Tag: Alex Anzalone

Five reasons the Lions keep their road record perfect with 20-6 win at Tampa Bay

Lions coach Dan Campbell wants a team that knows they can win anywhere at any time. 

They did just that in an impressive effort in Detroit’s 20-6 win over the Buccaneers at Tampa Bay on Sunday for a fourth straight win.

With the win, the Lions start the season 5-1 for the first time since 2011. They hang on to first in the NFC North and are now 13-3 in their last 16 games. They own the NFL best streak and franchise record long streak of 20-plus points in 15 straight games.

While it’s not a record-setter, the Lions have won all three of their road games.

“We know If  you want to be a good team in this league you have to win on the road.  We know that. They understand that. I think they look forward to it, I think we enjoy playing on the road, there’s something about it,’’ Campbell said. 

Like the road wins in Kansas City and Green Bay, fans in Honolulu Blue were noticeable in Tampa. 

“When you have the fans that travel with us – I feel like every game there’s more and more that are showing up,’’  Campbell said. “We got into this game at the end, up two scores, Tampa’s offense was out there on the field and I feel like they’re about to have to go into a silent cadence at their own place. … I tell you our players and coaches notice it.’’

That’s when the fans were cheering “Let’s Go Lions” which was heard on the telecast.

Again, it was a team win. The defense held the Bucs (3-2) — a team that had been averaging 21 points per game — to a pair of field goals.

“For the defense to only give up 6 points is saying a lot,’’ Campbell said.

Five reasons the Lions beat the Bucs:

1. The defense came up huge. While they only had one sack (by Julian Okwara) they pressured quarterback Baker Mayfield all day long. Will Harris intercepted Mayfield on the Bucs’ second possession, setting up a field goal to get the Lions rolling. Detroit has not allowed an opponent to gain 100 rushing yards in any of the first six games. The Bucs were held to 46 rushing yards. Linebacker Alex Anzalone was everywhere, finishing with a team-high nine tackles and two pass defenses. “He just continues to play at a very high level, he is an extremely smart football player and he’s playing as physical as I’ve ever seen him and he’s playing at a very high level,’’ Campbell said. “I think you’d be hard pressed to find ‘backers playing better than him in this league.’’

2. The defense held the Bucs to 2-of-12 on third-down attempts. That’s a rate of 16.7 percent, down considerably from their 47.4 percent rate in their first four games. Detroit’s defense also didn’t allow a rushing first down. On the other side the Lions offense was at its best, converting nine of 16 third downs at 56.3 percent.

3. Tampa’s defense was tough to handle for quarterback Jared Goff and the offense early on. But Goff stayed patient and, even though RB David Montgomery left early with a rib injury, they kept running the ball with Craig Reynolds getting the bulk of carries. Goff was precise, finding 10 different pass catchers and finishing 30 of 44 for 353 yards and two touchdowns. It was his second straight game without an interception. “I thought Jared Goff had an outstanding day. I thought he helped us win the game on offense,’’ Campbell said. “That’s a damn good defense that we faced, we knew that coming in here, they made it hard on us.’’

4. Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown was key with 12 catches for 124 yards, including a 27-yard touchdown reception. He caught that ball on the 20, got a key block from Craig Reynolds and made his way down the sideline to the end zone.  “He’s a big player for us, he’s a clutch player that shows up and always makes plays. He as consistent player as you’re ever going to find in this league,’’ Campbell said. “You can count on it, it’ll be there, he just does things right and he’s ultra-competitive. Just having him back (he was out last week) is huge and he didn’t disappoint today.’’

5. Jameson Williams is still being worked into the offense in just his second game back from an NFL suspension. In the third quarter, he dropped a ball that was catchable and then two plays later, Goff showed his confidence in the young receiver throwing deep to him. Wiliams didn’t let him down, catching the 45-yard touchdown pass.  “I thought he did a great job turning on the gas and getting to the back pylon and I love that Goff let it go, he saw it, trusted it and ripped it,’’ Campbell said. “(Williams) did a good job tracking that ball and making a huge play. I think that’s going to help his confidence. That’s one. That was good … I’m happy for him.’’ In two games, Williams now has four catches for 55 yards in two games.

UP NEXT: The Lions (5-1) at the Baltimore Ravens (4-2) at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 22. The Ravens topped the Titans, 24-16, on Sunday. 

Lions defense has much work to do starting with better tackling

ALLEN PARK — After the Lions’ overtime loss to Seattle, no player or coach can escape scrutiny. 

The offense’s two turnovers — Jared Goff’s interception and David Montgomery’s fumble — were beyond costly. 

Yet, don’t overlook the defense that allowed Seattle to sail downfield to score on the first possession and then again in overtime to win the game. 

Certainly coach Dan Campbell has a few thoughts on the defense.

“We need our most reliable players to be reliable. I expect more reliability,’’ Campbell said on Monday.

The pass rush is anemic at best. While they put some pressure on Geno Smith he was basically untouched until linebacker Alex Anzalone sacked him for a 17-yard loss in the fourth quarter. That was the Lions only sack in the first two games.

Campbell said the transition on defense from run to pass must be quicker. 

“Our urgency has to go up and our violence has to go up to shed those blockers. That will go a long way,’’ Campbell said.

He emphasized the need for discipline for each player to do his job and trust the guy next to you is doing his. 

“And perimeter, we can’t rush high. We’ve got to close this in on the quarterback. We rush high and we don’t have somebody that can cover, we’re going to be in trouble,’’ Campbell said.

Even after the big win at Kansas City, the Lions knew there was much work to be done. Now after the loss at home, perhaps there will be more urgency to get miscues corrected.

Immediately after the game, Anzalone said they need to be better at tackling.

Pretty basic, but cornerback Cam Sutton reiterated that on Monday. He said tackling in space is something they can control.

It looked like the defense took a step back after the win over the Chiefs, but Campbell said it was a totally different opponent, different style.

“There were a number of things we did really well against Kansas City and a number of things we didn’t do well that didn’t bite us and this was a totally different opponent than Kansas City. Totally different style, totally different scheme and so, we didn’t handle that scheme well consistently,’’ Campbell said.

“We had a number of stops in there and really, I felt like – now it’s a huge part of it, but talk about starting fast and we didn’t do that. They drove the length of the field and they get a score, but you start with a score, you end with a score and that’s really the – man, those are the two that really – that’s the frustrating (part) because there was a lot of good stuff in between there that I thought we did pretty well, but look, we’ve got a ton of room for improvement,’’ Campbell said.

“I say it all the time, ‘We’re in a race to improve.’ We’re in a race with everybody that we’re getting ready to play. We’re in a race with everybody in our division too,’’ the coach added. “How fast can we improve?”

Injury update

Linebacker James Houston (fibula) will be out for a while according to Campbell. The coach is uncertain on how long RG Halapoulivaati Vaitai (knee) will be out, but he’ll know more in the next few days. RB David Montgomery (bruised thigh) is day to day. LT Taylor Decker, who did not play due to an ankle, is improving but Campbell isn’t sure if he’ll be ready to play on Sunday.

Five reasons the Detroit Lions lost 37-31 in OT to the Seahawks

DETROIT — Dan Campbell will be serving up slices of humble pie this week after a 37-31 overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

Ford Field was electric, the fans were jumping out of their seats expecting the very best after the big win at the Chiefs 10 days prior.

What they did not see was the Lions at their best. Two critical turnovers on offense put more pressure on the defense. Not a good equation.

“I know it stings and those guys are disappointed, I’m disappointed, the staff is, but my gosh this is good. We’ll get a little humble pie here,’’ coach Dan Campbell said. 

Expectations are high for these 1-1 Lions and the season is not over. 

“Sometimes you don’t know exactly where you’re at until you’re in it. We come off a big win and you can always preach certain things but this is the NFL, these guys ame in, took that win and they earned it,’’ Campbell said.

It was the first win for the Seahawks who were coming off a home loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

Five things that were costly:

1. The defense had trouble getting pressure on quarterback Geno Smith. The only sack — and it was big — came late in the fourth quarter when linebacker Alex Anzalone went the extra mile to sack Smith for a 17-yard loss on a third-and-10 play with 2:11 left. “I think we’ve got to stay true to the rush plan itself. One more time, close the pocket in on him and don’t give him anywhere to go and somebody’s going to get one here,’’ Campbell said. “But we can’t rush high and let him run through unevaded.’’ Smith finished with 328 passing yards and 20 rushing. Anzalone said Smith may be old (he’s 32) but he still has wheels. Anzalone also said the biggest thing the defense needs to work on is tackling.

2. The Lions turned the ball over three times. The one fumble as the clock ran out in the first half just didn’t matter. The other two were huge. On the first play of the third quarter, running back David Montgomery fumbled and Seattle recovered on Detroit’s 23-yard line. Two plays later Seattle scored a touchdown. Jared Goff’s streak of 383 passes without an interception was snapped when a pass intended for Jahmyr Gibbs was intercepted by Tre Brown and returned for a touchdown. Goff took the blame saying he was about to get hit so had to throw the ball before Gibbs broke for it. “If there was some magic world where we could take away the turnovers today I thought we played pretty well. But outside of that, the turnovers are what kill you,’’ Goff said. “We have to take care of the ball, we didn’t and it cost us.’’

3. Campbell said he thought Goff played “really well.’’ It was the interception that was huge. Otherwise he was 28 of 35 for 323 yards and three touchdowns. But the loss stings, Goff  said they all do. “You would like to get the first one for the fans. That’s why it stings a little more. That was a real, real, real home-field advantage for us today,’’ Goff said.  Having them do that for the rest of the year will be a real, real home field advantage but you have to give them something to root for, though, and continue to find ways to win games.’’

4. The Lions had a chance to win it when they got the ball with 1:44 left at midfield, down by 3 points. They managed to get down to the 20-yard line with 3 seconds left and kicked a field goal to tie it and send it to overtime. Goff didn’t attempt a deep pass for a touchdown on the drive. “I never felt like we were crunched against the clock to score a touchdown,’’ Campbell said. At that point they were without right guard Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Montgomery, Taylor Decker (who was inactive) and while Amon-Ra St. Brown was back in the game after cramping and they didn’t know if he was limited.

5. Wide receiver Josh Reynolds had another big game with 5 catches for 66 yards and a pair of touchdowns. “Reynolds is really playing big for us now. He’s been a reliable guy since he’s been here, he just had some injuries last year that slowed him down at times when eh’s healthy and he’s going he’s somebody we have a lot of faith in,’’ Campbell said. Rookie tight end Sam LaPorta came up big for the second straight week. His five catches for 63 yards do not tell the whole story. He also had a key block on David Montgomery’s touchdown scamper. “I think his run after catch is pretty special and his hands, his catch point is really competitive. He’s starting to find himself and how he wants to play the game and how he fits in our offense,’’ Goff said. “I’m excited to see his development.’’

INJURIES: Montgomery left the game with a thigh bruise, according to Campbell. The coach said James Houston could be out a while, but was not more specific. He had no news on Vaitai who left the game and did not return. 

UP NEXT: Falcons at Lions, Sunday, Sept. 24, 1 p.m. The Falcons (2-0) edged the Packers, 25-24, on Sunday.