Tag: jared goff

Five things to watch as Lions face Vikings with No. 1 seed on the line

Coach Dan Campbell built this Lions team for games like Sunday’s matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. It’s not just another game, it’s two 14-win teams vying for the No. 1 seed, a week off and home field advantage until the Super Bowl.

After losing the NFC Championship game at San Francisco last January, the Lions’ goal became to earn the No. 1 seed. Even though they’re perfect on the road, getting the bye and staying home until the Super Bowl is the goal. 

“You come out of that game and feel like it gives you the best odds to get to where the ultimate is, which is, as well all know what the prize is, and that’s the Super Bowl, well, you just – you try to set yourself up the best you can and that’s why you put those goals out there,’’ Campbell said. “So yeah, it’s been there for a while, so certainly this is something we want to do and we’ve had in our minds – division and one seed and all that, and it’s right here in our hands.”

The Lions beat the Vikings, 31-29, in their first meeting on Oct 20  and beat them both games in 2023. 

The Vikings have won nine straight, scoring more than 30 points just once – 42 in a win over Atlanta.

“They’re well-coached, got a lot of good players – a lot of good players and they create issues, really, in all three phases that we’re going to need to be prepared for, but it’s a challenge we’re looking forward to,’’ Campbell said. “So, like I said after the game, these are exciting times, to be able to play these types of games, so we’re looking forward to it.”

 FIVE THINGS TO WATCH:

ONE: Offense must pile on the points because the Lions defense is still the weak link due to injuries. In the last four games the Lions have averaged 37.5 points and outscored opponents 150-120 and overall they have a 533 to 333 advantage in points scored. In the first matchup against the Vikings, the Lions won 31-29. Last year the Lions beat the Vikings twice, scoring 30 points in each game. Goff was 22 of 25 for 280 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the first game. He has thrown just one interception in the last seven games. Goff has a 77-percent completion percentage and 90.9 QBR vs. the  Vikings blitz under Brian Flores, defensive coordinator. The Lions scored 30 or more points in all three games.

TWO: Contain Vikings WR Justin Jefferson. “Man, he is a special one. He’s my type of guy and you see the way he’s playing is starting to permeate to some of those other receivers,’’ Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn said. “I think he’s one of the toughest guys playing that position. He’s an old school player, in my opinion, it’s almost like he’s a defensive guy playing receiver.’’ Jefferson had 7 catches, for 81 yards and a touchdown in the first game against the Lions.

THREE: The defense must make impact plays. “I thought that our top players outwilled their top players (in San Francisco) and to me, that’s what the focus is on for us. How many impact plays we can make and how our top players are going to outwill their top players,’’ Glenn said. In the first meeting, QB Sam Darnold completed 81.5 percent of his passes with 1 touchdown and 1 interception (by Brian Branch) with 244 passing yards in the first matchup. The LIons defense also gave up139 rushing yards in that game.

FOUR: Keep the run game going. Jahmyr Gibbs has done a good job with David Montgomery sidelined for the past two games. In those contests, Gibbs has a combined 226 rushing yards with two rushing TDs and 8 catches for 91 yards. He’s getting help from Craig Reynolds, Jermar Jefferson and Vaki Stone. In the first matchup, Gibbs had 15 carries for 116 yards with two rushing touchdowns.

FIVE: Kicker Jake Bates could be the not-so secret weapon. In Monday’s win at San Francisco he kicked field goals of 57 and 42 yards, He did miss on two extra-point kicks – one was blocked. It’s something that was worked on this week. 

LIONS INJURY REPORT: CB Emmanuel Moseley (illness) and WR David Montgomery (knee) are out; LB Alex Anzalone (forearm), WR Kalif Raymond (foot) and RB Craig Reynolds (back) are questionable.

VIKINGS INJURY REPORT: OLB Patrick Jones II (knee) is out); LB  Kamu Grugier-Hill (illness) and CB Fabian Moreau (hip) are questionable.

PREDICTION: Lions 34, Vikings 31.

Lions LB Alex Anzalone closer to return but unsure if it will be on Sunday

ALLEN PARK — Nothing is certain about the availability of Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone for Sunday’s game against the Vikings. It would be his first action since he broke his left forearm on Nov. 17.

The decision will be made collaboratively by trainers, doctors, coaches and Anzalone himself.

At this point there are more questions including how much more healing will there be if he waits a week or two before he plays.
If he would re-injure it, he could be sidelined for the playoffs. It’s a factor in the decision-making process.

“You just think about OK, for me personally, obviously the doctors and trainers kind of go through what the risks are of waiting a week, waiting two weeks, going through practice and maybe letting it spin next week or the week after that or this week,’’ Anzalone said on Thursday.

“I think, for me personally, it’s like OK, say if something did happen would I be OK not playing in the Super Bowl? That’s a decision I have to make in my own head. Is it worth it? How do I feel going over these next few practices and go from there? I haven’t practiced in six weeks,’’ said Anzalone, who has a steel plate in his arm with a big scar as proof.

In Thursday’s practice he wore a carbon-fiber, padded protective wrap on the forearm.

Anzalone seems very much unclear about playing against the Vikings on Sunday night.

 “They do a really good job in the training room and our team docs, they don’t really try to put us in crazy harm’s way. There are risks of playing with injury and coming back, at the same time they do a really good job of getting you ready and putting you out there prepared and when they feel comfortable, then part of my voice and how I feel definitely goes into it,’’ Anzalone said, explaining the decision process.

While Thursday was his first practice it was not padded. He was listed as a full participant up from limited for Wednesday’s walk-through.

“That’s another thing, I haven’t tackled anyone to the ground. I’ve done some drills and tried to simulate it as much as possible. It’s one of those things, how do you feel?’’ the veteran linebacker said.

He’s been pleased to watch the development of Jack Campbell who has taken his place. 

“He’s done a really good job, taking control and being the play caller out there. He’s going to continue to grow,’’ Anzalone said. “It’s good to see a young guy take the reins in that regard, I’m proud of him.’’

Of course defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn looks forward to Anzalone’s return.

“Just him, his presence, his common presence and the players get so used to being around. That’s nothing against Jack, they’re just two totally different people in how they operate. I’m looking forward to getting him back out there. I can’t say if he’ll be out there this week. He’s getting himself back to acclimate how we do things and practicing. Hoping we get him back really soon,’’ Glenn said before Thursday’s practice.

While he’s been off, Anzalone said it hasn’t been too difficult to watch his teammates play  because he knew he’d be back around this time. It also probably helps that they’ve only lost one game in his absence.

What he doesn’t like is the league-wide chatter that the Lions defense, which has many key injuries, is not good enough to win the Super Bowl.

“I think it’s bullshit honestly, it’s one of those things. We have to do our part and limit points, that’s the No. 1 goal as a defense,’’ Anzalone said. “We haven’t been doing that recently but at the same time to say we’re not good enough to win the Super Bowl I think that’s pretty dumb.’’

INJURY UPDATE: CB Emmanuel Moseley (illness), G Christian Mahogany (illness) and RB David Montgomery (knee) did not practice on Thursday.

UP NEXT: Vikings (14-2) at Lions (14-2), 8:20 p.m. on Sunday at Ford Field. Winner earns the NFC”s No. 1 seed.

Lions comfortable at home or on the road for playoffs, but Vikings are the focus this week

ALLEN PARK — Owning a perfect 8-0 road record, could give Dan Campbell some comfort heading into Sunday’s huge game against the Vikings. But the Lions coach does not see the game, pitting 14-win teams, that way.

The winner earns the No. 1 seed, a bye week and home field advantage until the Super Bowl. The loser heads out on the road and has to play in a wild-card game.

“We’re very comfortable on the road, it comes with preparation, time on task, guys do it for long periods of time, the way we train, guys handle those things well,’’ Campbell said on Wednesday. “We’ll do what we’ve got to do. Our mindset is wholly on this game right now.

“You don’t see it another way, it’s about this next game and finding a way to win, no different than what we just did. We had to find a way to win that game in San Francisco against a team that gave us what they had. They played hard. We had to do it in Chicago the week before so it’s the next one in front of us. We have to find a way to win this game, period. I really don’t care what it looks like we’ve just got to win.’’

Got that?

The Vikings (14-2) have won nine straight and quarterback Sam Darnold is having a career season.

However, the Lions (14-2) defeated the Vikings, 31-29, in Week 7 and have not lost an NFC North contest. Detroit bounced back with a 40-34 win at San Francisco on Monday night after beating Chicago the previous week.

Campbell said he feels the Lions have been in playoff mode since the loss to Buffalo on Dec. 15.

“That’s what this last stretch has been – the way we’re going to have to play. It’s more about finding a way to win and that’s really the objective here is do what we have to do, put our guy in position to make plays and find a way to win no matter what it looks like and we’ve been in that mode for a few weeks now,’’ Campbell said. “Same thing this week.’’

All season the NFC North ratings have been snug.

“It seems like we’ve been playing kind of  that way all year, feeling like we have to win every game. I’m sure they felt the same way,’’ Jared Goff said. “When you’ve got two teams like we’ve been going – every three with Green Bay for most of the year where it’s been 1, 2 you have to feel like you have to keep winning.’’

The Lions’ only two losses have come at home, but it’s a place they love to play. 

“We always look forward to that, we’ve got the best fans in the League. Look, you talk about the 1 seed because you feel like you have an advantage when you play at home,’’ Campbell said. “Not everybody can say that, we can because we do. The way our fans and our stadium is set up, it’s a special environment.’

INJURY UPDATE: LB Alex Anzalone, who has been out since Week 11 with a broken forearm, returned to practice on Wednesday which was actually a walk-through. “We’ll see how he does. Tomorrow will be a big day to see where he’s at,’’ Campbell said. Anzalone could provide a huge boost to the injury-depleted defense. In the Lions win over the Vikings in Week 7, Anzalone had a team-high eight tackles. …. WR Kalif Raymond, who missed the last five games with a foot injury, also returned to practice on Wednesday.