Tag: Jahmyr Gibbs

Detroit Lions’ penalties, turnovers lead to 28-13 loss at Chicago Bears

Dan Campbell said lack of discipline was the culprit

A few weeks ago, the Lions needed a last-minute touchdown to beat the Chicago Bears. 

On Sunday at Soldier Field, it was a different story. Self-inflicted wounds — eight penalties and three turnovers — buried the Lions. 

Down six points at the start of the fourth, the Lions could not get anything going and left the Windy City with a 28-13 loss. It was the Lions’ second loss in three games. 

“That’s a tough pill to swallow, but it is what it is. I thought we played hard, I thought we did some really good things at times. But honestly it was the discipline. The penalties cost us today, that’s the story of the game,’’ coach Dan Campbell said.

While Detroit (9-4) is still atop the NFC North, they have lost two division games and will face the Minnesota Vikings twice in the last three games. 

The Bears weren’t flawless but they did not turn the ball over and they only had four penalties.

“I’m not in panic mode, I’m not losing confidence. We’re good, we’ve got four to go. All we’ve got to do is get our discipline back and continue to fight like we fight,’’ Campbell said. “It wasn’t our day today, we didn’t handle it. When you do that to yourself against a good team, that’s what happens and this is a good team. We’ll clean it up and move on, that’s what competitors do.’’

Campbell said he will need to be a little more irritable to get the team back to a more disciplined mode. 

Five of the reasons the Lions lost:

1. The Lions defense could not stop quarterback Justin Fields. He’s more of a threat rushing, but can also find an open receiver when under pressure. He’s not one of the best QBs in the league, but he seems to mystify the Lions defense. They should have been better prepared. He finished 19-33 for 223 yards, one passing TD, 58 rushing yards and one rushing TD. “The discipline, that’s the biggest thing. Early in that game, Field is running around, he got us a few times, then we settled in on defense,’’ Campbell said. “I thought we played pretty good. The second half we got put in some tough spots but all in all we just couldn’t score enough points either.’’

2. Jared Goff was just off. He threw two interceptions and lost a fumbled snap. That’s easy to diagnose. But he also had trouble finding open receivers and if he found them they had a problem holding onto the ball. He went to WR Amon-Ra St. Brown twice in the fourth quarter and he couldn’t hold on to either one. He was 20-35 for 161 yards, one TD and two interceptions. “You get in this type of game with that type of wind and you don’t want to be living in these passing downs, these second-and-longs, third-and-longs, that’s where we had to function because we weren’t good enough on some of our first-down efficiency,’’ Campbell said. “That’s where we’ve been good.’’

3. The offensive line was without center Frank Ragnow, so Graham Glasgow moved to center and Kayode Awosika got his first start at right guard. They opened the lanes for the running backs who amassed 140 rushing yards against the NFL’s top rushing defense. Goff was sacked four times. Still Campbell thought they protected well. “It’s the nature of that type of weather. You’ve got a passing game like ours, you try to play with timing and rhythm it’s not the easiest thing to do,’’ the coach said.

4. The third quarter continues to be 15 minutes of miserableness for the Lions who led 13-10 at the half. Sunday they had zero first downs in the third. They got the ball to start it and could do nothing with it and the defense allowed 18 second-half points. So far this season the Lions have been outscored 84-46 in the third quarter, while they’ve got the scoring edge in the other three quarters.

5. The defense had a few good stretches, but inconsistency has been an issue most of the season, even during wins. With the talent available, more is expected. They did get to Field – sacking him three times and pressuring him often but he was able to overcome that too often. Early in the second quarter they stopped DJ Moore on a fourth-and-1 run. Momentum seemed to shift for the remainder of the half, but it didn’t last into the third.

UP NEXT: Denver Broncos at Lions on Saturday, Dec. 16, at 8:15 p.m.

Five things to watch as the Lions face the Bears in Chicago; plus, prediction

The weather forecast may be holiday-perfect —  just another cold, wintry Sunday at Soldier Field on Sunday when the Lions play the Bears.

It will be the second meeting for the NFC North rivals. Chicago (4-8)  may still be a little angry at themselves for giving up a late fourth-quarter lead a few weeks ago at Ford Field to Detroit (9-3). The Lions still sit atop the NFC North with the Bears hanging out in the basement.

“Yeah, I’m not worried about the whole revenge factor. I mean, we’re hungry and we’ve got to win to win,’’ coach Dan Campbell said. “So, we want this too, now. I mean – and I think for them, look man, they’re playing pretty good football right now and they want to win. So, I think – I’m not worried about revenge, I’m worried about what this team presents.’’

The Bears present another issue – they are coming off a bye week.

“Typically, when you play a defense like this one, they’re rested. Two, specific to this game, they’re probably upset and angry about how the last game finished for them,’’ quarterbacks coach Mark Brunell said. 

“And they have time to put things in that perhaps you’re not ready for. We will be surprised on a  few things, whether it’s a front, it’s a type of pressure, it’s coverage — we’ll see something different. That usually happens every week but when a team comes off a bye you see a lot more,’’ Brunell added.

Five things to watch:

1. The defense must contain quarterback Justin Fields as much as possible. They have struggled with mobile quarterbacks and Fields carried 18 times for 104 yards in their first meeting. “He’s dangerous. He’s one of these rare, dangerous players and I’ll tell you what he’s done a really good job of, from last year to this year is once he – man, if it’s a pass and he starts to move, he’s still moving with eyes down the field much more than I felt like he had previously and that’s extremely dangerous because even in Minnesota, he had two or three receivers wide open after he had kind of run, found a way through, broke contain and all of a sudden he gets an explosive pass off of it,’’ Campbell said. “But he is dangerous and he – everything starts with him, for us defensively, and containing these guys.”

2. The weather conditions definitely will affect the game-calling. If it’s windy and rainy, Lions running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs will have to pile up yardage on the ground. While they’ve had much success, the Bears’ defense is tied for first in the NFL in rushing defense allowing just 79.0 rushing yards per game. In their first matchup, the Lions had 115 rushing yards and a pair of rushing touchdowns. 

3. After two rough games as far as turnovers, Jared Goff came back in fine form in the win at New Orleans. Even though the Chicago weather could live up to its Windy City name, Brunell expects Goff to be fine. “(Wind) doesn’t bother Jared at all. I’m pretty impressed for a guy who played in L.A., and grew up in California, how the elements don’t seem to bother him at all. It’s pretty impressive,’’ Brunell said. “He’s in his eighth year, he’s been in those games, those environments and he’s had success.’’

4. Others must step up with the absence of defensive tackle Alim McNeill who was placed on injured reserve this week. Levi Onwuzurike, Isaiah Buggs, rookie Brodric Martin and/or  Quinton Bohanna could see more playing time. Same for Bruce Irvin who made his Lions’ debut in New Orleans with 11 snaps. Campbell wants to get him more this week. 

5. The Lions defense must continue to limit explosive plays. They have allowed the third fewest run plays of 10 yards or more all season. But the chunk plays in the passing game have at times been an issue. “The thing that I try to do is look at the big picture. We’re one of the top teams in the League as far as not giving up explosive plays. So, I always try to point back to that and what we did before to not give those things up, and our guys understand that,’’ defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn said. “And listen, this is a League of teams that are trying to make big plays because usually when you make big plays, obviously you’re going to get scores after that. So, that’s one thing that we try to make sure we focus on.’’

INJURIES: Center Frank Ragnow (knee, back, toe) and QB Hendon Hooker (knee) are out. LB/FB Malcolm Rodriguez (ankle) is questionable. LB Alex Anzalone (hand), who missed last week, will play.

PREDICTION: Lions 27, Bears 17. The Lions need to continue winning for their hopes of getting a home playoff game. Don’t see them letting up now.

Lions RBs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery a perfect blend, like peanut butter and jelly

ALLEN PARK — Detroit Lions running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs go together like peanut butter and jelly.

“Some people like peanut butter, some like jelly, but a lot of people like them put together. That’s where we are with both of them,’’ Lions assistant head coach and running backs coach Scottie Montgomery said on Wednesday.

“That’s kind of where we are, I’m really happy with the development. It’s the kind of vision that (GM) Brad (Holmes) and Dan (Campbell) had. They’re doing a good job,’’ he added.

David Montgomery was signed as a free agent while Gibbs was drafted in the first round (a pick many skeptics did not like). Together the two have given the Lions a running game like they have not had in years. Many years.

And, the hope is that they’re just getting started with six games left in the regular season — including Sunday’s contest at the New Orleans Saints.

“This League is tough on backs, you get hit quite a bit. Part of the plan was when we got to December how fresh, how fast, how strong, how physical, could we continue to be,’’ Scottie Montgomery said.

When David Montgomery missed a pair of games in October due to injury, Gibbs made the most of his increased opportunities and has also become a better blocker.

Both have been healthy since the bye week and able to contribute in each game. The goal is not to split their touches 50-50 but to find the perfect blend each week.

“What Ben has done, he’s done a really really good job of making sure that they’re both really involved,’’ Scottie Montgomery said.

David Montgomery has 133 carries for 648 yards, 4.9 yards per carry and nine touchdowns, along with eight catches for 88 yards.

Gibbs has rushed 109 times for 566 yards, 5.2 per carry and 5 touchdowns, along with 41 receptions for 278 yards. In the first few weeks, he was slowly given more work and then proved he was capable.

“They’re both dangerous, they’re both really good backs. Hard-pressed to find a better duo in the League right now,’’ quarterback Jared Goff said. “Those guys are doing a helluva job, it’s fun to have them behind me and when I do have to check the ball down, being able to get it in their hands is a lot of fun too.’’

MOVES: The practice window for QB Hendon Hooker was opened when he participated in Wednesday’s practice. Hooker, a 2023 third-round draft pick, was coming off ACL surgery when drafted. Until now he’s been around the team, but has not been allowed to practice. … WR Tom Kennedy was signed to the practice squad, while WR Dylan Drummond was released.

WEDNESDAY INJURY REPORT: LB Alex Anzalone (hand) no practice; LG Jonah Jackson (ankle/wrist), RB David Montgomery (foot) and S Tracy Walker (shoulder) had limited practice.