Tag: Ben Johnson

Five things to watch as Lions open at home against Seahawks

ALLEN PARK — Coming off the big win at the Kansas City Chiefs, the Detroit Lions expect a loud, raucous crowd on Sunday at Ford Field in the home opener against the Seattle Seahawks.

“I’m expecting it to be loud. I’m expecting – I know what Arrowhead is and it was loud. I expect it to be louder than that, I really do. I just know our fans and it’s going to be – it’ll be to the point where you can’t hear yourself think, so, for them anyway,’’ coach Dan Campbell said.

Since immediately after the win, the mantra is “That’s one.” Now onto the next. 

Quarterback Jared Goff said they plan to build off the momentum.

“You’ve got to keep finding ways to win and keep playing well and practicing well and fixing our mistakes, and there were plenty of them in that game, and finding ways to win,’’ Goff said.  “And I think that’s what we’ve done well over this little stretch where we’ve been winning. It’s just late in the fourth quarter, making plays, need guys stepping up. We had a rookie make a pick-6 the other day, stuff like that helps you win and we’ve got to keep doing it.”

The Seahawks have beaten the Lions two straight years — 48-45 in 2022 and 51-29 in 2021.

“We remember and really two years in a row, they’ve beaten us two years in a row and yeah, we remember and want to get our shot back, but they’ll be ready,’’ Goff said. “They’re coming off a loss and have a lot to play for as well, so we’ll be ready for a good fight.”

Seattle (0-1) is coming off a 30-13 loss to Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams. 

“I thought they held their own for a while and it got to the point where I think after the injuries, they got a little bit behind the offensive injuries and the defense had gotten a little bit worn down, but this team always presents problems,’’ Campbell said. “It’s been a thorn in our side for two years and so, we know what’s going to be coming in here. We’re going to assume the best out of them and they got after us pretty good last year, real good, so that’s something we won’t forget.”

Five things to watch:

1.  Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn knows Seahawks coach Pete Carroll and expected him to run the ball early and often. “That’s his background, that’s who he is. … We’re going to have to commit to stopping the run because they will run you out of the stadium if you don’t,’’ Glenn said. “We also have to be able to stop the explosive passes. They have receivers who can take you down.” Running back Kenneth Walker rushed for 64 yards, averaging 5.3 yards per carry last week.

2. While the offense played well enough in Week 1, one emphasis will be on third-down conversions after converting just 5 of 15 third-down attempts. “We did have chances, some of those short yardage, call it 2-6 (yard) area, we weren’t very good,’’ offensive coordinator Ben Johnson said. “I think we were 2 of 7 for the game, we should be over 50 percent based on what we’re aiming for. …  It’s something that L.A. did really well last week against these guys. They didn’t run the ball particularly well but they were able to stay on the field on third down and they had some explosive plays out of it. We need to be better there.’’

3. While the Lions did not sack Patrick Mahomes, he was pressured with 17 hurries and 7 quarterback hits. The discipline showed and that leads Glenn to believe that sacks will come. “I thought Hutch (Aidan Hutchinson) really played his ass off as far as being disciplined and he had a couple shots at the quarterback along with (James) Houston, he had a couple shots as well,’’ Glenn said. “… I’m proud of the way our guys, the discipline as far as how we rushed them. Sometimes sacks can be overrated.I like sacks, I do. Everybody does, the discipline is what I like more because that carries over into the next couple weeks on how you have to rush the quarterback. Those sacks are going to come.’’

4. Expect to see more of rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs who was solid in his debut. Campbell said he didn’t want to put too much on him in the opener so veteran David Montgomery got more touches. Neither disappointed. They must keep it up against the Seahawks’ defense. “We will get Gibbs going as he gets more comfortable. We always have plays tagged for him going into the game but we feel really strongly about David as well. That whole combination, that 1-2 punch is good for us,’’ Johnson said.

5. The fake punt at Kansas City helped set the tone for the game. The Lions are 7 of 8 on fake punt attempts since Dave Fipp was hired as special teams coordinator in 2021. Not only do these fakes make an immediate difference, but opponents have to always be thinking about the possibility on every punt.  “Coach Campbell is incredible with that stuff, I’ve said that every time we run one of these things. Really the players are the guys who go out and execute it,’’ Fipp said. “… Ultimately it’s those guys out there making plays and the head coach having the confidence in those guys to call them. It’s been good.’’

KEEP AN EYE ON: Left tackle Taylor Decker (ankle) is doubtful so the O-line will be adjusted if he’s out.

PREDICTION:  Lions 31, Seahawks 17.  Detroit is the better team and with the home crowd cheering them on, can’t see them laying an egg.

Five things to watch as the Detroit Lions open at the K.C. Chiefs

ALLEN PARK — Nothing like a huge test at one of the NFL’s loudest, most hostile stadiums — home to the Super Bowl champs —  in a nationally televised game to get the season started for the Detroit Lions.

Much is expected this year including a division crown. It all starts against the Chiefs.

Since the schedule was announced months ago, the Lions have been geeked.  Patrick Mahomes? Bring him on.

“This is why you play the game of football right here, these high-pressure situations where you’re opening the season with the Super Bowl champs at their place, I wouldn’t want anything else,’’ second-year defensive end Aidan Hutchinson said.

Nothing seems too big for the Lions and that’s, in large part, due to coach Dan Campbell.

While Arrowhead Stadium will be a new experience for most of the players, Campbell has played and coached there.

“It’s an unbelievable environment, it really is. It’s – man, to go on the road at a place like that – I told my guys, ‘Man embrace it, enjoy this. This is not stressful – this shouldn’t be stressful,’’ Campbell said. “This should be just – man, take it all in. Enjoy the sunlight,’ if you will. I know it’s at night, but, it’s just – when you’re a true competitor, to go on the road in an environment like this, I think it really brings out the best in you.

 And so, we know what we have to do communication-wise, that’s the big piece of this and honestly, it’s no different than any other game, once you get through this early portion, even the openers on both sides of the ball, now you’re into the flow of the game,’’ the coach added. “So, we’ve just got to stay steady, consistent, don’t get too high, don’t get too low. And they know that, I mean we could be down 14, we could be up 14 and you’ve got to play every play and just relax, put the last one behind you and just keep playing football.”

Five things to watch:

1. Games early in the season can be won by making fewer mistakes, not necessarily more plays. That’s Dan Campbell’s theory.  Also he can boil down a two-pronged gameplan — defense needs takeaways, offense needs to convert on third downs.Campbell is confident in his secondary. “I do believe that we’ve got some playmakers back there on the backend and so I think we’re much better suited than we’ve been here to come up with some – man, you get some tipped balls, overthrows, get a hand on a ball that we’re going to come down with those, and not only there on the backend, but I think we’ll have the ability to squeeze the pocket on these guys and just really all year I believe we’ll be able to do that with our front,’’ Campbell said. “And so, that bodes well to getting some takeaways, those two things.”

2. The Lions offensive line, which is intact and ready to go, will be key to the offense’s success.  The Chiefs will be without DT Chris Jones due to a contract dispute. He had 15.5 sacks last season. Frank Clark (5 sacks) and Carlos Dunlap (4 sacks) are no longer with the team although it doesn’t mean they haven’t found talented replacements. The starting offensive line gives offensive coordinator Ben Johnson comfort. “It’s my blankey. It’s Jared’s blankey. I mean, those guys, they’re good, they’re special, they really are,’’ Johnson said. “They’re one of the top units in the League and I think we’ve always felt that way inside the building, this year we really need to come out and prove that to the rest of the League. And I think they understand that and they’re looking forward to it.”

3. Rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs has done nothing but impress since he was drafted in the first round. Certainly he can catch the ball and he will be targeted. Together with veteran David Montgomery, they could be a dynamic duo. “I think we’ve seen a lot of them and we know what we’re going to expect out of both those guys. I think they are very – yes, they are complementary backs. What (No.) 5 does well, Gibbs might not do as well and vice versa, but I think they both are very versatile, so we might use Gibbs in some ways that people don’t quite think we might or Montgomery the same way,’’ Johnson said. “I’m really excited to see what they can do out on the field here this week, but we’re going to use them all over the place.”’

4. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes is all of that and paired with tight end Travis Kelce they will be a handful for any team’s defense. Kelce is officially questionable with a knee injury sustained on Tuesday, but he hasn’t missed a game since 2013 so it seems like if he can get on the field he will. Mahomes, among his many attributes, has the ability to make a 2-second play into a 4- or 5-second play.  “So, our guys just have to be ready for that and it is what it is, but it also goes into our defensive line to make sure we corral this quarterback and keep him in the pocket and don’t let him get out,’’ Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn said. “Now is he going to get out and do it? Yes, I mean he’s a special player. He’s going to wear a gold jacket at some point. I think we all know that, so. But we’ve just got to do the best that we can to make sure we corral him and don’t allow those two-second plays to end up being four- or five-second plays.”

5. While much of the matchup chatter is about Mahomes, Jared Goff will have something to say. He’s on a ridiculous string of 324 passes thrown without an interception. He was a big reason the Lions were able to turn their season around in the second half last year. Goff has had a good camp and he’s surrounded by talent. Goff said the offensive, ranked fifth in the NFL in 2022, has several areas where they have the potential to be better this year. “I think mostly, it’s just the details of things that we’ve been able to clean up over, even through OTAs and training camp. Being able to ask questions on things that we made mistakes on last year and make sure everyone is dialed in on the same page on how we want to do certain things, so the details of each play, which should lead to better execution, less penalties, that type of stuff of just getting lined up and being able to execute our offense at a higher level,’’ Goff said.

PREDICTION: Chiefs 28, Lions 27. (Expect Detroit to be in the game throughout, but the difference could be the environment. Still, it wouldn’t be a shocker if the Lions win.)

Lions QB Jared Goff ready to roll against Chiefs in NFL opener

Streak of 324 passes without an INT on the line

ALLEN PARK — Jared Goff didn’t hesitate when he was asked if he’s enjoying life as he heads into his third season with the Detroit Lions.

“Yeah, it’s fun. It’s fun being here in the city with all this excitement and with that being said, it doesn’t mean anything if you don’t win and I think we all know that, I know that,’’ Goff said. “I’ve been on winning teams. I’ve been on losing teams. People will continue to be excited, if we continue to win. So, that’s kind of the fix to everything and winning fixes everything, as they say.’’

The fun starts on Thursday when the Lions play at the Kansas City Chiefs, the Super Bowl champs, at Arrowhead Stadium. It’s the only NFL stadium that Goff has not played in and he cannot wait.

Goff and the Lions finished last season winning 8 of their last 10 games.

The quarterback did not throw an interception in the last nine games. He’s thrown 324 passes without a pick. It’s an impressive and hefty number. 

Eventually that streak will snap – maybe against the Chiefs — maybe later. And coach Dan Campbell understands that.

“He’s very much a piece of the puzzle here. He’s not – it’s not the end-all be-all. ‘We don’t need you to be a Hall of Fame quarterback out there. We just need you to run the offense, be efficient, make the throws that are there, be accurate when you pass,’ – because that’s what he does well. Get us into the right play, that’s all you’ve got to do,” Campbell said.

“And so with that, ‘Hey, cut it loose.’ We don’t really talk in terms of, ‘Be smart, be smart,’ because I think you do – man, you can create a little fear if you’re not careful. So, for us, it’s, ‘Hey, the play’s there, you know what to do, we’ve repped it out here, now cut it loose. Play football,’’’ the coach added.

It will be Goff’s second straight season running coordinator Ben Johnson’s offense which finished fifth in the NFL overall in 2022.

The framework is set but the offensive continuously evolves.

“Ben’s always got ideas. Some of them he pulls from his time in Miami, some of them he gets from other coaches, some of them it’s from Dan (Campbell) and his time in New Orleans,’’ Goff said. “It all kind of comes from various different places, as well as I don’t think we’re above stealing from other teams, so it’s kind of how this League goes and I think he’s one of the most creative guys in the League.’’

Plus they have new key pieces in running backs David Montgomery (a veteran) and rookie Jahmyr Gibbs, plus rookie tight end Sam LaPorta and veteran wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr., who is making his return to Detroit.

“So just making sure I’ve gotten enough work with them, as we have through training camp and feeling good with them and Dan’s done a good job putting us in practice situations that simulate game-speed and game-atmosphere and coming to the sidelines, sitting down, coming back on, so we’ve done a lot of that. So, we feel great. Yeah, we feel comfortable,’’ Goff said.

The offense does bring back key components in wide receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown, Kalif Raymond and Josh Reynolds along with tight end Brock Wright and the front five.

The talent is there, no question. Ben Johnson has continued to grow as a coordinator too. No wonder Goff wears a big smile on his face.

“Excited to get back and hopefully continue what we were doing. It doesn’t happen – there isn’t some magic pill where we can take it and then we just keep rolling on the same hot streak we were on there at the end of the year,’’ Goff said. “So, it’s going to take a lot of work and getting on the same page through this week … I think it’s a League of runs. You get on winning streaks. You get on losing streaks and finding your way on a winning streak is the hard part and that’s something that we’re up for the challenge for.”