MichiganCardinal

Some analytics instead of work this morning. Since 2023 week one, including playoffs, the Lions have scored 152 points in the 1st quarter (25%), 190 points in the 2nd quarter (31%), 101 points in the 3rd quarter (17%), and 163 points in the 4th quarter (27%). That would seem to spell a 3rd quarter problem. But, they have led at the half in 17 of the 23 games in that stretch (74%). In 8 of those games (35%), they have led by more than 8 points at the half. They have a good tendency to start strong out of the gate. And they don't tend to lose that lead either. In those 17 games, they are 14-3. In the 8 games with two-possession leads (including yesterday), they are 7-1. The only loss they have suffered after taking an 9+ point lead into the half was in the NFC Championship Game. Oof. That is to say though, it's not like they are often playing from behind, desperately needing third quarter points, and are just making crazy comebacks in the 4th quarter to make up for it. I think it's their strategy (which is working more often than not) to slow the game down and control the pace in the second half after getting out to a 1st half lead, and a natural consequence of that is that you're going to score less. Furthermore, when they are not leading at the half, the stats change. In those 6 games, they have scored 26 points in the 1st quarter (22%), 10 points in the 2nd quarter (9%), 35 points in the 3rd quarter (30%), and 45 points in the 4th quarter (39%). Those are different games, and call for different strategy at the half.

We can complain about the offense if we want, it's a free country message board, but yesterday's offense was not the one that caused me anxiety like week one, or to yank hair out like week two. I think the Lions offense was playing chess yesterday. Whether you win 34-13 or 20-13, it's all one win in the standings. After the trick play put them up two scores heading into the half, they had scored a touchdown on three of their four first half drives. I think there was a conscious decision to play a little more conservatively and to trust the defense. Not to show too much of the playbook, to run the ball behind your tackles, to control TOP, and to not turn the ball over. They mostly succeeded, and ultimately they did succeed because they won the game. By the time it became a one-possession game again, there was less than 4:00 to go. The strategy changes again at that point, to just not giving the Cardinals the ball back. It's not like against the Rams where they were just constantly going three and out, they only went three and out once in the second half. Or the Bucs where they were shooting themselves in the foot in the red zone, they were 2/2 in the red zone. Now, ideally, that strategy still gets you points. Getting shut out in a half is never a good thing. And ideally, you've learned from last year that against better teams in bigger games, no lead is safe. But yesterday I really think if the defense was struggling to get stops, the attitude would have changed and they would have successfully moved the ball a little more aggressively.

I said the same thing when they went for it on 4th and medium with four minutes left. Mahomes is going to get the ball back no matter what, make it a two-point game and trust your defense to make a stop.

If true, I apologize. It's the only one I saw, because the Lion King account had retweeted it. I'm not here to fear monger!

Conversation starters: 1. Debut of the all black uniforms! 2. Why are we sharing Monday Night Football with Will Levis and Skylar Thompson?!? 3. Can we please - for the love of God - beat this stupid freakin' team that we play every freakin' year???

We are comparing two of the worst owners in football, but I think Khan would very much prefer to be hands off. Urban Meyer forced his hand with just how terrible he was.

vs. Setting: 09/30/2024 8:15pm EST on ABC Site: Ford Field in Detroit, MI Weather: Climate Controlled Opening Spread: Lions -4.5 All-Time Series Record: Seahawks lead, 13-5 Last Meeting: 09/17/2023, Seahawks won 37-31 in OT Seattle Seahawks (3-0) Head Coach: Mike Macdonald (1st Season: 3-0) Projected Starting QB: Geno Smith (12th Season: 33-36) Last Week: 24-3 W vs. Miami Dolphins Looking Ahead to Week #5: Sunday vs. New York Giants (1-2) Your Detroit Lions (2-1) Head Coach: Dan Campbell (4th Season: 26-27-1) Projected Starting QB: Jared Goff (9th Season: 68-51-1) Last Week: 20-13 W @ Arizona Cardinals (1-2) Looking Ahead to Week #5: BYE Elsewhere in the NFL Primetime: Cowboys @ Giants (TNF), Bills @ Ravens (SNF), Titans @ Dolphins (7:30pm MNF) 1:00pm: Saints @ Falcons, Vikings @ Packers, Bengals @ Panthers, Rams @ Bears, Jaguars @ Texans, Steelers @ Colts, Broncos @ Jets, Eagles @ Buccaneers 4:05/4:25pm: Commanders @ Cardinals, Patriots @ 49ers, Chiefs @ Chargers, Browns @ Raiders

Reminds me of Wings-Coyotes games back in the day.

Mike McCarthy's seat is now just a bonfire.

Water tends to find its balance around weeks 5 or 6. Good teams get on a roll, bad teams get figured out.

Cowboys are trying to make a comeback too. Down 3 with 2:28 remaining.

RE 49ers-Rams How did only two seconds pass on that field goal??

We saw in the first half that last year's offense did not go extinct. In the second half, they had a two-possession lead for the majority of the time they had the ball. Speaking for myself, I was never really all that worried. The defense was in total control. When those are the circumstances, why take chances? Trust the run, trust the punter, trust the defense. It worked.

To be fair..... It was good enough today.

Hahahahaha **** the 49ers

Insane amount of Honolulu blue in that shot.

THAT'S MY DUAL THREAT QUARTERBACK!!!!!!

Monty-Monty-Monty is the answer on the next three plays.

Even if they took three knees here, the clock would have less than 40 seconds left when the Cards get the ball back.

ASB when you need him most!!!

Lions lead TOP 33:01 to 23:11 entering this drive.

I have to assume after this season, everyone from the peanut vendor to the bullpen catcher is getting fired. Might as well make a name for yourself on the way out the door.

Finally!

I stand by this, but when Jack Fox is your punter, I guess that makes sense too. Make them go 94 yards.