Tag: David Montgomery

Detroit Lions Podcast: Bish and Brown Preview Lions game vs. Cowboys

Detroit Lions Podcast: Bish and Brown Preview Lions game vs. Cowboys

The Lions are fresh off a bye week and that means Scott Bischoff and Russell Brown return on the Detroit Lions Podcast! For this episode, the guys talk about the following:

  • Offense is really clicking after MNF win vs. Seattle
  • Jared Goff is starting to anticipate Jameson Williams and that’s a very good thing!
  • What should the Lions expect from the Cowboys?
  • Will the offense continue to put it together in a big NFC game?
  • All that and more!

Be sure to rate, review and subscribe to the Detroit Lions Podcast! You can find the show on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all podcast platforms. Additionally, you can follow Russ and Scott on Twitter @RussNFLDraft and @Bischoff_Scott!

David Montgomery dips into video game knowledge for new nickname with Jahmyr Gibbs

David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs are chasing rings and chaos emeralds.

Lions running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs together form one of the best one-two backfield punches in the NFL. The two both rank inside the top 20 in rushing yards and are the only pair of running backs in that group — Baltimore (Derrick Henry, Lamar Jackson) and Washington (Brian Robinson, Jayden Daniels) also have two players in the top 20 thanks to their quarterback.

Gibbs (285) and Montgomery (271) have combined for 556 rushing yards. That would put them third in the NFL, behind only the 49ers’ Jordan Mason (609) and Henry (572).

The two make a strong pair and now, thanks to Montgomery, we have a nickname for the pair, and it’s a pretty clever one. Montgomery dove into the world of video games to come up with his nickname for himself and Gibbs. Fans can now refer to them as Sonic and Knuckles.

“We got a new name going around, Sonic and Knuckles, and I happen to be Knuckles,” Montgomery recently told CBS Sports HQ. “I like that one.” The comparison makes plenty of sense. Gibbs is the speedster of the two, just like Sonic the Hedgehog. Montgomery is the bigger, stronger one, similar to that of Knuckles the Echidna.

If Gibbs and Montgomery are Sonic and Knuckles, then perhaps each week, their opponent can be thought of as Dr. Eggman. This week, that happens to be the Dallas Cowboys. Similarly, yards can be considered the rings Sonic likes to collect.

It’s going to be chaos (like the emeralds) for Lions’ opponents going forward if Gibbs and Montgomery keep playing as well as they have.

Watch: Lions surge out to 14-0 lead on Monday Night Football

Watch: Lions surge out to 14-0 lead on Monday Night Football

The Detroit Lions broke out their brand new black uniforms and blue helmets on Monday Night Football. They rewarded the Ford Field faithful with an offensive outburst in the new uniforms.

The Lions raced out to a 14-0 lead on the Seattle Seahawks thanks to some ground and pound and a huge play from the defense.

First up, the Detroit offense capped off a successful drive with a David Montgomery touchdown plunge on 3rd and goal:

Then a big play from the Lions defense set up the second score. Jack Campbell extricated the ball from Seahawks WR DK Metcalf, with cornerback Carlton Davis scooping it up and returning into the red zone. This time it was Jahmyr Gibbs breaking the end zone and pushing the Lions lead to 14-0, with Jake Bates nailing the extra point.

David Montgomery, Jahmyr Gibbs etching names in Lions history books together

Detroit RBs David Montgomery Jahmyr Gibbs etching names in Lions history books together

The Lions have one of the top one-two punches at the running back position across the league. David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs have helped take Detroit’s offense up a notch. Sunday, they combined to do something Detroit hadn’t seen in some time.

Montgomery rushed for 105 yards and a touchdown on 23 attempts along with 17 yards on three catches. Gibbs had 83 yards on 16 carries and had 20 receiving yards — he officially had zero catches as the touchdown came on a hook-and-ladder from Amon-Ra St. Brown.

For only the second time in franchise history, the Lions had a pair of running backs each rush for at least 80 yards, record at least 15 receiving yards and score a touchdown. The other time was November 28, 2013 with Joique Bell and Reggie Bush in a 40-10 win over the Packers.

The duo is also the first since 2006 to each have 70-plus scrimmage yards in each of their first three games of the season. Bush was also a pair of that tandem while he was in New Orleans with Deuce McAllister.

Sunday was just the second time Montgomery and Gibbs each had over 100 scrimmage yards. Last November against the Chargers was the first.

Then there’s this fun fact: Montgomery and Gibbs have each scored a touchdown in a game six times together. The Lions are 6-0 in those games.

Lions vs. Cardinals: Last-minute thoughts and final score prediction

Lions vs. Cardinals: Last-minute thoughts and final score prediction for the Week 3 matchup

Autumn has arrived, even if it felt like midsummer for much of the last week in Michigan. The nights are getting cooler, and the warming power of the sun isn’t as high.

That lack of offensive heat has already hit the Detroit Lions. Ben Johnson’s unit has gained yards almost at will, but converting those yards into points has been like an early frost; it’s beautiful until you have to scrape it off your car windshield, and the hoodie and shorts you’re wearing makes you feel a lot colder than needed.

The Lions travel to Arizona to try and defrost the scoring bus. Spoiler alert: They get it rolling today.

Why I think the Lions will win

The offense has been outstanding until it reaches the red zone. It’s inside the opposing 20-yard line (really the 25) where the opposing defenses have done a really good job of condensing the middle of the field and forcing QB Jared Goff to get the ball out on his first read. Other than the smashmouth overtime touchdown drive by RB David Montgomery and the offensive line in Week 1, the defenses have gotten the better of Johnson’s offenses.

I don’t think the Cardinals can do that with their defense. Outside of Dennis Gardeck, the Arizona pass rush isn’t one that intimidates the offense. Their cornerbacks, led by 2023 Lions castoff Starling Thomas, aren’t sticky in coverage or particularly disruptive.

Let’s play the “don’t overthink it” card: Starling Thomas starts at outside CB for the Cardinals. It’s the same Starling Thomas that couldn’t make the CB-desperate Lions a year ago (Detroit kept Steven Gilmore and Kindle Vildor over him). He’s actually shown some improving ability and certainly has closing speed, but it’s unlikely Thomas would be active on game days in Detroit.

On defense, the Lions draw a good RB in Arizona’s James Conner and a complementary back in rookie Trey Benson. They’re an impressive 1-2 punch, though that’s been more in theory than practice in the first two weeks. Detroit’s ability to snuff out the run by RBs is the basis for their defensive rise. The Cardinals line is a good one in run blocking, but I still buy into Detroit’s interior combo of DJ Reader and Alim McNeill and a deep LB corps behind them to control it.

Speaking of the run…

I think this is a get-right game for Ben Johnson and his play-calling. If Montgomery is racking up six yards a carry behind the snowplow of an offensive line, I am of the belief that Johnson won’t foolishly abandon it like he’s done this year. I am also of the belief that Dan Campbell won’t let Johnson deviate from what’s working to earn style points. This team needs actual points, not the style one.

Detroit’s pass rush has been outstanding, and the “crush the can” style from big EDGEs Aidan Hutchinson, Levi Onwuzurike and Marcus Davenport can be very effective against a more finesse-based Cards tackle combo. Led by Hutchinson, this pass rush can contain the edges on its way to the quarterback, and it also opens up opportunities for slot blitzes that have proven very effective against the Cardinals.

What worries me about the Cardinals

Two words: Kyler Murray.

Don’t mistake Murray for a run-only threat. The young Cardinals QB has evolved as a passer, showing better timing and ball placement than he has in the past. He’s capable of winning from the pocket as long as the line keeps him clean, a la Jared Goff.

Unlike Goff, Murray is one of the NFL’s best escape artists and runners. Detroit’s defense has been endemically vulnerable to quarterbacks who can tuck and run, and I don’t think that changes against Murray and the Cardinals. He could very well get 100 yards on the ground, and that sets up a spritzing of read-option runs and quick passes that can make the defensive heads spin.

Murray also has a couple of impressive targets in rookie WR Marvin Harrison Jr. and TE Trey McBride. Harrison vs. fellow first-rounder Terrion Arnold is a premium rookie matchup, and I expect each to record some victories in that battle. McBride serves the Sam LaPorta role in Arizona and does so a lot more effectively than his low name recognition might have Lions fans expecting.

Final score prediction

I see the Lions prodigious offensive yardage production finally turning into points on the scoreboard. I think going on the road, wearing the all-whites, and being focused on what’s gone right thus far will serve them very well. Arizona will put up more than 20 on Aaron Glenn’s defense. I think Detroit’s offense will outscore whatever the defense gives up.

Lions 36, Cardinals 31

Don’t hit the panic button on Detroit Lions offense but reasons for concern are valid

Don’t hit the panic button on Detroit Lions offense after a disappointing start, but reasons for concern are valid

Sparing all of us from every little detail, we all know the Detroit Lions let today’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers get away from them. Sure it’s a team game but this loss primarily falls on the Lions offense. It was an odd but also, bad performance from this offense today.

Certainly, nobody should be sounding the alarms, but the reasons for concern right now are valid. No question, everyone has bad days at the office. The Lions offense is allowed to have them, too. That said, it’s consecutive weeks of head-scratching play-calling from offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.

Today was by far the worst we’ve seen from him during his tenure in Detroit. The lack of commitment to running the football in this game was odd. In the first half against the Bucs, the Lions had 20 pass attempts, seven rushes and one fake pass attempt. All they had to show for it was six lousy points.

Looking at the Lions 2nd, 3rd and 4th drive in the first half, here’s how they all went:

  • 2nd series: 4 pass plays to 1 run play was called. 2 out-of-the final 3 plays inside the Bucs 10-yard line were pass plays. Only one run play was called and it gained 7 yards. Lions settled for a field goal.
  • 3rd series: 8 pass plays to 4 run plays were called. 2 out-of-the final 3 plays inside the Bucs 20-yard line were pass plays. Only one run play was called. They gained one yard inside the Bucs 20-yard line despite having 16 yards (4.0 yards per carry) rushing on this drive.
  • 4th series: 7 pass plays to 3 run plays were called. Despite converting on 4th down twice, the Lions still had to punt on this drive. When the Lions crossed midfield and were facing 2nd-and-6, they dropped back to pass consecutive times. Both were incomplete. They had gained four yards on the ground from David Montgomery to setup that 2nd-and-6. 

Without going full play-by-play from today’s game, it just feels like Ben Johnson was getting away from manageable situations on 2nd and 3rd down. Last season, the Lions seemed content on running the ball to get into 2nd-and-6 or 3rd-and-3, but not in this game. Instead, it felt like Johnson was trying to pick up bigger down and distances all in one play every chance he got.

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1835401578234442103

Look at the 4th quarter with under 8 minutes left to play. The Lions are only down four points and are faced with a 2nd-and-16 after a holding call on Frank Ragnow. Rather than trying to get into a more manageable 3rd down situation, the Lions ran deeper routes or had concepts towards the sideline. Nothing was run towards the middle of the field nor was anything open. This led to Goff forcing a throw rather than taking a sack and it ultimately led to an interception.

https://twitter.com/SharpFootball/status/1835409351600656870

If Ben Johnson wasn’t trying to get chunk plays off just one pass, the passing script sure felt forced to start the game. Like I said, Goff had attempted 20 pass attempts in the first half. However, 14 of those pass attempts were intended for Amon-Ra St. Brown or Jameson Williams. Tight end Sam LaPorta didn’t even have a target in the first half.

No doubt, the Lions should get the ball to their playmakers. But with them having so many weapons, it should never be one-sided.

One week removed from only having 28 pass attempts, Goff had 55 pass attempts today. That’s practically double from the Rams game in week one. Keep in mind, those 55 pass attempts were the most Goff has thrown with the Lions since his very first game in Detroit during the 2021 season (57 attempts). You can call me crazy or a hater, but to me, that just can’t happen.

We all know what Goff is at quarterback, but it feels like Johnson is forcing him to be something he’s not. Sure, there’s plenty of football left but it’s been a very odd start to the season for a Lions offense that got so much praise this summer. Sooner rather than later, they’ll need to commit to running the football. If they don’t it could lead to a lack of confidence for the entire offense as this season continues.

Top photos from the Lions overtime win vs. the Rams in Week 1

Top photos from the Lions overtime win vs. the Rams in Week 1

The Detroit Lions didn’t have their “A” game in the Week 1 overtime win against the Los Angeles Rams, but the team did enough to still vanquish the visitors and open the season 1-0.

The 26-20 overtime win wasn’t always pretty football, but the reigning NFC North champs effectively defended the den in beating back a spunky, well-prepared Rams team and quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Rocking the all-blue uniforms, Detroit salvaged the victory for the Ford Field faithful. The “blueberries” also made for some outstanding visuals, as captured by the professional photographers in the stadium. Here are some of the best shots from the game.

Lions survive a shaky effort to beat the Rams in overtime

The Detroit Lions survive a shaky effort to beat the visiting Los Angeles Rams in overtime

The Detroit Lions are 1-0. It can be difficult to remember that, because it doesn’t really feel like a triumphant debut for the 2024 Lions.

Detroit survived a vastly undermanned Los Angeles Rams team, eking out a 26-20 overtime win in Ford Field. In front of a national audience on Sunday Night Football, the Lions looked rusty and meek, especially on offense. There were sporadic reminders that the Detroit offense has been one of the NFL’s best over the last two years, but they were not close to being in top form after not playing a down together in the preseason.

The Lions did not get great performances from the expected stars on the team. All-Pro wideout was a nonfactor all night, getting just six targets and netting three catches for 13 yards. One target to St. Brown was a throw where Jared Goff was a half-count late over the middle and Rams safety John Johnson picked it off.

Tight end Sam LaPorta was very quiet as well, catching just four passes for 45 yards. On one key third-down catch, LaPorta ran his route well short of the sticks. Whether by schematic design or a lapse by LaPorta, it’s the kind of mistake the Lions don’t typically make. His last catch, on the game-tying drive at the end of the fourth quarter, netted nearly half of LaPorta’s yards.

Goff wasn’t at his best, either. The drive after his INT intended for St. Brown should have ended in another Rams INT, but cornerback Cobie Durant dropped it. Goff wasn’t aggressive in attacking down the field, and it allowed the Rams to cram the field effectively.

Safety Brian Branch had a poor overall game. Branch missed two INT opportunities and a couple of tackles as well. He got burned on a huge play by the Rams, where backup LB Malcolm Rodriguez ran past Branch well down the field to save a potential touchdown.

About the only thing that worked for the Lions offense was Jameson Williams. Well, David Mongtomery was effective running between the tackles early, and Jahmyr Gibbs had one nice drive. Beyond that, the Rams rookie defensive coordinator, Chris Shula, won the battle against Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.

The defense did just enough, barely. Aaron Glenn’s unit probably should have done more against a dilapidated Rams offense that played fourth-string tackles most of the night. Matthew Stafford was sharp in his old building, and some costly penalties by rookie CB Terrion Arnold helped the Rams get two scores as well.

Kicker Jake Bates forced overtime with a clutch 32-yard field goal. Aidan Hutchinson sacked Matthew Stafford to end any Rams threat at the very end of regulation.

And then Ben Johnson remembered that he had David Montgomery. In his first carries in several drives, Montgomery put the Lions on his back and dragged Detroit, as well as the Rams defense, into the end zone for the game-winning score. Montgomery ran for 45 yards on five carries on the final drive, none bigger than the final one.

Montgomery and Williams, who authored the game’s biggest highlight and turned in his first career 100-yard game, were the overriding positives to take away. That, and also not blowing a prime-time game against a team playing backups and undrafted rookies all over the place, which would have been a devastating blow.

It’s still not good enough football from the Lions, but never apologize for a win or take it for granted. Week 1 is a good lesson in that for Dan Campbell and the Lions.

Lions exhaust Rams in overtime

The Lions scored nine points on their final two drives to down the Rams in OT

The Detroit Lions got a field goal to force overtime and marched down the field for a touchdown in the extra period to down the Los Angeles Rams, 26-20, on Sunday Night Football.

The Lions devoured 1:54 on a nine-play drive before Jake Bates kicked a game-tying field goal with 17 seconds left.

The Rams’ final drive went nowhere and the teams went to OT.

Matthew Stafford called the toss but the Lions won it and took the football.

The eight-play, 70-yard drive ate up 4:41 before David Montgomery scored on a one-yard run.

In all the Lions ran 17 plays and gained 125 yards while scoring nine points on their final two drives to win the game.

The Rams had come back from being down 17-3 to take a 20-17 lea only to see the Lions score the game’s final nine points.

Bish & Brown LA Rams Preview – Detroit Lions Podcast

Bish & Brown LA Rams Preview – Detroit Lions Podcast

We’ve finally made it to the opening week of the NFL! That means we’ll see our Detroit Lions play the Los Angeles Rams at Ford Field on Sunday night. The Lions have been heavily discussed this off-season as one of the best teams in the NFL and potentially a team that could win the Super Bowl.

Taking it one game at a time, Scott Bischoff and I return on the Detroit Lions Podcast! For our first episode of the 2024 season, we give you our game preview between the Rams and Lions on Sunday night!

On this episode, Scott and I discuss the following:

  • What’s the Lions passing attack going to look like this season?
  • Is Jahmyr Gibbs going to take the expected step forward in this offense?
  • The defense added a ton of good pieces. Can this unit put it all together?
  • What to expect from the Rams and Lions?
  • All that and more!

Be sure to rate, review and subscribe to the Detroit Lions Podcast on Spotify, Spreaker, YouTube, Apple Podcasts and more! Also, you can follow Scott and Russ on Twitter: @bischoff_scott and @russnfldraft