If there was a definition in Webster’s Dictionary for a bounce back game in the National Football League, the Lions’ Monday night game would’ve been it. It doesn’t matter that we got slapped around by the Ravens last week, the Lions returned to Ford Field and gave the fans a bigtime win. Once again, we’re sipping on the blue Kool-Aid.

Now as much as I am going to celebrate the 26-14 win, it’s important to note that we really did not play super well for most of this game. The offensive line was letting Max Crosby through pretty much all four quarters, they we’re lucky that Jimmy Garoppolo missed Davante Adams on what would be two touchdown passes, and we had to settle for four field goals. But with all that being said, a win is a win.

It's criminal that I waited this long in the article to mention his name, but Jahmyr Gibbs just had his statement game that all of us fans have been waiting for. A casual 26 carries for 152 yards and a touchdown with an additional 37 yards receiving for the Alabama rookie, meaning he has a touchdown for each game that he has started in this season. Loving what we’re seeing from the guy.

The rest of the offense was pretty much the same as what we’ve witnessed so far, Jared Goff had what could be classified as a slow night going 26/37 with 272 yards while double dipping the stat sheet with a touchdown and an interception. Sam LaPorta once again showed how even though it’s early in his career, he is already one of the best tight ends in the NFL by catching for 57 yards and a touchdown. Amon Ra St. Brown said forget the injury, let me pick up a quick 108 yards receiving and get some crucial first downs.

My only question for this whole team though is can Jameson Williams consistently catch a football? He won’t be getting the targets that he wants from Jared Goff if he can’t even wrangle in a football that is right in his hands. I don’t understand it, and I don’t think I ever will, how do you drop balls that consistently if that is your job that you are paid millions of dollars to do so?

Regardless of my questioning, I am glad our defense reminded everyone what they were capable of after the dumpster fire that was last weekend. Alex Anzalone and Alim McNeil notched two sacks a piece, and Julian Okwara got in the mix with a sack as well. Kerby Joseph had what some could say the easiest interception of his life when Garoppolo chucked it into double coverage and underthrew Davante Adams by a handful of yards.

Special shoutout to Riley Patterson for treating his fantasy owners to a 4/5 performance in field goals and going 2/2 for the extra points. Kickers are people too, and I think a lot of us forget that. Thank you, Riley, we needed this.

The Raiders on the other hand need to figure out what is going on sooner rather than later. They lost to the Bears last week with backup quarterback Brian Hoyer under center, they’re not utilizing Davante Adams properly, and Maxx Crosby is quite literally the only thing they have going when it comes to any defensive pressure. They’ve lost 3 of their last five games, and by the looks of it they might lose to the Giants and Jets in these next two weeks.

Keep in mind that as I write this article, the Trade deadline has not yet been closed, and in my opinion, Brad Holmes needs to make a move now to help out the defense. I mentioned it last week, but we are in desperate need of another pass rusher. We’re in luck because there are some that are available, like Chase Young and Maxx Crosby, but I doubt that Holmes and the front office will do anything as much as it hurts me to say so.

Not to mention that before this game, Crosby, who is a Michigan native and grew up a Lions fan, said before the game that he had this one circled on his calendar. Reminder that the Lions passed on him three times in the 2019 draft, so there could be some bad blood in the water.

Only time will tell if we get a new player to adorn the Honolulu Blue, and I am begging for Holmes to make a move before we take on the Chargers next week in San Diego. Because if we don’t, I have a bad feeling that the Keenan Allen and Justin Herbert connection will be just too much for us to handle.

 

Lions have a bye this week. They travel to LA to take on the Chargers 11/12.

All Detroit Lion football games air on WBRN 1460am, 107.7fm, & 96.5fm.

 

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