Wednesday, September 16, 2026

Lions Links for Wednesday 9-16-26

Articles:

Lions at Bills injury report: Sept. 16:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-at-bills-injury-report-sept-16-mahogany-miller-reed


Dan Campbell: Jahmyr Gibbs 'Is The Drug You Need a Little Bit More Of':  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/dan-campbell-jahmyr-gibbs-is-drug-you-need-little-bit-more-of

Lions Rookie and Sophomore Power Rankings: Can WR Achieve Breakout?:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/lions-rookie-sophomore-power-rankings-can-wr-achieve-breakout



6 Storylines I'm Watching Most in Lions Week 2 Matchup Against Bills:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/six-storylines-watching-most-lions-week-two-matchup-against-bills




Lions projected depth chart vs. Bills: Blake Miller sits, the RB rotation changes, and two young defenders could get their shot:  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/lions-projected-depth-chart-vs-bills-blake-miller-sits-the-rb-rotation-changes-and-two-young-defenders-could-get-their-shot/

The Lions’ latest injury looks like the same old story. I don’t think it is, there’s a bigger reason Blake Miller is missing this game:  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/the-lions-latest-injury-looks-like-the-same-old-story-i-dont-think-it-is-theres-a-bigger-reason-blake-miller-is-missing-this-game/

Detroit Lions mailbag: Joey Porter, two stars nearing a return, a hidden offensive wrinkle, and one starting job that may have changed:  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/detroit-lions-mailbag-joey-porter-two-stars-nearing-a-return-a-hidden-offensive-wrinkle-and-one-starting-job-that-may-have-changed/

Jameson Williams not sweating miscues in season-opener: "We won":  https://www.audacy.com/971theticket/sports/detroit-lions/jameson-williams-2677864562

Would Lions pull trigger on trade for CB Joey Porter Jr.?:  https://www.audacy.com/971theticket/sports/detroit-lions/joey-porter-jr-detroit-lions

Injury Issues to Key Starters Could Doom Lions in Heavyweight Clash vs. Bills:  https://athlonsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions/injury-issues-to-key-starters-could-doom-lions-in-heavyweight-clash-vs-bills

Christian Izien’s Anticipated Return Could Patch Up Lions’ Secondary Holes:  https://athlonsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions/christian-iziens-anticipated-return-could-patch-up-lions-secondary-holes

Why Isaac TeSlaa is the Lions’ Key to Victory Against the Bills:  https://athlonsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions/why-isaac-teslaa-is-the-lions-key-to-victory-against-the-bills

Chuck Clark Gives Lions a Reliable Safety Answer Until Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph Return:  https://athlonsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions/chuck-clark-gives-lions-a-reliable-safety-answer-until-brian-branch-kerby-joseph-return

Detroit Lions prepare for Josh Allen, loud crowd ahead of Thursday Night Football vs. Buffalo Bills:  https://www.clickondetroit.com/sports/2026/09/16/detroit-lions-prepare-for-josh-allen-loud-crowd-ahead-of-thursday-night-football-vs-bills/

Lions vs. Bills: Three must-know storylines for Thursday's Week 2 prime-time game:  https://www.nfl.com/news/lions-vs-bills-three-must-know-storylines-for-thursday-s-week-2-prime-time-game

2026 NFL offensive line rankings: Broncos retain top spot, Buccaneers move into the top three (17. Detroit Lions:  Already without center Cade Mays, the Lions face questions about the health of left guard Christian Mahogany and right tackle Blake Miller heading into Week 2. The unit played well against the New Orleans Saints in Week 1, with left tackle Penei Sewell the only starter to produce a PFF pass-block win rate below 95.0%. Sewell did have some struggles after moving to the left side of the line, so that’s something to monitor going forward.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-offensive-line-rankings-2026

NFL wide receiver rankings: Puka Nacua leads the top 32 (5. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions:  St. Brown caught all 10 catchable targets thrown his way in the Lions’ win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. His average depth of target was just 5.2 yards, and with only one missed tackle forced, he finished with 67 yards on those 10 receptions. He did, however, find the end zone twice.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-wide-receiver-rankings

NFL running back power rankings entering Week 2 (1. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions:  Everything went just as expected for Gibbs on Sunday. In a game that was way closer than it looked like it would be, Gibbs carried the ball 29 times for 156 yards and two touchdowns. He also added five catches for 30 yards. We know that Gibbs is going to be busy each week, but maybe not this busy.):  https://www.thebiglead.com/nfl-running-back-power-rankings-entering-week-2/

Who will win NFL MVP? Josh Allen leads power rankings after Week 1 (7. RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions:  Without Gibbs, the Lions would have had virtually no offense in Week 1. In his first game since David Montgomery's departure via trade, the fourth-year running back rushed a league-leading 29 times for 156 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught all five of his targets for 30 receiving yards. By the end of the Lions' overtime win, Gibbs was responsible for 50.4% of Detroit's total yards on offense.  The biggest concern moving forward is sustainability. The Lions were able to keep Gibbs relatively fresh – i.e., fewer than 300 carries per season – when Montgomery was around for the team's "Sonic and Knuckles" backfield tandem. But 29 carries per game is not something Detroit can lean on for 16 more matchups – at least, not if they expect Gibbs to be part of their long-term plans like his three-year, $67.5 million extension would suggest.):  https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2026/09/16/nfl-mvp-power-rankings-week-1/91761657007/




QB Rankings:

NFL QB rankings, Week 2: Caleb Williams, Lamar Jackson and Trevor Lawrence soar into top five (9. Jared Goff:  Week 2 NFL QB Power Rankings: Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson rise up (10. Jared Goff Detroit Lions QB:  Jared Goff helped pilot the Detroit Lions to a narrow 31-30 overtime victory over the feisty New Orleans Saints in Week 1 with an efficient 206 yards passing and two passing touchdowns. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs did most of the heavy lifting with 156 yards rushing and two rushing touchdowns on 29 carries, but Goff played clean enough to remain in the top 10 for now. (No change):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/week-2-nfl-qb-power-rankings-josh-allen-lamar-jackson-rise-drake-maye-down/

PFF (16. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions:  Goff avoided big mistakes in the Lions’ win over the Saints, finishing without a turnover-worthy play. He ranked 16th at the position in both EPA per play and adjusted completion percentage, while his average depth of target was tied for the ninth-lowest mark among quarterbacks.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-quarterback-rankings

Bills Media:




Three Reasons Bills Should be Leery of Lions on Thursday Night Football:  https://www.si.com/nfl/bills/onsi/week-2-three-reasons-bills-should-be-leery-of-lions-on-thursday-night-football

Bills’ Dalton Kincaid Has Real Chance to Continue Historic Pace vs. Lions on TNF:  https://www.si.com/nfl/bills/onsi/week-2-bills-dalton-kincaid-has-real-chance-to-continue-historic-pace-vs-lions

Video - Dan Orlovsky: Bills Offense Impresses In Week 1, Lions at Bills Preview:  https://www.buffalobills.com/video/dan-orlovsky-bills-offense-impresses-in-week-1-lions-at-bills-preview

Podcast:

Lions at Bills Week 2 preview | The Official Detroit Lions Podcast:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-at-bills-week-2-preview-the-official-detroit-lions-podcast


Video:


'GMFB' previews Lions-Bills matchup in Week 2:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/gmfb-previews-lions-bills-matchup-in-week-2


Detroit Free Press - Lions need to make a DB trade or risk losing the season:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlqZlMw7njE


Stephen A: The Lions' defense is a huge concern:  https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/49956844
Posted by LionsFan at 7:57 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, September 15, 2026

Lions Links for Tuesday 9-15-26

Articles:


NOTEBOOK: Lions looking forward to TNF at Buffalo:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/notebook-lions-looking-forward-to-tnf-at-buffalo-gillhoward-hutchinson-yasin

NFC NORTH: Where all four teams stand heading into Week 2:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/nfc-north-where-all-four-teams-stand-heading-into-week-2-stbrown-gibbs-hutchinson



The Good, Bad and Ugly From Detroit Lions OT Win Against Saints:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/the-good-bad-and-ugly-from-detroit-lions-ot-win-against-saints

It's Now or Never For Detroit Lions To Trade For Joey Porter Jr.:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/it-is-now-or-never-for-detroit-lions-to-trade-for-joey-porter-jr

Detroit Lions Looking To Get Two Receivers More Production:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/detroit-lions-looking-to-get-two-receivers-more-production

Lions Week 2 Stock Watch: 6 Risers, 4 Fallers After Season-Opening Win:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/lions-week-two-stock-watch-six-risers-four-fallers-after-saints-win

Dan Campbell pours cold water on Detroit Lions Joey Porter Jr. trade rumors:  https://www.prideofdetroit.com/detroit-lions-news/173266/detroit-lions-joey-porter-jr-trade-rumors-dan-campbell-comments




Lions fans won’t like Dan Campbell’s answer about a blockbuster trade — but listen to the second part:  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/lions-fans-wont-like-dan-campbells-answer-about-a-blockbuster-trade-but-listen-to-the-second-part/

The first thing to know about the Lions’ opponent: The Bills have a trap the Lions fell into a lot last year: https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/the-first-thing-to-know-about-the-lions-opponent-the-bills-have-a-trap-the-lions-fell-into-a-lot-last-year/

Lions Film Study: Keith Abney’s debut showed exactly why Dan Campbell keeps calling him “headsy”:  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/lions-film-study-keith-abneys-debut-showed-exactly-why-dan-campbell-keeps-calling-him-headsy/

Why aren’t we talking about this? Two Lions defenders quietly played much bigger roles than expected:  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/why-arent-we-talking-about-this-two-lions-defenders-quietly-played-much-bigger-roles-than-expected/

Dan Campbell says the Lions are ready to get Isaac TeSlaa involved — now he has to make it count:  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/dan-campbell-says-the-lions-are-ready-to-get-isaac-teslaa-involved-now-he-has-to-make-it-count/

Vikings EDGE Dallas Turner’s dominance to Chicago’s high-powered offense: the NFC North learned a lot in Week 1:  https://atozsports.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings-news/nfc-north-week-1-vikings-dallas-turner-packers-bears-ben-johnson-lions/

Campbell: Isaac TeSlaa "has earned the right" to get more targets. But is it that simple?:  https://www.audacy.com/971theticket/sports/detroit-lions/isaac-teslaa-detroit-lions-2677861624

How rookie Skyler-Gill Howard has sprung to life for Lions:  https://www.audacy.com/971theticket/sports/detroit-lions/skyler-gill-howard-lions

Let's kick off NFL Week 2: Seven things Solak thinks -- including that Houston's offense could be decent (I think ... the Lions' secondary is going to be an Achilles' heel.  The Lions face the Bills on "Thursday Night Football" this week. Two teams that won in the final seconds of Week 1. Two teams that have made postseason runs recently but have not played on a Super Bowl Sunday -- and are desperate to do so. Gimme, gimme, gimme. I have my suspicions about both defenses after one week of NFL action. The Bills blew a few coverages and run fits in their first game under coordinator Jim Leonhard, and their lack of size in the back seven is notable. But their warts pale in comparison to the nasty boil that is the Lions' secondary. Detroit got the drop on the Saints with a nickel-heavy, zone-heavy approach -- a zag from its defensive identity. In the first half (i.e. before the game script was clear pass for the Saints), the Lions were in zone coverage on 87.5% of the Saints' dropbacks, higher than any game last season under Kelvin Sheppard save for a Week 18 contest in which they were already mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. Of their 34 defensive plays, 20 were in nickel personnel -- their second highest of any game under Sheppard. This zone-heavy approach worked well to protect the Lions' older corners, D.J. Reed and Rock Ya-Sin, from chasing receivers all across the formation. In the absence of Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch (both on the physically unable to perform list), the Lions had Chuck Clark, Avonte Maddox and Thomas Harper playing the safety and nickel roles -- not the sort of talent you want isolated in man coverage against slots and tight ends, either. Then the Saints circled the wagons in the locker room and adjusted. Quarterback Tyler Shough had a towering 325 passing yards in the second half and overtime combined. Since the 2010 season, only 11 quarterbacks have been so prolific after the halftime break.  Shough's first big completion out of the halftime locker room (after a pick and two sacks to open the third quarter) was a scramble drill play. The Lions were well positioned, but once Chris Olave broke downfield, it became a footrace between him and Reed -- a losing proposition for Detroit. Detroit's corners were playing with a ton of cushion -- in part to trap underneath throws with driving defensive backs and sinking linebackers, but also to give their corners room to deal with the speed of Olave and rookie receiver Bryce Lance, a 4.3 player. Reed averaged 7.1 yards of pre-snap cushion, per NFL Next Gen Stats; Ya-Sin was just behind him at 5.9 yards. Last season, Ya-Sin was the second-closest CB to the line of scrimmage (4.0 yards of cushion), and Reed was well closer than average (5.2 yards).  No matter what sort of scheme you run or cushion you deploy, speed liabilities at cornerback will come back to get you. The Bills don't have a particularly fast group of receivers, but it's this sort of out-of-structure play that Josh Allen will create far more often -- and far more successfully -- than Shough did.  So, this is a shift, and it's to insulate the safety play. I'm not sure how tenable it is. The Saints' ability to get free access on slants in the second half was a big part of their comeback. Olave and Lance both got open on deep stop routes, as well, as the Lions' secondary kept a careful umbrella over any vertical routes. Against a quarterback with Allen's velocity on Thursday, those windows will be wide open. Of course, against a quarterback with Allen's aggressiveness, Sheppard's clever zone coverage calls also could generate big negative plays. But the Lions had two picks, a sack-fumble recovered and four more sacks against the Saints -- and still, New Orleans was a two-point try away from an upset.  The Lions are 1-0 after one week without Branch and Joseph -- that's a huge win. I'm just mightily worried about their ability to stay afloat against a more developed quarterback and deeper passing attack.):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/49940280/week-2-seven-things-solak-thinks-bears-vikings-bills-lions

These five rookies balled out in their NFL debuts, but is their early success sustainable? (Blake Miller, OT, Lions:  With Penei Sewell at left tackle, Miller, the 17th overall pick, started on the right side, the same position where he made huge strides his last two seasons at Clemson. And while the Lions entered the season knowing continuity up front would be one of their biggest unknowns, Miller picked up where he left off for the Lions.  He played 73 snaps, didn't allow a sack, and allowed just one pressure, and for a first-year offensive lineman, that's as good a start as you can hope for. History gives us both reasons for optimism and a warning against overreacting. Rashawn Slater played 78 snaps and didn't allow a pressure in his first NFL action, and that result turned out to be a very good indication of what was coming. Creed Humphrey similarly allowed zero pressures over 41 pass-blocking snaps and looked at ease against the step up in competition. And Sewell is a useful reminder not to overreact to one uneven game: he allowed six pressures in Week 1, then quickly settled in, had a strong 2021 campaign and developed into one of the league's best players.  So Miller doesn't need to be Slater for Week 1 to matter. The significant part is that Detroit handed a rookie tackle a full workload and the offense never had to spend the afternoon rescuing him.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2026-nfl-rookies-week-1-standouts/

2026 NFL MVP rankings after Week 1: Derrick Henry goes nuclear (8. Jahmyr Gibbs (Detroit Lions):  The Lions have the luxury of elite options across their offense, but Gibbs is the piece that makes them go. Gibbs recorded 186 all-purpose yards against the Saints in his first game without David Montgomery splitting carries with him in the same backfield.):  https://www.thebiglead.com/2026-nfl-mvp-rankings-week-1-derrick-henry-goes-nuclear/

Report card grades for all 16 NFC teams in NFL Week 1 (Detroit Lions: B-.  Jahmyr Gibbs and Amon-Ra St. Brown each scored two touchdowns, but after squandering a 21-0 lead, their narrow overtime victory almost turned into a devastating loss.):  https://www.thebiglead.com/report-card-grades-16-nfc-teams-nfl-week-1/

NFL Week 1 Defining Stats: Record-Setting Scoring, Historic Performances (Jahmyr Gibbs In Elite Company - Gibbs became the fourth player in NFL history to record 14 career games with 2+ rushing touchdowns before turning 25 years old, joining Jim Brown (15), Todd Gurley (15) and Christian McCaffrey (15).  Gibbs is now the sixth player in NFL history to accumulate 50 touchdowns in his first 50 career games, joining Chuck Foreman, Jim Brown, Steve Van Buren, Larry Johnson, and Marcus Allen.):  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/nfl-week-1-defining-stats-record-setting-scoring-historic-performances

Examining 5 teams that could be trade candidates for Steelers CB Joey Porter Jr. (Detroit Lions - They're atop my list for myriad reasons. First, it's a scheme fit. Porter is best as a man cornerback, and the Lions were third in man-coverage rate (32%) a year ago. Their man rate was lower in Week 1, with SumerSports charting it at 26%, but you can likely chalk that up to being shorthanded in the secondary. They've already cut Terrion Arnold, and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. is hurt, which has been a chronic problem.  Second, they have the flexibility to do it. The Lions recently restructured the deals of Amon-Ra St. Brown and Penei Sewell, and sit almost $39 million under the salary cap for this season. Brad Holmes has never shied away from a bold stroke as general manager, and there are reports that Detroit has already made a call on Porter. The Lions have all their draft picks for 2027, plus a little more, so they could afford the price tag if the Steelers ask for a first-rounder and more for Porter.  The Lions started D.J. Reed and Rock Ya-Sin against the Saints, with Roger McCreary and rookie Keith Abney filling in, and they almost fell under the weight of New Orleans' second-half comeback in Week 1. They need help in the secondary, and this is a Lions team that believes it can be back in the playoff mix. They'd hate to see the secondary break down late in the season again, so the motivation to upgrade has to be there. And though Porter, who is Pittsburgh through and through as the son of the Steelers' longtime linebacker, has no direct connection to the city of Detroit, there is a fun bit of history involving the Porter family and the city: Dad holding a 5-year-old Joey Jr. on Ford Field after the Steelers won Super Bowl XL.  If this trade happens, we demand the photo recreation be shot 20-plus years later.):   https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/article/examining-5-teams-that-could-be-trade-candidates-for-steelers-cb-joey-porter-jr-205230175.html

NFL Offensive Line Rankings 2026: Cowboys, Lions Dominate While Packers, Falcons Struggle in Week 1 (2. Detroit Lions - Team OL Impact Score: 84.4.  Best-Ranked OL: Juice Scruggs, 85.0 (5th overall, 2nd position).  Worst-Ranked OL: Tate Ratledge, 77.3 (57th overall, 20th position)):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-offensive-line-rankings-week-1-2026/

The first thing to know about the Lions’ opponent: The Bills have a trap the Lions fell into a lot last year:  https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/the_first_thing_to_know_about_the_lions_opponent_the_bills_have_a_trap_the_lions_fell_into_a_lot_last_year/s1_17313_44306819

NFC power rankings: Why Rams’ struggles are overblown entering NFL Week 2 (6. Detroit Lions (Prev: 6) - Last week: vs. New Orleans Saints, W 31-30 (OT).  Next week: at Buffalo Bills, Thursday, September 17, 8:15 PM ET.  Running back Jahmyr Gibbs set a career high with 29 carries and ran for 156 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Jared Goff threw both of his touchdown passes to wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, including a 4-yarder in overtime.  Detroit led 21-0 in the third quarter before the Saints tied it with 1:07 left in regulation, and the defense had to stop a two-point pass to win. “That guy is our hot hand,” head coach Dan Campbell said of Gibbs, per the Associated Press. The Lions play Thursday night in Buffalo, where the Bills host their first regular-season game in their new stadium.  Detroit escaped, but a team with Super Bowl expectations should not need an overtime rescue after building a three-touchdown lead at home. Gibbs remains the answer whenever the offense needs stability. The defense still looks capable of dragging the Lions into weekly chaos. Thursday’s trip to Buffalo will show whether the collapse was opening-week rust or evidence that Detroit remains dangerously unbalanced.):  https://www.thebiglead.com/nfc-power-rankings-why-rams-struggles-overblown-nfl-week-2/

10 NFL Rookies Who Already Turned Heads With Huge Week 1 Debuts (Blake Miller, OT, Detroit Lions:  Blake Miller was among the most experienced and mature prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft. Unsurprisingly, he walked right into the Detroit Lions' starting lineup at right tackle. Miller was good versus the New Orleans Saints in Sunday's overtime victory. The former Clemson standout allowed just one pressure and was consistently a net-positive up front.):  https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/onsi/news/10-nfl-rookies-who-already-turned-heads-with-huge-week-1-debuts



QB Rankings:

QB Stock Market Week 2: Why Caleb Williams' Ceiling Is Best QB On The Planet (8 Jared Goff - Previously ranked: 15. It wasn’t totally Jared Goff’s fault that the Saints got back into their opener in Detroit, eating away at a 14-point lead and sending the game to overtime. The Lions defense shoulders plenty of that blame. But when looking at Goff’s fourth quarter, you can see a series of failed third-down conversions where he made mistakes. That let New Orleans back into it.  On two third downs in the fourth quarter, Goff threw a pair of targets to Jameson Williams. In both instances, Goff made the catch more difficult than it needed to be. And there was a target for Amon-Ra St. Brown (another fourth-quarter third down) when Goff should’ve looked him off and found the second man in the progression. Williams, in particular, could’ve had a much bigger game if he and Goff had a cleaner connection. He had just four catches on his nine targets, and finished at a catch rate of 44.4% — 13.9% lower than expected, per Next Gen Stats. If Goff and Williams can figure out why, exactly, their connection grew frayed in this game, then this offense will benefit enormously.  But Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown are incredible in pressure moments, including in overtime when Goff fired what seemed like a dangerous ball for St. Brown — only for the All-Pro wideout to snatch the ball away from a DB on the way into the end zone.):  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/qb-stock-market-week-2-why-caleb-williams-ceiling-best-qb-planet

Power Rankings:


Bills Media:

Top storylines for Bills vs. Lions | NFL Week 2:  https://www.buffalobills.com/news/top-storylines-for-bills-vs-lions-nfl-week-2

Three Things Buffalo Bills Must Improve in Week 2 vs. Detroit Lions:  https://www.si.com/nfl/bills/onsi/week-2-three-things-buffalo-bills-must-improve-vs-detroit-lions

Bills' Week 2 Injury Report: Three Starters Added on Short Week With Lions Looming:  https://www.si.com/nfl/bills/onsi/injury-report-week-2-bills-three-starters-added-short-week-lions-looming



Video - Greg Rousseau On What To Expect From Thursday Night Football Against The Detroit Lions:  https://www.buffalobills.com/video/greg-rousseau-on-what-to-expect-from-thursday-night-football-against-the-detroit-lions

Video:








Posted by LionsFan at 7:41 PM 0 comments

Week 2 Power Rankings

Athletic (8. Detroit Lions (1-0) - Last week: 9.  Sunday: Beat Saints 31-30 (OT).  What we learned: A throwing motion negates a fumble. The Lions were saved when an apparent Jared Goff fumble was ruled an incompletion thanks to a statute many had never heard of before. The Lions went on to survive a crazy second-half comeback by the Saints that exposed several significant flaws. But, hey, they’re still 1-0 entering a big Thursday night showdown.):  https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7594357/2026/09/15/nfl-week-2-power-rankings-rams-slide-bears-giants-49ers/


Yahoo (9. Detroit Lions (1-0, LW: 9) - The Lions almost blew a 21-0 lead. They held on when they forced an incompletion on a 2-point conversion in overtime. Detroit's defense had played very well in building that lead, then let the Saints back in the game. Lions head coach Dan Campbell blamed the offense's inefficiency for the lead slipping away. "I'm like, man, we've got to be more efficient on offense," Campbell said. "We kind of spit and sputtered there and then they … had some tempo going."  The Lions face a very tough Week 2 game against the Bills, who will host their first regular-season game in their new stadium Thursday night.):  https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/article/nfl-power-rankings-entering-week-2-what-do-we-make-of-the-rams-without-myles-garrett-040841481.html

FTW (9. Detroit Lions:  The Lions still have the offensive playmakers to keep pace in track meets. Their secondary might ensure that's how most of their games wind up after letting Tyler Shough go from abomination to angel in the second half and overtime — a switch that allowed a 21-0 lead to disappear into the ether. Detroit still has a long way to go to reach its 2024 heights, but it remains a dangerous opponent on a weekly basis. — CD):  https://ftw.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2026/09/15/nfl-power-rankings-week-2-bears-bills-packers/91767318007/

SI (10. Detroit Lions (1–0) - Last week’s ranking: No. 8.  Last week’s result: beat Saints, 31–30 (OT).  This week: at Bills.  A slightly more conservative Lions offense than we’re used to, with Jared Goff throwing at about half the average depth of target as Tyler Shough, but an efficient one nonetheless. I liked the Drew Petzing wrinkle of lining Penei Sewell back up on the right side and then rushing opposite to keep the Saints on their heels. The Lions’ secondary is going to be their cross to bear in 2026, but can the offense be so good it doesn’t matter?):  https://www.si.com/nfl/conor-orr-week-2-nfl-power-rankings-high-flying-bears-surge

PFN (11. Detroit Lions - Offense Rank: 14.  Defense Rank: 17.  Playoff Odds: 64.80%. It came down to the wire, but the Detroit Lions were able to sneak away with the win in an overtime thriller against the Saints on Sunday. Neither team was particularly great on defense, but the offenses really came to play. In the end, it was the Lions’ high-powered offense that was standing tall after one of the NFL’s most exciting matchups in Week 1.  Jared Goff threw for 206 yards and two touchdowns, with both of those scores going to Amon-Ra St. Brown. The real star of the show, though, was Jahmyr Gibbs. With 156 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns, he showed that the Lions will still have one of the NFL’s best rushing attacks, even after trading David Montgomery this offseason.):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/week-2-nfl-power-rankings-2026/

Walter Football (12. Detroit Lions (1-0)Team Hub - Previously: 9.  One of the biggest surprises of Week 1 was Detroit's inability to score on the Saints. Granted, the Lions had a game coming up in four days against the Bills, but still, they should have been able to score more than they did. Ultimately, they won, so it won't matter in the long run unless they don't get their act together offensively.):  https://walterfootball.com/nflpowerrankings.php

ESPN (12. Detroit Lions (1-0) - Week 1 result: Beat the Saints 31-30 (OT).  Preseason ranking: 11.  Non-QB newcomer debut: OC Drew Petzing.  Week 1 certainly wasn't pretty, but Petzing's offense looked like a well-oiled machine as it marched downfield for a 10-play, 70-yard drive in overtime that was capped by a 4-yard touchdown grab from WR Amon-Ra St. Brown. Petzing spent his past three seasons in Arizona, and in his Lions debut, he helped RB Jahmyr Gibbs record a career-high 34 touches. Quarterback Jared Goff thought Petzing "adjusted good" and "settled us down when we needed it and got us into the right plays." -- Eric Woodyard):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/49881711/power-rankings-week-2-all-teams-top-newcomers-debuts

USA Today (12. Detroit Lions (11): If you didn't think missing starting safeties Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch was a big deal, then you didn't see Saints QB Tyler Shough raid this defense for 410 yards through the air Sunday.):  https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/columnist/nate-davis/2026/09/15/nfl-power-rankings-week-1-rams-seahawks-bills-bears-49ers/91758615007/

SN (13. Detroit Lions (15):  The Lions were pushed into an overtime grind with the game Saints, bringing up lingering concerns about their defense outside of Aidan Hutchinson. But the high-priced trio of Jahmyr Gibbs, Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown saved the day, like they often will need to do.):  https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-power-rankings-bills-49ers-steelers-rams-chargers-week-2/c66ef9551cbc48cdb0a11d75

Fox sports (13. Detroit Lions
1-0 - Super Bowl odds: +1800.  Coming within a failed, two-point conversion pass in overtime of losing to the Saints at home isn’t great. Then again, the Saints are better than a lot of people think.):  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/2026-nfl-power-rankings-week-2-which-teams-suffered-worst-opening-losses

NFL.com (13. Detroit Lions 1-0:  The Lions played with a level of sloppiness typical of Week 1 but still managed to build a comfortable lead before watching it evaporate in the second half and scrambling to hang on for an overtime win. It's not an ideal way to start the season, but credit Detroit for bouncing back from a dramatic collapse to record the victory.):  https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-power-rankings-week-2-2026-nfl-season

Fansided La Canfora (14. Detroit Lions - Last Rank: 15.  Result: def. Saints, 31-30.  Do I love the way that game played out? Heck no. Is Dan Campbell damn lucky? Yeah. And the defense is not that good and they are going to have to get back to Ben Johnson-level production. But they found a way to win a game they probably would have lost a year ago.):  https://fansided.com/nfl/nfl-power-rankings-entering-week-2-cowboys-fall-flat-seahawks-claim-top-spot

PFT (14. Lions (No. 14; 1-0): The Lions had better hope the Saints are destined to be really good this year.):  https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/pfts-week-2-2026-nfl-power-rankings

CBS (15. Lions:  They beat the Saints, but it was a lot tougher than expected. The secondary is going to be a problem until they get their starting safeties back.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/priscos-nfl-week-2-power-rankings/


Lions Average Ranking (176/15):  12
Posted by LionsFan at 2:41 PM 0 comments

Monday, September 14, 2026

Lions Links for Monday 9-14-26

Articles:

Source: Lions' Pacheco to miss 12 weeks after back surgery:  https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/49943755/source-lions-pacheco-significant-back-surgery

KEY QUESTIONS: What does Campbell see from Bills as Lions prepare for TNF in Buffalo?:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/key-questions-dan-campbell-detroit-lions-buffalo-bills-miller-gibbs-bartch






Report: Lions Have Called Steelers About Joey Porter Jr. Trade:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/report-lions-have-called-steelers-about-joey-porter-trade

Everything Jared Goff Said After Detroit Lions Defeated New Orleans Saints:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/everything-jared-goff-said-after-detroit-lions-defeated-new-orleans-saints

Detroit Lions WR Isaac TeSlaa Among Lowest PFF-Graded Against Saints:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/detroit-lions-wr-isaac-teslaa-among-lowest-pff-graded-against-saints

Detroit Lions Season Will Sink If Secondary Stays Same:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/detroit-lions-season-will-sink-if-secondary-stays-same

What Detroit Lions Snap Counts Reveal Against New Orleans Saints:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/what-detroit-lions-snap-counts-reveal-against-new-orleans-saints

Everything Dan Campbell Said After Lions Defeated Saints:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/everything-dan-campbell-said-after-lions-defeated-saints



The Lions found a way to win, but the time to clean things up is overdue:  https://www.prideofdetroit.com/detroit-lions-analysis/172977/detroit-lions-opinion-saints-clean-up





The Lions may never get to use one of their biggest offseason additions, and their backup plan is already being tested, Lions might need to see what is out there:  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/the-lions-may-never-get-to-use-one-of-their-biggest-offseason-additions-and-their-backup-plan-is-already-being-tested-lions-might-need-to-see-what-is-out-there/

The Lions’ first injury report for Buffalo looks scary in exactly the wrong place — but Detroit planned for this, updates on Blake Miller and Christian Mahogany:  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/the-lions-first-injury-report-for-buffalo-looks-scary-in-exactly-the-wrong-place-but-detroit-planned-for-this-updates-on-blake-miller-and-christian-mahogany/

One Lions starter may have lost his spot in Week 1 — and he might not get it back:  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/one-lions-starter-may-have-lost-his-job-in-week-1-and-he-might-not-get-it-back/

Lions fans shouldn’t be writing Jameson Williams’ obitu—nope, we’re not doing this:  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/lions-fans-shouldnt-be-writing-jameson-williams-obitu-nope-were-not-doing-this/

The Lions suddenly have the money, the need, the right roster setup, the right financial setup, It’s time to call Pittsburgh about Joey Porter Jr. Here’s why they actually might:  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/the-lions-suddenly-have-the-money-the-need-the-right-roster-setup-the-right-financial-setup-its-time-to-call-pittsburgh-about-joey-porter-jr-heres-why-they-actually-might/

Monday overreaction: One Lions player has earned a bigger opportunity, and the former high draft pick may need to move aside:  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/monday-overreaction-one-lions-player-has-earned-a-bigger-opportunity-and-the-former-high-draft-pick-may-need-to-move-aside/

What the Lions box score didn’t tell: Detroit’s secondary wasn’t nearly as bad as 410 passing yards suggests:  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/what-the-lions-box-score-didnt-tell-detroits-secondary-wasnt-nearly-as-bad-as-410-passing-yards-suggests/

Rock Ya-Sin’s Poor Week 1 Showing Raises Stakes for the Lions’ Secondary:  https://athlonsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions/rock-ya-sins-poor-week-1-showing-raises-stakes-for-the-lions-secondary

Lions Rookie Blake Miller Looked Like a Future Franchise Cornerstone in NFL Debut:  https://athlonsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions/lions-rookie-blake-miller-looked-like-a-future-franchise-cornerstone-in-nfl-debut

Juice Scruggs’ Debut Gives Lions a Reason Not to Rush Cade Mays Back:  https://athlonsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions/juice-scruggs-debut-gives-lions-a-reason-not-to-rush-cade-mays-back

Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs Makes Feelings Clear After Massive Week 1 Workload:  https://athlonsports.com/nfl/trending/jahmyr-gibbs-makes-feelings-clear-after-massive-workload-in-lions-week-1-win

Derrick Barnes Had a One-Word Reaction to Saints’ Overtime Two-Point Call:  https://athlonsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions/derrick-barnes-had-a-one-word-reaction-to-saints-overtime-two-point-call

Jared Goff Downplays Lions’ Nearly Blown 21-0 Lead After Week 1 Win Over Saints:  https://athlonsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions/jared-goff-downplays-lions-blown-21-0-lead-after-week-1-win-over-saints

Lions’ Biggest Question Heading Into Week 2 Following Win Over Saints:  https://athlonsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions/lions-biggest-question-heading-into-week-2-following-win-over-saints


Sam LaPorta's return a reminder of how much Lions missed him:  https://www.audacy.com/971theticket/sports/detroit-lions/sam-laporta-detroit-lions

Goff, Lions won't apologize for "ugly win" over Saints:  https://www.audacy.com/971theticket/sports/detroit-lions/detroit-lions-jared-goff

Could Lions overwork Jahmyr Gibbs? He says no: "Built for it":  https://www.audacy.com/971theticket/sports/detroit-lions/jahmyr-gibbs-detroit-lions

NFL Week 1: Team of the Week & Player Awards (C: Juice Scruggs, Detroit Lions.  P: Jack Fox, Detroit Lions):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-week-1-team-of-the-week-player-awards

NFL Week 1 winners, losers: Deshaun Watson disastrous in Browns offense, Bears light up scoreboard (Loser: Lions defense - Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph are on the PUP list and Terrion Arnold is off the roster following his offseason arrest. Those absences from the Detroit Lions' secondary did not seem like much of an issue until the second half of the team's 2026 debut, but then the defense went off the rails. The unit surrendered 30 points in the second half and overtime during a 31-30 escape against the New Orleans Saints.  The first-half shutout the defense pitched is an afterthought. Fortunately for the Lions, the meltdown did not cost them the game. But the bitter taste of Tyler Shough carving up the defense for 410 yards and erasing a 21-0 deficit will linger in Detroit's mouth.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-week-1-winners-losers-deshaun-watson/

Cover 32: Bengals see early returns from big offseason investment, plus game balls, biggest gaffes from Week 1 (Game Balls - Jahmyr Gibbs.  Week 1 stats: 29 carries, 156 yards rushing, 2 rushing touchdowns; 5 receptions, 30 yards receiving.  Gibbs was the top pick in most fantasy football drafts for a reason. With David Montgomery traded to Houston this offseason, there was a promise for an increased workload, and we saw that in Week 1. Gibbs registered 34 touches in the overtime win over New Orleans and piled up 186 yards from scrimmage. This was Gibbs' 12th career game with two or more rushing touchdowns, which is tied for the second-most since entering the NFL in 2023. He also tallied his 50th career touchdown in this game, making Gibbs just the sixth player in NFL history to have this many scores in his first 50 career games.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-week-1-storylines-game-balls-biggest-gaffes/

Pair Of NFC North Stars Awarded 'Gronk & Jules' Inaugural Employees Of The Week (Rob Gronkowski's Employee Of The Week - Detroit Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs.  Gronkowski then turned to his own pick, one that came from the other side of the division.  Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs authored a milestone of his own in a 31-30 victory over the New Orleans Saints. Gibbs carried 29 times for 156 yards and two touchdowns, adding five catches for 30 yards. His first score of the day was his 50th career touchdown in his 50th game, and he finished the afternoon with 51, making him just the sixth player in NFL history to reach 50 touchdowns within his first 50 games, joining Jim Brown, Marcus Allen, Chuck Foreman, Larry Johnson and Steve Van Buren.  "And for my employee of the week … Jahmyr Gibbs, I gotta go with him," Gronkowski said. "He absolutely balled out. 156 yards, two TDs rushing. He contributed in the pass game as well. Fastest player to 50 touchdowns in history. He has 51 touchdowns currently because he scored two in this game in 50 games. This guy is a special talent, and just like Caleb Williams, he's electric as well, and he's fun to watch."  With Williams and Gibbs showing out on Sunday, Edelman and Gronkowski couldn't hold their excitement for the Lions-Bears matchups later this season.  "It's going to be a helluva game when the Detroit Lions face the Chicago Bears," Gronkowski said.   Williams' Bears and Gibbs' Lions meet twice this season, starting with a Thanksgiving Day clash at Ford Field on Nov. 26 before meeting again at Soldier Field in Week 17 on FOX's "America's Game of the Week."   That matchup carries extra history for both teams given Bears head coach Ben Johnson's roots in Detroit. Johnson spent three seasons (2022-24) as the Lions' offensive coordinator, helping build one of the NFL's most productive offenses before Chicago hired him as head coach in January 2025.  "Another reason why it's going to be a battle? Ben Johnson came from Detroit," Gronkowski said. "This rivalry is getting more special as it goes on."):  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/gronk-jules-caleb-williams-jahmyr-gibbs

2026 NFL Defense Rankings: Team Pass and Rush Stats (Total Defense - 27. Lions.  Passing Defense - 30.  Lions.  Rushing Defense - 10 Lions.  Scoring Defense - 21. Lions.  Third Down Defense - 22.  Lions.  Red Zone Defense - 18 Lions 80.0%):  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/2026-nfl-defense-rankings-team-pass-rush-stats

Monday Morning JB: Bears' statement and more that stood out in NFL Week 1 (Two-minute drill - “Sonic and Knuckles” were broken up as the NFL’s top 1-2 running back tandem when the Lions traded David Montgomery to the Texas. Yet separation may make them even more lethal. Jahmyr Gibbs had 186 yards from scrimmage (156 rushing, 5.4 per carry) with 2 TDs to aid Detroit’s survival vs. New Orleans while Montgomery scored 3 TDs (79 total yards) in his Houston debut.  Worst win - The Lions blew a 21-point lead at home before surviving 31-30 in overtime against the Saints when they broke up a two-point conversion. It represented shades from last season when Detroit squandered opportunities in several losses on the way to finishing last in the NFC North. And had it not been for a controversial instant replay ruling that wiped out an apparent scoop-and-score touchdown for the Saints, it might have been settled before OT. According to the letter of the NFL law, New Orleans wasn’t robbed (again) by the replay ruling as Detroit quarterback Jared Goff had begun his throwing motion when hit by Chase Young, which set up the apparent TD return by Jonas Sanker. To the naked eye, though, it was a modern-day repeat of The Tuck Rule. Are you to believe your lying eyes or the NFL rulebook?  What I’m looking forward to in Week 2 - Lions at Bills. The new Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, NY – across the street from the old Highmark – gets its regular-season christening on Thursday night. Yeah, they’ve come a long way from War Memorial Stadium, a.k.a The Rockpile. Never mind Buffalo winters, this place has real grass. Kudos to Buffalo’s ownership for that. It’s the least they could do, given the significant taxpayer tab for the $2.2 billion palace. As for the game-within-the-game, maybe a shootout looms with Detroit bringing one of the NFL’s most explosive offense and Bills quarterback Josh Allen, fresh off a 300-yard game in Week 1, being, well, Josh Allen. Then there are the new tailgating rules that may take some getting used to – or not – for the raucous Bills Mafia. Regardless, the environment will be lit.):  https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/columnist/bell/2026/09/14/2026-nfl-week-1-highlights-bears-caleb-williams-packer-matt-lafluer/91753942007/

32 things we learned in NFL Week 1 − just don't ask who the best team is right now (28. Game of the day? How about the Detroit Lions’ 31-30 overtime win over the Saints, who went for the two-point conversion (and win) on the road before their final play came up short. Still, every reason to believe New Orleans is well positioned to contend for the NFC South crown this season after overcoming a 21-point deficit – at least temporarily – in one of the league’s toughest venues and against one of its most explosive teams. As for the Lions?  29. The number of rushes handled by Detroit RB Jahmyr Gibbs, a career high – as were his 34 touches against the Saints. Gibbs’ fantasy owners doubtless love it on a day when he had 186 yards and two TDs from scrimmage as he enters his first season as the clearcut bell cow in Motown. But that could be an awfully tough workload to maintain if the Lions are going to rely that heavily on a player who averaged 17.5 touches – half the load he carried Sunday – while in a timeshare over his first three season as a pro.  30. As a dad who's been introducing his young son to the joys of Spider-Man, props to the Lions' Derrick Barnes. But I need to work on my end-zone celebration apparently.):  https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/columnist/nate-davis/2026/09/13/nfl-week-1-takeaways-josh-allen-lamar-jackson-jahmyr-gibbs/91749200007/

$.10 After NFL Week 1 ($.05: It’s not often that I, as a Detroit Lions lifer, get to experience the positive benefit of an officiating controversy. I got that on Sunday in Detroit’s overtime win against the New Orleans Saints.  The play in question involves Jared Goff getting hit while he was starting to throw the ball. The ball flew backward, not forward, and was eventually scooped up and returned for an apparent TD by Saints safety Jonas Sanker. It sure looked like a routine call. But the Lions were saved by a technicality that almost no one knew about, including both Goff and Lions head coach Dan Campbell in their postgame admissions.   The rule in question comes from the NFL rulebook. NFL Rule 8, Section 1, Article 1, Item 1(a): “Forward Movement of Hand,” to be exact:   Once the quarterback begins an intentional forward throwing motion, if a defender’s contact materially affects the throw and causes the ball to travel backward, it is still ruled a forward pass. If it hits the ground, it’s incomplete—not a fumble.  The key is timing:  Contact after forward throwing motion begins → forward pass, regardless of where the ball travels.  Contact before throwing motion begins → the ball’s actual direction controls; if it goes backward, it can be a live fumble/backward pass.  The review concluded, correctly, that Goff had initiated the forward pass throwing motion. It was close, no doubt about it. My reaction echoed most Lions fans: shocked that a ruling actually benefitted our team. And it turned out to be critical, as the Saints mounted an impressive second-half comeback to take what was a 21-0 Lions lead into a 24-24 tie at the end of regulation. The Lions didn’t score on the drive in question, but it took points off the board for the Saints, who were scoreless at the time. Just as the football world learned of the then-obscure 10-second runoff when an official ruling gets overturned in the final two minutes of a game from a Lions game (still the dumbest rule in professional sports!), we now all know that it’s a forward pass even if it goes backward as long as the QB had started to try and throw it forward. Got that? Yeah, me neither…):  https://football.realgm.com/analysis/3708/$10-After-NFL-Week-1




Lions hoping Jahmyr Gibbs can stay as productive despite losing backfield partner:  https://apnews.com/article/lions-analysis-week-1-gibbs-01a25d99cdf75eb99b82d42dd7f3a963

‘Should Have Kept Ben Johnson Over Dan Campbell,’ ‘One Trick Pony’ — NFL Fans Rip Lions’ ‘Meathead’ HC Despite OT Win vs. Saints: https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-fans-rip-dan-campbell-despite-lions-ot-win/

Grades:

Grades: Detroit Lions Escape Disaster in Overtime Thriller:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/grades-detroit-lions-escape-disaster-overtime-saints-win


Bills Media:

Week 2 preview: Buffalo Bills host Detroit Lions in Highmark Stadium opener:  https://www.whec.com/sports-news/week-2-preview-buffalo-bills-host-detroit-lions-in-highmark-stadium-opener/

Video:






Lions vs. Saints Week 1 Recap | NFL Daily:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/lions-vs-saints-week-1-recap-nfl-daily


Jared Goff Calls In To Talk Win Over Saints And Preview Bills Matchup | Karsch and Anderson:  https://www.audacy.com/971theticket/video/jared-goff-calls-in-to-talk-win-over-saints-and-preview-bills-matchup-karsch-and-anderson-xb7mk1e


Lions Overall Reaction | Is Gibbs Getting Too Much Of The Workload? | Costa and Jansen:  https://www.audacy.com/971theticket/video/lions-overall-reaction-is-gibbs-getting-too-much-of-the-workload-costa-and-jansen-xb7lu3i


Jared Goff on Lions Season Opening Win:  https://www.fox2detroit.com/video/fmc-gwj5gjg9tayp5dop

Lions win in overtime; Wolverines knock of Oklahoma:  https://www.fox2detroit.com/video/fmc-1mbtuo41dhk96i3o

Can't feel great about state of Detroit Lions after Week 1:  https://sports.yahoo.com/videos/cant-feel-great-state-detroit-025017916.html

Jameson Williams made the play when it mattered most:  https://sports.yahoo.com/videos/jameson-williams-made-play-mattered-000218953.html


Posted by LionsFan at 9:22 PM 0 comments

Sunday, September 13, 2026

Lions Links for Sunday Evening 9-13-26

Articles:


FOUR DOWNS: Gibbs leads the way in Lions' victory over Saints:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/four-downs-gibbs-leads-the-way-lions-saints-goff-hutchinson

RECAP: Lions vs. Saints:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/recap-lions-vs-saints-goff-stbrown-barnes







Key Takeaways From Lions' 31-30 Victory Against New Orleans Saints:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/key-takeaways-from-lions-31-30-victory-against-new-orleans-saints


5 winners, 3 losers from Detroit Lions’ win over the New Orleans Saints:  https://www.prideofdetroit.com/detroit-lions-analysis/172705/5-winners-3-losers-detroit-lions-win-new-orleans-saints




5 Winners and 4 Losers From the Detroit Lions’ Week 1 Win: One star took over, another had a day to forget:  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/5-winners-and-3-losers-from-the-detroit-lions-week-1-win-one-star-took-over-another-had-a-day-to-forget/

Detroit Lions Week 1 takeaways: A wild win answered some questions and created a few more:  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/detroit-lions-week-1-takeaways-a-wild-win-answered-some-questions-and-created-a-few-more/

Here’s who is not playing for the Lions vs the Saints, one very shocking name sitting out and one former second-round pick:  https://atozsports.com/nfl/heres-who-is-not-playing-for-the-lions-vs-the-saints-one-very-shocking-name-sitting-out-and-one-for-second-round-pic/

Gibbs not sweating 29-carry workload after Lions ride RB's big day:  https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/49934534/jahmyr-gibbs-happy-help-lions-not-worried-workload

Big questions off Sunday's NFL Week 1 games: Hot start by Trevor Lawrence? Concern over Zay Flowers? (Detroit 31, New Orleans 30 (OT) - Lions:  Should the Lions be worried about the defense, or this what we should expect from the D? Honestly, it might be somewhere in between as the Saints' offense likely won't be this stellar throughout the season. When Detroit's offense struggled in the first half, the defense held the Saints scoreless and created three turnovers. But then it gave up 24 points in the second half. Edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson finished with two sacks, while S Chuck Clark and LB Derrick Barnes both snagged interceptions, but the defense was still susceptible to explosive plays. That was the same issue last year. Perhaps the eventual return of safeties Kerby Joseph (knee) and Brian Branch (Achilles) from IR will help.  Stat to know: Jahmyr Gibbs' second TD marked his 51st career score in 50 career games, making him the sixth player in NFL history to reach at least 50 career touchdowns in 50 or fewer games, per ESPN Research. Chuck Foreman (44 games), Steve Van Buren (45), Jim Brown (46), Larry Johnson (48) and Marcus Allen (49) round out the list. -- Eric Woodyard):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/49871987/week-1-sunday-games-takeaways-questions-2026

Lions escape with 31-30 win over Saints in OT after Kellen Moore chooses to go for 2 and the win:  https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap/_/gameId/401872923

2026 NFL season, Week 1: What We Learned from Sunday's games (Lions 31 Saints 30 - Kevin Patra's takeaways:  1.  Lions survive epic collapse with OT win. The Lions took a 21-0 lead midway through the third quarter, as Tyler Shough and the Saints offense bungled things. Detroit took its foot off the pedal, allowing New Orleans to control much of the rest of the contest and force overtime. Jahmyr Gibbs motored the Lions down the field, and Amon-Ra St. Brown capped off the opening drive of overtime with a score. The Saints matched the touchdown but fell short on the game-winning two-point attempt, which fell incomplete. It would have been a brutal loss for the Lions after they built a three-score lead. As expected, the offense ran through Gibbs, who took a career-high 29 carries for 156 rushing yards and two TDs. He also added five catches for 30 yards. The Lions leaned on the run, particularly early, and it paid off late as Gibbs gashed through holes, particularly in OT. Expect the Lions to lean on the RB until the passing attack catches up.  2.  Shough overcomes terrible start to give the Saints a shot. Tyler Shough looked like a second-year quarterback who didn’t take any preseason snaps early in the contest. The QB was scattershot, jittery in the pocket, missed reads, and threw some shockingly awful passes. His two second-half turnovers allowed the Lions to take a big lead. On the ensuing drive after a fumble turned the game into a 21-0 deficit, Shough hit Chris Olave on a deep strike after escaping the pocket. The pass settled down the passer. He picked apart the Lions secondary from there on. Shough led the Saints on scoring drives on five of their final six possessions. The early skittishness disappeared, and he made some beautiful up-and-down throws stretching the field. Shough finished with 410 yards on 35-of-56 passing with three touchdowns and two interceptions, took five sacks, and lost a fumble. If not for the wobbly early play from the QB, the Saints would have swiped a big-time road upset to open the season. Kellen Moore’s club will be a tough out in 2026.  3. Lions secondary struggled in second half. It was a given Detroit could have some issues in the defensive backs group, particularly early in the season. The unit played solidly early, but was taken advantage of as the game wore on. Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard threw a trove of blitzes, particularly from DBs, at Shough. The pressures sped up the young QB early and led to the issues. When the Lions didn’t have time to get home, with New Orleans throwing quick passes, the secondary was exposed. Five of the six Saints 20-plus-yard completions came in the second half or overtime. Aidan Hutchinson was his usual disruptive self, generating two sacks, four QB hits, two tackles for loss and 10 QB pressures. The Lions also got solid play from linebacker Derrick Barnes, who had a sack and an interception. Detroit got to 1-0 thanks to building its big lead, but against more experienced passers the Lions need to figure out how to protect the secondary to avoid bigger letdowns as the season progresses.  Next Gen Stats Insight for Lions-Saints (via NFL Pro): Jared Goff aligned under center on 47 snaps in Week 1 against the Saints, tied for the most of his Lions career. From shotgun, Goff completed 17 of 22 passes for 134 yards and both of his touchdowns. Lions rushers carried the ball 30 times for 145 yards and two scores with Goff under center.  NFL Research: Jahmyr Gibbs became the fifth player in NFL history with 50-plus touchdowns in their first 50 career games (Week 1 was Gibbs’ 50th career game). With two touchdowns in Week 1, Gibbs’ 51 career touchdowns only trail Chuck Foreman (55), Jim Brown (53), Marcus Allen (52), and Larry Johnson (52) on that list.:  https://www.nfl.com/news/2026-nfl-season-week-1-what-we-learned-from-sunday-s-games

NFL Week 1: 10 things we learned from the early games (9. Jahmyr Gibbs and Aidan Hutchinson powered Detroit on opposite sides of the ball
Detroit needed almost everything it could get to escape New Orleans with a one-point victory, and two of its biggest stars delivered on opposite sides of the ball.  Jahmyr Gibbs handled 29 designed carries for 156 yards and two touchdowns, forcing eight missed tackles along the way.  Aidan Hutchinson was just as disruptive on defense. The Lions edge defender generated nine total pressures and two sacks, adding three additional defensive stops.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-week-1-takeaways-grades

NFL Week 1 Recap: New Orleans Saints 30, Detroit Lions 31:  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-week-1-recap-new-orleans-saints-30-detroit-lions-31

NFL Week 1 Winners and Losers: Bears' offense looks every bit as good as Ben Johnson said it would be (Winners -  Detroit Lions, but barely: The Lions won, but they can't be too happy about how they played. Detroit didn't look great, but it held on to beat New Orleans, 31-30, in overtime. The Lions forced an incompletion on a 2-point conversion as the Saints went for the win.  The Lions had only a touchdown in the first half, though the defense was doing its part. An interception and a fumble recovery early in the second half turned a 7-0 game into a 21-0 lead for Detroit. But the Saints rallied as the Lions' defense started to get ripped apart. A touchdown from Tyler Shough to tight end Juwan Johnson in the final two minutes tied a game that the Lions once led by three touchdowns at home.  The Lions scored first in overtime but New Orleans answered with a Noah Fant touchdown. Shough ended up with 410 passing yards and three touchdowns. The Saints went for the 2-point conversion and the win, but the Lions got the stop they needed.  Even though the Lions' defense came up big with the one play it needed to win, it will have to be better going forward. In four days, they face Josh Allen and the Bills.):  https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/article/nfl-week-1-winners-and-losers-bears-offense-looks-every-bit-as-good-as-ben-johnson-said-it-would-be-203550128.html






‘This Is Rigged,’ ‘Utterly Ridiculous’ -- Saints Fans Rip NFL Refs After Controversial Call In Favor of Lions in Week 1:  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/saints-lions-refs-controversial-call-blasted-fans/

Lions’ Jahmyr Gibbs joins NFL elite in Week 1:  https://www.thebiglead.com/lions-jahmyr-gibbs-joins-nfl-elite-in-week-1/

Grades:

CBS Grades (Detroit 31-30 over New Orleans in OT - Lions Grade:  B.  This might win the award for ugliest win of Week 1. The Lions defense choked away a 21-0 lead, but then rebounded to make a huge stop in overtime on what would have been a game-winning two-point conversion for New Orleans. The defense got gashed for 469 yards, but the unit also forced three turnovers, which led to 14 important points for Detroit. The Lions will be an interesting team to watch this year because every week could turn into a shootout. With Jahmyr Gibbs (156 rushing yards, two touchdowns) and Amon Ra St. Brown (67 receiving yards, two touchdowns), the Lions have the firepower to beat anyone, but they're going to need the defense to play better.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-week-1-grades-for-all-32-teams-ravens-roll-bills-earn-high-mark/

Saints Media:

Halftime Studs & Duds: Saints vs. Lions, Officiating? Hard Hitting!:  https://www.si.com/nfl/saints/onsi/halftime-studs-duds-saints-vs-lions-officiating-hard-hitting-01m2dvdgdtk2

Video:











Jahmyr Gibbs' best plays from 186-total yard, 2-TD game vs. Saints Week 1:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/jahmyr-gibbs-best-plays-from-186-total-yard-2-td-game-vs-saints-week-1


Lions survive Saints' attempt to win in OT:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/lions-survive-saints-attempt-to-win-in-ot

HIGHLIGHT: Goff hits St. Brown for a 4-yard TD in OT:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/highlight-goff-hits-st-brown-for-a-4-yard-td-in-ot


HIGHLIGHT: Gibbs' second TD of the day boosts Lions' lead:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/highlight-gibbs-second-td-of-the-day-boosts-lions-lead

Jahmyr Gibbs' TD comes by way of impressive blocking by Lions OL:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/highlight-gibbs-rushes-for-1-yard-td-x6835

Jahmyr Gibbs breaks into Saints' secondary on 21-yard run in Week 1:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/jahmyr-gibbs-breaks-into-saints-secondary-on-21-yard-run-in-week-1

Jared Goff dances in the backfield before connecting with Sam LaPorta for 19 yards:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/jared-goff-dances-in-the-backfield-before-connecting-with-sam-laporta-for-19-yards

HIGHLIGHT: Hutchinson sacks Shough for a 10-yard loss:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/highlight-hutchinson-sacks-shough-for-a-10-yard-loss


HIGHLIGHT: Barnes jumps the route to pick off Shough's pass attempt:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/highlight-barnes-jumps-the-route-to-pick-off-shough-s-pass-attempt

Chuck Clark's INT prevents the Saints from marching on:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/highlight-clark-intercepts-shough

Are Lions still a threat to compete in NFC? | 'NFL GameDay Preview':  https://www.nfl.com/videos/are-lions-still-a-threat-to-compete-in-nfc-nfl-gameday-preview

The Biggest Winners from a Detroit Lions win over the New Orleans Saints:  https://sports.yahoo.com/videos/biggest-winners-detroit-lions-win-231657088.html

Instant Reaction to Detroit Lions 31-30 Victory Against Saints:  https://sports.yahoo.com/videos/instant-reaction-detroit-lions-31-210525096.html

MLive A tale of two halves: Lions barely escape with OT week 1 win:  https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbFHLvycQNU


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