DETROIT — While the Detroit Lions turned the ball over three times and were far from perfect, they managed to overcome their own mistakes and pull out a 26-14 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday night.
With the win the Lions are now 6-2 and still atop the NFC North. The Raiders fell to 3-5 with their second straight loss.
Detroit was coming off a miserable loss to the Ravens and badly needed the bounce-back win.
“I told the team the most important thing about this game was us getting our identity back. It was all the work we put in this week, the whole focus was about getting back to what we do and that was the most important thing,’’ coach Dan Campbell said afterward. “That really showed through. It wasn’t perfect but ultimately we got what I wanted to get out of it, you come away with a win.’’
While there’s half a season remaining, the Lions are in a good position. They have a bye this week which will give them time to rest up and heal the bumps and bruises.
Perhaps the key lesson so far, showed up on Monday night.
Despite those three turnovers — two lost fumbles and an interception — they hung in there.
“Ultimately good teams don’t do that consistently, they don’t have multiple turnovers but when they do they’re able to overcome them,’’ Campbell said. “I do feel that we have guys who don’t get frazzled — the wheels don’t fall off. We were composed, I think there was more anger than frustration.’’
Five reasons the Lions won:
1. Rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs had a breakout game in prime time. The secret is out. Gibbs carried 26 times for 152 yards and a touchdown, He also caught five passes (on five targets) for 37 yards. He ran between the tackles and showed his speed to the outside. “That defense they played pretty danged good, they’ve been pretty stingy in the run game. But we felt like there was something we could do, we wanted to get Gibbs going. We wanted to be able to establish the run,’’ Campbell said. “You could tell he was feeling it, every week he’s gotten a little bit better and a little bit better and I thought last week was his best game and this week certainly surpassed that. I think the more he gains confidence in his own abilities in this league he’s just going to continue to grow. I think this was kind of the tip of the iceberg for what he is able to do and going to be able to do.’’ The run game should get another boost after the bye when David Montgomery is expected to return.
2. The pass rush which was a bit anemic at Baltimore played perhaps their best game. They sacked quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo six times, all in the second half. In fact he was sacked three times in four snaps in the fourth quarter. It was a group effort with Alex Anzalone and Alim McNeill each getting two and Julian Okwara and Tracy Walker each with one. “Outstanding top to bottom, those guys came through. That was one of the things we talked about transitioning from play pass to the rush and working the games on third down,’’ Campbell said. “Six sacks and 9 quarterback hits that was 100 percent teamwork there. We looked like a tenacious defense, that’s how we expect to play defense. We’re ferocious, we play tight coverage, we challenge.’’ The Raiders only scored one offensive touchdown, the other score was an interception returned for a touchdown.
3. Jared Goff bounced back after the Ravens’ loss too. He did throw the interception, but hung in there and showed poise and control that he’s had most of the season. He completed 26 of 37 passes for 272 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Until late in the second quarter, the Lions could not make anything happen in the Red Zone and had to settle for three field goals. But with 27 seconds left in the half, Goff’s 18-yard touchdown pass to rookie tight end Sam LaPorta sent the Lions to the locker room on a strong note and with a 16-7 lead.
4. Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown wasn’t feeling well, per Campbell, and was placed on the injury report on Sunday with an illness. It was unclear if he’d play. Indeed he did and was good for six catches for 108 yards. He’s a steady presence and he’s not alone. LaPorta had eight catches for 57 yards and a touchdown. He and Gibbs no longer look like rookies.
5. Over recent years — and certainly before Campbell became coach — that was not a game the Lions would always find a way to win. They’d wilt too easily and couldn’t always come back from a little adversity. This bunch is different. They’re strong mentally, indivicually and as a team. That’s what Campbell was so pleased about with the win. This is who they are — tough, physical and poised. And they showed it on Monday night in front of a national TV audience.
NEXT UP: The Lions have a bye week, then will play at the Los Angeles Chargers at 4:05 p.m. on Nov. 12.
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