Matthew Stafford – Lions Lowdown

Lions competition for backup QB takes next step with preseason games

In his previous six NFL seasons Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff has never been in a quarterback room with the same three guys two years in a row — until now.

This training camp he’s working with David Blough and Tim Boyle once again. All three are 27 and get along fine on and off the field.

“It’s been fun with those guys, they keep it light, they keep it fun, they’re both extremely competitive and it’s fun for me to have guys like that to be competitive on the field,’’ Goff said after Tuesday’s training camp practice.

While Goff has more starting experience (83 NFL games), he learns from both of them.

“They both have had their fair share of playing time and they’ve both played around really good quarterbacks as well so I’ll bounce things off them all the time,’’ Goff said.

Goff, who is entering his second season in Detroit, is expected to start Friday night’s preseason opener against the Falcons at Ford Field. But the game will be more important for Boyle and Blough who are vying for the backup role.

“I feel both of those guys had a good week last week — Boyle and Blough. I feel that they’re both better than they were in the spring and I’ll just say it’s still somewhat early in camp until we get these preseason games. I think that will tell a lot for us,’’ Lions coach Dan Campbell said on Tuesday.

If Goff went down, Campbell said he feels both of them could step in and take over the offense.

“I think they’re both different in what they do. Blough is a little scrappier, he’s going to find a way. That’s what he’s about. He can certainly run the offense,’’ Campbell said.

“Boyle has got all the gifts, all the traits and he’s consistently doing it. Again, he’s got to do this in preseason games. Let’s see where he’s progressed from last year,’’ the coach added.

Last season, Boyle was No. 2 and got three starts. Blough had five starts in 2019 and none last season.

“Getting some game reps last year allowed me to settle into my routine, pre-snap. Every play I feel like I have a certain checklist for pre-snap. Playing those games last year helped me formulate that process,’’ Boyle said. “I feel really comfortable, I love the offense, I love where we’re heading. It’s been a good camp so far.’’

While preseason games aren’t as crucial for guys who have nailed down starting roles Blough and Boyle know it’s their time to prove themselves.

“I’m excited. Every opportunity you get whether it’s the preseason or regular season game to go and play against other guys who have the same dream we do,’’ Blough said. “You want the ball in your hands with two minutes to go to win the game. I think that’s how a lot of the preseason games come down, it will be fun on Friday night.’’

Each game – even if it’s preseason – provides a learning experience for all three

When Goff is in the game, the backup provides another set of eyes.

“I think there’s a lot of things that go into it,’’ Blough said. “It’s seeing looks. I got to see Chase Daniel do it for a year as the second guy (in 2020). He was as prepared as our starter (Matthew Stafford) was.’’

Campbell said it’s too early to know if they will keep two or three quarterbacks on the roster. The decision will be more about the numbers at the other positions.

Five things to know about Lions’ loss to Stafford, Rams

Outside of the Detroit Lions organization, not many thought the Lions had a chance to pick up their first win at the Rams. And when it was over, the Rams prevailed 28-19 on Sunday in Los Angeles.

Still after the devastating loss the previous week to Cincinnati, the Lions came out fighting. Coach Dan Campbell has their heads in the game even if they are now 0-7.

The aggressiveness of Campbell and his coaching staff kept Detroit in the game. It was their best effort so far both coaching and on the field.

“Our guys came back to work, they were ready to go, we came out and competed. We did what we wanted to do. It’s hard, there’s no other way to cut it than just the fact that this is a different caliber team,’’ Campbell told the media after the game. “You can argue that from last week, that’s a pretty good football team we played last week, this is a team that’s been built over years, they’ve got some weapons, some premier players and they’ve got a good coach. So man, you talk about how we make too many errors, we actually didn’t make as many errors today. We gave ourselves a chance. The problem is it only takes a couple, this team is too good to do that against.’’

The Lions were up 19-17 to start the fourth quarter, they were in the game until the final minutes.

They have had a few unfortunate losses — specifically the two last-second 50-yard plus game-winning field goals — the good news is that they are still fighting.

“I told them in there – if this does not continue to sting and burn and taste like you-know-what, then you’ve got a problem. You cannot allow yourself to go numb. You can’t, because I’m not. All it does is (tick) me off even more and motivate me to get out of this mess,’’ Campbell said. “I do think we have the right type of guys. As long as they continue to hate this taste, they’ll come back to work and be ready to go.’’

Five things to know about the loss

1. Campbell and his coaching staff were not holding back. After the opening touchdown (a 63-yard pass play to D’Andre Swift), the Lions used an onside kick successfully to maintain control of the ball. On their second drive they picked up a huge first down when punter Jack Fox connected with Bobby Price on a fake punt play on fourth-and-7. And then, later in the game they again ran a fake punt successfully. Kudos to Campbell and special teams coach Dave Fipp. After the loss to the Bengals the previous week, Campbell said they had to look at everything. He meant it. When a team is 0-6, go for it. He did.

2. Because of the trick plays and some solid play on both sides of the ball the Lions took an early 10-0 lead. They went into the locker room down 17-13 at the half, but roared back to a 19-7 lead late in the third but it wasn’t enough. The early lead allowed the defense to do what it does best – a mix of run and pass. It’s crucial. When they fall behind so early and by so much, they just don’t seem to have a chance.

3. Jared Goff might be remembered for his interception in the end zone late in the fourth quarter when the Lions were down 25-19. Still, Goff stepped up after last week and had a decent game. He missed a few wide-open guys but overall played better. He also was intercepted with just seconds remaining. Campbell was pleased with his play. He finished 22 of 36 for 268 yards, one touchdown and he was sacked twice.

4. This defense had its hands full with Matthew Stafford but they hung in there and made it a game until the end. Rookie cornerback Jerry Jacobs had a few standout plays same with Julian Okwara who sacked Stafford and got a hand on an attempted Stafford fourth-down pass. The Rams aren’t 6-1 by accident, they are one of the NFL’s best. The defense came up big just a little short.

5. In a post-game interview with FOX, Stafford’s biggest smile came when he was asked if he was happy the game was over. He threw for three touchdowns and zero picks in the win against his former team. He credited his former teammates for playing tough. He said the most emotional part of the game was before and after when he was spotted hugging former teammates and Lions staff. He had 31 fourth-quarter comebacks with the Lions so it was not surprising he manufactured another one on Sunday. Stafford on the Lions: “They played really hard, gotta give it up to Detroit. They’re a tough out, always have been, always will be.”

UP NEXT: Eagles (2-5) at Lions (0-7), 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 31. Philadelphia lost 33-22 at the Raiders on Sunday. Darius Slay will be making his return to Ford Field.

THIS AND THAT: Running backs D’Andre Swift (13 carries, 48 yards) and Jamaal Williams (12 carries, 57 yards) had another good outing. Swift also had eight receptions for 96 yards and a touchdown. Campbell called him a stud and said he couldn’t get the ball to him enough. … The Lions won the time of possession 32:40 to 27:20. … The Lions were 0 for 5 in the red zone while the Rams were 3 of 4. … The Lions had 415 total net yards compared to 374 for the Rams. … Tracy Walker and Jalen Reeves-Maybin led the defense with 8 tackles each.

(Photo courtesy of Detroit Lions)

Five things to know as Lions face Stafford, Rams

The 0-6 Lions, looking for their first win, will need a miracle and a half to leave Tinseltown with a ‘W’ after facing the 5-1 Rams on Sunday.

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (still seems odd to write that) will likely lead the 5-1 Rams to their sixth win. He’s been having a phenomenal season and he has plenty of help including wide receiver Cooper Kupp and Aaron Donald, the best defensive player in the NFL.

After covering Stafford while he was in Detroit, when he says it’s just another game to him it is. He said that every week while wearing Honolulu blue no matter the opponent or the situation. So there is every reason to believe him. And it was no surprise this week when he told the Los Angeles media that he had nothing bad to say about the Lions or the people in Detroit — actually it was quite the opposite.

It would be much different if this was being played at Ford Field, but it’s at the brand-new SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

Five things to watch:

1. The Lions defense played just awful last week in the blowout loss to Cincinnati. Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn usually can find a bright spot in any loss but not in that one. Defense can’t let Stafford get off to a big early lead because there will be no way for the offense to catch up.

2. Containing Stafford? Good luck. Stafford’s completion percentage is 69.5 with 16 touchdowns and four interceptions. So far in just six games he has thrown for 1,838 yards and been sacked just six times.

3. Don’t forget this is a homecoming for Jared Goff too. He led the Rams to a Super Bowl, then got booted to Detroit. So he might have a bigger chip on his shoulder. After last week’s loss coach Dan Campbell said Goff needed to step up more. He wasn’t picking on him, just being his honest self. Goff agreed with his assessment.

4. With D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams the Lions finally have a good, healthy one-two punch. But they shoot themselves in the foot when they get behind in the first half and are forced to go to the air to try to catch up. A fire needs to be lit under the offense from the get-go.

5. It seems Campbell has not lost the team. They’ve had two heartbreaking losses due to 50-yard plus field goals. Last week was horrific, but they’ve shown more in the other five games. He needs to keep them in it. This season isn’t even half over.

Prediction: Rams 35, Lions 20