After a setback to the Packers, the Lions remain upbeat.
The Detroit Lions have been far from firing on all cylinders over the last two weeks.
They won narrowly in Weeks 10 and 11 against the Chargers and Bears, respectively. Then, on Thanksgiving, they blew it against the Packers, extending their losing streak in the annual holiday game to seven games.
Detroit’s defense has been abysmal in all three of the aforementioned games. In reality, Aaron Glenn’s defense has only allowed two sacks in the last three weeks (both against Chicago’s Justin Fields in Week 11) and has allowed more than 330 yards each time out.
Meanwhile, Detroit has fumbled the ball far too frequently in its last two games. Jared Goff, the Lions’ quarterback, has been the primary offender, accounting for six of the team’s seven total turnovers over the last two games. He threw three interceptions against the Bears in Week 11 and three fumbles against the Packers in Week 12.
The onus is now on Lions third-year coach Dan Campbell to get his squad back on track during the next six weeks of the season.
“Man, I’m not worried at all. This is fantastic. “I’m serious,” Campbell told reporters on Monday. “I love this and I love that, man, it’s bleak outside our building and we’ve still got six to go.” We have an incredible chance, and I am overjoyed. I truly do, man. This is how we discover what we’re made of. And, for that matter, everyone else in this league.
“You’re talking about December, and this is where everyone – there will be teams that rise and teams that fall out of this.” And I adore our group. I like where we’re at, and I know the players in the locker room and these coaches. So this will be OK.”
Detroit’s recent sloppy play may have cost the franchise two consecutive games if it hadn’t been for the Lions’ remarkable comeback against Fields and Co. last Sunday.
Detroit, which hasn’t lost two straight games since losing five in a row from Weeks 3-8 in 2022, will seek to rebound on Sunday against Derek Carr and the New Orleans Saints. Campbell realizes that the Lions’ ability to guard the football and clean up on both sides of the ball will be critical to their success.
Moreover, despite Detroit’s lackluster performance against Green Bay, Campbell is hopeful that his squad will eventually overcome its flaws.
“I went back and after watching it (Detroit’s loss to Green Bay), I’m actually more encouraged because to me, it’s not what it appears to be,” Campbell was quoted as saying. “On the most fundamental level, it’s turnover ratio, man.” It is the turnover ratio. Offensively, we’re turning the ball over. We have a special team versus Chicago. Four goals were allowed against Chicago, three against Green Bay, and only one was returned. That is the most pressing issue right now. So we can chat about everything else. But, until we clear that up, the rest of this is a little pointless.”
And, when it comes to Goff, Campbell has made it clear what the veteran quarterback can do to improve his recent error-prone play.
“And, as I told him this morning, it’s the ‘Man, once I’m breaking the line of scrimmage, I’ve got to tuck it away.’ It’s as basic as that, and it’s something we practice. “We’ll work on it,” stated Detroit’s head coach. “Like all these minor issues that arise, man, we’re not just going to yell louder; we’re going to provide substance.” You teach them, you show them, and this is where you can improve.”
