Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell will be the first to tell you that there are no moral victories in the game of football. However, there are some positive takeaways after a hard-fought loss in the game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. The 2022 version of the Detroit Lions has a different mentality.
The Lions Have A Run Game
Even with the injury to the top two RGs on the offensive line Detroit ran the ball effectively on Sunday. The Lions racked up 181 yards and three touchdowns on the ground on one of the best defensive lines in the NFL. RB D’Andre Swift had a career-best 144 yards on 15 carries and one of those TDs. Jamaal Williams did the heavy lifting between the tackles scoring on two drives on the goalline. The emergence of the run game for the Lions was a positive takeaway.
Weapons In The Passing Game
Jared Goff got off to a slow start on Sunday. Goff threw a pick-six to James Bradberry in the second quarter. After several miscues, JG got it going, throwing passes to six different receivers during the game. Amon-Ra St Brown and DJ Chark made up for dropping a couple of passes early in the game, both WRs catching touchdowns during the second-half comeback attempt for Detroit. St. Brown led the team with eight receptions for 64 yards. The ability to spread the ball around is another positive takeaway.
Return Of The Silver Rush?
Detroit only had one sack of Jalen Hurts because of his elusiveness, but the Lions’ pass rush was in his face all game. The Motor City was home to one of the best pass-rushes in the league from 1979-1983, dubbed The Silver Rush because of how fast they got to the quarterback. Defensive Coordinator Aaron Glenn used a group of big, fast defensive linemen to pressure the Eagles’ QB all game long. The Lions are due to get back the Okwara Brothers from injury in the upcoming weeks, who are a pair of electric defensive ends themselves; it would not bode well for opposing quarterbacks. The ability to rush the passer is a positive takeaway for Detroit.
Okudah Had A Good Game
2020 Detroit Lions first-round draft pick Jeff Okudah’s career has gotten off to a rough start due to injuries. The number three overall pick made a concerted effort to up his game this offseason by working with a defensive back trainer. His hard work paid off against the Eagles. Matched up across speedster and 2021 first-round draft pick Devonta Smith for most of the game on Sunday, Okudah did not allow Smith to catch a pass on four targets. Jefe also had ten tackles vs. Philadelphia. The play of Okudah is one of the most positive takeaways for Detroit on Sunday.
The Lions will tell you there are no moral victories in football, but the Detroit Lions have a base to build on. The Detroit coaching staff has some things to clean up before the Washington Commanders come to town next week. MCDC and crew will have the team ready for the 1:00 PM kickoff.
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