MichiganCardinal

This is actually pretty remarkable as analytics goes. I know their DNA is shutting down the run, playing sticky coverage, and forcing 3rd and long... but why would any defensive back want to come here when you're just leaving them on an island? This is a roster management problem, not a talent one. Not to mention, the run defense hasn't been as stout as it needs to be if that's going to be your plan.

So is Laken Tomlinson. Holmes needs to assemble the Lions Draft Pick Dream Team to break this curse once and for all.

The problem will be protection. The Dallas pass rush is decent. The offense will need to find quick looks, utilize misdirection, and for the sake of all that is holy establish the run to allow for some effective play action. And so OF COURSE Penei hurt his shoulder at practice and was an NP today while Awosika hurt his foot and was an LP. I WANT OFF THIS RIDE!!

They moved the ball fairly well against Green Bay despite ASB going out on the first drive. 24 points should have been enough if the defense wasn't so bad. Dallas has a worse secondary than Green Bay.

After the week this team has had, they should really just open a can of whoop ass on the Cowboys. With every reason in the world to count them out, come out and win this game 41-10 or something.

The stakes in the game aren't there any more. It feels intuitively like it is worth less to the average fan who does not care who wins. I'm pretty sure I won't watch, even though I will likely watch most of the playoffs. I'm sure millions will, but it doesn't seem as must-watch as it once was. In 2023, let alone pre-2014, a game between #1 12-0 Ohio State and #2 12-0 Indiana would be massive. One team makes it, the other doesn't(?) Or should they anyway? The stories write themselves. Now they're just playing for maybe a first round bye. They will very likely both get one regardless. Could you blame Day or Cignetti if they rested some starters in the second half? I don't think they will, an undefeated season and Big Ten Championship are on the line. But what do those mean in the grand scheme of things when just playing in the game is enough to compete for a national championship? And when any rematch would be played at a neutral site anyway? I don't think NBC sells this game unless they are worried about the money they would make on the game itself.

To be abundantly clear, I'm not one of these fair-weather knee-jerk fans calling for firings. That's some of the dumbest nonsense on the internet today, and there is a lot of dumb nonsense on the internet. But I do think it's fair to be critical - or at least frustrated - at a second consecutive season where the Lions should be contending for a Super Bowl, only to see the season start coming off the rails as injuries pile up.

Moseley I'll accept as a boom-bust kind of free agent acquisition who wasn't meant to play a significant role, but he was then re-signed to the team for the following year. He was meant to see the field. I imagine it's hard to coach a team when you have a spot, even a role spot, earmarked for a player who then never makes it onto the field and who you can't rely on being out there. Davenport I'll push back on though. He was signed to be the edge across from Hutch last year, and then re-signed for the same role this year. And he's played in what, five games total? And was totally absent on Thanksgiving. His absence has caused guys like Muhammed, Lacy, and Wheat to be forced into playing time, despite not being very high quality NFL players. Muhammed has been riding the NFL practice squad rotation for six teams, while Lacy and Wheat were picked up off of waivers after being released elsewhere just this year. And other times they're forcing a square peg into a round hole playing Alim at DE. Fans are usually wrong, myself included, but it's hard to deny this team would be better with a real pass-rushing threat (who is consistently on the field) across from Hutchinson. It feels like that's been the case ever since they drafted him. Maybe that can be Hassanein, when he gets healthy again. Frustrating.

Levi's back issues were a known thing from his days at Washington, although he missed no games and no one predicted they would be such a huge problem in the NFL. Paschal had his melanoma diagnosis at Kentucky. Again fair to point out that it didn't cost him any games over three years, but that was also something the Lions knew of and selected him anyway. I do think Holmes tends to overlook the injury histories of players when he sees their talent outweigh the risk. And that's great when it works out (see: Levi in 2024, Jamo). But for as many guys as it's worked out for, it feels like twice as many never actually see the field (see: Levi in 2025, Davenport, Moseley, Rakestraw).

Ehhhh I don’t really fault the Lions for that one. He’s only got 90 pass rush snaps because you might as well have 10 players on the field if they run it at him. A team like Dallas can afford to have a player who only contributes 5-10 snaps per game. But he won’t be on the field if Detroit can gain five yards between 1st and 2nd down.

I understand on an intellectual level Holmes’ philosophy on injured players. “Everyone is injured in the NFL, if you can get an ‘Injury prone’ talent in the 2nd round who would otherwise be a 1st round talent, do it.” Same for free agency but with money. And then just rotate everyone and try to keep them all on the field. I get it. It makes sense. But you’re now looking at a second season derailed by many of those injury prone guys not being on the field. Levi and Paschal saw a combined zero snaps this season. Davenport has been a complete non-factor over two seasons. I’m not going to Monday Morning QB the NFL Draft, especially not with the hits Holmes has had. But two 2nd round replacements on the defensive line who actually see the field would make a world of difference about now.

What I get for being optimistic

With how doom and gloom it's been around here (and yes, how mid they have been playing), it's easy to miss that they are only 2 games out of the 1-seed with a tiebreaker in hand over the 1-seed. To be clear, I'm not saying that the Lions are going to be the 1-seed. But it's not as if anybody is lighting the world on fire in the NFC right now. Every time you think there is a clear front runner, they drop a game they shouldn't. If the defense returns to how they played early in the season and the offense can score 24 points per game, they'll likely beat the Cowboys, Steelers, and Vikings. Rams would likely be a one-possession game, one way or the other. You beat the Bears by 30 last time you saw them. It hasn't been pretty, but they've done enough so far to be on the graphic. From December on, it's just about who is going to get hot. But to your point about talent, if you asked 14 NFC teams right now whether they'd rather play the Lions or Bears in a must-win game this Sunday, I bet you get 14 "Bears" without much thought. As you said, this team is one of the most talented in the NFL, it's just not clicking right this second. Feels like they need to open a can of whoop ass against the Cowboys to right the ship.

Coaching buyouts and contracts are out of bleeping control.

They’re no more legit than the 2024 Vikings. Analytics don’t lie. Analytics call them one of the worst 9-3 teams in NFL history. They’re overdue for an ass kicking of their own.

LSU is going to bankrupt their state through head coaching buyouts. When Kiffin goes 8-4 in 2029, how much will they have to pay him?

Offense looked identical to last year. Rushing wasn’t good but got a few plays. Took advantage of one turnover, compared to two last year. Passing was nonexistent. Defense was worse than last year, in part due to Ohio State having an actual game plan. But ultimately nobody paid $10MM for this performance. Underwood has to be so much better.

I know the sense here is that going 4-1 would be a shock to the world, but that would likely be just winning the games they are favored in. Cowboys, Steelers, and Vikings they’ll be favorites. Rams they’ll be dogs. Week 18 is always weird, but I would expect them to come into Week as favorites there too if the game will matter.

Was a nice run.

Day is playing scared punting on 4th and 2 there. Bad decision.

Just pitch and catch on every need-to-have-it. You're not out of it, but you better find an answer in the next 20 minutes or you're toast and a lot of the benefit of the doubt provided to Moore over the last year evaporates.

vs. Setting: 12/04/2025 8:15pm on Prime Site: Ford Field in Detroit, MI Weather: Climate Controlled Opening Spread: Lions -3.5 All-Time Series Record: Cowboys lead, 19-13 Last Meeting: 10/13/2024, Lions won 47-9 Green Bay Packers (6-5-1) Head Coach: Brian Schottenheimer (1st Season: 6-5-1) Projected Starting QB: Dak Prescott (10th Season: 79-49-1) Last Week: 31-28 W vs. Kansas City Chiefs (6-6) Looking Ahead to Week #15: Sunday Night vs. Minnesota Vikings (4-7) Your Detroit Lions (7-5) Head Coach: Dan Campbell (5th Season: 46-33-1) Projected Starting QB: Jared Goff (10th Season: 88-57-1) Last Game: 31-24 L vs. Green Bay Packers (8-3-1) Looking Ahead to Week #15: Sunday @ Los Angeles Rams (9-2) Elsewhere in the NFL Primetime: Texans @ Chiefs (SNF), Eagles @ Chargers (MNF) 1:00pm: Seahawks @ Falcons, Steelers @ Ravens, Titans @ Browns, Colts @ Jaguars, Commanders @ Vikings, Dolphins @ Jets, Saints @ Buccaneers, Bengals @ Bills 4:05/4:25pm: Broncos @ Raiders, Bears @ Packers, Rams @ Cardinals BYE: Panthers, Patriots, Giants, and 49ers

The bipolarity of replay review drives me absolutely crazy. Calling that a touchback is the natural consequence of every prior decision in instant replay. But this particular crew on this particular Saturday decided to draw the line short of calling that a touchback. Why? Vibes.

"After further review, we now know what the call should be, but decided it should be upheld anyway."

Am I crazy, or is that a touchback??