Thursday, December 12, 2024

Lions Links for Thursday 12-12-24

Articles:


NOTEBOOK: Glenn expects Arnold to become one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/notebook-glenn-expects-arnold-to-become-one-of-the-top-cornerbacks-in-the-nfl


Lions LBs coach 'couldn't be happier' with Jack Campbell's progression:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-lbs-coach-couldn-t-be-happier-with-jack-campbell-s-progression





Even the Lions' coaches can't believe how many good players they keep finding in-season:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2024/12/12/detroit-lions-injuries-linebackers-kelvin-sheppard/76934314007/




Dan Campbell believes the tight battle for the NFC's No. 1 seed is great for his Lions:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2024/12/12/dan-campbell-lions-battle-for-top-nfc-seed-great-for-lions-week-15/



Notebook: Insights on Why Jared Goff Is Having MVP Season:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/notebook-insights-jared-goff-mvp-season


DJ Reader Returns to Practice Thursday, Trevor Nowaske Not Spotted:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/dj-reader-returns-to-practice-thursday-week-fifteen

Aaron Glenn Says Terrion Arnold Will Be Among 'Top' NFL Cornerbacks:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/terrion-arnold-will-be-among-top-nfl-cornerbacks


Jack Campbell: 'Northern Savage' Nickname Is Sick:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/jack-campbell-northern-savage-nickname-is-sick

Odds Lions Beat Bills in Week 15:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/odds-lions-beat-bills-in-week-15








Lions defense comes together with doses of belief, respect and opportunity:  https://lionslowdown.com/2024/12/12/lions-defense-comes-together-with-doses-of-belief-respect-and-opportunity/


Let's look ahead to next year's NFL draft: Early outlooks and roster holes for all 32 teams (Detroit Lions - Projected first-round pick: No. 32.  From top to bottom, there are not many glaring holes within this Lions roster; they currently have a top-five defense and a top-five offense to go with the best start in team history. However, Detroit could continue to add on defense with an edge rusher and a linebacker. General manager Brad Holmes has rarely missed on his top picks since taking over in 2021 and is often described as a "draft junkie" by those close to him. His résumé in Detroit already includes All-Pro tackle Penei Sewell and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. -- Eric Woodyard):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/42876697/2025-nfl-draft-teams-needs-news-quarterbacks-prospects

Lions vs. Bills, Goff vs. Allen: Super Bowl, MVP contenders square off in possible LIX preview:  https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/42897048/detroit-lions-buffalo-bills-jared-goff-josh-allen-week-15-game-season

PFF Grades and Data: Everything you need to know for every NFL Week 15 game (Buffalo Bills @ Detroit Lions - Lions slot corner Amik Robertson will have his hands full with Khalil Shakir, who has emerged as one of the league’s most productive slot receivers. Shakir ranks second in the NFL with 521 receiving yards from the slot, while Robertson has given up the third-most receiving yards to players lined up in the slot with 321 yards permitted.  Jared Goff leads the NFL with 164 play-action dropbacks, and he has been highly productive on those throws with 1,580 passing yards — 259 more than the next-best quarterback — and 12 passing touchdowns (second-most). But the Bills have done a good job defending play action this season with only 7.1 yards per attempt allowed — which ranks second-best.):  https://www.pff.com/news/pff-grades-and-data-everything-you-need-to-know-for-every-nfl-week-15-game

NFL Week 15 Preview: Schedule, storylines and matchups to watch (Buffalo Bills vs. Detroit Lions (-2.5)
Storyline of the game: Potential Super Bowl preview - This game marks one of the high-profile matchup of Week 15, featuring two of the top teams in their respective conferences. Both the Lions and Bills have secured a playoff berth and now look to add a signature win to their resume to provide the boost needed to ride high to end the regular season.  The Lions are soaring following their NFL-best 11th straight win in Week 14 in a game that was a nail-biter. Detroit ultimately escaped with a three-point victory against the Packers off of Jake Bates‘ game-winning field goal as time expired.  On the other sideline, Buffalo is seeking redemption after its shocking upset at the hands of another NFC opponent in the Rams, who held a 17-point lead heading into the fourth quarter. Despite three scores from Josh Allen in the final frame, the Bills still fell short.  Matchups to watch: Lions RG Kevin Zeitler vs. Bills DI Ed Oliver - The Lions remain one of the NFL’s most consistent and effective offenses due largely to their presence on the ground, led by players like Kevin Zeitler. The veteran has shown out in his 13th season, earning career-high marks as a run blocker with an 88.7 grade — the second-highest mark among qualifying guards this year.  Conversely, his matchup this week, Ed Oliver, has demonstrated significant struggles fitting the run, recording just a 43.9 run-defense grade — ranking 103rd out of 133 qualifying interior players. Since Week 9, Oliver has only surpassed a 60.0 run defense grade once.   Additional news:  Bills QB Josh Allen becomes the first player in NFL history to score three passing and three rushing touchdowns in a single regular-season game, a feat Otto Graham managed to accomplish during the playoffs in 1954.  The Bills ownership group has sold stakes to a number of partners, including NBA legends Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady.  The Lions may possibly see return of D.J. Reader, Levi Onwuzurike and Josh Paschal, all of whom were absent in Week 14.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-week-15-preview-schedule-storylines-and-matchups-to-watch


Coach of the Year? Do Bills have fatal flaw? How to explain Chiefs' historic streak? (The NFL Coach of the Year race has a lot of candidates. Who's most deserving: Dan Campbell, Mike Tomlin, Kevin O'Connell, Sean Payton, Nick Sirianni, Matt LeFleur, Jim Harbaugh? Someone else?  I'd say Dan Campbell. A legitimate candidate for Coach of the Year each of the previous two seasons, Campbell continues to elevate the Lions, who have remained unfazed by mounting expectations. His ability to keep raising the bar can't be understated. Detroit went from bottom-dweller (2021) to just barely missing the playoffs (2022) to NFC conference finalist (2023) and Super Bowl favorite this season ahead of the playoffs. No coach has his team playing at a higher level this year than Campbell.  And this season may offer Campbell's best chance to win Coach of the Year for the foreseeable future. If the Lions maintain their dominance over the coming seasons, Campbell could become an afterthought for the award, similar to the Chiefs' Andy Reid, who has won the award just once (2002 with the Eagles) despite winning three Super Bowls with the Chiefs. The award typically favors coaches who turned around a struggling team. — Ben Arthur):  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/week-15-roundtable-chiefs-bills-cardinals-kyler-murray-vikings-ravens-coach-year

NFL grades: Many midseason trades, including Jets' Davante Adams deal, have been busts (As: Lions, Seahawks got what they needed - Seahawks receive LB Ernest Jones, Titans receive LB Jerome Baker and 2025 fourth-round pick: This was the only deal since the start of the season involving players on each side. We'll grade the Seahawks' side, and it's a smash hit. The Seahawks have raved about Jones, who has 63 tackles and an interception in six games. Baker has dealt with injuries and has 17 tackles in three games. Both sides should be happy with this move. The rebuilding Titans get a valuable pick and the Seahawks got a player who has helped them go 4-0 since the bye. Lions receive DE Za'Darius Smith and 2026 seventh-round pick, Browns receive 2025 fifth-round pick and 2026 sixth-round pick: Very few of the midseason player acquisitions via trade have worked out. This one has. Smith came in to help replace the injured Aidan Hutchinson, and he hit the ground running. Smith has three sacks and seven quarterback hits in four games. The Lions will be thrilled if he can keep up that level of production through the playoffs.):  https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-grades-many-midseason-trades-including-jets-davante-adams-deal-have-been-busts-161435710.html


Should Josh Allen’s Bills Be in ‘Panic Mode’ Due to Rams and Lions?:  https://athlonsports.com/nfl/buffalo-bills/should-josh-allen-buffalo-bills-be-in-panic-mode-due-to-rams-and-lions

Bills Make Concerning Announcement Before Lions Game:  https://athlonsports.com/nfl/raven-country/quarterly-nfl-award-predictions


‘Just Stop… They’re 12–1’ – Richard Sherman Goes Off on 3-Time Super Bowl Champion’s Criticism of Dan Campbell’s Play-Calling:  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/richard-sherman-goes-off-on-tedy-bruschi-dan-campbell-criticism/

‘Would Take Shots at Them All Game’ – Former Lions QB Highlights One Way Detroit Can Be Stopped From a Super Bowl Run:  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/former-lions-qb-highlights-one-way-detroit-can-be-stopped-from-super-bowl-run/


QB Rankings:

NFL QB Index, Week 15: Joe Burrow vaults Lamar Jackson; Bryce Young eclipses Jalen Hurts (4.  Jared Goff - 2024 stats: 13 games | 72.4 pct | 3,265 pass yds | 8.6 ypa | 25 pass TD | 10 INT | 47 rush yds | 0 rush TD | 5 fumbles.  After struggling to finish drives in their Thanksgiving win over Chicago, the Lions got back on track in Week 14, thanks in large part to a sharp night of passing from Goff, who once again feasted on the middle of the field, completing 20 of 25 passes thrown between the seams for 187 yards and three touchdowns. He operated almost exclusively from the pocket, attempting 39 of his passes from inside the tackle box, making for a classic Goff performance that saw him help the Lions take a 17-7 lead into halftime and hang on with two clutch touchdown passes to Tim Patrick in the second half. His only mistake -- an anticipatory throw that resulted in an interception -- allowed the Packers back into the game. Goff was able to overcome the mistake, earning a key win in the tight NFC North race.):  https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-qb-index-week-15-2024-nfl-season

NFL Quarterback Rankings: Josh Allen Leads the MVP Race (6. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions - LR: 9. Goff has a chance to get into the MVP conversation Sunday when his Lions host the Bills in the CBS late window. Save for a hideous five-interception performance against the Texans, Goff has been near-perfect since Week 3, throwing 22 touchdowns against one interception. He has a real shot of throwing for 4,500 yards and 35 scores.):  https://www.si.com/nfl/nfl-quarterback-rankings-josh-allen-leads-the-mvp-race

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Posted by LionsFan at 8:08 PM

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