Detroit Lions: Key Takeaways Going into the Bye Week
The Detroit Lions are not the “same old Lions” anymore. They have started the season with tremendous success. Going into the bye week, they are 3-1. The offense has improved massively. The defense has come together well when they need to. There have been many key players that have led to this success. There are also things that should improve if the Detroit Lions are going to win the NFC North. The Minnesota Vikings are undefeated at 4-0 and there is no margin for error in the NFC North.
Offense
Jared Goff is coming off one of the best games of his career. Against the Seattle Seahawks in Week Four, Goff threw a perfect game. Goff threw 18 passes and all of them were completed, along with two touchdowns. His decision-making has gotten better as the season has progressed. Goff is a huge part of the Lions’ explosive offense, having a connection with Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. According to ESPN, Jameson Williams has 13 receptions for 289 yards and two touchdowns. He is a deep threat and any time he gets his hand on the ball he makes people miss. Amon-Ra St. Brown has 27 receptions, 252 yards and two touchdowns. He is the veteran of the receiving core and the most reliable receiver. Sam LaPorta has 147 yards in receiving. He is having a great year as well. The run game is also excellent. David Montgomery has 63 carries for 271 yards and four touchdowns. Jahmyr Gibbs has become a key in the offense as well. He has 54 carries for 285 yards and three touchdowns. There seem to be no weak spots on offense.
Defense
Aidan Hutchinson is the heart of the Lions’ pass rush. Aidan Hutchinson has 6.5 sacks already this season. In these sacks, the opposing players lost 49 yards. Hutchinson’s explosiveness on the edge rushes the quarterback into making terrible decisions with the ball, going down, or losing the ball as he has one forced fumble as well. Kerby Joseph is an excellent safety. He has three interceptions on the season. That is almost on average an interception per game. Joseph is a game-changer that helps the momentum change anytime he gets his hand on the ball. Terrion Arnold has not had a positive impact so far. Arnold caused three different penalties against the Seattle Seahawks on Monday Night Football in Week Four. He was called twice for holding and once for interference. According to Detroitlions.com, he has been flagged for an interference penalty in all four of his first four games. In a video posted by CoachDanCasey on TikTok, shows a Clemson defensive back with boxing gloves on his hands in practice to prevent holding. Terrion Arnold may want to start using boxing gloves at practice as well. These penalties are the defense’s weakness. They were able to get the win against the Seahawks but great teams will make you pay for those penalties.
The Detroit Lions are not the “same old Lions” but they need to make sure that it stays that way. The NFC North is one of the most competitive divisions and the Detroit Lions could win it. If they are going to win it though then they need to eliminate their penalties or another team will eliminate them from the playoffs. The Detroit Lions have an explosive offense and a dominant defense. They are 3-1 going into the bye week, which is a good place to be. The Vikings are also off to a rolling start but if the Lions can be smarter about the way that they play, they can win the division.
