NFL · 1 year ago

5 Things We Learned About the Detroit Lions on Wild Card Weekend

Ben DiGiacomo

Host · Writer

Didn’t Look Much Better Than the Rams
Yes, winning a playoff game can never be understated, but am I allowed to say I wasn’t impressed with how the Lions looked? I know the Rams were no slouch as they came into this game winning seven of their last eight, but I needed to see a dominant showing from the Lions’ to be convinced they could make a serious run at the NFC crown. Should they even win the Divisional Round, they won’t go into San Francisco and beat the 49ers because I’m not ruling out Philly getting their offense together or even the Bucs making some noise. You never know in this league, but I didn’t leave that night thinking the Lions can win it all.
They Won Their End of the Trade
The long-awaited return of Matthew Stafford was an epic one. Still, as the Lions pulled out their first playoff win since 1992, it was confirmed that they won their end of the trade by acquiring Jared Goff and the pieces around him, like Sam LaPorta, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Jameson Williams, to build one of the NFL’s best offense. While the Rams are also winners since they got a Super Bowl out of it, the Lions are set up well for the foreseeable future and showed Stafford precisely what he couldn’t accomplish across 12 seasons as the quarterback in the Motor City.
Ford Field is a Difference-Maker
Detroit showed up in the biggest of ways for their long-awaited home playoff game, and now they can thank their divisional opponent for gifting them another one! There is something to say about a home-field advantage that shows its importance through a television screen. Still, last night was on another level. That crowd made their presence known last night and in a one-point win. It can be said that Ford Field was worth a couple of points. We could have seen a completely different outcome if that game had been held in Sofi Stadium.
Pivotal to Continue and Build on Fast Starts
After leading 14-3 at the end of the first quarter, the Lions were outscored 20-10 in the final three quarters and needed Sean McVay’s lack of aggression to seal the win. Despite how flawless the first two drives may have looked for the Lions’ offense, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows afterward. Heading into the Divisional Round, the Lions’ offense needs to build on their fast starts because they don’t stand a chance against a consistent 49ers team or even an improved Eagles team should they get their act together against Tampa Bay.
Issues In Secondary
Matthew Stafford threw for 367 yards and two touchdowns and seemed to get whatever he wanted from the pocket, as the Lions’ secondary didn’t put up any opposition. Puka Nacua arguably was the best player on the field with his 181-yard performance, so obviously, with guys like Deebo Samuel, Mike Evans, and AJ Brown on deck, the Lions need to find a way to slow down high-powered offenses and fast.
Didn’t Look Much Better Than the Rams
Yes, winning a playoff game can never be understated, but am I allowed to say I wasn’t impressed with how the Lions looked? I know the Rams were no slouch as they came into this game winning seven of their last eight, but I needed to see a dominant showing from the Lions’ to be convinced they could make a serious run at the NFC crown. Should they even win the Divisional Round, they won’t go into San Francisco and beat the 49ers because I’m not ruling out Philly getting their offense together or even the Bucs making some noise. You never know in this league, but I didn’t leave that night thinking the Lions can win it all.
They Won Their End of the Trade
The long-awaited return of Matthew Stafford was an epic one. Still, as the Lions pulled out their first playoff win since 1992, it was confirmed that they won their end of the trade by acquiring Jared Goff and the pieces around him, like Sam LaPorta, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Jameson Williams, to build one of the NFL’s best offense. While the Rams are also winners since they got a Super Bowl out of it, the Lions are set up well for the foreseeable future and showed Stafford precisely what he couldn’t accomplish across 12 seasons as the quarterback in the Motor City.