The Detroit Lions are feeling optimistic about their start to the 2024 NFL season.
With a 2-1 record, they arguably beat themselves in Week 2 against the Buccaneers.
In response, Detroit traveled to Arizona, where they dominated the first half and managed to secure the victory.
So far this season, the Lions haven’t played a complete game like they did in 2023, but that isn’t necessarily negative.
They’re learning to win in different ways, which was evident in their unique win in Arizona.
Jared Goff, who had been on an upward trajectory since joining the Lions, received a significant four-year, $212 million extension in the offseason based on his past performance.
However, he seems to be regressing compared to his The Detroit Lions are feeling optimistic about their start to the 2024 NFL season.
With a 2-1 record, they arguably beat themselves in Week 2 against the Buccaneers. In response, Detroit traveled to Arizona, where they dominated the first half and managed to secure the victory.So far this season, the Lions haven’t played a complete game like they did in 2023, but that isn’t necessarily negative.
They’re learning to win in different ways, which was evident in their unique win in Arizona.
Jared Goff, who had been on an upward trajectory since joining the Lions, received a significant four-year, $212 million extension in the offseason based on his past performance.
However, he seems to be regressing compared to his successful 2023 season. Through three weeks of 2024, Goff has thrown more interceptions (4) than touchdowns (3), and all his interceptions appear to stem from discomfort in the pocket or poor decision-making.
This trend is concerning, as it deviates from the expected narrative around Goff.
He isn’t facing extreme pressure that forces turnovers; instead, he’s struggling even when the pocket is clean.
Until he can demonstrate improvement, Lions fans may need to temper their expectations for Goff this season.
On a brighter note, the running back duo of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs is shaping up to be the best in the NFL. This assertion might not seem particularly bold, but both players rank in the top 15 among NFL running backs in various statistical categories.
Montgomery has accumulated 231 rushing yards, placing him 8th in the league, while Gibbs follows closely with 207 yards, ranking 13th.
They also excel in touchdowns, rushing first downs, and first down percentages, especially when their stats are considered together.One critique of this duo is that they benefit from one of the league’s top offensive lines.
While this doesn’t diminish their abilities, it does contribute to their overall success compared to running backs in less favorable conditions.
Nevertheless, Montgomery and Gibbs complement each other perfectly, especially in a league that is increasingly leaning towards a run-heavy approach to counter defensive strategies like shell coverages.
By the end of the season, the Lions are likely to solidify the claim that Montgomery and Gibbs are the top running back tandem in the league.Defensively, the Lions have shown significant improvement compared to last season.
In 2023, they struggled with one of the worst defenses in the NFL, which was a significant hurdle for their offense and postseason ambitions.
However, the 2024 season has brought noticeable changes. Although the Lions might not boast a roster full of star players, they have been effective as a cohesive unit.
Through their first three games, the Lions have allowed 20 points or fewer in each matchup, putting them in the company of teams like the Vikings and other elite defenses in terms of points allowed.
While it may not be enough to definitively label them a top 10 defensive unit, it’s crucial to consider the context of their performances.The Lions have faced strong offenses, including the Rams, Buccaneers, and Cardinals, and they’ve been put in challenging situations due to Goff’s uncharacteristic struggles.
Despite this, the defense has held firm. Additionally, the Lions appear to have addressed their most significant issue from the previous year—a vulnerable secondary that was frequently exploited. This year, they are not allowing deep plays, a critical improvement that has contributed to their success.
If the Lions maintain their defensive performance and receive better support from the offense, they are well on their way to becoming a top 10 defensive unit in the NFL by mid-season.
Overall, the Lions are learning to navigate the challenges of the current season while showcasing promising developments in both their offense and defense.successful 2023 season.
Through three weeks of 2024, Goff has thrown more interceptions (4) than touchdowns (3), and all his interceptions appear to stem from discomfort in the pocket or poor decision-making.
This trend is concerning, as it deviates from the expected narrative around Goff. He isn’t facing extreme pressure that forces turnovers; instead, he’s struggling even when the pocket is clean.
Until he can demonstrate improvement, Lions fans may need to temper their expectations for Goff this season.
On a brighter note, the running back duo of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs is shaping up to be the best in the NFL.
This assertion might not seem particularly bold, but both players rank in the top 15 among NFL running backs in various statistical categories. Montgomery has accumulated 231 rushing yards, placing him 8th in the league, while Gibbs follows closely with 207 yards, ranking 13th.
They also excel in touchdowns, rushing first downs, and first down percentages, especially when their stats are considered together.
One critique of this duo is that they benefit from one of the league’s top offensive lines. While this doesn’t diminish their abilities, it does contribute to their overall success compared to running backs in less favorable conditions.
Nevertheless, Montgomery and Gibbs complement each other perfectly, especially in a league that is increasingly leaning towards a run-heavy approach to counter defensive strategies like shell coverages.
By the end of the season, the Lions are likely to solidify the claim that Montgomery and Gibbs are the top running back tandem in the league.Defensively, the Lions have shown significant improvement compared to last season.
In 2023, they struggled with one of the worst defenses in the NFL, which was a significant hurdle for their offense and postseason ambitions. However, the 2024 season has brought noticeable changes.
Although the Lions might not boast a roster full of star players, they have been effective as a cohesive unit.
Through their first three games, the Lions have allowed 20 points or fewer in each matchup, putting them in the company of teams like the Vikings and other elite defenses in terms of points allowed.
While it may not be enough to definitively label them a top 10 defensive unit, it’s crucial to consider the context of their performances.
The Lions have faced strong offenses, including the Rams, Buccaneers, and Cardinals, and they’ve been put in challenging situations due to Goff’s uncharacteristic struggles.
Despite this, the defense has held firm. Additionally, the Lions appear to have addressed their most significant issue from the previous year—a vulnerable secondary that was frequently exploited.
This year, they are not allowing deep plays, a critical improvement that has contributed to their success.
If the Lions maintain their defensive performance and receive better support from the offense, they are well on their way to becoming a top 10 defensive unit in the NFL by mid-season.
Overall, the Lions are learning to navigate the challenges of the current season while showcasing promising developments in both their offense and defense.
