Tag: jared goff

Five things to watch as the Lions face the Patriots; plus my prediction

While the Lions are in a somewhat familiar situation with a 1-3 record they are in uncharted waters when it comes to having the NFL’s best offense and worst defense.

If the Lions want to beat the Patriots on Sunday in New England, the offense will need to maintain its high-scoring ways and the defense will have to show signs of improvement.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick goes after his opponent’s strength so the Lions know what he will try to do. 

“His teams are always going to – they’re never going to let the best player beat you on either side of the ball. That’s what – that is 100 percent – whatever you do well is what they’re going to try to take away first,’’ Campbell said. “First and foremost and if you can find a way to win it without that, then OK, he’s playing the odds.’’

But remember, Campbell is one fearless, aggressive coach who is not afraid of fourth downs and has plays in his back pocket that have not been revealed yet this season.

Five things to watch as the Lions (1-3) face the Patriots (1-3):

1. The Lions’ defense was under the microscope after allowing the Seahawks to score 48 points in the 48-45 loss last Sunday. Campbell has given defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn his vote of confidence. “He’s no different than any of us, it’s all about moving forward and getting it right. That’s what we’ve done, we turned the page, it’s a new week and we’re going to be ready to go,’’ Campbell said. The Patriots with third-string quarterback Bailey Zappe might have something to say about that.

2. Look for personnel changes on defense. Rookie defensive tackle Demetrius Taylor will make his NFL debut. Will Harris will likely get more defensive snaps. After he played 100 percent of the defensive snaps in the win over the Commanders, he played 20 snaps in the loss to the Vikings and just nine in loss to the Seahawks..“He’s a guy we do have a lot of trust in, I can see him play this weekend. I think he’s going to play,’’ Campbell said. “I think there’s a lot of guys who are going to play. We’re looking for the right combination of players, they can all feed off each other, make some plays and be where they need to be.’’ Others who could seem more time in the secondary include Bobby Price, Ifeatu Melifonwu, A.J. Parker and Chase Lucas

3. While it’s up to Campbell, Glenn and the defensive staff to prepare them, the players have to take accountability and ownership.”I feel like our guys are going to do that. Nobody wants it more than they do and we do in this locker room,’’ Campbell said. “I can tell you this, they’re locked in … we’re going to give them a plan they can succeed in and play fast. All hands on deck.’’

4. While there’s much dislike for former Lions coach Matt Patiricia, who now calls the offensive plays for the Patriots, Campbell is not jumping in on that. In fact he praised what Patricia, the former defensive guru, has done switching to the other side of the ball. “I think it’s tough, I think it’s tough, but I also know if you know football and you’re a good coach you can adapt and that’s what I see, he’s adapting quickly,’’ Campbell said. “And every week it’s better and better and better. They’re attacking their opponents. They’re putting together good game plans, they’re using the roster well.’’

5. The LIons offense has been remarkable in fighting through injuries and still producing points. Detroit’s 18 touchdowns and 140 points scored both lead the NFL. Belichick will try to find a way to stop them but he’ll have to get through the offensive line which has been playing well. Jared Goff, who has only been sacked five times, may be playing his best football. Don’t overlook the run game either, you know Belichick won’t.

BONUS: Running back D’Andre Swift (shoulder/ankle) will miss his second straight game. Two wide receivers — D.J. Chark (ankle) and Quintin Cephus (foot) — are out. Actually, Cephus was placed on injured reserve. Others who have been ruled out are: Defensive lineman John Cominsky (wrist), defensive end Charles Harris (groin) and offensive tackle Matt Nelson (calf). Wide receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown (ankle) and Josh Reynolds (ankle) are questionable.  The Lions have a bye next week and expect to get many players healed by the time they return.

(Prediction: Lions 31, Patriots 21. Just don’t see the Pats’ defense stopping Goff and his gang.)

Detroit Lions defensive issues lead to 48-45 loss to Seahawks

DETROIT — This Lions’ loss was on the defense. The offense, which is decimated by injuries, did its part on Sunday, but the Lions lost to the Seattle Seahawks, 48-45, at Ford Field. 

“I’m not shocked, I’ve been a part of so many games where you think it’s going to go one way and it goes the complete opposite,’’ coach Dan Campbell said. “I’m not shocked, but I thought it would be more defensive, a more conservative type game and it certainly wasn’t that.’’

How bad was Detroit’s defense?

— Seattle’s 48 points were more than they scored in their first three games combined. 

— The Seahawks never punted and they were 9 of 12 on third-down conversions.

— Quarterback Geno Smith completed 23-of-30 passes for 320 yards, a pair of touchdowns and he ran seven times for 49 yards and a touchdown. In the first three games he ran for a total of 15 yards.

— Running back Rashaad Penny carried 17 times for 151 yards and two touchdowns.

— Wide receiver DK Metcalf caught seven passes for 149 yards.

Campbell will do a deep dive into the defensive woes. When asked if there could be staff changes, he said: “I’m going to look at everything.”

This was not the first time the defense looked unprepared. The 1-3 Lions have averaged 31.7 points per game (before Sunday) which was second in the NFL, but the defense had given up 31 points per game which is the worst in the League.

The math is pretty simple.

“We lack confidence (defensively), that’s very clear to see, that’s one element to it,’’ Campbell said. “We lack a lot of confidence. …  We’re lacking some confidence, and there again, we’re still making errors which falls into our boat as coaches. That’s on us.’’

Naturally, questions arise about defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. Campbell said he will sit down with Glenn and look at everything from scheme to personnel.

“A.G. is a damn good coach,’’ Campbell said. “This is what I told the team, the worst thing we can do is start pointing fingers at each other — you did this, you didn’t do this. We can’t do that, we can’t let anybody pull us apart.’’

The offense gets it. Quarterback Jared Goff, who passed for 378 yards, said he’s been in the inverse situation. “I know what happens. If you don’t support them, it goes downhill quickly,’’ Goff said.

Tight end T.J. Hockenson, who had a career day with eight receptions for 179 yards and two touchdowns, echoed Goff’s thoughts.

“I don’t want anybody to lose hope in that locker room,’’ Hockenson said.

Since day one, Campbell has always taken blame and it was no different on Sunday.

“As dismal as it is right now, we’re not as far away as we feel. Until we do something about it, it doesn’t matter,’’ Campbell said. “We’ve got to coach better and they need to take it on their shoulders.’’

He said they’re all in the same boat together.

“I know this, we can’t go in panic mode, it’s the worst thing you can do,’’ Campbell said.

While most problems were with the defense, he will also look at ways to improve the offense which was without its biggest producers. D’Andre Swift and Amon-Ra St. Brown were sidelined with injuries. And still they produced 520 yards of offense in a game where they never held a lead. Along with Hockenson and Goff, running back Jamaal Williams had 19 carries for 108 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Josh Reynolds caught seven balls for 81 yards and a touchdown.

That next man up motto seems to be working for the offense under coordinator Ben Johnson. 

“There’s really no flinch with who is in there,’’ Goff said.

The flinch comes when the defense takes the field. Changes have to be made, whether in staffing or scheme, to get the season back on track.

(Next up: Lions at New England Patriots, 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct 9.)

Five things to watch as Lions face the Seahawks; plus prediction

If the Lions are going to make a big turn-around this season, the defense must step up. Quite frankly, it stinks. The turn-around should come quickly with the Seahawks visiting on Sunday.

The Lions’ defense rates at the bottom of the NFL in giving up points per game (31.0) and red zone efficiency (90.91%). It’s at 28th for total defense and takeaways. Rushing defense is ranked 27th, passing defense 25th.

“Not give up points. That’s how you fix it. But I will say this, in the red zone, man, you’ve got to watch this tape. I mean there are times when we’re in position, and we’re just not finishing plays,’’ defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn said this week. “And a lot of times, we’ve got to make sure that we’re coaching the players to do the things that they need to do too, so. And I will continue to say, man, that’s a two-way street between coaches and players, and we’ve got to continue to understand that. But man, you watch those early parts of the game, we’re playing like gangbusters.’’

He said the guys are competing and playing physical until it gets to crunch times. “it just seems like, ‘Ah, how do we do this here, or do we have to do this and when we don’t?’ We just keep doing the same things we have been doing to put ourselves in that position, and that’s what we have to continue to coach, and that’s what we have to continue to do as players,’’ Glenn said.

The offense has had its share of injuries — and will be missing D’Andre Swift and Amon-Ra St. Brown on Sunday — but it still ranks third in the NFL in total offense and second in points per game.

Finger pointing is not allowed in the locker room, but all three units need to play better. Five things to watch as the Lions (1-2) host the Seahawks (1-2):

1. Defense must get more pressure on quarterback Geno Smith who leads the NFL with a 77.5 percent completion rate. It’s not all one rookie defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson but he can do better. He had one half with three sacks and has made plays that don’t necessarily show up on the stat sheet, but he and the linemen can do better. Alim McNeil and Michael Brockers do their part on stopping the run but the line must step up.

2. The defensive backfield does not get a pass. With Tracy Walker (torn Achilles) out for the season their task will be even tougher. Coach DanCampbell would not say who will step in to fill Walker’s position. Cornerback Jeff Okudah has come back nicely from his torn Achilles last season. Cornerback Amani Oruwariye had a nightmare of a game against the Vikings with multiple penalties but the coaches still have faith in him. “I think Amani’s a pro and  he had a rough game. And that’s – that’s just the bottom line. But I also know – he also snapped back there at the end and got a big stop for us one-on-one with (Adam) Thielen on the perimeter,’’ Campbell said. “So, I think Amani’s got thick skin. I know that he’s going to want to be better. And he’ll come out this week ready to work. I’m really not worried about him. I think he’ll snap right back to the Amani we know.”

3. Jared Goff has got off to a solid start and now must find ways to keep the chains moving without his two offensive stars, D’Andre Swift (shoulder/ankle) and  Amon-Ra St. Brown (ankle) along with wide receivers Josh Reynolds (ankle) and D.J. Chark (ankle) who are both questionable. Goff said it really won’t change his role much. “We may or may not have a couple of those guys, the guys who would step in I feel comfortable with,’’ Goff said. “Last year as brutal as it was there were a lot of valuable reps with a lot of those guys who would potentially need to step in. It’s guys I would feel comfortable with.’’

4. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has come up with imaginative game plans and that’s expected to continue.An emphasis was put on third downs this week after they converted just 3 of 16 in the loss to the Vikings. “Clearly, we didn’t convert at the rate we’d like to. However, you look at last week, and we were a yard short on a number of them, so we are very close. I think we called the game the way we wanted to in those situations,’’ Johnson said.

5. Campbell will not change his modus operandi. He is who he is. But he is also introspective and admitted that he should have gone for it on fourth-and-4 late in the Vikings loss. “I’ve got to be better. I’ve got to learn from it no different than the players have to, and I’ve got to do my part, and I plan on doing my part,’’ Campbell said. “So, I’m not going to be fazed. I’m going to have this team up and ready to go, and we’re going to be better.”

Prediction: Seahawks 28, Lions 27. Detroit’s injuries on offense will be too much to overcome.