By: VINCENT MENDOZA / STAFF WRITER
After a shaky start to open the season, the scorching hot Detroit Lions improve to franchise-best 7-1 after a 24-14 week nine victory against the divisional rival Green Bay Packers. Their 7-1 record, including a six game winning streak, stands alone atop the NFC and second in the entire NFL. They trail just behind the back-to-back defending champion Kansas City Chiefs who have started the season 8-0.
Detroit’s offense, led by head coach Dan Campbell and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, is rolling on all cylinders. The Lions are first in points per game, averaging 32.3, first in point differential, outscoring their opponents by 13.7 points per game, second in total touchdowns with 32 and have already achieved three 40+ point games, all resulting in blowout victories. This lethal offense isn’t spearheaded by one individual, rather a full team effort and it starts in the backfield.
The Motor City running back duo of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, who now go by the nickname Sonic and Knuckles, are widely regarded as the best RB duo in the NFL and for good reason. Throughout nine weeks, Gibbs has totaled 103 carries for 656 yards (6.4 yds/att.) while Montgomery has tallied 110 carries for 488 yards (4.4 yds/att.). Both have scored seven touchdowns, tying for third best in the NFL.
Under center, Jared Goff has been nothing short of phenomenal for Detroit. Goff has completed 158 of his 211 passing attempts, throwing for 1,840 passing yds and 14 tds with only 4 ints. The three-time Pro-Bowler leads the NFL in completion percentage at 74.9% and is second in quarterback rating at 115.0, only behind the reigning MVP Lamar Jackson.
During the course of Detroit’s six-game win streak, Goff has proven to be an elite decision maker and one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the league. The 2016 first overall pick has had the highest completion percentage (82.8) and quarterback rating (140.0) during any six-game span in NFL history. Along with that, Goff has completed his last 30 targets to his wide receiver one, Amon-Ra St. Brown, a streak that has been going since their week three victory against the Arizona Cardinals. Based on the difficulty of each catch, the chances of keeping the streak going were 1 in 780,000 (or 0.0001%), according to Next Gen Stats.
Speaking of St. Brown, the two-time Pro Bowler has continued to get better, strengthening the connection between him and his QB. In eight games played, St. Brown has totaled 48 receptions for 464 yds and 6 receiving TDs, tied for second most in the NFL. Although these numbers are down from previous years, Goff does not have to utilize his wide receivers as much due to the dominance of the running back duo in Gibbs and Montgomery. This also reigns true for tight end Sam LaPorta, who despite receiving less targets this season, has been an integral part of the Lions’ success.
Much of this success can also be attributed to Detroit's offensive line, widely regarded as the best offensive line in the league, who are led by 2021 seventh overall pick and two-time Pro-Bowler Penei Sewell.
Despite the loss of defensive star Aidan Hutchinson, who was leading the league in sacks by a good margin before his season-ending injury in a week six blowout victory against the Dallas Cowboys, as well as minor injuries to D-lineman Josh Pascal and Malcolm Rodriguez, the Lions defense led by defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, has continued to play very well, holding opponents to just 18.5 ppg. The safety duo of Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph have done amazing things for the Lions secondary, totaling 10 interceptions in the eight games played so far. On the defensive line, left defensive tackle Alim NcNeil and middle linebacker Alex Anzalone have stepped up in the absence of Hutchinson, keeping the Lions in the top half of the NFL in pressures.
Heading into their week 10 primetime matchup against the 6-3 Houston Texans, the Lions will not only be getting back wide receiver Jameson Williams, who missed the last two games serving a suspension after violating the league’s PED’s guidelines but will also be adding defensive end Za’Darius Smith who they received in a trade with the Cleveland Browns. These additions will only catapult the Lions into even more dominance than what they’ve already presented.
The Detroit Lions led by Coach of the Year candidate Dan Campbell and MVP candidate Jared Goff, have proven time and time again that they are here to stay. Lions fans across the country are extremely optimistic about their chances to see their favorite team, who has quite frankly been one of the worst franchises in the NFL since its existence, have a chance to attend their first ever Super Bowl in franchise history — and possibly bring a championship home.
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