Tag: Jahmyr Gibbs

Five reasons why the Lions won a physical battle with the Falcons, 20-6

DETROIT — After a disappointing loss the week before, the Detroit Lions bounced back behind a violent defense and a smooth and rhythmic offense, to beat the Atlanta Falcons, 20-6, at Ford Field on Sunday.

“We played a physical, violent game. Our defense was outstanding. AG (defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn) did a helluva job and we looked like a hungry, hungry team. We looked like a hungry violent defense,’’ coach Dan Campbell said.

That’s his favored style, If not biting kneecaps, at least playing with a violent edge.

“We got takeaways, tackles, TFLs, guys were flying around the football, good coverage and we were around the quarterback a lot. I was proud of those guys,’’ Campbell said.

When they needed it most on offense, quarterback Jared Goff ran in from 3 yards out for a touchdown to give them a 20-3 lead in the fourth quarter.

That was a called play — not a scramble —  that Goff performed to perfection.

“Those always are going to mean more to Goff because he still thinks he’s a running quarterback,’’ Campbell said with his tongue planted in his cheek. “He doesn’t want anybody to forget that.’’

Funny stuff, but the touchdown was critical.

Here are five reasons the Lions (2-1) beat the Falcons:

1. The pass rush which seemed anemic (at best) in the loss a week ago, was running at full throttle. They finished with seven sacks by six different guys. Adrian Hutchinson, who hadn’t had a sack in the first two games, downed Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder twice in the fourth quarter. Hutchinson said he needed mental toughness to hang in there on Sunday. Even though he didn’t have a sack yet, he had pressures and Campbell never lost faith. “Any time Hutch rushes I think he’s going to get there, it’s the nature of the way he rushes, he’s high motor, he’s got craft about what he does, he’s not a one-trick pony,’’ Campbell said. “He’s got a couple of different moves and he’s got ability.’’ Others with sacks were rookie Jack Campbell, Charles Harris, Alim McNeill, Derrick Barnes and Benito Jones who got the sack party started.

2. No surprise that Jared Goff played well again, throwing one touchdown pass and running in for the other. He completed 22 of 33 passes for 243 yards. He also threw an interception at the end of the third quarter with the Lions holding onto a 13-3 lead. “That’s about as bad as I’ve thrown a ball in my career, just straight missed him,’’ Goff said. “How do I respond on the next drive, the next play, to be as best as I can. That’s where I think you’re truly judged.’’ In the fourth quarter, on Detroit’s next series, Goff led a seven-play touchdown drive. He responded and it helped seal the win.

3. The Falcons (2-1) averaged 170.5 rushing yards in their first two games. So there was little doubt about their game plan. Except they couldn’t break the Lions’ defense and finished with just 44 rushing yards. Highly touted Bijan Robinson had 10 carries for 33 yards. “I’m surprised they got away from it more. I thought, especially in the second half, get back to, that’s their foundation, that balanced run game,’’ Hutchinson said. “… I thought we did a good job stopping the runs we got, but not the game I expected.’’

4. Rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs got his big chance with David Montgomery sidelined. Gibbs carried 17 times for 80 yards, including four catches for 37 yards in the final touchdown drive. “We also knew it was going to take a while, we had to hang in there, have patience about it. I thought as the game went on, particularly there late, Gibbs started going,’’ Campbell said. “He started to find a little bit of his rhythm. He just needs … When the light really comes on, it’s going to come on. I could feel toward the end a couple of those runs, those back-to-back runs where you feel like here he goes, he’s starting to feel this. He’ll only get better with time and with reps.’’

5. Three more rookies – cornerback Brian Branch, linebacker Jack Campbell and tight end Sam LaPorta – continued to look like NFL playmakers in just their third game. Branch finished with a team-high 11 tackles, three TFLs and two pass defenses. He’s tough and violent, Campbell’s kind of guy. “He’s making big plays in critical moments as opposed to the other way,’’ Campbell said. “The more he plays the better he gets and the more he understands what we’re trying to do with him.’’ It’s kind of the same for LaPorta who has developed trust with Goff. He was wide open on a 45-yard touchdown that gave the LIons a 10-3 edge. “He’s a stud man. He does a great job. We had that play rigged up all week, we knew he liked it, he ran a great route and was able to throw it to him wide open,’’ Goff said. LaPorta is the only rookie tight end in the NFL to catch at least 5 passes in each of his first three games. Campbell had five tackles, one sack, one TFL and one quarterback hit. 

NEXT UP: The Lions (2-1) at the Green Bay Packers (2-1) on Thursday, Sept. 28. The Packers edged the Saints, 18-17, on Sunday. It will be the third game in 12 days for both teams.

Five things to watch as Lions host Falcons; plus prediction

ALLEN PARK —  No excuses for the Lions coming off a loss. They’ve watched the tape, learned their lessons, now it’s time to put them to work.

The Atlanta Falcons (2-0) visit Ford Field at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

“We know the opponent coming in, this is a physical, violent team coming off two wins, playing pretty good football right now,’’ coach Dan Campbell said. “Certainly we’ve got our hands full, we have to be on top of our game to try to get a win here at home.’’

The loss to the Seahawks took a toll on the Lions physically. A handful of starters could be sidelined. Time for the next man up.

Five things to watch:

1. Stopping the Falcons’ dual-pronged run attack — Campbell expects them to run at least 30 times — will be key. In the first two games Detroit has allowed 85 rushing yards per game which ties them for eighth in the NFL. But they haven’t faced Falcons’ running backs Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier. Robinson has 180 rushing yards and 75 receiving yards in the first two games. It’s not a one-man show.  “Now that guy (Allegeier), he’s about running through your face,’’ Campbell said. And so, it’s a one-two punch, totally two different styles and we’ve got to be ready to adapt quickly with the way they do it.’’

2. On the opposite end, the Lions offense must generate more of a rushing offense than in the first two weeks when they’ve averaged 110 rushing yards per game which is in the middle of the pack. Of the Lions five offensive touchdowns, two have come on the ground by back David Montgomery who is doubtful with a thigh bruise. Look for rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who has 14 carries in the first two games, to pick up many more reps. “He’s not a fragile back. … He’s a rookie, he’s learning, he’s gotten better every week, he’s gotten better every game and he’ll continue to get better the more reps he gets,’’ Campbell said. Look for more touches for running back Craig Reynolds and, perhaps, fullback Jason Cabinda.

3. Turnovers were the story in the overtime loss to Seattle. The Lions offense had two critical errors — an interception thrown by Jared Goff and a fumble by Montgomery. Another fumble as the clock ran out at the half made no difference. At the same time, the defense has just one takeaway — an interception by Brian Branch — in the first two games. It’s a situation that must change if the Lions want to give themselves a chance.

4. The pass rush has been an issue, While there was some pressure put on Seattle’s Geno Smith, he was sacked just once. In Week 1, Patrick Mahomes was not sacked.  “We’ve got to do a better job with our pass rush and that’s us as coaches trying to scheme guys into doing things,’’ defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn said. “That’s players also, just executing their job, so that’s one thing that we have to get better at and also, when you look at the pass defense, man you’ve just got to win and we’ve got to make sure we put guys in positions to win.”

5. Take advantage of the home crowd. Ford Field was electric on Sunday and would expect the same this week. Players and coaches noticed, and they were appreciative. Cornerback Cam Sutton said they need that same noise factor in every game at Ford Field this season. Got that?

INJURIES

OUT: LT Taylor Decker (ankle), S Kerby Joseph (hip), CB Emmanuel Moseley (knee/hamstring), RG Halapoulivaati Vaitai (knee).

DOUBTFUL: RB David Montgomery (thigh).

QUESTIONABLE: WR Josh Reynolds (groin) and WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (toe).

PREDICTION: Lions 24, Falcons 21. Detroit plays well with its back against the wall. Even with injuries expect to see resilience and a home win.

Lions coach Dan Campbell: ‘We’re back to reality, back in the mud’

Coach hates losing but likes where his team is

ALLEN PARK — Despite a host of injuries and a disappointing overtime loss in the home opener, Lions coach Dan Campbell is not hanging his head. That’s not who he is.

The Lions (1-1) have got work to do with the Atlanta Falcons (2-0) coming to town on Sunday.

“I hate losing, but I love this. I just feel that this is what we’re all about. We’re back to reality, we’re back in the mud. It’s doom and gloom outside of this building and this world so let’s hunker down and go back to work,’’ Campbell said on Wednesday.

“Let’s get it back to what we do well. It’s going to take all of us to win – all three phases. I know our guys, I know our coaches, this is challenge accepted. I feel really good, I do,” the coach said. “If we don’t get back to our identity this team will take your soul so that’s the motivation.’’

Safely C.J. Gardner-Johnson (torn pec) and linebacker James Houston (fibula) are out but Campbell said there’s a chance — he was not guaranteeing anything — the two could be back by the end of the season. Both are on injured reserve.

Veteran Tracy Walker will step up at safety. 

“We’re fortunate to have depth in a number of areas and that’s one of them at that position,’’ Campbell said. “Having a guy like Tracy who’s got time on task, somebody we have a lot of faith in, trust in. That alleviates a lot of pressure and stress for us.’’

Running back workhorse David Montgomery (thigh) is day to day.

“We’re going to do what we do. Our focus is on how we’ attack this opponent more than the backs we have,’’ Campbell said.

Can rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs fill his shoes?
“We’ll see,’’ Campbell said.

The coach said his focus is on Sunday but when it comes down to making decisions on some players’ availability the Lions have a short week next week, playing at Green Bay on Thursday night, Sept. 28.

“There are a couple guys if it’s close enough, do you try to play them this week knowing that maybe if you do then they’re probably out for Green Bay anyway?’’ Campbell said without identifying those players.

Those who did not practice on Wednesday: St. Brown (toe), Montgomery (thigh), LT Taylor Decker (ankle), S Kerby Joseph (hip), CB Emmanuel Moseley (knee/hamstring) and G Halapoulivaati Vaitai (knee). Also, WR Joshy Reynolds (groin) was limited in practice.

“A lot of them are day to day. It’s going to feel that way for a little bit here. It’s business as usual,  back to work here,’’ Campbell said.