With Thanksgiving across the nook, the Detroit Lions continued their win streak, however they is perhaps limping into the vacations.
Detroit cruised to a 24-6 win over the Indianapolis Colts, due to the Colts offense sputtering after some early promise. It was one other second-half shutout of the AFC South, with the Lions’ protection having allowed zero factors within the closing two quarters in opposition to the Tennessee Titans, Houston Texans, and Jacksonville Jaguars within the weeks prior. Now with a Thanksgiving tilt in opposition to the division-rival Chicago Bears upcoming, Detroit will look to handle the fast turnover. They might have to take action with some starters lacking, nevertheless.
Let’s look at some takeaways.
A brand new appreciation for Terrion Arnold
You by no means really know what you’ve got till it’s gone.
Rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold had caught the occasional flak this season for his play and penalties, however Sunday’s recreation in opposition to the Colts illustrated his worth to this protection. With Arnold out of the lineup as a result of a groin damage, the majority of the snaps fell on Kindle Vildor. The Colts actually paid consideration, concentrating on the alternative on a majority of their large performs. Vildor misplaced Alec Pierce in protection on a 39-yard catch then later whiffed on Michael Pittman on a 24-yarder, amongst different misplays. He additionally obtained burned on one other lengthy catch however obtained fortunate when the receiver stepped out of bounds. His protection improved within the second half, however Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson can also be responsible for his wild inaccuracy.
Vildor’s struggles in opposition to the Colts spotlight how properly Arnold has performed in hindsight. On practically each defensive snap, there was a worry about how Vildor would get burned on this play. That type of worry has not been current with Arnold beginning throughout from Carlton Davis. Certain, he has had issues with penalties, however that can also be a part of the training curve within the NFL. The positives of his recreation—mirroring receivers and breaking apart passes—far outweigh a priority that might be eased with extra expertise. Vildor, in the meantime, has loads of expertise, however that doesn’t translate to lockdown protection.
The Lions will hopefully get Arnold again within the lineup earlier than lengthy since Vildor is clearly not a succesful answer. Alternatively, if Arnold is unavailable for Thanksgiving on a brief week, maybe newly-activated Emmanuel Moseley might be prepared to start out as a substitute.
Extra damage woes
How battered and bruised can one soccer staff get?
Already lacking quite a few key gamers over the course of a grueling first half, the punches stored approaching Sunday. Kalif Raymond was carted to the locker room at one level following a punt return, his foot damage ruling him out for the sport. Taylor Decker, having already missed one recreation this season, missed a drive with a knee and ankle damage earlier than returning. David Montgomery left the sport with a shoulder damage, costing him two drives—the Lions offense punted on every. Halfway by the fourth quarter, Carlton Davis suffered a knee damage, hampering an already wounded protection.
Detroit has a brief week forward of them with Thanksgiving on the docket, they usually could possibly be lacking a sizeable chunk of their beginning lineup. Even when gamers like Decker or Montgomery are wholesome sufficient to play, they won’t be at full well being.
Dan Campbell says he feels good about three of their accidents (Decker, Carlton, Montgomery).
“Leaf could possibly be a bit of extra critical.”
However says he would not learn about any of their availability on a brief week.
— Pleasure of Detroit (@PrideOfDetroit) November 24, 2024
A blended offensive outing
It’s humorous how the Lions can rating 24 factors in a victory, but it’s nonetheless thought of a down efficiency. Jahmyr Gibbs had the most important efficiency on the day with 21 carries for 90 yards and two touchdowns, but it surely was additionally a byproduct of David Montgomery’s damage. Within the receiving recreation, it was a balanced assault. Jameson Williams led the best way with 64 yards on 5 catches, however Amon-Ra St. Brown and Tim Patrick have been shut behind with stat traces of 6-for-62 and 4-for-55, respectively. Jared Goff was not at his greatest, but it surely was ok.
Maybe the most important destructive on the day, except for accidents, was the dearth of chemistry between Goff and Sam LaPorta. The pair linked on half of their passes, with LaPorta racking up simply 19 yards on three catches. There was a sophomore hunch for LaPorta after breaking numerous rookie data, but it surely has principally been as a result of an rising Williams and a dominant dashing assault—he doesn’t must be the goal sponge he was final 12 months. We have now not seen a disconnect like that they had on Sunday for some time, nevertheless. Goff missed LaPorta on a number of throws as a result of a mix of inaccuracy and misinterpret routes. Detroit has had breakout video games from practically each weapon on offense, however LaPorta remains to be lacking that second.
Does the NFL have a vendetta in opposition to Brian Department?
Brian Department is public enemy primary for the NFL, apparently. He was egregiously ejected in opposition to the Inexperienced Bay Packers for a tough hit. He has been the sufferer of quite a few fines this season, his fifth coming in opposition to the Houston Texans two weeks in the past (though his Cardinals tremendous was later rescinded). At this price, his sixth tremendous is perhaps upcoming. Department was penalized for main with the crown of his helmet whereas tackling Michael Pittman inbounds. It was a helmet-to-shoulder collision—and never a late hit—but Department was nonetheless dinged for 15 yards.
The Colts did little with the extra yardage, however it’s nonetheless a regarding development for Department. My concern, nevertheless, isn’t with Department. I would like him to play this bodily stage of soccer, particularly when nearly all of it’s clear in my books. My beef is with the NFL punishing defenders—primarily Department, it appears—for making soccer performs. I are not looking for the NFL to return to the mauling play model of the Nineteen Seventies, however there ought to be wiggle room. Let defenders defend.
Please, cease with this FOX broadcast
That is purely subjective, however I’ve to think about most followers (Lions followers specifically) have been pissed off and aggravated with the commentary duo of Kenny Albert and Jonathan Vilma. Albert and Vilma have been particularly dreadful on Sunday, usually rambling on about meaningless issues like Brock Wright and his “donkey” play name. They have been constantly praiseful of Anthony Richardson on a day the place he accomplished simply 11 passes out of 28. The commentary was ineffective at greatest, hardly ever offering any perception value listening to.
It actually makes you admire announcers like Greg Olsen (my private favourite), but it surely additionally makes you admire even the mediocre ones. Tony Romo has soured on many listeners not too long ago, however his quirks are nonetheless offset with some precious evaluation. With Albert and Vilma, it’s usually a recreation higher left on mute. It looks like the Lions find yourself with this pair far too many instances per season.
