Thursday, January 2, 2025

Lions Links for Thursday 1-2-25

Articles:

NOTEBOOK: Anzalone on return to practice, Joseph on Pro Bowl snub & more:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/notebook-anzalone-on-return-to-practice-joseph-on-pro-bowl-snub-more



7 Lions named to 2025 Pro Bowl:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/7-lions-named-to-2025-pro-bowl-goff-gibbs-stbrown





Lions LB Alex Anzalone closer to return but unsure if it will be on Sunday:  https://lionslowdown.com/2025/01/02/lions-lb-alex-anzalone-closer-to-return-but-unsure-if-it-will-be-on-sunday/


NFL offseason schedule for 2025, important dates for Lions fans to know:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2025/01/02/nfl-offseason-schedule-for-2025-important-dates-for-lions-fans-to-know/

Burning Question: Will Alex Anzalone Play Against Vikings?:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/burning-question-will-alex-anzalone-play-against-vikings



Notebook: Sam LaPorta Back on Track in Lions Offense:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/laporta-back-on-track-in-lions-offense

Q&A: Melifonwu Overcame Injury Setback, Returns to Help Lions Defense:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/ifeatu-melifonwu-overcame-injury-setback-interview

Lions Kerby Joseph Is Worst Pro Bowl Snub of All-Time:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/kerby-joseph-is-worst-pro-bowl-snub-of-all-time


Goff Feels Kindred Connection to Darnold, Mayfield, Stafford:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/goff-feels-connection-to-darnold-mayfield-stafford






Here’s where NFL players ranked Ford Field in list of toughest places to play:  https://www.clickondetroit.com/sports/2025/01/02/heres-where-nfl-players-ranked-ford-field-in-list-of-toughest-places-to-play/


Dan Campbell, Lions Get Ultimate Praise From 49ers 4-Time Pro Bowler Nick Bosa:  https://athlonsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions/dan-campbell-lions-get-ultimate-praise-from-49ers-4-time-pro-bowler-nick-bosa

Lions' Terrion Arnold Puts Vikings' Receiving Corps on Notice With Blunt 6-Word Message:  https://athlonsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions/lions-terrion-arnold-puts-vikings-receiving-corps-on-notice-with-blunt-6-word-message

Lions, Vikings set to make history in Week 18 showdown for NFC North title, No. 1 seed in playoffs:  https://www.nfl.com/news/lions-vikings-set-to-make-history-in-week-18-showdown-for-nfc-north-title-no-1-seed-in-playoffs

2025 Pro Bowl Games snubs: Baker Mayfield, Danielle Hunter among players left out (2. Kerby Joseph:  Voters might have chosen the wrong Lions safety. I jotted down that line before Joseph came up with two additional interceptions, changing the game in a Week 17 win over San Francisco. That's not a knock on Brian Branch, who has been sensational; it's just that Branch's play seems to have somehow overshadowed Joseph's. The Lions free safety owns a league-high nine INTs, two more than the next-closest player (Packers Pro Bowler Xavier McKinney). The majority of those have come in high-leverage situations, with Joseph taking away points via end-zone interceptions (four). The ballhawk's advanced metrics blow those of other DBs out of the water. Per NGS, he's No. 1 in target EPA (-55.3) this season (No. 2 is Cooper DeJean at -28.3), EPA per target (-1.84; McKinney is at -0.75) and ballhawk rate, or the percentage of targets where the nearest defender made a play on the football via a pass defensed or INT (40%). The Lions' defense might have become a sieve due to injuries, but Joseph has helped keep the patchwork crew from completely crumbling.):  https://www.nfl.com/news/2025-pro-bowl-games-snubs-baker-mayfield-danielle-hunter-among-players-left-out

Ranking NFL Week 18 games with playoff implications (1. Minnesota Vikings (14-2) at Detroit Lions (14-2)
This one is for everything in the NFC, perhaps the best regular-season finale the league has ever had. The winner of this game takes the NFC North and clinches home-field advantage for the NFC playoffs -- along with the lone first-round bye. The loser gets dropped to the No. 5 seed despite having 14 wins, becoming the first 13+ win wild-card team in NFL history.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-week-18-games-with-playoff-implications-ranking-most-important-matchups-after-vikings-lions/

The stakes couldn’t be higher in rare Vikings-Lions Week 18 showdown:  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/vikings-lions-week-18-showdown

Ringing in 2025: New Year's Resolutions for all 32 NFL teams (Detroit Lions — Lions coach Dan Campbell resolves to never change. Whether it's promising to bite some knee caps, having his team play full-speed in a meaningless game, or gambling in crazy situations on the field, he has brought some long-awaited excitement, enthusiasm and winning football to Detroit. He's also made a lot of fans around the country along the way. Sure, if he keeps going for it on fourth down or going for two, it's going to bite him in the kneecap at some point. But no risk, no reward. And the rewards for him have been huge so far.):  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/2025-new-years-resolutions-32-nfl-teams

Lions, Vikings set to make history in Week 18 showdown for NFC North title, No. 1 seed in playoffs (In the first regular-season game in NFL history between two 13-plus win teams, it's Vikings vs. Lions on Sunday night for the NFC North title and home-field advantage. Who ya got and why?  I got the Vikings. The Lions' narrow win Monday night over the 49ers was a reminder of just how much of a liability Detroit's defense is with so many top contributors out. Minnesota has the personnel to take advantage, boasting an offense capable of keeping up with the Lions' offense, which has been able to mask some of the team's defensive holes by outscoring opponents. That won't be as easy against Minnesota, and Brian Flores' defense can present some issues for Detroit playcaller Ben Johnson. The Vikings are also the hottest team in the NFL, with a league-leading nine-game winning streak. I think Minnesota gets this one on the road. — Ben Arthur.  Minnesota goes down here. The Lions already showed they are playing to win heading down the stretch, with Dan Campbell choosing to play his starters in a meaningless game on the road against the 49ers — in which Detroit earned a little bit of revenge for the team's NFC Championship Game loss last season. The Vikings enter this weekend's contest playing good football, but Detroit has the most explosive offense in the NFL, led by the league's most innovative playcaller in Johnson. Add Campbell's aggressive approach to game management and I see Detroit grabbing an early lead, playing from ahead and protecting the team's spotty defense. — Eric D. Williams):  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/roundtable-week-18-vikings-lions-saquon-barkley-joe-burrow-mvp-mike-mccarthy-cowboys



Lions and Vikings wrap up NFL’s regular season by playing for top seed in NFC:  https://apnews.com/article/lions-vikings-preview-dffd380d615026666a6e0b58c28fd3b1



Dan Campbell on Week 18 showdown with Vikings: “Exciting . . . but it’s not like it’s the playoffs”:  https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/dan-campbell-on-week-18-showdown-with-vikings-exciting-but-its-not-like-its-the-playoffs

Potential NFL Defensive Player of the Year snubbed from 2025 Pro Bowl:  https://www.thebiglead.com/potential-nfl-defensive-player-of-the-year-snubbed-from-2025-pro-bowl

QB Rankings:

NFL QB Index, Week 18: Lamar Jackson unseats Josh Allen at No. 1 (4. Jared Goff - 2024 stats: 16 games | 71.7 pct | 4,398 pass yds | 8.7 ypa | 36 pass TD | 10 INT | 56 rush yds | 0 rush TD | 6 fumbles.  I can only reiterate how I've felt about Goff throughout this season. He's playing behind one of the best offensive lines in football and executing plays drawn up by a devilishly shrewd offensive coordinator in Ben Johnson. The OC dialed up yet another hook and ladder on Monday night, and it produced a touchdown. Goff is completely in sync with his entire stable of pass-catchers, tossing three TDs against the 49ers. Detroit’s offense is a juggernaut and Goff continues to power it.):  https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-qb-index-week-18-2024-nfl-season

Video:







Posted by LionsFan at 7:56 PM

No comments:

Post a Comment

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