Lions Rushing Attack Dominates in 20-13 Win
The Detroit Lions bounced back in solid fashion after a truly frustrating loss in week 2 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Although Detroit seemed to put up decent offensive numbers overall last week, it did not translate to a victory. In last week’s game, the Lions’ rushing attack was somewhat ineffective. Yards were gained, but the trenches were lost. Week 3 was a completely different story. This time, there was an effectively balanced rushing attack that utilized both Lions’ backs well.
Lions Offense
In the Lions’ 20-13 win Sunday against Arizona, The offense again put up some solid numbers across the board. Jared Goff completed 18 of his 23 passes. He did pass for two touchdowns while, unfortunately, throwing an interception again this week. While Goff only threw for 199 passing yards this week, he was much more effective than last week, and if you watched the game, you could tell he looked better overall. While Goff certainly can play at a higher level, seeing a little more confidence on display from the Lions Quarterback was nice. Meanwhile, the balanced rushing attack versus Arizona played a vital role in the Lion’s win.
Lions Rushing Attack Played a Key Part in The Win
A balanced rushing attack, along with the battle in the trenches, is what made the difference in this game. Running the ball against Arizona was smooth sailing for much of the game for the Detroit Lions offensive line. Detroit chose to run early and often. Detroit opted for a much more balanced rushing attack this week, with Jahmyr Gibbs getting 16 carries and Bell-cow back David Montgomery making the absolute most of his 23 rushing attempts. Gibbs ran for 83 yards with a highly effective average of 5.2 yards per carry.
While Montgomery ran for 105 yards and a Touchdown, one thing is for certain: Detroit sent a message by running the ball dominantly throughout the game. The team saw much more success due to Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson’s better offensive game plan, which included a more balanced rushing attack than last week. Another huge reason for the week three win was a great performance by the Lion’s defense yet again.
Lions Defense: A Top 5 Unit?
This Lions defense has proved early in the NFL season that it’s fully capable of being a top-five unit. Their front seven is as good as any unit and has proved to be extremely effective in these first three games. At this point, we know that Aidan Hutchinson is a defensive superstar who is fully capable of applying consistent pressure on the quarterback.
Hutchinson regularly sees double teams and even triple teams, and yet he still finds a way to be disruptive. Aidan’s teammates have benefited greatly from all the extra attention he is receiving from opposing offensive lines. This opens the floodgates for guys like Marcus Davenport, James Houston, Alex Anzalone, and others!
We couldn’t talk about the Lions defense without giving proper credit to their gritty secondary. Led by guys like Brian Branch, Carlton Davis and Lions safety Kirby Joseph, this unit has vastly improved from a season ago. Amik Robertson has played solid and rookie corner Terrion Arnold is holding his own out there.
Each week Arnold has shown improvement. He had the 1 on 1 assignment against Cardinals Star Studded Receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. this week. Harrison was contained to only 5 catches for 64 yards and a score. Although he had 5 catches, he was targeted 11 times, meaning Arnold and company did their job.
Outlook Heading into Week 4
No matter how you slice it, holding an opposing NFL team to 13 points and less than 300 total yards is an excellent defensive performance. This team has the tools to make it incredibly far this year. If the defense consistently can play at a level similar to this, Detroit will make history. If the team continues to utilize a balanced rushing attack like this week, watch out NFL!
The Lions will get better as the weeks go by. As the offense catches up with the defense, this team will be the deadliest unit in the NFC. The Lions look to improve to 3-1 on the season as they face off against Geno Smith and the Seattle Seahawks on Monday Night Football on September 30th at Ford Field.
3 Biggest Threats to a Lions Super Bowl
The Detroit Lions are a supremely talented NFL team in 2024. They were just named the favorite by Sports Illustrated to win the Super Bowl this year. As Lions fans we are in a unique situation for the first time in our franchise’s history. We now are looking at what could possibly prevent our Detroit Lions from making it to their first ever Super Bowl game. But what are the biggest threats to Detroit making the Super Bowl?
With the start of the NFL regular season right around the corner, there is a ton of hype surrounding our beloved Detroit Lions. The team is poised for great things. We are coming off a historic season where the team finished 12-5. Lions quarterback Jared Goff’s consistent play was a massive part of the team’s overall success.
Jared Goff finished the 2023 season with over 4500 Passing Yards, 30 Touchdowns to only 12 Interceptions, and a passer rating of 97.3, with the highest completion percentage of his NFL career. Not to mention his solid play in the playoffs, where it mattered most. Goff also had two solid games and a star-studded performance against the Los Angeles Rams. Anytime you finish a game with an 80% completion rate, you’ve played phenomenally at the Quarterback position. Jared Goff is our guy!
Detroit Has The Cast
While Jared Goff has been excellent in Detroit, he’s not the only star in the motor city. Lions Wide Receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown has solidified himself as a top 5 receiver in the National Football League. Finishing in the top 4 in receptions, yards, and touchdowns in 2023, St. Brown is poised to jump from star to superstar this season. Detroit is lucky to have such unbelievable talent and a superb work ethic like Amon-Ra. Not since Megatron has the franchise had a receiver this good.
With other deadly offensive weapons like Sam Laporta, Jahmyr Gibbs, and the rock-solid gritty David Mongomery, this team has everything going for them. Our offense will be a tough matchup for any defense this season. Of course, we cannot forget about the offensive line. With some slight adjustments after the loss of Jonah Jackson, the O line has been revamped and retooled. They’re poised to be a top 5 group yet again, which will be pivotal to match the offensive potency we saw all of last season.
Lastly, the defense has seen significant upgrades at all levels. Multiple players have been added to the secondary, which has been bolstered with reinforcements from two draft picks, a trade, and free-agent signings. The defensive line had two great additions: Marcus Davenport and D.J. Reader. The team has seen some major development from guys like Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell, and even Derrick Barnes.
Lions Super Bowl
With James Houston healthy again and star edge Rusher Aidan Hutchinson doing his thing, this defense should be a much more fearsome unit this season. More pressure on the quarterback without having to blitz makes the job of the Lion’s secondary much easier. This will be key for Detroit as all these new additions must acclimate to playing alongside each other. With all of these fantastic things you’ve heard about our Detroit Lions, all signs point towards Detroit being a top 5 team again.
Finishing one game short of the Super Bowl this year means we aim bigger. Seemingly, everyone in the state of Michigan has been wanting a Lions Super Bowl for an eternity. What will stop the Detroit Lions? If they’re genuinely this good, nothing should stand in their way. Even still, only three things will prevent a Lions Super Bowl. Find out what those three things are below.
Major Injuries
It seems like an easy answer but one of the only things that could ruin the Lions chances of making it to their first Super Bowl in franchise history is injuries. Every team every season suffers injuries as it’s part of the game. However, if the Lions lost a few major pieces, I don’t see how they could overcome it. If Jared Goff went down as well as Aidan Hutchinson, it would completely derail the season. Which is honestly a compliment to the team if injuries is one of the team’s biggest threats.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 21: Sam LaPorta #87 of the Detroit Lions is pursued by Zyon McCollum #27 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second quarter of the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Ford Field on January 21, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
The Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers quietly have become the second best team in the NFC North. It truly seems like the Packers franchise have found their Quarterback of the future yet again in Jordan Love. Green bay has a stacked defense and it looks like their offense is truly legit. I’m not saying Green Bay will be better than Detroit, but they can’t be overlooked anymore.
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – AUGUST 24: Jordan Love #10 of the Green Bay Packers warms up before a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lambeau Field on August 24, 2024 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
The Detroit Lions
The biggest threat to the Detroit Lions’ chance at the Super Bowl is themselves. This team is 100% capable of achieving great things. With all of the improvements Brad Holmes made to this team, there’s no reason to think they won’t make it to their first Super Bowl. The only thing that can truly stop them, is themselves!
DETROIT,MICHIGAN-AUGUST 24: Detroit Lions linebacker James Houston (41) runs on the field during a play during a preseason game between the Detroit Lions and the Pittsburgh Steelers in Detroit, Michigan USA, on Saturday, August 24, 2024 (Photo by Amy Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
