just a 14.5 passer rating when targeting Joseph as the primary defender. The Lions have a good defense because of players like Joseph, who has been one of the best defensive players in the game this year.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/difference-makers-for-second-half-of-2024-nfl-season-ravens-zay-flowers-set-to-ignite-playoff-push/

2024 NFL midseason All-22 roster: Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry lead the way (Frank Ragnow, C, Detroit Lions - As the key to the Lions' punishing running game, Ragnow earns high marks for his dominance at the point of attack. The relentless mauler mashes defenders in the run game, displaying the violence and finishing skills that reflect the gritty playing style demanded by Dan Campbell and the Lions' coaching staff. Penei Sewell, OT, Detroit Lions - The superstar mauler of the Lions deserves a spot on the list after easily pummeling edge defenders for eight straight games. Sewell's dominance on the edges enables the Lions' running backs to scoot around the corner on off-tackle runs against light boxes. With the heavy-handed boxer delivering punishing body blows to pass rushers racing around the corner, Jared Goff has performed at an MVP level for the NFC's top heavyweight. Kerby Joseph, S, Detroit Lions - The NFL's co-leader in interceptions (6) has helped the Lions' defense ascend to an elite level. Joseph's ball-hawking ways have enhanced the man-heavy tactics employed by defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. As the Lions' perimeter corners force more tight window throws, the third-year pro has feasted on tipped passes and overthrows in his area.):  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/2024-nfl-midseason-all-22-roster-lamar-jackson





NFL Head Coach Rankings 2024: Andy Reid Remains No. 1, Dan Quinn on the Rise (5. Dan Campbell, Detroit Lions:  Dan Campbell has come a long way since being the joke of the NFL following his introductory press conference. Now, Campbell is widely regarded as one of the top head coaches in the NFL, especially given Detroit’s hot start in 2024.  The Lions are currently atop the NFC with an overall record of 7-1, including the most dynamic offense in the NFL. Detroit currently leads the league with 32.3 points per game.  While all of the statistics prove the Lions are one of the best teams in the NFL right now, Campbell’s emotional intelligence is what makes him a great head coach. According to Lions quarterback Jared Goff, Campbell is “the best leader that he’s ever known.”):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/best-head-coaches-nfl-rankings/

2024 NFL QB Rankings: Insights Behind Tua Tagovailoa’s Success and Caleb Williams’ Troubles (5. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions - Grade: B+.  Jared Goff continues to put together one of the best seasons of his career in an offense that ranks fourth in the NFL this season. He has excelled when throwing from a clean pocket, ranking second this year and fifth across our entire database. His nYPA is also sitting at 8.0 and underlines just how explosive the offense has been in all aspects this season.With the Lions on a trajectory toward the playoffs, we can be strict when evaluating Goff, who will need to be at his peak in those high-pressure situations in January and potentially February.  His biggest issues this year have been a 33.8% third-down conversion rate which ranks 23rd, and he ranks 24th in terms of EPA per dropback in close situations in the fourth quarter.):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-qb-rankings-2024/

Podcast:

Twentyman in the Huddle: Lions-Texans Sunday Night Football preview:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/twentyman-in-the-huddle-lions-texans-sunday-night-football-preview

Video:




Posted by LionsFan at 7:42 PM

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