Tag: d’andre swift

Lions vs Ravens: Studs and Duds for Week 3

With a heartbreaking loss in the books for the Detroit Lions, this week’s studs and duds showcases the positives and negatives in this game

The Detroit Lions fought to the very end, going toe to toe with one of the better teams in the NFL, but with a last-minute NFL record-setting kick from Justin Tucker, the Lions dropped their third straight with a 19-17 heartbreaking loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

This loss hurts a ton; there is no denying that in the least, especially the fight this team showed throughout the game. The offense sputtered in the first half but found their stride to claw right back in it to take the lead at the end. The defense managed to keep Lamar Jackson and the Ravens offense in check for the most part with a solid game plan. But when it came to matter the most in big situations, it faltered, especially the 4th-and-19 conversion to set up the last-minute field goal.

There is no question there is no quit with the Lions, and they will not back down from a fight. They have been in every game at some capacity so far this season. They just can’t manage to break through the elusive first win barrier. So with heavy sorrows at hand, here are this week’s Lions studs and duds.

Lions Wire fantasy football weekly: 2021 Week 3 preview

Our Derek Okrie breaks down the week in fantasy football with special emphasis on the Lions vs. Ravens

Another exciting week of fantasy football in the books. We saw Lamar Jackson (QB Ravens) add to his highlight reel in a marquee matchup against Patrick Mahomes (QB Chiefs). A ton of other top players racked up big numbers too such as Derrick Henry (RB Titans), Travis Kelce (TE Chiefs), Aaron Jones (Packers RB), and Tyler Locker (WR Seahawks).

Week 3 will be another unique mystery when it kicks off. Will Ezekiel Elliott (RB Cowboys) finally put up the numbers everyone expects or will Tony Pollard (RB Cowboys) take a good portion of his carries as the possible starter moving forward?

Fantasy owners are still waiting to see if Saquon Barkley (RB Giants) can return to the top form he once showed. This will be another big week in National Football League for fantasy football and it is only Week 3.

Ravens at Lions fantasy focus

The Detroit Lions find their record at 0-2 with two tough losses against two very tough teams. The schedule doesn’t get any easier here in Week 3 with the Baltimore Ravens coming to town. There are quite a few interesting matchups in this one when it comes to fantasy football.

The Lions will have to try to find a way to slow down Lamar Jackson (QB Ravens). He can run the football like no other quarterback in the game, and with Detroit having major injuries at cornerback he will be looking to hit big plays to his speedy wide receivers too.

Jared Goff (QB Lions) has been up and down this season, to say the least. At times he has played really well and at other points, turnovers have haunted him again. If the Lions want to win this game and please fantasy owners out there they need to feature their two best offensive players T.J. Hockenson (TE Lions) and D’Andre Swift (RB Lions).

This game could be big for those with the Ravens skills players and it also could be a bit of a slow, ugly game from both teams. Start most of the stars for the Ravens, but don’t be surprised in some Lions players have big fantasy days too in this game.

Start
Sam Darnold (QB Panthers)
Chase Edmonds (RB Cardinals)
Robby Anderson (WR Panthers)
Adam Trautman (TE Saints)

Sit
Derek Carr (QB Raiders)
Mike Davis (RB Falcons)
DeVante Parker (WR Dolphins)
Rob Gronkowski (TE Rams)

Top 3 projected players by position

Quarterbacks
Kyler Murray, Cardinals
Lamar Jackson, Ravens
Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs

Running Backs
Christian McCaffrey, Panthers
Dalvin Cook, Vikings
Derrick Henry, Titans

Wide Receivers
Davante Adams, Packers
Tyreek Hill, Chiefs
D.K. Metcalf, Seahawks

Tight Ends
Travis Kelce, Chiefs
Darren Waller, Raiders
George Kittle, 49ers

Team Defenses
Steelers
Broncos
Panthers

Kickers
Harrison Butker, Chiefs
Daniel Carlson, Raiders
Graham Gano, Giants

Waiver wire options

Jared Goff (QB Lions)
Teddy Bridgewater (QB Broncos)
Alexander Mattison (RB Vikings)
James White (RB Patriots)
Rondale Moore (WR Cardinals)
Bryan Edwards (WR Raiders)
Dawson Knox (TE Bills)
Dan Arnold (TE Panthers)

Intriguing games and players in Week 3

(Week 3 Bye Weeks: None) 

Carolina at Houston, Thursday 8:20 PM, EST

  • CAR: Sam Darnold (QB), Robby Anderson (WR)
  • HOU: Brandin Cooks (WR), Mark Ingram (RB)

Baltimore at Detroit, Sunday 1:00 PM, EST

  • BAL: Lamar Jackson (QB), Mark Andrews (TE)
  • DET: D’Andre Swift (RB), Jared Goff (QB)

Arizona at Jacksonville, Sunday 1:00 PM, EST

  • ARZ: Chase Edmonds (RB), DeAndre Hopkins (WR)
  • JAX: Trevor Lawrence (QB), Marvin Jones Jr (WR)

LA Chargers at Kansas City, Sunday 1:00 PM, EST

  • LAC: Kennan Allen (WR), Austin Ekeler (RB)
  • KC: Patrick Mahomes (QB), Tyreek Hill (WR)

Tampa Bay at LA Rams, Sunday 4:25 PM, EST

  • TB: Ronald Jones (RB), Chris Godwin (WR)
  • LAR: Matthew Stafford (QB), Robert Woods (WR)

Green Bay at San Francisco, Sunday 8:20 PM, EST

  • GB: Aaron Rodgers (QB), Allen Lazard (WR)
  • SF: Brandon Aiyuk (WR), George Kittle (TE)

Philadelphia at Dallas, Monday 8:15 PM, EST

  • PHI: Miles Sanders (RB), Dallas Goedert (TE)
  • DAL: Dak Prescott (QB), CeeDee Lamb (WR)

Bottom Line

After a couple of games in you are starting to know what your best starting lineup is for your fantasy team and you probably already have some injuries to manage too. Continue to start your stud players while also showing that you aren’t afraid to go pick up the hot hand off the waiver wire.

The next few weeks are crucial to pick up wins for your fantasy team and the Detroit Lions need to try to do the same. Neither wants to fall too far back in the standings early in the season.

Lions have ‘no concern’ for D’Andre Swift despite managing his reps

Lions RB coach Duce Staley has ‘no concern’ for D’Andre Swift despite managing his reps to deal with his groin injury

Detroit Lions running back coach Duce Staley kept it simple when asked about any long-term concern over D’Andre Swift and his ongoing groin injury.

“No concern,” Staley responded with zero sense of tension. He repeated it twice before going more into some details on the nagging injury that has kept Swift limited in practice for weeks.

“I don’t think we’re going to have to manage his reps (indefinitely),” Staley said Friday. “Of course, you know about the groin already ’cause you spoke of it and he’s done a great job dealing with it. Our training staff has done a great job getting him prepped and ready to play so I don’t think we’re going to have to manage.”

Swift is questionable for the Week 2 matchup with the Green Bay Packers while dealing with the lingering groin issue. Jamaal Williams got the start in Week 1 but Swift played almost exactly double the snaps (63 to 32) against the 49ers. Swift took 11 carries and was targeted an additional 11 times in the passing game, while Williams got nine apiece.

Lions Wire Fantasy Football Weekly: 2021 Week 2 Preview

Breaking down who start or sit and the best fantasy matchups for the Week 2 slate of NFL games

The biggest overreaction often comes in Week 2 of the fantasy football season. Whoever did great in those first set of games is the flavor of the week and top players that didn’t show up are now showing up unexpectedly on the trade block.

This is a great opportunity to scoop up those elite talents that are now being offered at bargain-basement prices, and it is also your chance to show patience as a fantasy general manager by holding on to your premier picks despite what they did or didn’t do in the first week of games.

Lions at Packers fantasy focus

In Week 1 the Detroit Lions couldn’t stop the San Francisco 49ers, and the Green Bay Packers couldn’t muster more than a field goal all game against the new-look New Orleans Saints. Something has to give in this Week 2 matchup on Monday Night Football.

T.J. Hockenson looked tremendous every time he was targeted, D’Andre Swift had an electric 43-yard touchdown on a screen pass, and Jamaal Williams also totaled over 100 all-purpose yards. These are all fantasy options that will have to play big again when they face the Packers this week.

Aaron Rodgers (QB Packers) is going to do everything in his power to explode against the Lions and quiet all his doubters. Fantasy owners of Rodgers aren’t going to R-E-L-A-X until he returns to his previous form and shows that he cares this season. Davante Adams (WR Packers) is going to fill up the stat sheet and Aaron Jones (RB Packers) always does damage against the visitors from Detroit, so put them both in your starting lineups.

This setups up to be a rebound game for the Packers and a statement game for the Lions in primetime. Can this tough Lions mentality hold off the previously explosive Packers offense? You have to tune in on Monday night to see.

Start
Josh Allen (QB Bills)
Najee Harris (RB Steelers)
Davante Adams (WR Packers)
Kyle Pitts (TE Falcons)

Sit
Derek Carr (QB Raiders)
Josh Jacobs (RB Raiders)
Robert Woods (WR Rams)
Tyler Higbee (TE Rams)

Top 3 projected players by position

Quarterbacks
Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
Josh Allen, Bills
Lamar Jackson, Ravens

Running Backs
Derrick Henry, Titans
Christian McCaffrey, Panthers
Dalvin Cook, Vikings

Wide Receivers
Tyreek Hill, Chiefs
Davante Adams, Packers
Calvin Ridley, Falcons

Tight Ends
Travis Kelce, Chiefs
Darren Waller, Raiders
George Kittle, 49ers

Team Defenses
Saints
Browns
Washington

Kickers
Harrison Butker, Chiefs
Justin Tucker, Ravens
Matt Gay, Rams

Waiver wire options

Jameis Winston (QB Saints)
Teddy Bridgewater (QB Broncos)
Elijah Mitchell (RB 49ers)
Latavius Murray (RB Ravens)
Zach Pascal (WR Colts)
Christian Kirk (WR Cardinals)
Adam Trautman (TE Saints)
Jared Cook (TE Chargers)

Intriguing games and players in Week 2

(Week 2 Bye Weeks: None) 

NY Giants at Washington, Thursday 8:20 PM, EST

  • NYG: Kenny Golladay (WR), Daniel Jones (QB)
  • WFT: Antonio Gibson (RB), Terry McLaurin (WR)

Buffalo at Miami, Sunday 1:00 PM, EST

  • BUF: Josh Allen (QB), Stefon Diggs (WR)
  • MIA: Will Fuller (WR), Miles Gaskin (RB)

Las Vegas at Pittsburgh, Sunday 1:00 PM, EST

  • LVR: Henry Ruggs (WR), Bryan Edwards (WR)
  • PIT: Najee Harris (RB), Chase Claypool (WR)

Dallas at LA Chargers, Sunday 4:25 PM, EST

  • DAL: Ezekiel Elliott (RB), CeeDee Lamb (WR)
  • LAC: Austin Ekeler (RB), Justin Herbert (QB)

Tennessee at Seattle, Sunday 4:25 PM, EST

  • TEN: Derrick Henry (RB), Julio Jones (WR)
  • SEA: D.K. Metcalf (WR), Gerald Everett (TE)

Kansas City at Baltimore, Sunday 8:20 PM, EST

  • KC: Clyde Edwards-Helaire (RB), Mecole Hardman (WR)
  • BAL: Lamar Jackson (QB), Mark Andrews (TE)

Detroit at Green Bay, Monday 8:15 PM, EST

  • DET: Jared Goff (QB), T.J. Hockenson (TE)
  • GB: Aaron Rodgers (QB), Aaron Jones (RB)

Bottom Line

It is only Week 2. Way too early to jump to conclusions about your fantasy team or your favorite NFL team. Let the season play out a bit and watch the cream rise to the top.

Was your fantasy team behind by a ton like the Lions in your last matchup, did you make a furious comeback to only fall just short, or did you pull out a thrilling victory? Whatever the outcome it has no bearing on Week 2, so put in your best fantasy lineup and see what happens when the smoke clears in another exciting fantasy football week where anything can happen.

4 Lions takeaways from a second viewing of the Week 1 loss to the 49ers

4 Lions takeaways from watching the Lions Week 1 loss to the 49ers for a second time

Watching an NFL game for a second time often produces some different opinions and takeaways than the heat-of-the-moment reactions from viewing the action in real-time. The rewatch strips away the emotional intensity and also offers a chance to really study the Xs and Os and player performances on a deeper level.

I went back and re-watched the Detroit Lions in their Week 1 home loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

In addition to the takeaways here, I also wrote out my evaluation of Penei Sewell’s performance after a (different) re-watch of the rookie offensive tackle.

D’Andre Swift, Jamaal Williams each top 100 total yards in Week 1 loss

They became the first Lions RB duo to each hit 100 total yards in over five years

It’s not often the Lions get even one running back to top 100 total yards from scrimmage in a single game. It’s much rarer when two Lions RBs hit the century mark in the same game. But that’s what D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams did in Detroit’s Week 1 loss to San Francisco.

Swift logged 11 carries for 39 yards, but his eight receptions for 65 yards lifted him over the century mark. Williams posted 54 yards on nine carries and chipped in another 56 on eight receptions. Each scored once, Williams on the ground and Swift on a highlight-reel screen pass.

It was the first time the Lions had two RBs top 100 yards from scrimmage in almost exactly five years. In Detroit’s Week 1 win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sept. 11, 2016, Theo Riddick and Ameer Abdullah were the last to do it. Riddick had 45 yards rushing and 63 receiving, while Abdullah ran for 63 and caught five passes for 57 yards.

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Riddick would have just one other game in his career topping 100 combined yards, in Week 8 of that 2016 season. Abdullah also hit the century mark in yards from scrimmage just one more time, in Week 4 of 2017.

Swift had two games last year accruing at least 100 total yards, including a Week 5 outing where he ran for 114 yards. Williams, making his Lions debut, had three such games while with the Packers in 2020.

Lions Week 1 snap count notes: Detroit dominated possession

Detroit’s offense ran 92 plays while the defense was on the field for just 55

The Detroit Lions struggled early before a late surge gave the team an improbable shot at coming all the way back against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1. Breaking down the player participation rates tells some of the story of the game for Detroit.

The sheer volume of offensive versus defensive snap counts really stands out. Detroit’s offense ran 92 plays, while San Francisco was on the field for just 55 offensive reps. Six Lions played all 92 offensive snaps: the entire offensive line and QB Jared Goff.

Tight end T.J. Hockenson was next up at 78 snaps. The wide receivers broke down interestingly, with Kalif Raymond topping the list at 69. Rookie Amon-Ra St. Brown was next at 59, followed by Trinity Benson (49), Tyrell Williams (39) and Quintez Cephus (32). Williams did leave the game after being struck in the head on an illegal hit.

D’Andre Swift was not limited in Week 1. Though Jamaal Williams grabbed the start against San Francisco, Swift nearly doubled Williams in total snaps, 63 to 32. Fullback Jason Cabinda was in for 10 reps, at least two of which featured him aligned at tight end. With Jermar Jefferson a healthy scratch, No. 3 RB Godwin Igwebuike only played on special teams.

On defense, only three players earned iron man status by playing all 55 reps: LB Alex Anzalone, S Will Harris and CB Amani Oruwariye.

Safety Tracy Walker missed just one rep, and that one Walker sat was the only time the Lions used backup C.J. Moore all game. Detroit had just one play where three safeties were on the field, which also served as the only one snap Dean Marlowe played on defense.

Cornerback Jeff Okudah was on the field for all 48 snaps before he left with a lower leg injury. Rookie Ifeatu Melifonwu had played sparingly prior to Okudah’s departure and finished with 12 snaps after taking over. Fellow rookie Derrick Barnes saw just five reps on defense, though he was sidelined with trainers for some time with an apparent minor ankle issue.

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Former UGA running backs score in NFL’s opening week

Former Georgia Bulldogs running backs are off to a solid start to begin the 2021 NFL season.

Former Georgia Bulldogs running backs are off to a solid start to begin the 2021 NFL season. Nick Chubb, Sony Michel, and D’Andre Swift are the former UGA running backs in the NFL.

Former Georgia star Todd Gurley remains a free agent at the moment.

Nick Chubb and D’Andre Swift found the end zone for their respective teams in week one.

 

Lions vs 49ers: Studs and Duds for Week 1

The Detroit Lions comeback came up short against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1, but some performed well where others fell short.

When Dan Campbell took over, he assured everyone this team would give up and put up a fight through every second of the game. And that is exactly what was given. So even though the Detroit Lions comeback ended up falling short, dropping their season opener to the San Francisco 49ers 41-33, you can see the fight in this team that has been missing from years past.

Throughout the game, it became apparent the Lions were being outplayed by the offensive genius, Kyle Shanahan. It seemed he could do anything he wanted against a Lions defense that had some high hopes entering the season.  Somehow the Lions made it interesting at the end with a successful onside kick and well-timed turnover, where it looked like the Lions had something brewing, but it was too much of a hole for the Lions to dig themselves out of.

Thankfully, there were some bright spots the Lions can work with heading into Week 2, but on the other side of the coin, there are too many lackluster performances in this week’s studs and duds.

Our exclusive interview with Lions legend Barry Sanders

Lions legend Barry Sanders sat down for an interview on his early impressions on the team, the new coaching staff, his legacy and more

Barry Sanders needs no introduction. The Hall of Fame running back is instantly recognizable and renowned by everyone.

I got a chance to sit down for a one-on-one interview with Sanders this week. The Lions legend and I chatted over Zoom about several topics, including some of his impressions of the current Lions. Thanks to Sanders for taking some time out of his busy schedule.

The Lions have a new coach, new GM, new pretty much everything. What are your first impressions of what you’re seeing from the 2021 Detroit Lions?

Sanders: “I’m still gaining a first impression, because this weekend the season starts. I thought we played hard in the preseason. I saw some good things. I think we know what we’re going to get from Jared Goff, he’s been a solid player in this league for a while.

I think we’ve definitely got to shore some things up on defense. The last two years we’ve been at the bottom of the league in terms of how much yards we’re giving up.  nd we haven’t really been that good offensively.

I would hope that this team has a lot to prove. You look at our division and you have to be ready to strap it up because — whether it’s Green Bay or Chicago or Minnesota, I don’t think any of those teams has gotten worse.”

How important is it for D’Andre Swift to have a former NFL running back in Duce Staley as his position coach and mentor?

Sanders: “It’s extremely valuable to have a guy like that. Duce was a great player, he had a lot of success for many years. He’s coached for a lot of years, been around a lot of great players. He understands what it takes to prepare to be successful and to prepare to win … as a young running back, you couldn’t ask for a better coach guiding you through practices and games. All the ingredients are there for (Swift) to be very successful.”

When you played, Chris Spielman was a Lions linebacker, Lomas Brown was the left tackle, Herman Moore was a wide receiver. All those guys are actively involved with the team. How important is it for those Lions legends to be present and establish a culture in Detroit?

Sanders: “I think that most of the successful teams like to do that. They like to have those players around and identifying with that winning culture and what it means to be a Detroit Lion.

Those guys and myself and many others, we have great pride in the fact we played for the Lions in that era and we don’t take it lightly. We want these guys to have that same pride. When they step on that field understanding that they’re playing for many of us as well as the fans.

I know (Spielman, Moore, Brown) love being there and they have the knowledge and passion to impart to these young players. I think it’s a great thing.”

With the NFL expanding to 17 games and with an 18-game schedule likely coming, do you think your records and legacy of great accomplishments will get watered down because it will be easier for players to post big totals?

Sanders: “I guess it could in some ways. I have to look at the generation that came before mine who played 14 games and even 12 games like what Jim Brown played in. I guess I kind of know what those guys feel like (laughs).

But the game evolves. Because I’m fortunate enough to be in the Hall of Fame where your legacy lives on and people get a chance to see what kind of player you were … I really can’t complain.”

With so much change going on to the team from the ownership on down, what would you consider a benchmark for success for the Lions in the 2021 season?

Sanders: “That’s tough. I’m hoping at the very least for a wild card (playoff berth). I think that would be considered very successful. We have to see how other things play out. I’m not going to say that we’re the favorite for our division, but if we can fight for that second spot and squeeze into the playoffs, I think that would be a big success for us.

Honestly, there are some big challenges for us. Not just last year but the last couple of years we were last or near last in defense and then a below-average offensively. You’re not going to beat anyone that way. I think you have to go in from Day 1 really ready to play. Even with those (bad defensive and offensive) stats, every game is going to be close.

What are those key plays that you can make to put yourself over the top? It certainly helps to have the kind of coaching staff that we have, where everyone played the game and understands what it takes.”

How much do you think it resonates for the players to have so many former players as coaches? 

Sanders: “I think it can work either way. There’s a lot of great coaches that didn’t play the game on that level. I think it depends on what collection of coaches you’re talking about. In this case, that’s what we have and for a young team that has struggled, I think it can only help.”

The interview was set up via Pepsi and its new “Made for Lions Watching” campaign that features Sanders. Part of the campaign is a giveaway in conjunction with the Lions that includes officially signed Lions team gear, team store gift cards and an autographed helmet from Sanders. Check out Made for Lions Watching for more details and how you can win some cool prizes.