aidan hutchinson – Page 12

Five things to watch as Lions seek playoff win against Rams; plus prediction

The Lions will run onto the Ford Field turf on Sunday night with the NFC North Division banner hanging above them. Getting to the playoffs is an achievement, but it is not enough to make it for this bunch.

The young Lions (12-5) face a Los Angeles Rams (10-7) bunch that won the Super Bowl just two years ago.

Lack of playoff experience for his guys is not a concern for Lions coach Dan Campbell. One reason is the Lions have become NFL darlings of sorts, playing in five primetime games this season and emerging with a 4-1 record in those. So he feels his team is well prepared.

“I know we are. I’m not worried about that, the stage, all of those things because we’ve dealt with that for a while now and I feel like we’re prepared for that,’’ Campbell said. “It’s going to come down to all the same things it does in every game for us, it’s going to be the fundamentals.’’

Mistake-free football wins playoff games. He doesn’t want his players to press to make a play go the other way.

“You’re trying so hard to make a play that you get out of position, or you put a teammate out of position and it puts a strain on everybody around you and all of a sudden, everything breaks down. That’s what we’ve got to stay – just stay focused on that,’’ Campbell said.

“You want to make a play so bad you jump out of your gap and then all of a sudden, they hit you on a run. So, those are the little things, man. Just stay true to what we’ve done and what’s gotten us to this point,’’ the coach said. “We’ve won 12 games for a reason, we’re where we’re at for a reason, let’s do it again.”

The last Lions’ playoff win was on Jan, 5, 1992 – before most of these players were born.

They have a chance to leave a legacy and it starts on Sunday night.

Five things to watch:

1. Matthew Stafford, well known in Detroit, has not slowed down in his 15th NFL season. “He’s a good player, that’s it. We have good players too. It’s good player against good player so let’s go,’’ Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn said. Stafford, who has some help with wide receivers Cooper Kupp and breakout rookie Puka Nacua, is rested after sitting out Week 18. This season Stafford threw 24 touchdown passes against a dozen interceptions. He’s back home where he spent his first 12 NFL seasons, but he’s such a pro that emotions should not be a factor once he takes the field.

2. Don’t underestimate the Rams’ rushing attack. The Rams have won seven of their last eight games and in those eight, they have averaged 137.6 rushing yards per game. Running back Kyren Williams is the big threat, averaging 5 yards a carry and good for a dozen rushing touchdowns and three receiving. Something will have to give with the LIons owning the NFL’s second-best rushing defense allowing just 88.8 rushing yards per game. Williams and Nacua can be a handful for defenses by escaping tackles. “I want to make sure it’s emphasized and show clips. Listen, look at these guys, just because (Williams) is a small statured guy he has a strong lower body, same thing with Puka, a strong lower body,’’ Glenn said. “Everybody I talk to, that’s the No. 1 thing I saw is don’t be surprised on how these guys break tackles and it shows up on tape.’’

3. Jared Goff’s playoff experience should pay dividends. He played in six playoff games with the Rams, winning the NFC Championship in overtime at New Orleans and a loss in the Super Bowl, losing 13-3 to the Patriots. While some of his teammates don’t have playoff experience that is not a concern. “We’ve played in a lot of big games, a lot of them. And a lot of these guys have played in big games in college, and yeah we’ll be ready, we’ll be ready,’’ Goff said. “I don’t worry about that for a second. We’ve got a lot of primetime experience under our belt at this point and understand the magnitude of it.”

4. Running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs have to be on their game. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson wasn’t pleased with the run game in the final two games. “Through the second half of the season, really since the bye week, we’ve been trending in the right direction,’’ Johnson said. “The last two games was not what we wanted. Last week we were mistargeted and our communication was off too much.’’ He said one possible fix is less complexity in the game plan.

5. Aaron Donald, future Hall of Famer as Campbell refers to him, is not a one-man band on the Rams’ defensive line. He doesn’t even lead the Rams in sack numbers. He has 8, same as Byron Young and one less than Kobie Turner with 9. “I still like our matchup. I love our O-line and we’ve seen a lot of good defenses this year. We’ve faced a lot of good guys, a lot of good fronts, and have accepted those challenges,’’ Campbell said. “So, this will be no different. This will be a big challenge, our guys accept it and it’s the strength of our team.”

PREDICTION: Lions 31, Rams 27. The Rams may be hot, but the Lions seem to be playing their best at the right time. Playing at Ford Field is a definite advantage.

Five reasons why Lions bounced back with 30-20 win over Vikings

DETROIT — The Detroit Lions bounced back on Sunday from a devastating loss the previous week at the hands of NFL referee Brad Allen.

They took their lead from coach Dan Campbell who said they would move forward and not drop their shoulders and dwell on the loss at the Cowboys.

The Lions played tough in a 30-20 win over the Minnesota Vikings to boost their record to 12-5 and prepare them for a playoff game against Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams at 8 p.m. on Sunday at Ford Field.

“After what we did last week – it was a tough loss – and we come in this week, mentally locked in, ready to roll, right mindset,’’ coach Dan Campbell said. “It was a back-and-forth game, but I thought all three phases complemented each other and really came out to finish the season off the right way and get a win.’’

The Lions took an early 7-0 lead and never fell behind.

The win meant that throughout the season, the Lions never lost back-to-back games

“We bounced back, I feel like that’s one of our qualities, that’s one of the things about us that I think makes this group special is that it is a resilient group, they’re able to overcome adversity, snap back and they’ve done that again,’’ Campbell said. “You’ve got to have the right players. We have the right players and the right coaches.”

Five main reasons the Lions won:

1. Once again the defense was fired up and was led by Aidan Hutchinson who didn’t take a play off. Vikings QB Nick Mullens was sacked four times, twice by Hutchinson who has five sacks in the last two games and 10.5 for the season. “We’re getting to the quarterback, we’ve been getting to him for 3 or 4 weeks. (Hutchinson is ) a guy who’s relentless, but he works his craft, he’s got a quick first step, he’s an explosive athlete but he constantly is working his hands, his body, his lean and his torque,’’ Campbell said. “Every day he gets a little better.’’ Hutchinson produced his fifth career game with 2.0-or-more sacks, passing DE Ezekiel Ansah (4) for the most 2.0-sack games by a Lions player through two-career seasons.

2. Jared Goff led an efficient passing game. No interceptions, no fumbles. He finished 23 of 32 for 320 yards and two touchdowns including a 70-yard scoring play to Amon-Ra St. Brown. He got protection, was only sacked once. After a three-and-out opening series, the Lions scored touchdowns on the next two drives with their savvy combination of rushing and passing.

3. The secondary got a boost from the return of veteran C.J. Gardner-Johnson who had not played since he tore his pec in Week 2. He intercepted Mullens late in the game, had four tackles and a pass defense. The unit still has much work to do. Vikings WR Justin Jefferson could not be contained and finished with a dozen catches for 192 yards and a touchdown. He had 141 yards against the Lions two weeks ago.

4. No turnovers by the Lions. Campbell has preached this all season and they seem to be improving.

5. When officials announced No. 70, Dan Skipper, eligible, the crowd roared. The offensive lineman has found a measure of celebrity after the referee’s bad call at Dallas last week. In the third quarter, Skipper caught a 4-yard pass which drew more applause. Campbell emphasized this week that they had moved on from the debacle at Dallas. This was a team that looked like it had an eye on the future.

INJURY UPDATE
Tight end Sam LaPorta left the game in the second quarter with a knee injury and did not return. “It’s probably not as bad as it looked, but it’s not good news,’’ Campbell said. “We’ll know more (Monday). I know it looked awful, it’s not as bad as that. But it doesn’t mean it looks good in the immediate here to have him for a game.’’

Campbell said it’s about the same situation for WR/returner Kalif Raymond who also left with a knee injury.

Five things to watch as Lions face Vikings in regular season finale; plus injury update, prediction

It was just two weeks ago that the Lions beat the Vikings on Christmas eve. It seems longer.

That game clinched the NFC North title for Detroit. It was a huge deal.

Sunday’s rematch at 1 p.m. at Ford Field is another big deal for the Lions (11-5). While the Vikings (7-9), who have lost five of the last six, are just going home afterward, the Lions still have an outside shot at the No. 2 seed in the NFL playoffs. They need a win over Minnesota along with losses by the Cowboys and Eagles.

“You’d love to finish the season with a win, regardless of what’s in front of us after that,’’ quarterback Jared Goff said. “You want to head into the postseason with some momentum, and again, division opponent. They’re a tough team and it’ll be tough.”

You may have heard that the Lions are coming off a loss at Dallas in which they were robbed by referee Brad Allen who screwed up by not calling Taylor Decker eligible for the 2-point conversion. Fans are not over it and neither are many around the NFL who just don’t want to see any team lose in that fashion again. However, the Lions have to be over it. They’re taking their mindset from coach Dan Campbell who said he is full of controlled fury. He’s moved on and so have they.

Five things to watch:

1. While his sack numbers haven’t been as high as last year, Aidan Hutchinson has been getting pressures and getting close. At the Cowboys, he sacked Dak Prescott three times. Hutchinson could be on a roll. “You do all the hard work that you do and especially the way he plays, I mean he just, he’s relentless. He gives everything he’s got to win the rep every time and to almost, and almost, and almost get there and then you get there, and then you get there, and then you get there,’’ Campbell said. “I think that’s pretty satisfying, and I think it’s just – he’s always going to want more, but it makes you want to get more and every time you’re able to beat a double team or to beat a one-on-one a little bit faster, your confidence goes up and you gain experience doing it.” Collectively in the last game against the Vikings, the Lions collectively sacked QB Nick Mullens four times.

2. Vikings WR Justin Jefferson ate up the Lions defense two weeks ago. Expect some adjustments in the Lions’ secondary with the return of veteran defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Jefferson had six catches for 141 yards and a touchdown in that Lions win on Dec. 24. “He’s a difference-maker. He’s a dynamic player and we’ve got our hands full,’’ Campbell said. “But I do like our guys, man our guys are – I always believed they accept the challenge and they’re ready to go.”

3. The defense has been on a roll with takeaways — six in the last two games — which is crucial heading into the playoffs. “I just felt like that was the last little element there for us, defensively, and they’re on the come now. They’re showing up and we’re playing aggressive-style football,’’ Campbell said. “We’re going after the football, we’re getting after the quarterback. Everybody’s doing their responsibility and then our safeties are getting hands on the ball and when they do, they’re making the plays on them. So, and then just – there again, being able to get to the quarterback and get it out of his hand is showing up. So, I want to believe that’s here to stay. My history says it does.”

4. Keep the run game moving. In the first matchup, David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs combined for 146 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. While running backs coach Scottie Montgomery said the win is the thing, each of the guys could reach the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the season. Montgomery is at 975 yards while Gibbs has 915.

5. Look for a few changes on the field with DT Alim McNeill possibly returning. FB Jason Cabinda is expected back. What you will not see is Campbell and the coaching staff getting a look at some of the younger guys for the future. Winning this game is the only thing, getting young players reps will have to wait.

INJURIES: WR Jameson Williams (ankle), TE Brock Wright (hip) and LB James Houston (ankle) are out; DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson (pectoral), DT Benito Jones (illness) and DT Alim McNeill (knee) are questionable.

PREDICTION: Lions 31, Vikings 17. It could be a bigger differential since the Lions still have hopes of a No. 2 seed and the Vikings are done.