Detroit Lions

[Reverend Conehead]

I know it's only one game so far, but this team looks for real. That O-line lets them run down people's throats, and when they do need to pass, Jared Goff is looking way, way better than in past seasons. They beat the Super Bowl champ, who was playing well, not like garbage. I know they have 16 games to go, and there's no guarantee that a team can sustain this level of play, but they've certainly made a good start. Their coaching staff came up with an excellent game plan. If they keep this up, they're going places. Goff finally looks like a first overall draft pick.

 

[Birch_Wood]

The Lions played a hard game and never gave up. They looked consistent at times. But Mahomes receivers missed some key catches. I agree they had a good start.

 

[rags747]

An OL that we would like to have!

 

[Reverend Conehead]

An OL that we would like to have!

Yes! The Lions have figured out what I thought the Cowboys had figured out in 2014. A good O-line is of paramount importance. If you have a great O-line, you can have an awesome running game as long as you have a good running back. He doesn't have to be a Barry Sanders, but he shouldn't be a scrub either. But a competent running back can get you good yardage via the run. And that takes pressure off your QB. He doesn't have to be great on every play, and then defenders have to stack the box to have any hope of stopping the run. And that opens up passing opportunities. And if your O-line is so great that you can run even when they know you're going to run, you can chew up the clock and dominate time of possession. If you have a lead toward the end and need to kill the clock, you can run for first downs, using up all the time, icing your win.
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I don't like the NFL's pass happy trend. I also don't like the trend of overpaying quarterbacks while underpaying linemen.
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We'll see how Detroit keeps playing. If they can sustain the level they had on Thursday, this team's got a shot at the Super Bowl. Granted, that's an IF. There are no guarantees in this league, but we'll see what the Lions do as the season goes on. It didn't look like a fluke to me, but we'll see.