Lions lose RB David Montgomery in disastrous first quarter in Minnesota

Lions lose RB David Montgomery to knee injury in disastrous first quarter in Minnesota

The Detroit Lions got off to a terrible start in the Week 7 matchup with the Vikings in Minnesota.

The Lions offense was rough on the first three drives, failing to pick up a single first down. Meanwhile, an easily-stopped fake punt on Detroit’s opening series set up Minnesota for an easy rushing touchdown. Minnesota tacked on a 57-yard field goal to quickly seize a 10-0 lead.

To add injury to insult, running back David Montgomery limped off the field with considerable assistance after being tackled on a 3rd-and-short, where he was snuffed under the pile. The team quickly ruled Montgomery’s return as questionable with a knee injury.

UPDATE: Montgomery returned to the game after sitting out a series.

Ben Johnson says Lions still have more tricks up their sleeve after Dallas game

Ben Johnson says Lions still have more tricks up their sleeve after Dallas game

The Lions dominated the Dallas Cowboys Sunday by a score of 47-9. That game included a touchdown that came from offensive coordinator Ben Johnson’s bag of tricks.

The play started with WR Amon-Ra St. Brown in motion. Quarterback Jared Goff took the snap, then handed off to RB David Montgomery. Monty then handed off to St. Brown who tossed it back to Goff. Goff then launched deep and found TE Sam LaPorta for a 52-yard score that helped give the Lions a 17-3 lead early in the second quarter.

You might think the bag is empty for the Lions and Johnson, but as Lee Corso would say, “Not so fast, my friend.”

“Oh yeah,” Johnson said when asked if there are trick plays from games they did not use. “Each and every week we stock up, and so that’s been constant. It just so happened last week that we wanted to unload them.”

That was just one of a handful of trick plays the Lions tried against the Cowboys. They also tried throwing a pass to OT Taylor Decker, ran a hook a ladder to OT Penei Sewell and had OT Dan Skipper run routes as a wide receiver.

Johnson had this to say about preparing all those trick plays: “It was one of the things that we talked about last week, what is our identity, and one of those three was being detailed, and that’s something springtime, training camp, up until now that we are very demanding out of our players. Really every position group and so when we are like that, you get into a game week, and we have more volume, or we have nuances that maybe we don’t get a ton of reps on. They have to decipher it and handle it, and they do a great job of it. That combined with some of them are for premier looks and if we don’t get that look, we get out of it. I mean, go back a couple weeks ago when we called the pass to Jared (Goff), I want to say Houston ran the same play but it wasn’t quite a premier look in my opinion, and so – I think (Texans WR) Stefon Diggs had to run for the touchdown when they did it. So, we do have some elements of that where we have to get the right look. We’re not just calling plays to call plays because we think they look cool. It’s really by design and intent and then our guys carry it the rest of the way.”

The Lions tried using Decker as an eligible receiver during last year’s meeting in Dallas, but according to the officials, Decker never reported as eligible, wiping out the two-point conversion attempt. Detroit got their revenge and then some. And while those plays are now on film, Johnson is not worried.

“This game’s been around for a long time and our challenge as a coaching staff,” Johnson said. “And I say it to the offensive staff quite a bit, is we can run a million different types of plays and because of that, I don’t like to run the same one twice. I don’t like to do it within a game, I don’t like to do it within a season. We certainly do have some staples that I will repeat at times, but we’re charged with let’s have a little creativity. Defenses, they’re doing their film study, they’re looking at things, they’re finding, ‘Hey out of this formation, they’re doing this, that and the other.’ And we try to mix it up. So, from that regard, I’m not worried about putting things on tape. If anything else, it’s just going to help set up the next thing down the road, and yeah, the well is deep in terms of the thoughts.”

The Lions could very well break out another fun play this week in what is now a huge divisional game against the 5-0 Minnesota Vikings for first place in the NFC North.

Breaking down the details of the David Montgomery contract extension

Breaking down the details of the David Montgomery contract extension with the Lions

The Detroit Lions and running back David Montgomery agreed to a contract extension late last week. The financial details of the extension are now available, and it alters a little of the prevailing narrative about the money and obligations involved.

Per Over The Cap, the extension is indeed as advertised on the surface: two years, $18.25 million. Of that, $10.49 million is guaranteed, including a $3.25 million signing bonus. The extension runs through the 2027 season, though the Lions did add on a void year in 2028 to help amortize the cap hit over an extra year.

One detail that wasn’t initially reported is that there are now per-game roster bonuses for Montgomery through the end of the contract. Montgomery will get $30,000 for each game he is active, adding up to $510,000 in roster bonuses for a 17-game season.

The cap hit for 2026 is $8.37 million with a salary of $5.49 million. Those numbers jump to $10.245 million and $$7.49 million in 2027, a year that also includes a $1 million roster bonus.

As Over The Cap notes,

The extension lowered his cap number in 2024 by about $1.7 million. His 2025 cap number will increase by about $1.25 million as a result of the extension.

The way the cap setup is structured here, don’t expect Montgomery to play on this contract as it exists right now in 2027. There is considerable room, and time, for a restructure down the road.

Lions run over the Cowboys in Week 6 road romp

The Detroit Lions ran all over the Dallas Cowboys in a 47-9 road win in Week 6

It’s been a long time since the Detroit Lions so thoroughly dominated a quality opponent on the road in the manner they absolutely annihilated the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday evening. The Lions rolled into AT&T Stadium and rolled the Cowboys, 47-9.

The final score does not adequately reflect just how badly the Lions beat up the Cowboys on their own turf.

The Lions dominated the game from the very start on both sides of the ball. After ceding a field goal on Dallas’ opening drive, the Lions defense stopped the Cowboys offense on the next four drives. At the same time, Detroit’s offense scored every time it touched the ball.

The Lions netted 262 yards in the first half while allowing Dallas only 111. Detroit led 27-6 at intermission. They did not take their foot off the gas pedal as the Lions continued to run all over the hapless Cowboys. Dallas couldn’t run at all, either, netting just 53 yards on 17 carries. David Montgomery (80 yards on 12 carries) and Jahmyr Gibbs (63 yards on 12 carries) each topped that on their own.

Aside from a 1-play kneeldown before halftime, Detroit scored on its first nine offensive possessions. Not to be outdone, Aaron Glenn’s defense forced turnovers on four straight possessions in the second half as the Lions extended hte lead out to 47-9. Both teams then pulled any players of consequence to finish out the game, an opportunity for Lions QB Hendon Hooker to make his NFL debut.

The tremendous victory did come with a cost, unfortunately. Star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson was lost with a significant lower leg injury that appears to be a long-term one.

Beyond that, everything came up Lions in Dallas for the first time in memory. It was the Lions biggest margin of victory in the Dan Campbell era. The Lions nearly doubled the offensive yardage in the game, 492-253. The defense forced five turnovers, while Jared Goff and the offense didn’t give it away once.

Detroit improves to 4-1 while the Cowboys drop to 3-3.

Rushing attacks of Lions, Cowboys have been night and day contrasts

A look inside the running games of each team and the impact they’re having on the offenses in general. | From @KDDrummondNFL

Our Q&A series with the Lions Wire’s managing editor Jeff Risdon continues with a focus on the two team’s run games.

Cowboys Wire: David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs have two completely different body types, but they talk about being interchangeable and that keeping defenses in a state of confusion. How does that work?

Lions Wire: The interchangeability is more theoretical than in practice, although it tends to lean more toward folks who think Montgomery can only run between the tackles. He’s proven to be an excellent receiver and off-tackle runner, too. Gibbs doesn’t run with the inside power but his ability to read blocks and accelerate through cuts off them makes him work between the tackles.

We’re still waiting for them to be used together. They do tend to get away from Montgomery for long periods of games, too.


Read: Behind Enemy Lines: Linebackers and Ben Johnson


Lions Wire: The Dallas run offense ranks near the bottom. Is there much hope for that improving anytime soon?

Cowboys Wire: There was a glimmer of hope with Rico Dowdle busting out for a whopping 87 yards on Sunday night. He added another 20+ on receptions and a tuddy, but the Cowboys haven’t had a 100-yard runner in the last 19 games. Mike Solari’s blocking scheme hasn’t taken well with the talent over the last year plus (as I unfortunately predicted) and now integrating two rookies hasn’t helped. Things didn’t get better until rookie Tyler Guyton was injured and Tyler Smith kicked out to LT, but it looks like they will return to the original configuration this week.

Lions Wire: Even without a run game, Dak Prescott and the passing offense continue to thrive. How well are they playing this year?

Cowboys Wire: Prior to a couple picks against the Steelers last week, Prescott was playing heroically, and even with those mistakes (and a fumble), he still leveled up and led the game-winning drive against the vaunted Pittsburgh defense. Brandin Cooks was struggling and we finally found out he had a balky knee that has now landed him on IR. CeeDee Lamb is always the truth, and now there’s hope after his 87-yard performance and GW catch that Jalen Tolbert is ready to step into the No. 2 role. Jake Fergsuon at TE is pretty special as well… not Sam LaPorta special, but still special.

 

David Montgomery agrees to contract extension with the Lions

The Detroit Lions and RB David Montgomery have agreed to a new contract extension

Get used to David Montgomery in Detroit. The talented Lions running back has agreed to a new contract extension that will keep Montgomery in the Honolulu blue and silver through the 2027 season.

Montgomery joined the Lions before the 2023 season, signing a 3-year, $18 million contract that also included a void year. The new deal adds two more seasons in Detroit for Montgomery, now 27.

Dan Miller, the radio voice of the Lions, first reported the news:

 

No word yet on the new money involved for Montgomery, who has 271 yards on 63 carries in the first four games in 2024, scoring four TDs. The contract has yet to be signed but the terms have been agreed upon, per other sources.

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.