Sunday, October 11, 2026

Lions Links for Sunday Evening 10-11-26

Articles:

RECAP: Lions at Cardinals:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/recap-lions-at-cardinals-goff-gibbs-laporta



8 Winners, 3 Losers From Lions’ Win Over Cardinals:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/8-winners-3-losers-from-lions-win-over-cardinals

Lions Provide Unfortunate Injury Updates on White, Kennedy:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/lions-provide-unfortunate-injury-updates-on-white-kennedy

Lions Turn on Jets in Second Quarter, Cruise Past Cardinals 45-21:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/key-takeaways-from-detroit-lions-45-21-victory-over-arizona-cardinals


10 winners, 4 losers from Detroit Lions’ win over the Arizona Cardinals:  https://www.prideofdetroit.com/detroit-lions-analysis/176738/10-winners-4-losers-detroit-lions-win-arizona-cardinals



8 Lions winners and 3 losers from the Cardinals win: Kelvin Sheppard earns some flowers after all, and the Lions may be onto something big with a rookie:  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/8-lions-winners-and-3-losers-from-the-cardinals-win-kelvin-sheppard-earns-some-flowers-after-all-and-the-lions-may-be-onto-something-big-with-a-rookie/

What We Learned About The Lions: Detroit’s defense finally showed up in Arizona, Jared Goff rolled, and one problem still won’t go away:  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/what-we-learned-about-the-lions-detroits-defense-finally-showed-up-in-arizona-jared-goff-rolled-and-one-problem-still-wont-go-away/


What We Learned: Takeaways from each of Sunday's Week 5 games (Lions 45 Cards 21 - Nick Shook's takeaways:  1. Detroit's defense finally shows up. Look at that, the Lions finally found a way to get some stops! Detroit's maligned defense bottled up the Cardinals in the first half, refusing to allow a single third-down conversion and surrendering just 109 total yards in a game the Lions led, 24-7, at the break. After scoring on the opening drive of the game, Jacoby Brissett reached the intermission having completed just 9 of 21 passes and Arizona had no answers for what Detroit presented defensively, something we haven't been able to say about the Lions at all this season. As Detroit's offense poured it on in the second half, Arizona's offense eventually found some life and scored, but unlike every other game in which the Lions have played this season, they didn't need to sweat it out to the end because their defense had played effectively enough to allow them to build a comfortable cushion. That's an encouraging sign for this team, especially against a squad that showed in previous weeks it was capable of scoring and engaging in a shootout.  2.  Lions restock the powder kegs. Detroit's offense ran aground in key moments in last week's Sunday night loss to Carolina, inspiring some concerns that it might not be capable of getting the job done against quality opponents. Sunday's win wasn't necessarily a litmus test, but it was a nice rebound and reminder of how explosive and multiple this offense can be when at its best. It once again started with the achievements of Jahmyr Gibbs, who piled up 112 scrimmage yards and a touchdown in the first half and allowed the Lions to build off of his successes, which is where Sam LaPorta entered the picture. The Lions were fortunate to add Amon-Ra St. Brown (six receptions, 69 yards) and a couple of big plays from Jameson Williams (two catches, 47 yards, two touchdowns) into the mix, fleshing out the offense in an impressive fashion against a team they should have success against when possessing the ball. It was a reminder of their potential, and when mixed with a complementary defense, it made for a runaway win.  3.  Well, at least the Cardinals have McBride. It might not be evident in their scoring totals or yardage outputs -- there are admittedly worse outfits elsewhere -- but Arizona's offense is in a deep, dark place right now. The running game is inconsistent if not nonexistent, Jeremiyah Love is seeing reduced opportunities and struggling to build any momentum, and the unit has essentially been reduced to a chuck-and-pray attack (Jacoby Brissett attempted more than 45 passes for a second time in three weeks). That can effectively describe how the Cardinals approached many of their third downs when Sunday's game was still relatively within reach, and how their passing offense has operated for much of this season. Thankfully, Trey McBride usually answers those prayers (save for last week's loss in New York). He again finished as Arizona's leader in receptions (nine), finished second in yards (66) and snagged an outrageous touchdown catch in garbage time, softening the blowout just a bit. As Arizona traded Marvin Harrison Jr. to the Texans and leans further on Michael Wilson and Kendrick Bourne, McBride's value will also increase. Opposing defenses know it and will try to stop it. There's a good chance he's going to continue to be a problem -- no, the problem -- for the opposition. It's up to Arizona to try to create more around him.  Next Gen Stats Insight for Lions-Cardinals (via NFL Pro): Jahmyr Gibbs recorded 25 carries for 151 yards and two touchdowns against the Cardinals. Of Gibbs' 6.0 yards per carry, 3.7 yards per carry came after contact, his season high. Gibbs forced 10 missed tackles today on rushes – tied for his season high – generating 48 yards on missed tackles, also a season high.  NFL Research: With his three-passing-touchdown, zero-interception performance in Week 5, Jared Goff now has 12 passing touchdowns and no giveaways through the first five games of the 2026 season. He is the first player in NFL history to have 12-plus passing touchdowns and no giveaways through their team's first five games of the season.):  https://www.nfl.com/news/2026-nfl-season-week-5-what-we-learned-from-sunday-s-games

Commanders, 49ers among NFL Week 5 winners and losers (Winner: Lions offense - The formula for the Detroit Lions to win games is simple: Score, score and score again. The defense played its best game of the year against the Cardinals, helping the team cruise to a 45-21 win, but this remains a team that has to put the ball in the end zone a handful of times to have a chance at victory. To that end, rostering Jahmyr Gibbs and Jared Goff does not hurt. With them commanding the offense, the Lions put up their second-most points in a road game in the last 70 years, extended their streak of 25+ points to five games — good for the most to start a season in team history. They also posted their highest-scoring quarter since 2013 with 24 points in the second.  In the process, Gibbs established multiple milestones:  Gibbs' 58 touchdowns are the most by any player before age 25 in NFL history.  He is the second player in Lions history with 150+ rushing yards and 50+ receiving yards in a game.  His three games with 200+ scrimmage yards before age 25 are a franchise record.  Goff also entered rare company:  Goff joined Drew Brees (2018) as one of two quarterbacks with 1,400 passing yards and no turnovers in the first five games of a season.  His 12 passing touchdowns and 1,485 yards are the most and third-most, respectively, without an interception across the first five games of a season.  He is the second player in Lions history with at least three passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown in a road game.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-week-5-winners-and-losers-commanders-nfc-east/

NFL Week 5: Big takeaways, questions and fantasy spin from Sunday's games (Lions - Did we learn anything about Detroit's defense? Detroit's defense rose to the occasion after entering the week with a league-worst 31.8 points allowed per game and defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard under fire. After giving up a touchdown on the Cardinals' opening drive, the defense adjusted and allowed a season-low 14 points. The Lions now enter the bye week with momentum and will look forward to the return of Pro Bowl DB Brian Branch, who has been sidelined since December 2025 with a torn Achilles. Trend to watch: The slow starts on offense continued, with the Lions going three-and-out on the first three drives. But the unit came alive in the second quarter, scoring 24 points to take control. Detroit has scored one touchdown on 13 drives that ended in the first quarter (7.7%), which is the fifth-lowest in the NFL, per ESPN Research. -- Eric Woodyard):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/50127290/week-5-sunday-games-takeaways-questions-2026

NFL Week 5 Recap: Detroit Lions 45, Arizona Cardinals 21:  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-week-5-recap-detroit-lions-45-arizona-cardinals-21

Lions' Jahmyr Gibbs surpasses Barry Sanders for most NFL touchdowns scored before age 25:  https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/article/lions-jahmyr-gibbs-surpasses-barry-sanders-for-most-nfl-touchdowns-scored-before-age-25-005448255.html

NFL Week 5 Winners and Losers: Commanders have game-management gaffe for the ages in tie to Giants (Detroit Lions defense: The Lions came into Sunday's game ranked last in many defensive statistics. They were awful on Sunday night last week against the Carolina Panthers.  Sunday was better.  The Lions defense had a solid game and the offense played to its usual standard in a blowout 45-21 win over the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals have plenty of stars at the skill positions but didn't do much offensively until the outcome of the game was decided. The Lions led 31-7 with five minutes left in the third quarter, when Arizona started to get some meaningless yards and a couple scores.  The Lions got another monster game from Jahmyr Gibbs (207 total yards, two touchdowns) and Jared Goff played well too with 271 yards and three passing touchdown with a rushing touchdown on a quarterback sneak thrown in. That's to be expected. For the Lions to be anything more than a fringe playoff contender it needs the defense to regularly start playing like it did Sunday at Arizona.): https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/article/nfl-week-5-winners-and-losers-commanders-have-game-management-gaffe-for-the-ages-in-tie-to-giants-205631999.html

Amon-Ra St. Brown takes on new role after Lions injury news:  https://www.thebiglead.com/lions-amon-ra-st-brown-new-punt-return-role/







Jared Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs lead the Lions’ offensive romp in a 45-21 win over the Cardinals:  https://apnews.com/article/lions-cardinals-score-be5ad2ec99c42efb0ff964377e51d9b4

Grades:

CBS (Lions (3-2) 45-21 over Cardinals (1-4) - Lions Grade:  A+.  The Lions offense was unstoppable on Sunday, but the bigger story is that Detroit's defense held an opponent under 30 points for the first time all season. The defense has been the team's biggest question mark this year, and this week, they answered the bell: The pass-rush came through with five sacks and Lions shut down Arizona's rushing attack. It's probably also worth mentioning that Jahmyr Gibbs continues to be one of the most electrifying players in the NFL. In this game, he totaled 207 yards -- 151 on the ground, 56 through the air -- and two touchdowns. It's still too early to know if the Lions defense finally turned things around or if the unit just played well against a bad team, but if it did turn things around, the Lions are going to be a serious threat in the NFC North.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-week-5-grades-for-every-team-patriots-packers-bears/

Video:









Jahmyr Gibbs' best plays from 2-TD, 151-yard game vs. Cardinals | Week 5:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/jahmyr-gibbs-best-plays-from-2-td-151-yard-game-vs-cardinals-week-5

Jared Goff's best plays from 4-TD, 271-yard game vs. Cardinals | Week 5:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/jared-goff-s-best-plays-from-4-td-271-yard-game-vs-cardinals-week-5

Jahmyr Gibbs' ninth TD of 2026 season boosts Lions' lead to 44-14 vs. Cardinals:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/highlight-gibbs-boosts-lions-lead-with-3-yard-td-run


Can't-Miss Play: Goff dials launch codes to Jameson Williams for 39-yard TD vs. Cardinals:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/can-t-miss-play-goff-dials-launch-codes-to-jameson-williams-for-39-yard-td-vs-cardinals

Jameson Williams' first TD of 2026 comes in Week 5 vs. Cardinals on fourth down:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/highlight-goff-finds-williams-for-8-yard-td

Goff's 38-yard TD pass to wide-open LaPorta gives Lions a 13-10 lead in Arizona:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/highlight-goff-hits-wide-open-laporta-for-38-yard-td-on-4th-down

Jahmyr Gibbs' eighth TD of 2026 season trims Cardinals' lead to 7-6 in first half:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/highlight-gibbs-punches-it-in-from-the-1-yard-line

Jared Goff throws 19-yard dart to tight end Sam LaPorta in the fourth:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/jared-goff-throws-19-yard-dart-to-tight-end-sam-laporta-in-the-fourth

Jahmyr Gibbs' 22-yard dash gets Lions inside the 5 against Cardinals:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/jahmyr-gibbs-22-yard-dash-gets-lions-inside-the-5-against-cardinals

Amon-Ra St. Brown takes off on 36-yard sprint through Cardinals defenders:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/amon-ra-st-brown-takes-off-on-36-yard-sprint-through-cardinals-defenders

Can't-Miss Play: Razzle-dazzle alert! Lions' trickery vs. Cards is reminiscent of the Ben Johnson era:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/can-t-miss-play-razzle-dazzle-alert-lions-trickery-vs-cards-is-reminiscent-of-the-ben-johnson-era

Gibbs' 18-yard sprint gives Lions red zone access:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/gibbs-18-yard-sprint-gives-lions-red-zone-access

Jahmyr Gibbs makes 23-yard dash through Arizona defenders:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/jahmyr-gibbs-makes-23-yard-dash-through-arizona-defenders

Goff's fourth-down laser beam to LaPorta is as fast as it is accurate:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/goff-s-fourth-down-laser-beam-to-laporta-is-as-fast-as-it-is-accurate

HIGHLIGHT: Brissett sacked by Hutchinson & Rodriguez, bringing game total to 5:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/highlight-brissett-sacked-by-hutchinson-rodriguez-bringing-game-total-to-5

Jacoby Brissett split sacked by Alim McNeill and Skyler Gill-Howard:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/highlight-mcneill-gill-howard-meet-at-brissett-for-a-sack

HIGHLIGHT: Rookie Abney intercepts Brissett's deep pass:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/highlight-rookie-abney-intercepts-brissett-s-deep-pass

D.J. Wonnum's fourth sack of 2026 season forces Cardinals into punt formation:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/highlight-wonnum-gets-to-brissett-for-a-sack

Cardinals QB Jacoby Brissett sacked by Derrick Barnes:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/cardinals-qb-jacoby-brissett-sacked-by-derrick-barnes

Posted by LionsFan at 10:14 PM

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