Category: Lions News

Lions win 10 games in back-to-back season for the first time ever

The Detroit Lions have won 10 games in back-to-back season for the first time ever

This run the Lions have been on has been nothing short of incredible. They’re doing things the franchise hasn’t seen in decades. Sunday, they achieved a feat that had never happened before in their franchise history.

For the first time, the Lions have won 10 games in consecutive seasons. The Lions moved to 10-1 after their 24-6 win over the Indianapolis Colts, maintaining a one-game lead over the Minnesota Vikings, 30-27 overtime winners over the Chicago Bears to move to 9-2. Detroit finished 12-5 in 2023, winning the NFC North division for the first time.

The Lions are 10-1 for the first time since 1934. They finished 10-3 that year. Something says this team will win a few more games. Their next three games are at home against the Bears, Packers and Bills followed by trips to the Bears and 49ers. They finish at home against the Vikings.

Lions snap count notes vs. Colts: The rise of the reserves

The Lions defensive depth played a lot by necessity in Detroit’s Week 12 win in Indianapolis

Already banged up and missing several regulars on defense entering the Week 12 trip to Indianapolis, the Detroit Lions found themselves scrambling even more to field 11 healthy bodies when the Colts were on offense. It led to a stern test of Detroit’s team depth.

Aaron Glenn and the Lions passed with flying colors in a 24-6 win, the second consecutive game the Detroit defense didn’t allow a touchdown.

With Terrion Arnold ruled out on Saturday and Ennis Rakestraw placed on I.R., the Lions cornerback room was in full triage mode. The team turned to Kindle Vildor to start on the outside with Carlton Davis, who is playing with a broken thumb. Vildor played all 55 defensive snaps, one of four iron men on the Detroit defense.

Emmanuel Moseley only played on special teams in his return to the lineup. Moseley did not get in on defense.

Vildor, Brian Branch, Jack Campbell and Kerby Joseph all played every snap. Davis, who left late with a knee issue, joined DL Josh Paschal and LB Malcolm Rodriguez in playing 49 of the 55 snaps. DT Alim McNeill continued his heavy workload by playing over 80 percent of snaps for the fourth time in five games, logging 46 reps in Indianapolis.

SAM LB Trevor Nowaske outrepped nickel CB Amik Robertson, 21 to 18. The Colts use a base offense that features two tight ends, which reduced Robertson’s role in the slot. That also meant more playing time for linebackers Ezekiel Turner and Ben Niemann (11 each). David Long topped them with 13 snaps in his Detroit debut, playing as a practice squad elevation.

Pat O’Connor saw nine snaps and James Houston played four in the reserve EDGE roles. Levi Onwuzurike ticked up to 40 percent of snaps this week after having his reps decline precipitously in Week 11.

On offense, the main characters stayed in their primary roles. Other than LT Taylor Decker leaving temporarily with a leg injury, the offensive line and QB Jared Goff played all 72 offensive reps. Decker missed 14 snaps, filled primarily by Dan Skipper, who logged 15 snaps–including two as an extra tackle. Michael Niese saw one odd snap at left guard while regular LG Graham Glasgow kicked to Decker’s spot at LT.

The running back splits were impacted by David Montgomery’s departure with a shoulder injury.

Jahmyr Gibbs – 48
Montgomery – 21
Craig Reynolds – 3
Sione Vaki – 1

No. 3 wide receiver Tim Patrick and No. 2 TE Brock Wright played almost the same amount, with Patrick getting two more snaps, 36 to 34.

Taylor Decker gives an optimistic update on his injured leg after the Lions win

Left tackle Taylor Decker gives an optimistic update on his injured leg after the Lions win, noting “it’s not major”

The Lions experienced a few injury scares in Sunday’s 24-6 win over the Colts in Indianapolis. One of the biggest scares came courtesy of starting left tackle Taylor Decker.

Decker got rolled up on during a play where QB Jared Goff was sacked (not Decker’s fault). He slowly walked off the field after being tended to by trainers, then got a lot of treatment on the Detroit sidelines.

Decker did get back into the game after a series. Following the game, the veteran tackle and team leader gave an optimistic update on his physical condition.

“I didn’t even see the play, I just felt like I got murdered by somebody hitting me in the back of the legs,” Decker said via Justin Rogers of the Detroit Football Network. “A little MCL, a little ankle. It was the ankle I hurt last year. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. It’s not major. I think I’ll be all right. I’m just a little bit sore, more than anything.”

With the Lions playing the Chicago Bears on a short week, with a 12:30 p.m. kickoff on Thanksgiving, it makes it tougher to project Decker’s availability for Week 13.

Lions now 10-0 when Gibbs and Montgomery both score TDs

Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery each scored TDs in the Lions win over the Colts. Detroit is now 10-0 when both score i the same game

When Jahmyr Gibbs scores, good things usually happen for the Detroit Lions. When David Montgomery scores, good things usually happen for the Lions.

But when they both score? That almost guarantees a win for the Lions. Sonic and Knuckles, as they are now affectionately known as, have each scored a touchdown in the same game ten times. Detroit has won all ten games.

Montgomery, who rushed eight times for 37 yards and a score before leaving with an injury, knows that there are still bigger goals ahead of them, saying they want “the whole cookie”, the cookie being a Super Bowl win.

When asked why it’s a big cookie, Montgomery said “It’s so much sweeter.”

Monty and Gibbs look to continue their roll on Thanksgiving against the Chicago Bears. The Lions moved to 10-1 with their 24-6 win over the Indianapolis Colts.

Is Terrion Arnold playing today? Injury updates for Lions DB

Lions DB Terrion Arnold is dealing with a groin injury. Here are the latest updates.

Terrion Arnold did not travel with the Lions to Indianapolis and will not play against the Colts.

Arnold was added to the injury report late in the week. Coach Dan Campbell thought the rookie was going to be able to play. However, his groin injury will keep him out of the game.

“This morning he went in, got treatment, everything looked like it’s pretty good, so we’ll see what he looks like at practice today,” Campbell said Friday. “I’m not concerned right now, but we’ll see how this day goes.”

How long will Terrion Arnold be out?

No further updates have been made about Arnold’s return timeframe to the Lions.

Lions inactives vs. Colts: Terrion Arnold and a new OL added to the list

Lions inactives vs. Colts: Terrion Arnold and a new OL added to the list of players that won’t play for Detroit in Week 12

The inactive player list for the Detroit Lions in their Week 12 matchup with the Indianapolis Colts features a name no one wanted to see on the sidelines. The Lions ruled out starting cornerback Terrion Arnold on Saturday with a groin injury that the first-round rookie suffered in Thursday’s practice. He was initially listed as questionable before being downgraded.

Arnold’s absence is the biggest inclusion on the Lions’ inactive list. The rest of the list for Week 12 is populated with some usual suspects:

OL Giovanni Manu
OL Colby Sorsdal
DL Al-Quadin Muhammad

Defensive tackle Brodric Martin is inactive in his return from the I.R. list. That’s not terribly surprising given the injuries around the rest of the roster.

Offensive lineman Kayode Awosika is also inactive for the first time all season. That leaves the Lions with rookie Christian Mahogany as the top reserve guard, the first time Mahogany has been active.

Lions vs Colts: Tale of the Tape for the Week 12 matchup

Lions vs Colts: Tale of the Tape for the Week 12 matchup in Indianapolis

The Lions are looking to complete a ten win season against a team that has been inconsistent all season, the Indianapolis Colts. Detroit sits at a 9-1 record, while the Colts sit at 5-6.

Much like last week’s matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the two teams seem to have drastic differences between them, but what do the stats say?

Rushing

Last week, the Lions continued their historic rushing season, scoring three rushing touchdowns, two from David Montgomery and one from Jahmyr Gibbs. That being said, the Colts failed to run the ball very much against the Jets, as their lead rusher, Jonathan Taylor only ran for 57 yards. That being said, quarterback Anthony Richardson found a way to rush in for two touchdowns. 

Detroit should have the upper hand when it comes to rushing, but Indianapolis and Shane Steichen should have a response.

Lions

3rd in rushing attempts per game: 32.3

3rd in rushing yards per game: 152.2

8th in yards per attempt: 4.7

2nd in rushing touchdowns per game: 1.8

Colts

 20th in rushing attempts per game: 26.5

16th in rushing yards per game: 118.5

13th in yards per attempt: 4.5

12th in rushing touchdowns per game: 1

Passing

Although they don’t pass a lot, the Lions are one of the most successful teams when they do, ranking top ten in every passing category. Last week against Jacksonville was one of their most successful air games yet, scoring 4 passing touchdowns, 2 of which were scored by star wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. 

As for the Colts, they rank in the bottom of the league in passing offense and are dead last in completion percentage. Detroit should again have the upper hand.  

Lions

29th in pass attempts per game: 28.2

1st in yards per attempt: 9.2

6th in yards per game: 242.5

1st in completion percentage: 73.05%

4th in passing touchdowns per game: 2.2

Colts

22nd in pass attempts per game: 30.4

18th in yards per attempt: 7.2

21st in yards per game: 202.2

32nd in completion percentage: 57.78%

17th in passing touchdowns per game: 1.3

 

Rushing Defense

Compared to last week, the Lions rush defense has improved drastically. Indianapolis on the other hand has been struggling, which could be lethal against the best one two punch in the league.  

Lions

5th in opponent yards per game: 94.8 

11th in opponent yards per attempt: 4.3

3rd in opponent rushing first downs per game: 5

12th in opponent touchdowns per game: 0.9

Colts

28th in opponent yards per game: 143.1

11th in opponent yards per attempt: 4.3

26th in opponent rushing first downs per game: 7.9

14th in opponent touchdowns per game: 0.9

 

Passing Defense 

While Detroit is improving their pass defense every week, it is definitely their current weak spot. Lucky for them, the Colts have not been consistent with theirs, and rank at the bottom of the league. 

Lions

9th in opponent completions percentage: 63.32%

27th in opponent yards per game: 232.7

10th in opponent yards per attempt: 6.3

23rd in opponent passing first downs per game: 11.7

1st in opponent passing touchdowns per game: 0.7

Colts

29th in opponent completions percentage: 69.47%

26th in opponent yards per game: 231.5

25th in opponent yards per attempt: 7.1

20th in opponent passing first downs per game: 11.5

16th in opponent passing touchdowns per game: 1.5

 

Other Stats

Takeaways

Lions: 1.9

Colts: 1.5

Giveaways

Lions: 1.0

Colts: 1.6

Penalties per game

Lions: 6.3

Colts: 5.5

NFL fines Jameson Williams for his homage to Marshawn Lynch vs. the Jaguars

NFL fines Jameson Williams for his TD celebration homage to Marshawn Lynch vs. the Jaguars

For the second time this season, Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams has earned a fine from the NFL for paying homage to a league legend.

The first one came when Williams emulated Lions Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson after scoring a touchdown with a dunk on the goal post. Williams earned another in Week 11 for his homage to Marshawn Lynch in Detroit’s blowout win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Williams earned the fine for the crotch grab portion of the plunge into the end zone.

 

No word yet on if Lynch will help pay the fine for Jamo…

Lions activate CB Emmanuel Moseley in series of roster moves

Moseley has been out since tearing a pectoral muscle in early August, but he’s ready to play against the Colts

Emmanuel Moseley is back and ready for action. The Detroit Lions activated the veteran cornerback from injured reserve ahead of the team’s trip to Indianapolis in Week 12.

Moseley has been out since tearing a pectoral muscle during the preseason. The oft-injured veteran had been repping as the first-team slot cornerback before his unfortunate injury, a role now (quite capably) occupied by Amik Robertson.

Moseley has been star-crossed with injuries. He missed the final 13 games of the 2022 NFL season with the 49ers after tearing his ACL. The Lions signed him as a free agent and waited for him to get healthy enough to play, only to lose Moseley to another torn ACL after just four snaps. He then tore the pec this summer.

The Lions designated Moseley for return two weeks ago. His 21-day activation window wasn’t up until after the Lions play the Colts, but an injury to reserve CB Ennis Rakestraw accelerated Moseley’s return. Moseley was placed on I.R. in a correlating roster move.

The Lions also elevated freshly signed linebacker David Long from the practice squad to the gameday roster. Earlier in the day, CB Terrion Arnold was ruled out with an injury.

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Terrion Arnold downgraded by Lions, will miss Week 12

Terrion Arnold downgraded by Lions, will miss Week 12 against the Colts

The Lions will be without starting CB Terrion Arnold for Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts. Arnold was downgraded by the team’s medical staff and ruled out for Week 12.

Arnold suffered a groin injury during Thursday’s practice. He was initially ruled as questionable for the game.

Fellow rookie CB Ennis Rakestraw is also out with a hamstring issue suffered in practice on Friday. Kindle Vildor and Khalil Dorsey will move up the depth chart.