With a 4-1 record, good enough to lead the NFC North, Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell admitted this week that the team is having fun.
“You’re putting in the world and it’s paying dividends,’’ Campbell said.
The Lions are blowing up a few franchise records and not just winning games, but winning them convincingly. They’ve outscored their opponents 96-50 in the last three games. All wins, by the way. It’s the first time since 1997 that the Lions have won three straight games by 14 or more points.
The Lions have produced at least 350 total net yards in each of the first five games of the season for the second time in team history and the first since 1954.
They cannot let the foot off the pedal with Bucs (3-1) coming up on Sunday at Tampa Bay at 4:25 p.m. (The game was flexed from its original time of 1 p.m.)
“Tampa is playing good football right now, 3-1. I’ve coached with (Bucs coach) Todd Bowles at Miami, known him a long time. I think he’s an excellent coach. He’s doing a great job out there,’’ Campbell said. “Playing good defense, they’re committed to the run on offense. Baker (Mayfield)’s playing good football. They’re plus-seven in the turnover ratio, which has been big for them. They’re converting on third down. Defensively, they’re stingy in the red zone, so we’ve got our hands full.’’
Five things to watch:
1. Stopping the run has been a key to the defense. They’ve allowed a measly 342 yards through five games in team history since at least 1932. They can’t let up against Tampa Bay RB Rachaad White, the top rusher with 206 yards, averaging 3.3 yards per carry.
2. On the other side, Lions RB David Montgomery has been carrying the load and showing no signs of letting up. He’s the first Lions to rush for 100 yards and a touchdown in consecutive games since 2004. “He’s a stud. He’s a stud. He’s fit in just perfectly with us and does such a great job every day,’’ Jared Goff said. “And obviously, you guys see him on gameday, the stuff he does, but his leadership, his ability both in the run and the pass, his attention to detail in protection I think is pretty special for a running back.’’
3. Getting pressure on the quarterback is another key to the defense’s success. Defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson has 35 quarterback pressures in first five games which is tops in the NFL. They’ll have their hands full with Baker Mayfield who is the Bucs’ second leading rusher.
4. Jared Goff may be playing the best football of his career. He has total control of the offense, completing 69.8 percent of his passes with nine touchdowns and 7 interceptions. He’ll need his offensive line to come up big again against NT Vita Vea. “He’s one of the best players at his position in the League and can move the pocket, can push the pocket, can play well in the run game as well,’’ Goff said. “But yeah, he can get in the backfield and cause some problems.” Of course Goff has got a few good weapons like Amon-Ra St. Brown (who could play this week), WR Josh Reynolds who has stepped up this season and rookie tight end Sam LaPorta who is playing like a veteran with 25 catches for 289 yards and three touchdowns.
5. The Lions must play with the intensity that they’ve displayed in these first five games. This should not be an issue with Dan Campbell leading them. “I mean any time you win, it’s fun. It makes everything a little bit lighter. There’s a little more peace to it in the moment. … You want to just continue to try to stack them up and get better than you were and so it’s a good thing right now,’’ the coach said.
PREDICTION: Lions 31, Bucs 28. Tampa is coming off their bye so they’ve had more time to prepare. However, Detroit is on such a roll just can’t see a Lions’ loss.
Lions Lowdown 