In a must-win scenario to keep their playoff hopes alive, the Detroit Lions came roaring back from their Thanksgiving loss to defeat the Dallas Cowboys 44-30. However, next Sunday, the Lions face an even tougher challenge against Matthew Stafford and the 9-3 Los Angeles Rams.
Detroit Lions Must Build On Dallas Victory To Overcome The Rams
After beating Dallas, the Lions are one step closer to a Wild Card playoff berth. It was a tremendous example of how Dan Campbell’s gutsy, determined team continues to forge a path to victory despite ongoing injuries to star players. The victory over the Cowboys was a testament to how strong this team is in the face of adversity. However, Detroit faces an even tougher challenge with Stafford, the Rams quarterback, playing the best football of his career. Stafford leads the NFL with the most touchdowns (32) and has scored multiple touchdowns in 10 of his 12 games this year.
Making matters even harder for Detroit’s defense, they will need to find a way to limit the Rams’ offensive weaponry despite losing another elite athlete to injury. Before Lions’ DB Brian Branch went down with a season-ending Achilles tear, he contributed six tackles (three solo) plus a pass defense and a fumble recovery that resulted in a score. Branch’s devastating injury couldn’t come at a worse time for a severely depleted Lions secondary that’s already missing Kerby Joseph and Terrion Arnold . Nonetheless, the Lions’ defense must find a way to step up in his absence to beat the Rams.
Takeaways From The Detroit Lions’ Victory Over Dallas
Although Dan Campbell acknowledged there were still a lot of things for the team to clean up, there were several improvements the team made to secure the win against Dallas. Here are several takeaways from the Lions’ victory over the Cowboys that the team can build on to face the Rams.
Utilize Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery Together
On a night when records were shattered and playoff hopes re-ignited, Jahmyr Gibbs put together another outstanding, high-scoring performance. Gibbs had 12 carries for 43 yards and seven receptions for 77 yards. As Barry Sanders watched from a box above Ford Field, Gibbs scored three touchdowns to match his NFL record of 47 touchdowns, the most ever scored by a player in his first three seasons under age 24. Gibbs scored a 1-yard rushing score in the first quarter, and two 4th quarter scores, a 10-yard touchdown, and a stunning 13-yarder.
For the first time in months, the Lions’ superior ground game was on full display with both David Montgomery and Gibbs each scoring rushing touchdowns. The Lions’ offense is at its best with their ground game leading the way. However, they are about to face an incredibly stingy Rams defense that has allowed only four rushing touchdowns this season. The Lions must find creative ways to open running lanes, allowing their dynamic duo to break free of the Rams’ staunch defense.
Even at Less than 100% Amon-Ra St. Brown Is An Elite Talent
Admitting he was in a lot of pain from his sprained ankle, Amon-Ra St. Brown told Jeremy Reisman of Pride of Detroit on Thursday, he wasn’t sure he would play. “I’m not sure right now, if I’m being honest. It’s still up in the air. I’ll try to be out there for the guys, for my teammates, but I couldn’t answer that question right now.”
No one would have faulted him for sitting this game out due to the injury. Instead, St.Brown showed up for his teammates, loudly announcing his return. On the very first play of the game, he caught a seven-yard reception from Jared Goff and finished the night with six receptions for 92 yards. St. Brown’s biggest play was a stunning 37-yard gain with 3:37 on the clock that set up Gibbs’ third score of the night, a 13-yard touchdown.
Afterwards, Dan Campbell said of his star wide receiver, “His toughness and his will power, his desire to compete, to help those guys around him, to do whatever it takes to win, is second to none,” Campbell gushed. “He is rare, man. His mentality. His mindset is just; he refuses to fail. …Nothing is going to dictate where he goes, what he does. … He will dictate to himself what he’s going to do…”
The chemistry and connection between St. Brown and Goff is unbeatable. The Lions will need every bit of St. Brown’s talent and star power against the Rams’ defense.
Lions’ Defense Gave A Standout Performance
Before the game against Dallas, the Lions’ defense allowed the fifth-highest explosive pass rate for opposing quarterbacks when under pressure. This was a metric that needed to improve, and Kelvin Sheppard’s defense stepped up to meet the challenge. On Thursday night, Detroit’s defense played a tremendous game, sacking Dak Prescott five times, forcing three takeaways, and almost securing a safety.
Setting the Record Straight About Hutch’s Stats
Much has been said about Aidan Hutchinson’s supposed “lack of production” this season. Sacks are only one metric of an elite defender. In addition to his 8.5 sacks, Hutchinson currently leads the NFL with 80 pressures, 54 hurries, and 16 QB hits. Thursday night, he had a league-high 39 fourth-quarter pressures. He also has 36 tackles (23 solo) and four forced fumbles.
Hutchinson’s very presence on the field draws double coverage, allowing his teammates to make the big plays. Al-Quadin Muhammad had three sacks, with Jack Campbell and Alim McNeil getting the other two. An Amik Robertson pass deflection was recovered by Derrick Barnes for an interception. That play led to Isaac TeSlaa’s 14-yard touchdown.
Devastating injuries aside, the defense showed up with a powerful performance. As Campbell stated earlier this week, the Lions’ defense works best when everyone stays in their position and doesn’t try to cover for a teammate’s lapse. His advice to the team, “So, just do your job, handle your business, do it the best you can do it, and be on point. And eliminate those things that require no talent. The discipline, the fundamentals, the technique, you just handle that.”
The Lions must find a way to go from strength to strength, building on their success over Dallas. If the Lions can hold their own against an elite rushing defense, maintain a strong offensive line to open up running lanes and protect the pass, while avoiding costly penalties, the team can leave Los Angeles with another victory in hand.
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