Welcome to statement football, Detroit Lions style. With a chip on their shoulder and something to prove, the Lions came out fast and furious, steamrolling over the Chicago Bears by a score of 52-21.
The Detroit Lions Are Playing Statement Football
But the win over Chicago wasn’t just a win. It was a defining statement-making return to the form we saw one year ago. The Detroit Lions are back, and if you were to ask them, they never left.
Throughout the long offseason, players had to contend with the doubters. Pundits predicted Detroit would falter this season after losing both coordinators. Attributing the team’s recent offensive success to former OC Ben Johnson’s play calling rather than the team’s uber-talented roster, Bleacher Report projected the Detroit Lions would finish with a dismal 9-8 record. Last week’s shaky start sent the critics into hyperdrive as they gleefully forecasted a losing season.
What everyone seemed to forget is that this was the same team that finished 15-2 and scored 53 touchdowns during the regular season. Detroit has an MVP-caliber quarterback with Jared Goff running an offense that averaged more than 33 points per game. The pundits proclaiming Detroit would have a losing season also ignored the league’s top running back duo, who accounted for almost 2,400 scrimmage yards with 24 touchdowns between them.
The Lions Had Something To Prove
So it’s no wonder that the Lions entered this game with a chip on their shoulder and something to prove. Throughout the week, Dan Campbell and John Morton repeatedly answered questions and reassured the media that no one was panicking. It was one game. While mistakes were made, they were fixable . Campbell admitted, “I thought we would be cleaner than we were.” However, stressing the mistakes made were a learning experience, he vowed, “Like I told the team, these are so correctable. Everything that showed up is so correctable, and we’ll hit head-on.”
Lions Outstanding Offensive Onslaught
Instead, the team came out Sunday firing on all cylinders, loudly proclaiming that this team was not a team to dismiss or ignore. Goff was exceptional, passing for 334 yards with five touchdowns and no interceptions. Amon-Ra St. Brown displayed the outstanding athleticism and uncanny chemistry he has with Goff, catching three touchdowns. Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery demonstrated the one-two punch we’ve come to expect from the league’s top RB duo.
Gibbs had 12 carries for 94 yards with one touchdown to start the scoring onslaught, while Montgomery had 11 catches for 57 yards and a score. Jameson Williams had a brilliant afternoon catching a 64-yard pass and later on a 44-yard touchdown. Tight end Brock Wright scored a touchdown.
Rookie wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa made another outstanding one-handed grab with only seconds remaining on the clock that set up another St. Brown touchdown to give the Lions a 28-14 lead at the half. None of this would have been possible if the offensive line problems that plagued the team a week ago had not been resolved. Credit the coaching staff and the offensive line for figuring it out and correcting it, just as Campbell predicted.
Lions’ Defense Stepping Up
Not to be outdone by the rampaging offense, Kelvin Sheppard’s defense had an equally impressive return to form. Brian Branch forced a fumble off running back D’Andre Swift. Kerby Joseph came up with a stunning interception.
Aidan Hutchinson had Ford Field erupting in cheers when he flattened Bears quarterback Caleb Williams for his first sack of the season. Al-Quadin Muhammad and Marcus Davenport also contributed sacks, adding to a very long afternoon for Williams.
The Lions are now 1-1 in the very competitive, tough NFC North division. It is just one game. Detroit is still one full game behind the Green Bay Packers with almost the entire season ahead. It’s premature to get too excited. However, if last week’s loss in Green Bay rattled more than a few nerves, those fans can sleep much better tonight knowing the team they embraced over the past few seasons is back and looking more than up to the challenge.
Main Image: Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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