Matthew Stafford – Page 5

Wildcard playoffs: Lions face Rams at 8 p.m. on Sunday at Ford Field

Dan Campbell says Lions are ‘scarred to perfection’

Looking for Detroit’s first playoff win since Jan. 5, 1992, the Lions as the No. 3 seed, will face Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams in the first playoff game at Ford Field.

Take a deep breath. This could be a good one. Mark your calendar for 8 p.m. on Sunday.

“We’ll put in a good game plan, but as far as to get to this point, this team’s ready,’’ coach Dan Campbell said after the 30-20 win over the Vikings on Sunday. “They’ve been through it all, and they’re battle-tested, they’re scarred to perfection and we will be ready.”

In Dan Campbell’s first season (2021), the Lions lost to the Rams, 28-19, to drop to 0-7 for the season. That’s the only time the two teams have met since they swapped quarterbacks – Stafford for Jared Goff – prior to the 2021 season.

These Lions are much different two years ago with running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs replacing D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams. Sam LaPorta (if he’s healthy to play) could add a spark as a rookie. Defensively, the Lions are much different with pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson and rookies Jack Campbell and Brian Branch, along with a host of others who have developed. Veterans C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Alim McNeill returned to action Sunday which Campbell called perfect timing.

With the on Sunday, the Lions finished 12-5 and never lost back-to-back games. They’ve got flaws (hello, secondary) but the defense pressures quarterbacks, especially lately, and Goff has an arsenal of weapons with a high-powered offense that has set all kinds of franchise records.

The Rams (10-7) didn’t play their starters, including Stafford, on Sunday and beat the 49ers, 21-20. After a slow start to the season at 2-4, the Rams have won seven of their last eight and four straight games.

Stafford, who won a Super Bowl in his first season with the Rams, has thrown 24 touchdowns against 11 interceptions this season. They did not make the playoffs last season.

The Lions haven’t been to the playoffs since the 2016 season when, with Stafford as quarterback, they lost at Seattle in the wildcard game. They’ve lost nine straight playoff games. The Rams and Lions have never met in the postseason.

WR Marvin Jones sees first action at Detroit Lions training camp

ALLEN PARK — Wide receiver Marvin Jones had his first day of action at Detroit Lions training camp on Monday.

Jones was sidelined with a non-football related injury since camp started. Every day he could be seen running along the sideline with trainers..

“When you’re on the sideline looking at everybody having fun you’re like, ‘Ah.’ I knew it was going to come soon,’’ Jones said. ‘So yeah, it felt good overall to be out there, being in the flow, listening to the plays and all of that stuff.’’

It’s Jones’ second time-around with the Lions. He played in Detroit from 2016 to 2020, finishing with 36 touchdown catches in those five seasons. He then signed as a free agent with Jacksonville where he played two seasons. The LIons snapped him back up in the offseason with a one-year, $3 million deal.

The 33-year-old Jones thinks he’ll be a fit the same way he was during his first stint.

“Whatever the team needs for me, if that’s big plays, third downs, Red Zone obviously,’’ Jones said on Monday. “I plan on doing the same thing that I’ve done when I was here. I’m just excited — excited to be here with this team. Obviously it’s a new look from a while ago and it’s a great look. I’m just excited.’’

The vibe is different then it was when he left. The Lions appear to be a team on the way up, not struggling to a 5-11 record like in 2020.

“Everybody is just together, the camaraderie is there, (from) coaches on down. So it’s good to be a part of, it’s fun to be in meetings,’’ Jones said ‘So overall it’s just a great time.’’

He and quarterback Matthew Stafford had a good relationship and that’s something he hopes to build with Jared Goff who he appreciates.

“Just the plays that he makes, he knows where he wants to go with the ball. When you’re running your route you better turn your head around because he has great anticipation, that’s one thing that really sticks out,’’ Jones said. “That’s a great attribute to have as a quarterback obviously. His dedication to the game — you see it in the meeting rooms and it translates out here.’’

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.