MichiganCardinal

I was listening to Campbell's press conference and this quote stuck out to me. I'm pretty sure I heard it as "reliable playerS" though, as in multiple. This is as close to a call-out as you'll hear Campbell get and I think it's addressed to multiple guys on the defensive front.

I guess "good team" depends on your parameters. I'm not calling the Falcons a top ten team by any means, but they were my pick to win the NFC South, which I don't think is a hot take, especially now that they're 2-0. I also thought we would lose this game when I picked game-by-game preseason. (Though I thought we'd lose to the Chiefs and beat the Seahawks, so grain of salt and all that). I think it's silly to claim the Lions are SOL if they start 1-2. The Patriots, Chargers, Bengals, and Vikings are all 0-2 teams that could still make the playoffs. Them, plus the Bills, Chiefs, Jaguars, and Seahawks are all teams that could be 1-2 next week, many of whom still look like fairly decent locks for a playoff berth. Hell, we are tied for the lead in the NFC North, and still will be with a loss and Green Bay loss to New Orleans. Every game in the NFL is a battle and you're going to win some and lose some. You can't go 1-6 and expect to make the playoffs, but I'm confident that wins are coming for this team.

The Falcons are good and anyone who cries SOL if we lose this game is just being reactionist. The Falcons offense, between Ridder and Bijan, is hard to defend. Ridder is dangerous when he is allowed to run the ball, but isn't terribly good as passing. He's an NFL QB, so he'll still make the throws that are open in the short to intermediate range. I think they will try to run with Ridder quite a bit and our linebackers will be tested in containing him. That said, they also should have lost to the Packers. Green Bay had a 24-12 lead going into the 4th quarter and were outscored 13-0 in the 4th quarter. Through two games, Atlanta has outscored opponents 27-0 in the 4th quarter, something to be aware of. Potential for a look-ahead game for both teams. Lions have a short turnaround to travel to Green Bay for Thursday Night, Falcons are traveling to London after this game. Injuries will play a role here, a little worried to see the report on Wednesday. We already know Houston is out, sounds like Montgomery is too. If Decker and Vaitai are both out as well, I'm very concerned for our rushing game.

I'm not that worried. This game was deflating (mostly due to having such a great crowd), but it wasn't devastating (the word the Freep used). I don't care about the first half turnover because it was not one in any practical sense, but if they don't turn the ball over twice in the second half and gift wrap 14 points, they win the game handily. This is what I meant yesterday in the other thread when I said the Lions were more talented. Even as it was, they were probably a coin toss away from winning the game. Stupid rule. They were out-coached by Pete Carroll, but I don't think that's really a slight on Campbell. Carroll had a truly phenomenal game plan while missing two offensive tackles. We weren't generating pressure, but part of that was because Carroll was scheming Geno's first look to be wide open. His average time in the pocket felt very low. That's not to say there weren't a couple of plays where he had all day, but largely the ball was getting out quick. Glenn doesn't really believe in blitzing for whatever reason, but I don't think it was unreasonable to think that Hutch, Houston, and Harris could and should be able to win one-on-one, and they weren't, either because there wasn't enough time or because they just weren't winning battles they should win. This team seems to love Charles Harris, but I'm not sure why through two games. He has not looked like an impact player at all. RE Campbell, I thought he should have probably punted on the 4th down while up in our own territory, and I thought we should have been more aggressive with the ball late in regulation. It felt like we were moving the ball masterfully into field goal range, working the clock well, and then the 2nd and 7(?) play failed, and we got scared. I know our kicker isn't great, but I don't think there was relative benefit to playing field position there, so long as Goff doesn't take a sack. If Patterson was going to miss a 45-yard field goal he'd probably miss a 40-yard field goal too. I thought the right play there was to get one play to the 10 and, if successful, two shots at the end zone. If it didn't, field goal from 4th and 7. With these OT rules, don't let it possibly come down to a coin toss if you can help it. That said, I don't think either of those mistakes were necessarily terrible decisions, just not things I would have done, that also didn't work. They're still far better than they were at this point last year, and they were a team that vastly improved as the season progressed last year (like good teams do). I think they've looked like the best team in the division, and the season will come down to winning those. If we go 5-1 like last year, I am very confident we will host a home playoff game. The out-of-division schedule should get a little easier as we go too, with games against the Panthers, Bucs, and Raiders to come.

vs. Setting: 09/24/2023 1:00pm on FOX Site: Ford Field in Detroit, MI Weather: Climate Controlled Opening Spread: Lions -4.0 All-Time Series Record: Lions lead, 25-14 Last Meeting: 12/26/2021, Falcons won 20-16 Atlanta Falcons (2-0) Head Coach: Arthur Smith (3rd Season: 16-20) Projected Starting QB: Desmond Ridder (2nd Season: 4-2) Last Game: 25-24 W v. Green Bay Packers (1-1) Looking Ahead to Week #4: Sunday v. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1) in London Your Detroit Lions (1-1) Head Coach: Dan Campbell (3rd Season: 13-22-1) Projected Starting QB: Jared Goff (8th Season: 55-46-1) Last Game: 37-31 L in OT v. Seattle Seahawks (1-1) Looking Ahead to Week #4: TNF @ Green Bay Packers (1-1) Elsewhere in the NFL Primetime: Giants @ 49ers (TNF), Steelers @ Raiders (SNF), Eagles @ Buccaneers (MNF), Rams @ Bengals (MNF) 1:00pm: Colts @ Ravens, Chargers @ Vikings, Titans @ Browns, Texans @ Jaguars, Saints @ Packers, Broncos @ Dolphins, Patriots @ Jets, Bills @ Commanders 4:05/4:25pm: Panthers @ Seahawks, Cowboys @ Cardinals, Bears @ Chiefs

The definitely persevered. I think they would have won if they won the toss.

I’m not all about overreaction city. But it’s just stupid mistakes that are costing them. Turn over the ball, lose football games. Easy as that. Pete Carroll had a phenomenal game plan but the Lions were the more talented team and still lost. Gotta square that damn quick.

That hold was glaringly obvious.

I’ve never seen the place as packed as it is ten minutes before game time.

At least he’s not Mel Tucker

I think this will be their Plan B if Nelson can’t hold his own. I don’t think they want to move Vaitai if they can help it.

Too bad a fight broke out pregame between players and coaches.

I did not buy a mask. Too itchy and hot.

It’s crazy to me that Decker played as well as he did in the second half against KC while injured significantly enough to be potentially out of a game ten days later.

If the Vikings stay on this trajectory, does Jefferson go on the trade block? (Not saying they’d ever send him here, or that it would make sense).

Look at all the naïve Eagles fans, excited about Swift. Give it two weeks y’all, he’ll be questionable with a lingering <fill in the blank>.

The way Swift is gaining yards on Minnesota’s defense, Monty and Gibbs should be salivating. Long way to wait though.

FOX. Paying for games is only a TNF thing for now.

Hey. Me and the 18 others present two years ago are deeply offended.

Wasn’t it Swift who dropped a pass in his rookie debut here and likely cost us a game against the Bears?

I could see MSU administration prioritizing stability and safety over a sure winner in their next pick. Barnett and Chris Creighton are the two that come to mind. Not flashy, not likely to take them to the CFP, but also not likely to embarrass the school or program. edit for clarity - I don’t think either would be a bad hire or “less than”. I actually think Creighton is an extremely underrated coach for what he’s done in Ypsilanti.

Minnesota’s first-place schedule is not enviable. They’ve got Philly, LAC, KC, SF, and Cincinnati on the schedule, in addition to their divisional games. They really couldn’t afford to lose to Tampa last week. That said, I don’t think they’re going to take going 7-10 lying down. They’ll be a tough team as long as Kirk can throw the ball in the vicinity of Justin Jefferson and know that he’ll probably come down with it.

Kind of feels like the team is feeding off that energy, so I’m cool with it lol