ALLEN PARK– The Detroit Lions (1-2) are back in the win column after a 26-23 win on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. And easily, they have a chance to climb up back to.500 before the bye, then face a much easier schedule coming out of the break.
Win on Sunday against New Orleans (1-2), and things might get intriguing in a rush for this team regardless of the back-to-back losses to open the campaign.
With that, lets get on to some questions for todays mailbag. As constantly, I actually appreciate everyone who took part. Well be back next Tuesday. Concerns can be tweeted here or emailed to [email protected].
Q: What can you say about the death game in the second half?– @DaliDimovski
A: Darrell Bevell has been a big success in Detroit. He built a vertical offense that sent Matthew Stafford to the top five of many quarterback metrics last season, consisting of efficiency and downfield passing, and the offense itself was leading 5 until the Stafford injury. Theres no doubt Detroit has a tendency to grow more conservative in the second half of video games, specifically when leading.
Total all of it up, and Detroit acquired 128 lawns on 15 first-down plays in the first half. Thats 8.5 yards per play. Hey, if youre balancing 8.5 backyards on first down, youre probably moving the ball quite well, whichs precisely what the Lions were doing while constructing a 17-13 lead.
Not including the designed slide by Stafford on the last play, they ran the ball 10 times on 14 first-down plays. And as the playcalling became more predictable, Detroits first-down success dried up. The 10 runs produced simply 28 lawns, or 2.8 yards per bring.
The Lions did a great task blending up their first-down playcalls in the first half, passing 7 times and running eight times. Stafford was 5 of 7 passing for 82 lawns, which is 11.7 yards per play.
Of course, you can likewise comprehend what the Lions were attempting to do. They were attempting to keep Kyler Murray and that rapid-fire offense off the field, which you could understand given Detroits historical inability to hang onto leads recently. Arizona got off just 63 plays on Sunday, 10 fewer than in any other game this season.
Its just such a great line to stroll in between continuing to do what you do well, and doing what you require to do to close out a win. Thats especially true for a group constructed like the Lions, whose strength is passing and particularly downfield passing.
Since last season, the Lions are balancing 15.0 points in the first half. Thats fifth in the league. But theyre scoring simply 9.6 points in the 2nd half, which is 23rd.
Again, the Lions have not constantly won video games like this. No one has held a lead worse than Detroit since Matt Patricia took over in 2018, and its possible, possibly even most likely, the more conservative playcalling has actually contributed to their collapses.
Simply to repeat: Darrell Bevell has actually done great work in Detroit, consisting of in Arizona. I particularly loved how he got Jesse James involved, and when he did it. That third-and-short play that reviewed the top tricked everybody, then James captured a goal hand down fourth down and might have added another if Stafford didnt topple him. I dislike nitpicking playcalling due to the fact that its so easy to do when hindsight is 20/20, especially with a playcaller who is so damn great otherwise. However theres no doubt Detroits playcalling ends up being more conservative in the 2nd half, particularly when it holds the lead. Which more conservative playcalling has actually typically been less effective.
All informed, the Lions averaged just 5.2 backyards on first down in the second half, compared to 8.5 lawns in the first half.
Q: Why did they struggle to score TDs Sunday?– @TripleOGMixx
A: Not at all. Jacksonville (1-2) isnt excellent. Atlanta (0-3) is the only team in the league that can spend a fourth-quarter lead like Detroit. Indianapolis (2-1) does have a winning record, but those wins have actually come versus the winless Vikings and Jets. Then Detroit gets those winless Vikings, the one-win Washington Football Team, the one-win Panthers and then the winless Texans on Thanksgiving.
Q: Are we visiting more pressure and zone like we did last week or was this just a strategy anomaly? (I know they will not be a blitzing group by any methods however like possibly an extra couple times a game?)– @natesymonds
A: Dont know. They certainly mixed up their coverages more last week, moving into a zone almost half the time. Thats a big departure for the Lions, who have actually leaned on man coverage regularly than every other group in the league since Matt Patricia took over in 2018. They remained in man coverage 81.8% of the time last week in Green Bay, which led the league. And they actually played much more man the previous week versus Chicago (82.1%).
Q: Chances Marvin Jones is traded this year? Agreement is up after the season. Sort of deep at the position too. Appears like a Tate situation from a couple years earlier– @DetroitOilMoney
There are absolutely opportunities to make moves showing up, especially if the Lions can determine how to claw back to.500 going into it with a win on Sunday versus New Orleans.
Whether that variety sticks stays to be seen. League sources have verified to MLive that Matt Patricia still woke up this morning as Matt Patricia. And there isnt a coach in the league who loves man coverage more than that guy. Its printed on his DNA, and it may not alter regardless of the success Detroit found in Arizona.
A: As an eighth-year beat writer covering the Detroit Lions, I seem like Im in a distinctively reliable position to inform you to temper the hell out of your expectations guy.
Detroit is scoring goals on 46.2% of its red-zone opportunities this season, which is 27th in the league. The only groups who are worse, by the way, are the Bengals, Broncos, Panthers, Giants and Jets. Those guys are a combined 1-13-1. Its almost like scoring touchdowns is a fundamental part of winning games in a league where the margins are razor-thin. Maybe the Lions should consider doing it a little bit regularly.
Theres absolutely nothing Matt Patricia loves more than guy coverage. Well, perhaps “Star Wars.” The male really, actually enjoys “Star Wars.” (Thanks again for recommending “The Mandalorian,” Coach. Really enjoyable things.).
So relocating to a near 50-50 split between man and zone principles was quite unforeseen. Just ask Kyler Murray, who was selected off by Duron Harmon, then Jamie Collins, then Jeff Okudah. Thats three different players at three various positions who all caught Murray passes, then Harmon nearly included another. Detroit actually puzzled the young cornerback with all the different looks and muddied passing lanes.
The entire Swift thing actually puzzles me. He was the 35th overall pick in the draft, and just played 6 offensive snaps without carrying on. Uncertain whats going on there, whether hes banged up or not prepared to play or simply didnt element into the ball-control method.
A: Dont feel regrettable, since Im confused too. And I dont feel too bad, since even the Lions seem confused. After all, they simply paid Halapoulivaati Vaitai a $45 million contract to play right tackle, then moved him to best guard since they didnt wish to pay superior money for Graham Glasgow to play right guard. Vaitai went out there and allowed two sacks and was flagged for holding on a 52-yard bomb to Marvin Hall at the 2-minute warning.
Q: Is it odd that I feel confident with the schedule coming out of the bye week?– @thegibb2.
Q: What is the ideal beginning lineup at OL? Im truly puzzled at this moment.– @bigscanner.
Q: Has the training personnel offered their thinking for turning the RB position so often throughout video games? It does not feel like its situational but more like its whoever is standing closest to Bevell at the start of a drive.– @mbmiotto.
A: Adrian Peterson simply played more snaps (40) than Kerryon Johnson and DAndre Swift integrated (26 ). He also had more carries (22) for more yards (75) than Johnson and Swift integrated. Not truly sure what youre getting at. If anything, I question why precisely theyre leaning so heavily on a 35-year-old running back when they simply spent 2 of their last 3 second-round choices on guys who are hardly playing right now.
Having stated that, Im type of curious to see what happens with Kenny Golladay. Again, I do not think the Lions can manage to be sellers provided the mandate from ownership. Once again, Golladay is on the short list of real WR1s in this league. Hes also simply 26 years of ages, on a low-cost contract, and in a contract year. The Lions might get some calls about him. And if the Lions were to lose to New Orleans, Jacksonville and Atlanta, leaving them at 1-5 heading into the trade deadline on Nov. 3, they may need to listen, particularly if they believe theyll be not able to re-sign Golladay.
Q: Is now the time to temper expectations of the season reversing? Or ride the wave of excitement considered that we should be 2-1?– @TeeBritz.
Again, the Lions delivered a similar all-around beat down of the New England Patriots in Week 3 in 2018. Last year, they roared back to beat the Eagles in Philadelphia in Week 3.
A: I dont believe the Lions can pay for to be sellers at the due date this year. Not when ownership says they expect to see a playoff push, and then Detroit opened with back-to-back losses versus division competitors that are now a combined 6-0. Thats quite the early-season hole, and Matt Patricia requires to win some video games to conserve jobs.
Their integrated record the rest of the method those seasons: 5-21.
The Lions did a terrific task blending up their first-down playcalls in the very first half, passing seven times and running 8 times. Hey, if youre averaging 8.5 yards on initially down, youre probably moving the ball quite well, and thats exactly what the Lions were doing while developing a 17-13 lead.
A: It wasnt for a lack of chances. The Lions had 5 journeys into the red zone, however cashed them in for just two touchdowns. 2 of those drives stalled since of sacks, one permitted by Halapoulivaati Vaitai and the other by T.J. Hockenson. They got another red-zone chance due to the fact that of the Jeff Okudah pick, however Matthew Stafford overthrew Jesse James in the back of completion zone. Negative plays and overthrows are back-breakers in those last 20 lawns.
Again, the Lions have not constantly won video games like this. Given that last season, the Lions are averaging 15.0 points in the very first half. The Lions had 5 trips into the red zone, but cashed them in for just 2 touchdowns.
