Wearing basic black, the Detroit Lions will look to snap their three-game losing streak to the Seattle Seahawks on Monday night at Ford Field. Detroit has lost to Seattle for three straight seasons, including a 37-31 overtime loss last September.
The all-black alternate uniforms were last a Lions wardrobe staple from 2005 to 2007 when they were worn twice a season. They have a certain appeal to players and fans too but it will take more than cool-looking black duds to defeat the Seahawks.
The Seahawks (3-0) have outscored opponents 73-43 starting the season with three straight wins. The Lions (2-1) would like to extend their win streak heading into the bye week.
Campbell said there are no higher stakes in this matchup.
“I told the team, ‘Everything’s about one this week. It’s about one and that’s today, one day. It’s about one rep, it’s one week, it’s one game, it’s one win and just focus on that.’ I think we have to get back to honing our craft a little bit. We’re going to do some one-on-ones and pad them up early and then take them off, but just so we get back in the – you start getting in the game plan for weeks and you start focusing so much on the plan. Sometimes you forget about the fundamentals,’’ Campbell said. “You don’t mean to, it just kind of – so this is a way to refocus ourselves, get back to the craft of what we do, the one-one-ones, running routes, covering, one-on-one pass pro in protection up front with the backs, tight ends, all of that. So, that’s the focus.”
Five things to watch as Lions face the Seahawks:
ONE: The Lions’ offense is still catching up to the defense and special teams three games in. While it scored 20 points in the first half in the win over the Cardinals, it was held scoreless in the second half.
Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson expects more of his group and said they have yet to play a 60-minute game on offense. “The first half (in Arizona) certainly felt more like things that have been going our way in the past, but I guess that second half, when you turn on the tape, I think there were plays to be had and we just didn’t capitalize on it,’’ Johnson said. “…. Fortunately, our defense and special teams have been playing really, really well. I know it’s coming, we’re just too talented of a group to not have more production and more points than what we’ve had and so it’s just a matter of time before we break through.”
TWO: It isn’t lost on Jared Goff that Seattle’s pass defense is the best in the NFL. “They’ve got good players, they’ve got good schemes. (CB Devon), Witherspoon, just flies around, he’s a great player. I think (CB Riq) Woolen’s been a great player for a long time,’’ Goff said. “They’ve got a lot of good players over there, man. They’re really well-coached, you can tell, and they play hard.”
THREE: The Lions defense will be making adjustments due to the season-ending injury to DL Marcus Davenport and the injury to Derrick Barnes. DL Josh Paschal gets the call to fill in for Davenport. Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn said the similarity between the two is they are both able to rush with power. “Obviously, Davenport’s the longer guy so he has a couple more tools that he can use than Paschal, but Paschal is more squatty, to the ground, so he’s able to use his spin moves and things like that to win,’’ Glenn said. “But they both have advantages between each other that they can go out there and be successful.”
Glenn said someone has to step up to fill in for Barnes and the linebacker room has plenty of talent.
“Things change, players change, defense changes at times depending on who you have as players, and we have to do everything we can to figure out what guy’s going to play that role and what defense can we play to go out there and be successful,’’ Glenn said.
FOUR: In leading the Seahawks to three wins, Geno Smith has completed 74.8 percent of his passes (compared to 66 percent for Goff. “Geno plays really good football. This scheme is good for him. It allows him to get up there, they do some no huddle and he can see what the defense is doing, get the best play available, calm, cool, collected, and as the game goes on, the longer you keep him in it, let them play with their rhythm,’’ Campbell said. “Geno’s going to find it and there’s been some confusion, different areas, first three games where they’ve hurt teams, gotten big plays to (DK) Metcalf. So, we have our hands full but we’re looking forward to it. Our place, Monday night, our guys are ready to go, they’ll be ready to go.”
FIVE: The Lions defense is ranked fourth in the NFL in rushing defense but expects more of a challenge from running backs Zach Charbonnet and Kenneth Walker. “(Walker) is very explosive, he’s dynamic with these jump cuts, he has a really good stiff arm, so you have to be able to run through tackles and understand that’s how he operates as a runner. We have to gang tackle, and that’s both of those guys,’’ Glenn said. “And I know you guys know about us, everything’s still make sure we stop the run and try to make a team one dimensional. So, it’s going to be a challenge. It’s going to be a challenge to stop both of those guys.”
LIONS INJURY UPDATE: C Frank Ragnow (pectoral) is out; DB Brian Branch (illness) is doubtful; CB Ennis Rakestraw (hamstring) is questionable; S Ifeatu Melifonwu moved to IR; others including TE Sam LaPorta will play.
SEAHAWKS INJURY UPDATE: DE Leonard Williams, LB Boye Mafe, DT Byron Murphy II, LB Uchenna Nwosu are out; LB Jerome Baker is questionable.
PREDICTION: Lions 28, Seahawks 24
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