ALLEN PARK, Mich. — The Detroit Lions recently faced their first defeat in a quarter of a year, marking a significant moment for the team. Head coach Dan Campbell addressed the situation with a calm demeanor on Monday, asserting that there’s no need for alarm. “This is not time to freak out and panic and start acting like things are worse than they are,” he emphasized.
Despite Campbell’s reassurance, he expressed frustration over the team’s defensive performance, which allowed a staggering 48 points in a narrow, six-point loss against the Buffalo Bills, who have clinched the AFC East title. “Losing is one thing; it’s also how we lost that puts a bad taste in your mouth,” he added, reflecting on the disappointing outcome.
The Lions (12-2) not only saw their impressive 11-game winning streak come to an end but also suffered significant injuries to key players. Running back David Montgomery, defensive tackle Alim McNeill, cornerback Carlton Davis, and special teams player Khalil Dorsey all left the game with injuries. Campbell disclosed that Montgomery and McNeill require surgery for knee injuries sustained during the game, while Dorsey underwent surgery after fracturing his leg. Davis is now sidelined indefinitely due to a jaw injury.
Despite these setbacks, the Lions maintain aspirations for retaining their NFC North title and securing the top seed in the conference playoffs. They are slated to face the Chicago Bears this coming Sunday. Quarterback Jared Goff, who achieved a personal and team milestone by throwing five touchdown passes and amassing 494 yards against Buffalo, shared a positive outlook. “I’m sure there will be a ton of stuff written about the sky falling, but no, internally, we’re good,” he stated. Goff expressed hopes of using the experience gained from the loss to better prepare for the remaining games before the playoffs.
After the Bears, Detroit will challenge the San Francisco 49ers the following week and will wrap up the regular season at home against the Minnesota Vikings, which could be crucial in determining the division champion.
What’s been successful for the Lions is their scoring prowess. They have scored more than 40 points for the fifth time this season, matching a record set by the 1952 team. However, there are areas needing improvement, particularly their hurry-up offense. Campbell highlighted the slow pace during a crucial drive against Buffalo, saying, “No excuse for that. That’ll be something that we talk about.”
On a positive note, Tim Patrick has emerged as a key contributor in the absence of Josh Reynolds, having stepped up as the team’s No. 3 receiver this season. After recovering from injuries that sidelined him for two years, Patrick has recorded 31 receptions for 379 yards, including three touchdowns in the last two games.
Conversely, center Frank Ragnow’s performance declined in the most recent game, as he was penalized for holding twice and struggled to create running lanes for his teammates. The offensive line as a whole faced challenges, allowing Goff to be sacked three times, a stark contrast to the previous two games where they only surrendered two sacks.
The implications of the injuries to Montgomery, McNeill, and Dorsey could be considerable for the team moving forward. Campbell noted the harsh reality that “nobody cares,” emphasizing that there won’t be any leniency due to their circumstances.
In a concerning statistic, once McNeill is placed on injured reserve, he will join the unfortunate list as the eighth Lions defensive lineman to see such a designation. As the team prepares for upcoming matches, Campbell intends to conduct challenging practices this week to identify potential replacements for the injured players, particularly McNeill and Davis.