The Detroit Lions Podcast

A surprising hire, a clear philosophy The Detroit Lions have their new offensive coordinator. Drew Petzing is in. On the Detroit Lions Podcast, Russell Brown and Scott Bischoff sifted through first impressions and got to the substance. Initial reactions felt muted. The shiny name wasn't coming. But the more they worked through scheme and personnel, the more the hire fit what the Lions want to be in the NFL. They pushed back on the noise. Fans cherry-picked stats. Few considered what Petzing had to work with. The conversation stayed on the grand picture: what this offense needs to do on Sundays and how Petzing can get it there. Lessons from Arizona that matter in Detroit Petzing's Arizona run offered useful clues. In 2023 he split the year between Kyler Murray for eight games and Josh Dobbs for eight. Dobbs looked good in that structure. In 2024 Murray played the full season. The offense was fine, not great, but functional. In the most recent season, Murray played about four or five games. Context mattered across all three years. Usage stood out. James Conner was highly productive despite not being a super explosive athlete. Arizona created touches for him as a runner and receiver. That detail resonated with Detroit. Think Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. Creative throws to backs. Turn easy completions into first downs. That is bankable offense when games tighten. The fit: second-and-4 football The hosts kept returning to down-and-distance. This is the point of the Detroit Lions offense. Get to second and four. Open the playbook. Run play action. Move the chains. Control the clock. Petzing aligns with that identity. The expectation is a coherent ground attack that puts Jared Goff and the passing game in favorable spots. They contrasted that with the allure of Mike McDaniel. Fun idea, but not a clean fit. Shotgun-heavy. Wide zone as a base. That would force major changes to what Detroit does. Petzing's approach blends easier with the current core and the way the Lions want to play in the NFL. Framing the 2026 NFL Draft The discussion acknowledged uncertainty around how this hire touches the 2026 NFL Draft. The lens is clearer than the board. Build an offense that lives in manageable downs. Lean on play action. Feature backs in the passing game when the coverage picture invites it. Those are guideposts for roster planning, not predictions. It was cold outside. Snow piled up. Inside the Detroit Lions Podcast, the thesis warmed up fast: the name might not sparkle, but the fit makes sense. That is what matters for Detroit. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jp037jHNnn0 #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #drewpetzing #arizonacardinals #offensivecoordinator #kylermurray #joshdobbs #jamesconner #jahmyrgibbs #davidmontgomery #rungame #playaction #shotgunoffense #widezone #bradholmes #2026nfldraft Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new OC with familiar roots The Detroit Lions hired Drew Petzing as offensive coordinator. The hire ties Detroit to the Kevin Stefanski tree and a system built on timing and detail. Petzing coached tight ends in Cleveland in 2020 and 2021. Those Browns made the playoffs and won a playoff game for the first time in more than thirty years. His Cleveland work stands out. Petzing helped turn David Njoku from a talented but inconsistent former first rounder into a much better pro. The improvement started with focus. Route depths got precise. A nine-yard out was nine yards, not seven or ten. The blocking jumped too. Njoku became a Pro Bowl caliber tight end. Harrison Bryant arrived as a glorified big wideout and improved as a blocker and in the finer points of spacing. The common thread was attention to detail. Scheme overlap that fits Detroit Petzing comes from the Stefanski offense that traces back through Minnesota and the Norv Turner and Shanahan Kubiak family of ideas. It is a timing and precision attack. It aims for yards after the catch and hits weak points. It mixes in deep shots from base looks. That is also the foundation Ben Johnson used in Detroit. The language changes, but the structure aligns. In Cleveland, the core pieces were Nick Chubb at running back, Odell Beckham and Jarvis Landry at wide receiver, and Njoku with Bryant at tight end. Baker Mayfield ran the show. The line was strong aside from a sore spot at left tackle. The results were a middle-of-the-pack offense, about fourteenth, that strung together long drives. It was not an all-or-nothing unit. It generated explosives out of its core formations. Landry was a draft comp for Amon-Ra St. Brown. St. Brown is the better athlete now, but the play style echoes. If you frame J-Mo as the OBJ role from that one good Cleveland year before injuries, the parallels are easy to see. Tight ends and 12 personnel on deck The Lions need more help at tight end. The head coach played tight end in the NFL and is a former tight ends coach. He likes 12 personnel, with one back and two tight ends. Petzing's track record with Njoku and Bryant pairs with that preference. Coincidentally, Njoku is a free agent this offseason. Petzing also served as quarterbacks coach in Cleveland in 2022. That matters for Detroit. Jared Goff is different from Baker Mayfield. Goff is more careful, less mobile, and a better decision maker. That profile fits the Stefanski-style approach. Within a familiar NFL framework, the Detroit Lions can carry over what already works and sharpen the edges under their new offensive coordinator. This is a continuity bet with clear intent. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTkpjtwbT84 #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #drewpetzing #detroitlionsoffensivecoordinator #kevinstefanskioffense #tightendscoach #davidnjoku #harrisonbryant #12personnel #benjohnson #shanahankubiakstyle #jarvislandry #odellbeckham #nickchubb #bakermayfield #amon-rast.brown #jaredgoff Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A surprise hire and a locked-down search The Detroit Lions named Drew Petzing their offensive coordinator, and almost no one saw it coming. Allen Park kept airtight operational security. No leaks. No whispers about interviews. Then the news hit. Reaction came fast. Arizona corners of Reddit and Twitter called it a mistake that could cost Dan Campbell his job. Hot takes piled up. The Detroit Lions Podcast pushed back on the rush to judgment. Skepticism is fair. Certainty is not. Why Petzing, and why now Michael Grey laid out the tension. After the John Morton experience and what went down with Anthony Lynn, a healthy dose of skepticism is earned. Petzing's resume does not blow you away. That is the rub. If Campbell steps to the podium and says this hire checks every box, that he wants to build an offense with this coach at the helm, then the path is clear. If you believe it, you do it. Still, the question hangs in the air: with this Detroit Lions offense built to run like a supercar, was this the driver you had to have today? The staff could have waited. The staff could have chased a coordinator with a more proven track record. Instead, they chose their guy now. What Arizona tendencies say The show pointed to a graphic on 2024 receiving yards by route. When the Arizona Cardinals offense was healthy, Marvin Harrison led the league in crossing-route yards. The screen game was also a featured piece under Petzing. That lands with a thud in Detroit after a rough year for screens. It still offers clues. Expect crossing concepts. Expect screens. Expect a clear identity when it's rolling. There was another wrinkle. The Cardinals' offense fell off before James Conner got hurt. The loss of offensive line coach Clayton Adams, who left for Dallas, was felt. In Detroit, that underscores how vital Hank Fraley is to everything the Lions do up front. Campbell's bet and the personnel hints The hosts kicked around possible shifts to more 12 and 13 personnel. That would track with a physical approach and a coordinator willing to lean into tight ends. Maybe Petzing in Arizona had a tough hand. Kyler Murray's situation. Bidwell ownership. All of it. Maybe the fit in Detroit unlocks more. Maybe not. The Detroit Lions Podcast kept it honest: no doom calls, no instant coronations. Just questions and concrete markers to watch. Campbell will have to own this hire. He will call Petzing collaborative and one of their guys. Then the work starts. Scheme must meet personnel. Crossing routes must become explosives. Screens must stop being giveaways. The NFL does not wait. Neither will Detroit. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3cswm3kJBI #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #drewpetzing #dancampbell #arizonacardinals #thegreyarea #marvinharrison #crossingroutes #screengame #12personnel #13personnel #hankfraley #claytonadams #jamesconner #kylermurray #anthonylynn #johnmorton #allenparkopsec Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mailbag Mode, Straight From Slack Jeff Risdon opened a Friday Detroit Lions Podcast with a true mailbag. Questions came straight from the DLP Patreon Slack. No prep. No cue cards. Honest reactions, with the caveat he might tweak opinions later. It made for sharp talk about the Detroit Lions, the NFL draft, and one spicy coaching debate. Draft Talk: Tackle Targets and Fits Asked for a favorite offensive tackle for Detroit, Risdon spotlighted Caleb Tiernan of Northwestern. He called Tiernan solid, not spectacular, and praised how seldom he loses. That reliability matters. He drew a line to what the Lions missed at right guard when Kevin Zeitler was at his best. Rarely beaten. He thinks Tiernan is a second round target who can be a long-term capable starter rather than a headline Pro Bowler. He also likes the Utah tackles if the first round is the move. Caleb Lomu got the nod for upside. Manu, he said, looks better right now, but Lomu offers more raw clay, especially if he boosts lower-body power. Blake Miller from Clemson earned a mention too. The traits are there. The misses can be loud, reminiscent of early Taylor Decker. Miller did take a step forward this past season. Big picture, with Sewell already a star, the Lions do not need two high-priced stars at tackle. They need the right complement. Tiernan's profile fits that lane. Coaching Watch: Kafka's Fit in Detroit Mike Kafka came up next. Risdon pushed back on pinning the Giants' struggles on Kafka after Brian Daboll reclaimed play-calling. He remains a Kafka fan. What impressed him most was Kafka's ability to craft run and pass protections that a limited offensive line could actually execute. That translates to Detroit. Risdon did note a concern. When a featured weapon was healthy, the Giants leaned too hard on that player. He cautioned that in Detroit, with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, smart balance matters. Do not ride Gibbs into the ground. Still, he would welcome Kafka's protection design and problem-solving into Allen Park. Divisional Weekend Leanings On the NFL divisional slate, he paused to confirm matchups, then zeroed on Bills versus Broncos. He likes teams without the bye against rusty top seeds, especially when the bye team lacks recent experience. Denver's defense and home field carry real weight. The flip side is Josh Allen. Sharp quarterback play can shred rust. Risdon weighed that tension on air as he worked toward a pick. The mailbag did what the best Detroit Lions Podcast episodes do. It put clear football problems on the table. Draft fits. Scheme translation. Game-state nuance. Straight talk for a playoff push. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e18WCdCopD4 #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #calebtiernan #northwesterntackle #secondroundpick #kevinzeitler #rightguard #caleblomu #utahtackles #manu #blakemiller #taylordecker #mikekafka #runandpassprotections #jahmyrgibbs #davidmontgomery #billsvsbroncos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Robinson's Fit and Play-Calling Proof Detroit moved fast on the offensive coordinator search. The Detroit Lions Podcast focused squarely on two NFL names. Zach Robinson interviewed in Allen Park on Thursday morning. He was the Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator. Atlanta underachieved, but Robinson's work with Bijan Robinson stood out. Bijan piled up almost 2,400 yards from scrimmage this year. Robinson balanced him with Algier. He understands a two-back system. That matters with David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. Robinson worked with Jared Goff in Los Angeles as an assistant quarterbacks coach. He comes from the McVay tree. That signals continuity for Detroit's offense rather than a reset. He has called plays. He has coached wide receivers, quarterbacks, and tight ends. Atlanta's interior offensive line was strong and often overlooked. Robinson built around that strength. He navigated a season with Michael Penix and Kirk Cousins. Results were better with Cousins. The Lions need that kind of pragmatic design for Jared Goff, who shares a similar athletic profile. Robinson tailored calls to the quarterback. He used motion, spacing, and run-pass balance to keep structure intact and drives on schedule. Kafka's Creative Case Mike Kafka interviewed Wednesday. He just served as the interim head coach of the New York Giants. One game against Detroit still resonates. With Jameis Winston at quarterback, the Giants pushed the Lions to the edge. Kafka leaned into trick plays and gimmicky blocking. He attacked known weaknesses in Detroit's defense. That creativity landed. Kafka trained in the Andy Reid system. There is crossover with McVay concepts. West Coast principles with an aggressive streak match what Ben Johnson often does. Kafka has worked with different quarterback styles. He developed a run game in New York without a good offensive line. He used a power option in Cam Scataboe and paired it with Tyrone Tracy, a capable receiving back. He darn near beat the Lions without Malik Nabers, Jackson Dart, or Cam Scataboe available. That adaptability fits what Detroit needs from an NFL coordinator: answers when pieces are missing, and a plan that highlights Gibbs and Montgomery while keeping Goff comfortable. What Happens Next at Allen Park The building is closed to media. There will be no access until draft time inside the media room. On-field views return at rookie minicamp in May. The timeline is tight, but the process is clear. Detroit is not changing its identity. The Lions are evolving it. Robinson offers continuity with proven play-calling. Kafka brings creative problem solving and opponent-specific attack plans. Both align with how the Detroit Lions want to score and protect the ball. Now it is about selection, fit, and timing as the Detroit Lions and this NFL search move forward. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBvzESu16-8 #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #offensivecoordinatorsearch #allenpark #zachrobinson #mikekafka #two-backsystem #jameergibbs #davidmontgomery #jaredgoff #mcvaytreeconcepts #bijanrobinsonusage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

McDaniel's Interview and Culture Fit Detroit hosted Mike McDaniel on Tuesday for the offensive coordinator job. He left without a deal and may be headed to Nashville to meet the Titans or another NFL team. The first question in Detroit is simple. Does he fit the culture and the way this staff wants to run the room? If the answer is yes, the upside is obvious. The Lions are in full offseason mode and this opening sits at the center of it. What His Offense Could Unlock in Detroit McDaniel's value shows up in the run game. Miami's offense scores at the one-yard line with regularity because of design. Jalen Waddle is fast. Tyreek Hill is fast. Tua has limitations, yet the scheme squeezes production from the whole group. Devin Hian is not a big back, but he constantly runs into space. That is the point. Create angles. Create daylight. Finish in the low red zone. Picture that with Jahmyr Gibbs. Detroit can run outside zone and be fine at it. The conversation is how much wide zone you want, and how the current offensive line fits. A blend is on the table. Gap scheme. Zone scheme. You can marry both and lean into weekly matchups. McDaniel's passing game can live in quick answers for Jared and still hit explosives. Dagger concept. A go ball to J Mo. Get the ball out, then punish coverage when it bites. That mix fits what the Detroit Lions have built and what this offense already does well. If He Chooses Detroit—and What's Next McDaniel may prefer a head coaching job. If that door closes, Detroit offers a place to reset and light up scoreboards for a year or two. Put up numbers. Win games. Then reassess. The Lions need to decide if the voice, the rhythm, and the install align with their standards. If it clicks, this would be a dynamic hire for the Detroit Lions and one of the most intriguing moves of the NFL offseason. There is more on deck. The crew is pushing daily content and rolling into early draft talk. Draft videos are coming, with some early draft crushes for the 2026 NFL Draft teased on the show. The search for an offensive coordinator leads the week, but Detroit's broader plan is clear. Keep building. Make the right hire. Maximize a roster that is ready to go. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIdcjOEvuZY #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #detroitlionsoffensivecoordinatorsearch #mikemcdanielinterview #culturefit #runninggame #lowredzone #outsidezone #widezone #gapscheme #jameergibbsusage #jaredquickgame #jmodeepshots #daggerconcept #goball #2026nfldraftcrushes #tennesseetitansinterview Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What We Learned Without a Game In the offseason life comes at you fast. The Detroit Lions are sitting on a 9-8 season and a clear mandate. Fix the roster. Get better. Get back to the postseason in 2026. The belief remains that Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes have earned the benefit of the doubt after four straight winning years. The NFL does not wait. Results matter now. Grey underscores the league's ruthless pace. Look around at Pete Carroll, Jonathan Gannon, Brian Daboll, Raheem Morris, Brian Callahan, Kevin Stefanski, Mike McDonald, and John Harbaugh. Tenures shift. Reputations shift. If the Lions miss the mark this offseason, the heat rises. Campbell and Holmes get the one-year reprieve to steer this roster. If the step forward does not happen, that seat gets hot in a hurry. Extra Time and the Staff Fix Exiting early stings, but the calendar helps. No playoff prep means time and attention can move to the coaching staff. The recent past showed how that can slip. John Morton arrived and then exited. Now the Lions need an offensive coordinator, with other staff decisions on deck. January without game plans opens hours for interviews, evaluation, and structure. This is where detail matters. Identify the offensive identity. Match it with the next play caller. Build the room the right way. The roster has talent. The Lions must align scheme and staff to it. The extra weeks should sharpen choices and shorten mistakes. That is the kind of edge this organization needs to reclaim momentum in the NFL. Across Lake Michigan: Ben's Bears Change the Math Ben might be a problem. He is winning playoff games with the Chicago Bears. He is teaching a young roster how to close even when the stat sheet says otherwise. Turnovers keep showing up. Point differential keeps getting defied. The Packers went down in flames, followed by that overdone WrestleMania handshake. It was funny. It was also a warning. There is a reality check built in. The Bears still have the NFC West gauntlet ahead. A sophomore slump can happen. Luck on turnovers can flip. But for a first season with a young quarterback who needed psychological repair, this is real progress. It changes the neighborhood. The Lions cannot count on drift in the division to help. They have to set the pace. Draft Wish List, Early and Different The draft talk has started. The show teased an early wish list. It is different than most, and it is early by design. The Lions need targeted pieces, not noise. The approach reflects the offseason theme. Clear eyes. Tight priorities. No wasted motion. Detroit has the time right now. Use it, and 2026 remains in play. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRExA5Bann4 #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #nfl #dancampbell #bradholmes #offensivecoordinator #johnmorton #hotseat #postseasonin2026 #chicagobears #turnovers #pointdifferential #nfcwest #greenbaypackers #mikemcdonald #johnharbaugh Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Detroit Lions Podcast: Seth McLaughlin Scouting Report The Signing and the Bet The Detroit Lions added center Seth McLaughlin on a futures reserve contract. It is a calculated bet. He went undrafted because he tore his Achilles in November 2024 while playing for Ohio State. The Cincinnati Bengals signed him after the draft and kept him on the practice squad. Now he is a Detroit Lion with a clean lane to compete at his natural spot. McLaughlin started at Alabama and Ohio State. Three years. Big stages. Pro style offenses. He handled pressure and tempo. That background fits what the NFL asks of a center. The Detroit Lions Podcast dives into why this move makes sense and what it will require. Strengths That Play on Sundays McLaughlin's calling card is pre-snap recognition. He diagnoses fronts, calls out pressure, and sets protection. He gets linemen on the same page. That shows up snap after snap on his Alabama and Ohio State tape. His technique is crisp. He fires off the ball with square pads and tight hands. His placement sits right in the middle of the shoulder pads. When a bull rush jars him, his feet reset fast. He re-squares his shoulders and hips, stays engaged, and avoids getting too wide. He keeps his balance. He also brings a bit of snarl. In space, he finds work. On stretch runs, he tracks and cuts off the backside linebacker. That second-level timing is real. It translates to NFL run concepts the Lions use. Risks, Role, and Room for Growth The injury is the headline. An Achilles is unpredictable, and he missed his entire rookie season. The other constraint is position. He is a center only. Shorter arms and his build make guard a poor fit. He is more weight-room strong than road grader strong. There are technical blemishes. He had penalties. He had snapping issues, more at Alabama, with a couple at Ohio State. Some were poorly timed. He has worked to fix them. For a center-only player, clean snaps are non-negotiable. That must hold in Detroit. Draft View and Path to Detroit Before the injury, he profiled as a mid-round target. He was viewed as a top-100 caliber player if healthy, with top-75 talk in optimistic moments. He went undrafted because of the Achilles, landed in Cincinnati, and spent most of the year on the practice squad. The Lions now give him a shot to prove the traits survived the rehab. The evaluation track record around him adds context. In the same interior line study that highlighted McLaughlin, Tate Ratledge was pegged as a second-round pick for Detroit, and he wound up being that. The process here is consistent. For the Detroit Lions, this is a smart, low-cost swing at center. If the health cooperates, the NFL-ready mind and technique can pay off. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xL6CaCphL_0 #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #sethmclaughlin #detroitlionscenter #futuresreservecontract #undraftedfreeagent #cincinnatibengalspracticesquad #achillestearnovember2024 #ohiostatecenter #alabamacenter #pre-snaprecognition #linecallsandadjustments #second-levelblocking #backsidelinebackeronstretchruns #shortarmsatcenter #snappingissuesatalabama #tateratledgesecondroundpick Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Detroit Lions Podcast: Auburn Edge Faulk, Draft Needs, Playoff Picks Edge Urgency Defines Detroit's Draft Lens The Daily DLP turns to the NFL draft, and edge help sits on top of the Detroit Lions' board. Aidan Hutchinson carried a 91% snap load. That is unsustainable. The hosts noted only Hutchinson and Makai Wingo under contract at defensive end on the active roster. That reality frames every conversation. The Lions must add length, power, and fresh legs on the edge to speed up time to pressure and protect late-game leads. Mock Draft Shock: Auburn's Faulk Lands in Detroit Jeff Risdon's first Real GM mock draft slotted Auburn edge rusher Faulk to Detroit. Fans bristled. He explained his process. The goal is predicting what a team would do in that situation, not building a personal big board. In this range, edge aligns with Detroit's needs and profile. Faulk reached the pick in the simulation. He might go higher in reality. With five of the top six teams still without head coaches, the board could tilt in unpredictable ways. Traits, Flaws, and Fit on the Edge Faulk checks Detroit's trait boxes. Six-five. Two seventy to two seventy-five. Long. Strong. He plays the run and converts speed to power. One host called him a physical clone of Marcus Davenport, but healthy. The knocks are specific. He's slow off the football. His hand usage comes and goes. The rush plan drifts. The phrase was blunt: consistent at being inconsistent. That said, those issues are coachable within Detroit's development pipeline. The upside is real, and the fit is clean with what the Detroit Lions want from their edge defenders. The intent is simple. Take heat off Hutchinson. Add a crush-the-can pass rusher who can win early downs and close late in games. Rapid NFL Playoff Reads The conversation closed with quick NFL playoff picks. Seattle looks really good. Houston owns the best defense in football right now. D'Amico Ryans brings a mindset that mirrors Dan Campbell on the other side of the ball. The Texans are vulnerable, yet capable of winning it all if the offense holds up. Philadelphia lingers as a threat despite recent form. The reminder was simple: until you beat the man, you can't be the man. The Detroit Lions Podcast will keep tracking the bracket while weighing how January outcomes ripple into April decisions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrh371VBt_8 #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #nfldraft #aidanhutchinson #kendrickfaulk #auburnedgerusher #marcusdavenportcomparison #timetopressure #speedtopower #handusage #slowoffthefootball #dailydlp #realgmmockdraft #makaiwingo #houstontexansdefense #seattleseahawks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Detroit Lions Podcast: Lions Contact Mike McDaniel for OC OC Search Turns to Mike McDaniel The Detroit Lions fired John Morton. The Miami Dolphins fired head coach Mike McDaniel. Credible reports say the Lions contacted McDaniel about the offensive coordinator vacancy. The outreach reads like due diligence. He is a viable candidate with an inventive mind and a track record. The question is fit. Practice Tape and Scheme Mismatch Joint practices this summer left scars. McDaniel hardly engaged with players. Aloof and off putting came up around that field. Detroit just moved on from an OC players did not feel connected to. A repeat would be costly. The Dolphins offense landed bottom 10 in scoring and yards in each of the past two years and trended the wrong way. The usage did not match the roster. Tua was asked to throw short to the speediest wide receiving group in the game. The offensive line was asked to hold longer on routes he was not going to throw. That is a disconnect between talent and scheme. In the red zone the tells were obvious. You could read the call from the formation. That predictability helped stall drives. It mirrors a Detroit sore spot from this season. Detroit Context: Adapt or Fail Detroit at times called plays like Sam Laporta and Frank Rigg now were available. They were not. Results suffered. Miami's issues looked similar. In those joint sessions the Lions defense beat the living hell out of Miami, especially the first day. Detroit knew what was coming. Think Tecmo Super Bowl when you pick the play and blow it up. Miami did not adjust. Players did not show fight. McDaniel stood and took it. That picture matters when you weigh scheme flexibility and sideline communication inside this NFL building. Alternatives and a Blough Path There is a workable path if Detroit believes in McDaniel's concepts. Install him as OC and make David Blough the passing game coordinator. Let Blough learn the system for a year or two. Groom him. It is plausible. McDaniel has worked with dynamic offensive weapons. Devon A. Sheen compares to a smaller Jamir Gibbs. Jalen Waddle and Tyreek Hill thrived in space. Translating that speed and spacing to Detroit could hit, if the calls match the personnel and situation. Tua is not the answer for Detroit over Jared Goff. That is clear here. Todd Monken remains out there, technically still employed by the Baltimore Ravens. He is interesting and has had success in a variety of spots. The Lions need adaptability, clarity, and player connection. That should drive the hire. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i89gfyp3uvU #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #mikemcdaniel #offensivecoordinatorvacancy #johnmorton #miamidolphins #jointpractices #lionsdefense #redzoneoffense #davidblough #passinggamecoordinator #tua #jaredgoff #samlaporta #frankriggnow #toddmonken Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Detroit Lions Podcast: Ragnow retirement and the O-line reckoning High Bar, Hard Truths The Detroit Lions walked into this NFL season with Super Bowl talk and a sky-high bar set by a 15-2 run the year before. The expectation was simple. When games tightened, they would flip the switch and bury teams. That switch never clicked. The Detroit Lions Podcast crew gathered for a season-ending roundtable and traced the arc from hype to hard lessons. The story centered on an offense that lost its core and never rediscovered rhythm. Drives stalled. Third downs piled up. The run game sputtered. Defensive injuries compounded the strain. The offense, once the engine, could not carry the load. The panel's verdict was blunt. This team was not as good as many thought, and the gap revealed itself week after week. The Frank Ragnow Pivot The season turned when Frank Ragnow retired. That single move gutted the middle of the offensive line and forced a cascade of fixes that never stuck. A rookie guard stepped in on one side and, effectively, a rookie guard on the other. Taylor Decker battled through at left tackle. Penei Sewell carried as much as a right tackle can carry. The line could not clear lanes with consistency. It could not protect the structure of the offense on schedule. In the NFL, that is the most punishing failure. The consequences touched everything. Running the football lost bite. Third down kept getting longer. The offense chased instead of dictated. What last year's group masked, this year's group magnified. The Lions did not have an adequate answer once the center spot changed overnight. Offseason Questions Along the Line Every key question points back to the trenches. Who is the left tackle going to be? Who is the center going to be? Do the Lions move a guard to center and then replace that guard? Those choices will define the first steps toward 2025 and beyond. The conversation stretches to the skill group as well. What happens with David Montgomery? What does recovery look like for Sam Laporta, with a herniated disc raising real concern? Reset the line, and the rest can recalibrate. Fail to solve the core, and the same problems return. That was the consensus thread throughout the roundtable. 2025 and 2026 Outlook The room looked forward, and the tone was measured. There was even a note that 2026 feels better than 2025 right now. That tracks with the scale of the rebuild needed up front. The Detroit Lions must restore the center position, stabilize guard, and decide on left tackle. Do that, and the identity that once made them dangerous returns. The Detroit Lions Podcast closed on a simple truth. Fix the offensive line, and the offense regains its engine. Miss, and we are back here again talking about what might have been. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #frankragnallretired #offensiveline #lefttackle #center #rookieguard #taylordecker #penasewell #samlaporta #herniateddisc #davidmontgomery #thirddown #runningthefootball #injuriesonthedefense Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Detroit Lions Podcast: Lions fire OC John Morton, identity reset No Playoff Preview, Real Talk Instead The Detroit Lions Podcast returned from the holiday break without a playoff show. The tone matched the season. Missed chances. Hard questions. Changes have already started. Offensive coordinator John Morton is out. The hosts recorded on Wednesday and expect Brad Holmes to speak Thursday. Dan Campbell has talked about getting back to what worked. The message is clear. The Detroit Lions need an identity reset. Identity Drift Shows in the Red Zone The episode drilled into situational errors. A Bears example stood out. Two straight red-zone trips reached the 10. Each series ended with three consecutive pass plays. Then it happened again on the next drive. That is not how this offense was built. It undercut the run game and the line. The NFL punishes predictability. The show connected that stretch to the broader theme Campbell raised about drifting from their roots. The result was stalled drives and frustration. Coordinator Fallout and Staff Questions Morton's dismissal capped a season-long slide. The issues were visible from Week 1. He was replaced as play caller during the season, and he seemed to take shots in the media after that. The episode described how that dynamic felt like a wedge in the locker room. There had been chatter about Morton returning in a support role or coaching a position group. That is not happening. He is gone. Tyler Rolle is leaving for Iowa State to be the OC, which adds another moving piece. The run game needs stewardship. The show questioned whether Hank Fraley will remain the run game coordinator. That role could change or become a lesson learned. Names like Scotty Montgomery and Tashard Choice surfaced as influences on the room, but the point was bigger than any one title. The Detroit Lions must fix process, sequencing, and trust. What's Next in Detroit Campbell's comments about roots and situational football set the offseason agenda. Self-scout every call sheet. Rebuild the red-zone plan. Recommit to the physical identity that carried this team two and three years ago. The hosts expect visible changes as the NFL offseason unfolds. Holmes' remarks should frame the next steps. The episode also teased draft conversation to close, with an eye on keeping the window open. The task is straightforward. Cut the noise. Align staff roles. Call games that fit the personnel. The Detroit Lions do not need a new soul. They need to play like themselves again. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HW9g-DEiSU #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #nfl #johnmortonfiring #dancampbellpressconference #bradholmestospeak #redzoneplaycalling #bearsgameredzone #rungamecoordinator #hankfraley #scottymontgomery #tashardchoice #tylerrolletoiowastate #playcallerchange #gettingbacktoroots Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Detroit Lions Podcast: John Morton Out and the OC Search Morton Out, Campbell Hints at Calling Plays The Detroit Lions moved on from offensive coordinator John Morton on Tuesday. The decision resets the offense and spotlights the play-calling question. Dan Campbell signaled he is open to handling the call sheet. He also suggested stability if the play caller is him. The likely model is clear. Hire an offensive coordinator who keeps the current Detroit Lions structure intact while sharpening schematics, play designs, game planning, and week-to-week sequencing. The midseason shift strained the operation. Campbell did a lot of the heavy lifting, and it bled into other duties. If that setup existed from Week 1, the outcome might have looked different. Now the Detroit Lions can define roles before the next snap. The NFL calendar will not wait. David Blough Makes Immediate Sense David Blough was the first name to surface. He served as the Washington Commanders quarterbacks coach last season. He is young and considered an up-and-comer. He once backed up in Detroit and understands the Lions locker room. He also knows Jared Goff well. That matters. Blough has been around varied systems, including Washington's approach and time in Cleveland with Stefanski. Jumping to offensive coordinator after two years as a coach is a big step. It becomes more reasonable if Campbell calls the plays. In that setup, Blough could drive passing concepts, opponent-specific installs, and weekly structure while the head coach manages the call flow. Antoine Randall El Fits the Room, With a Catch Another strong candidate is Antoine Randall El. He is the Chicago Bears wide receivers coach and assistant head coach. He left Detroit after a long run coaching the Lions receivers. That was not easy for him. His fingerprints are all over the current room. He helped rein in Jamo and earn his buy-in. Jamo rewarded that trust with a fantastic season. Randall l knows the personnel, the tone, and the standards. He has worked with Mark Brunell, Hank Fraley, and Scottie Montgomery. Seth Ryan is likely to remain and is well liked. The snag is title. Moving from assistant head coach to coordinator is technically a demotion. Extracting him from Chicago could be complicated. Internal Route Unlikely, External Fit Paramount An internal promotion appears unlikely. The Detroit Lions did not pivot in-season when it was needed most. Maybe they were averse to an in-season firing. Either way, the search points outward. The next OC must align with the offense built by Campbell and Ben Johnson, then refine the details. If Campbell keeps the call sheet, the coordinator's job centers on design, sequencing, and opponent answers. The mandate is simple. Make the current Detroit Lions offense more efficient on Sundays. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6dP3VIyDo8 #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #johnmorton #offensivecoordinator #dancampbell #playcaller #davidblough #jaredgoff #washingtoncommanders #stefanski #antoinerandalll #widereceiverscoach #chicagobears #passinggamecoordinator #gameplanning #schematics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Detroit Lions Podcast: Season Finale Lessons and the Road Ahead First to Worst: NFC North on a Razor's Edge The Detroit Lions closed the regular season against the Bears with margins on full display. Three NFC North teams finished with nine wins, yet only one reached the postseason, aided by a tie the Packers picked up in Dallas. Small things flipped big outcomes. Halftime adjustments. A single injury. A drive-killing penalty. Details in weekly prep. The Bears carried a negative point differential for most of the year and lived off turnovers, and it still bought them extra wins and the division. In a season where the first-place team lost to the last-place team twice, the line between success and failure stayed paper thin. Offense Is Close, Even With a Battered Line Narratives say the offense slipped. The film and numbers say it's close. The Lions were top 10 and often top five in major offensive categories with John Morton calling plays, then even better with Dan Campbell. That happened while the offensive line was in shambles. In Chicago, they executed without Penei Sewell, the best tackle on the team and arguably in football. The unit needs repair. Frank Ragnow is central to putting it back together. The offseason priority is obvious: restore the front. When the line is whole, the engine of this offense runs hot, and the entire operation follows. Numbers Over Narratives on Jared Goff The Jared Goff narratives keep coming. Cold weather. Gloves. Pressure. The reality undercuts each one. He won in the cold. He wears gloves. He handles pressure. Reliability defined his year amid a decimated tight end room and a messy line. He was one of the most accurate, consistent quarterbacks in the NFL. Top five and top 10 in the categories that matter, including yards and completion percentage. He played all 17 games and never missed a snap. The discourse won't stop, but the production keeps answering it. Dan Cam, a Decker Salute, and the Road Ahead A new Dan Cam segment spotlighted Monday's messages on urgency and detail. A salute to Taylor Decker is due. He deserves it. Team PR flagged four straight winning seasons, a note that landed awkwardly as the postseason slipped away. The point is taken. Head down. Fix the line. Keep the offense intact. In a division ruled by thin margins, the Detroit Lions can turn close into control by cleaning up the smallest things. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shSDvDlTYzE #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #seasonfinalevsbears #nfcnorthmargins #dancampbellpressconference #dancamsegment #taylordeckersalute #jaredgoffunderpressure #coldweathergame #offensivelineinshambles #frankragnow #peneisewellabsence #johnmortonplaycalling #turnoversandpointdifferential. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Detroit Lions Podcast: Dan Campbell's F, OC Reset Campbell's Grade and What Comes Next Dan Campbell graded himself with an F. The Detroit Lions missed the NFL postseason. His end-of-year session landed early and it stung. He was blunt about accountability. He is the decision maker. The Detroit Lions Podcast drilled into what that means for the staff and the offense. Campbell would not detail what he wants to move away from. "I don't want to get into that right now," he said. He added that he needs a few days to think and "deep dive some areas" before making decisions. That restraint matters after a frustrating finish. Midseason Play Calling, Game Management, and Risk Campbell took over offensive play calling midseason. That is a different world than starting a season as the play caller. Delegation structures and weekly prep rhythms change. The offense often looked more coherent after the switch. The plans made more sense. Not always, but often. Some choices still need a governor. There were moments to take points. There were moments to dial back the impulse for gadget plays. One example loomed large: a trick look with David Montgomery trying to throw to Jared Goff on third and short in a must-win spot. The line between aggression and recklessness is thin. Closing that gap is part of the offseason brief. Staff Decisions, OC Path, and Line Lessons One conclusion was clear: bringing John Morton back as offensive coordinator cannot happen. If there is a way to soften that blow, a reassignment to tight ends was floated, but he is now at Iowa State after a one-and-done. Either way, the OC chair must be reset. Internal promotions seem unlikely. The staff did not make an in-season adjustment with Hank Fraley, Scottie Montgomery, Mark Brunell, or David Shaw to lighten Campbell's duties. If that was the plan, it would have happened to stabilize the offense and the sideline. The dual role of head coach and in-game play caller proved untenable over time. That reality fueled Campbell's harsh self-grade. The run game also drew scrutiny. Fraley remains a strong offensive line coach. As run game coordinator, though, this was not his best year. Too many assignments demanded blocks certain players could not physically execute. That is a coordination issue as much as a player issue. Some of that traces back to Morton. Some of it sits with the broader design. None of it means rash firings. It does mean recalibration. Campbell referenced lessons tied to Frank Ragnow and how they apply to Taylor Decker. Details were not disclosed, but the implication was thoughtful evaluation, not snap judgments. Decker is expected to speak with Brad Holmes soon. The message across Allen Park is consistent: think it through, fix the structure, and return with a cleaner plan for the next NFL season. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kly7GrUmERU #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #dancampbell #nflpostseason #offensiveplaycalling #johnmorton #offensivecoordinatorsearch #hankfraley #scottiemontgomery #markbrunell #davidmontgomerytrickplay #jaredgoff #rungamecoordination #taylordecker #frankragnow #bradholmes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Defense flips the script in Chicago Jake Bates drilled the winner as time expired. The Detroit Lions closed the season by sweeping the division winners and silencing Soldier Field. The defense did the heavy lifting. With four of the top five defensive backs out, Kelvin Shepherd leaned into zone. The Lions played cover 4 and mix-and-match zone looks almost exclusively. Chicago expected man coverage. They did not get it. The results were obvious. The Bears were shut out for most of the game. Caleb Williams looked uncomfortable. Route timing frayed. Aidan Hutchison generated steady pressure. Ty Lake Williams delivered his best game of the season. The linebackers had shaky moments in coverage, and Colson Loveland stacked production, but the structure held. It took about three quarters before Chicago adjusted. By then, the tone was set. Goff, St. Brown, and a patched right side The Bears' radio booth did not expect Jared Goff to move as much as he did. On the tape, the pocket work was efficient, not frantic. The bigger story was protection. Penei was ruled out on Friday. Chris Hubbard stepped in at right tackle and faced Montez Sweat. Hubbard had not played all season. He responded with a clean, composed performance that stabilized the edge. Inside, the much maligned interior offensive line delivered its best pass protection in a long time. It was not perfect. Goff had to flee a couple of snaps and had a few passes batted. But the plan matched the protection. Reads were on time. Matchups were targeted. Amon-Ra St. Brown roasted C.J. Gardner-Johnson throughout. Wherever that matchup appeared, the ball followed. North–south runs and the kick that ended it The run game stayed on schedule with quick hitters. No wasted lateral stretch calls. David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs got north and south with decisiveness. Cutback lanes opened and were used. That rhythm mattered late. It set up the final drive that put Bates on the field with the game on his foot. He delivered. The kick split the uprights as the clock hit zero. The Detroit Lions walked out of Chicago with a victory, a sweep of the division winners, and momentum from a plan that fit the personnel. In an NFL season defined by attrition, the Lions adapted, defended space, and found answers at critical positions. From the rival airwaves Pre-game on Chicago radio centered on the Bears, their playoff paths, and even some delight at the Packers getting blasted by the Vikings. Those same voices were stunned when Detroit never played man coverage. They noted the late Chicago adjustment and also flagged Goff's pocket movement. Next week brings Bears vs. Packers. This week belongs to Detroit. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #jakebates #aidanhutchisonpressure #chrishubbardrighttackle #peneiruledoutfriday #montezsweatmatchup #zonecoveragecover4 #kelvinshepherddefensivecoordinator #calebwilliamsuncomfortable #amon-rast.brownvscjgardner-johnson #jaredgoffmovement #interioroffensivelinepassprotection #north-southrungame #montyandgibbscutbacklanes #nomancoveragesurprise #game-winningfieldgoalastimeexpired Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Detroit Lions vs Chicago Bears Post Game Show: Closing the 2025 Season at Soldier Field A Familiar Rivalry to End a Frustrating Year The Detroit Lions closed the 2025 NFL season on the road at Soldier Field against the Chicago Bears, a setting that has a way of sharpening emotions regardless of records or standings. This finale came with a different weight. Detroit entered the final week knowing the season had fallen short of expectations, and this game became less about playoff math and more about accountability, pride, and clarity heading into the offseason. On our post game show, we will focus on what this final performance says about the Lions as a whole. Was there urgency from the opening drive, or did the game reflect a team still searching for consistency? Division games against Chicago are never meaningless, and the Bears had plenty of motivation to play spoiler while evaluating their own future pieces. A major lens for this discussion will be Jared Goff. As the quarterback and the face of the offense, Goff's play in this game will spark conversation regardless of the outcome. Did he command the offense cleanly? Was the passing game efficient and decisive? Did Detroit finish drives or settle for missed opportunities that defined much of the season? These questions frame the larger evaluation of where the Lions go next. What We Will Break Down on the Post Game Show Tonight's Detroit Lions post game show will unpack the Detroit Lions vs Chicago Bears matchup through several key themes: Offensive execution: How well did Detroit move the ball and sustain drives? Were the Lions balanced, or did the offense struggle with familiar issues in protection and timing? Quarterback performance: Goff's decision making, accuracy, and leadership will be a central topic. This game offers one last data point before offseason conversations begin. Defensive effort: Did the Lions play with physicality and discipline against a Bears offense that thrives on mistakes? How well did Detroit handle third downs and red zone situations? Coaching and game management: End of season games often reveal philosophy. We will discuss play calling tendencies, in game adjustments, and whether Detroit showed signs of cohesion or fatigue. Young players and evaluation: Late season games are about the future as much as the present. Which players used this opportunity to make a case for bigger roles next year? Listener Calls and Detroit Lions Reaction As always, the most important part of the post game show is hearing from the fans. We will open the phone lines and take listener calls to capture the full Detroit Lions reaction to this season finale. Was this game a positive step toward resetting expectations, or did it reinforce frustrations that have lingered all year? The tone of this show will reflect a fan base processing a season that promised more than it delivered. There will be honest discussion, measured analysis, and space for emotion. That is what the final week is for. Join us for the Detroit Lions vs Chicago Bears Post Game Show as we close out the 2025 season, break down the final performance, and start the conversation about what must change for Detroit to take the next step forward. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKiy24mVwPY Get yourself a Classic Detroit t-shirt here! Don't miss our great merch selection in the Detroit Lions Podcast store. Looking for the relief that CBD products can bring? Click here: https://bit.ly/2XzawlG Get your Lions Gear at: https://bit.ly/2Ooo5Px As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases made here: https://amzn.to/36e2ZfD Donate Direct at: https://bit.ly/2qnEtFj Join the Patreon Crew at: https://bit.ly/2bgQgyj #DetroitLions, #Lions, #DetroitLionsPodcast, #OnePride, #LionsBears, #NFLWeek18, #JaredGoff, #SoldierField, #LionsFootball, #DetroitVsEverybody Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Week 2 Rerun, January Jolt The Detroit Lions Podcast opened with a shot of adrenaline from September. The NFL Network replayed the Week 2 demolition of the Chicago Bears. Detroit 52, Chicago 21. Jared Goff threw for 334 yards and five touchdowns with zero interceptions. Jahmyr Gibbs ripped 94 yards on the ground. David Montgomery added 57. Jameson Williams cleared 100 receiving yards and turned short catches into three touchdowns under 15 yards. The defense took the ball away twice and rang up four sacks. Tyson Bagent mopped up in garbage time. Jack Campbell flashed. Aidan Hutchinson collected a pair. Brian Branch made plays. It felt like a statement. After a flat Week 1 in Green Bay, that win reset the temperature on the season. For a minute, Detroit sat atop NFL power polls and looked like the class of the NFC. That broadcast stung a little. It reminded everyone what this roster looked like at full strength and how quickly it turned. Promise met attrition. Confidence met slippage on both sides of the ball. The Week 2 tape is still proof of concept. It is also a measuring stick for what has been lost. From Firepower to Triage The current injury sheet is brutal. Alex Anzalone is out with a concussion after a failed midweek push. Penei Sewell is out. Alim McNeill is out with an abdominal injury. Kerby Joseph is out. Brian Branch is out. Sam LaPorta is out. S C.J. Moore's replacement depth has thinned, and even “Harper” snaps matter now because the room is down three safeties. Avonte Maddox will play, but the secondary is patched together. Up front, the tackle plan is a guess. Giovanni Manu was not activated. Miles Frazier could be forced into a spot. Dan Skipper likely logs heavy work. Maybe “Yode” slides outside. Taylor Decker is fighting through it and has earned the benefit of the doubt. None of that stabilizes protection. It raises a real question about whether Goff should finish the season finale behind a compromised line. The idea of Kyle Allen getting meaningful snaps has merit. It is evaluation and preservation rolled into one. Season Finale Math The finale arrives tomorrow with little on the line for the Detroit Lions in the NFL standings. The Bears, the team Detroit roasted in September, have since won the division and are chasing the two seed. They get Green Bay next week. That development colors the mood. Detroit once ran away from Chicago. Now the roster is a shell of that September juggernaut. The calculus is simple. Health over hollow pride. Avoid new long-term injuries to Goff, Montgomery, Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and anyone already managing pain. Every sprain and strain now steals offseason recovery time. There is value in a winning record. There is much more value in a healthy spring. Use the finale to protect core pieces, test depth, and get out clean. The Week 2 blowout still matters. It shows what the Detroit Lions can be when whole. The job now is to make sure the next chance to look like that arrives with the roster intact. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvnuoB40it8 #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #offensiveline #injuries #schedule #draft #quarterback #jaredgoff #taylordecker #offensivelineinjuries #offensivelinedepth #quarterbackplay Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Week 18 Math and a New Year Edge Happy New Year from the Detroit Lions Podcast, and welcome to the clean slate of 2026. The Detroit Lions have one game left in the 2025 NFL season, a finale against the Bears. The tug here is real. Win the game, feel good, start 2026 with momentum. Or accept a loss that could lock in a last place schedule. The ideal lane is narrow but clear. Beat the Bears, then hope the Vikings beat the Packers. Minnesota holds the head-to-head tiebreaker on Detroit, so the Lions could still land fourth in the NFC North while finishing with a winning record. It is a strange picture. Eight or nine wins at the bottom of a division. Other divisions wobbling near that mark at the top. That is this year's NFL. The message for fans is balance. Enjoy the stakes, do not let them own your sleep. You play to win. If the scenario breaks another way, accept the payoff in 2026 opponents. Either outcome has value. O-line Shuffle: Glasgow In, Eguakun Out The interior line is moving again. Graham Glasgow could start at center this week after the Browns poached Kingsley Eguakun off the Lions practice squad. Cleveland's front is crushed by injuries, four of five starters on injured reserve, with Wyatt Teller shut down as well. They need a center look for Week 18, so Eguakun gets a shot. Detroit knows what it had. Eguakun showed some steadiness in pass protection against Pittsburgh, then scuffled against Minnesota. The bigger issue was body control and sustain in the run game. Too many reps ended before the whistle. In Detroit he profiled as depth, an interior reserve. The Lions wished him well. That is fair. The roster churn continues, and Glasgow stepping in at center fits the week's needs. Health Updates: Sam LaPorta and the Tight End Plan Sam LaPorta's timeline is clearer. The back surgery kept him out for any potential playoff run, which always felt likely. The target is training camp, and that matters. The Lions missed his hands and his leverage in space. The offense needs more of him, not less. Getting LaPorta right for 2026 is a priority that outpaces any short-term wish. Taylor Decker's Decision and the Ragnow Example Taylor Decker opened the door to retirement. He has not gone there before, but he will consider it this offseason. That honesty resonates. The mileage is heavy, the hits add up, the age clock is loud. The old line is simple, once you are thinking about retirement, it can be hard to unthink it. Still, there is a counterpoint in the locker room storylines. Frank Ragnow was very retired, then felt the pull and tried to come back because he missed the game and felt the team needed him. That could weigh on Decker as he sorts through the choice. For now, it is Bears week. The Detroit Lions can win, feel good, and still find a softer 2026 draw if the Vikings handle the Packers. That is the edge of Week 18. That is the balance this team is walking into the new year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOxk_OCxSIE #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #detroitlionsvsbearsfinale #week18tiebreakermath #lastplaceschedule #vikingsoverpackersscenario #nfcnorthfourthplace #grahamglasgowatcenter #kingsleyeguakuntobrowns #clevelandoffensivelineinjuries #wyatttellershutdown #passprotectionagainstpittsburgh Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Outside Eyes on Detroit The Detroit Lions Podcast hit the road to Cleveland, and the distance sharpened the view. From two bustling sports radio stations to family tables, the Cleveland market offered a mirror. Browns fans are arguing about quarterback lottery tickets. Detroit is not. The Lions have a coach with a clear identity, a front office with a plan, and a locker room that knows who belongs. The national noise about a collapse feels off. The season stung. It did not shatter the build. Culture and Core Pieces Dan Campbell's program has a definition. You can point to a draft prospect and say, that is a Detroit Lion. That clarity matters. Amon-Ra St. Brown. Penei Sewell. Aidan Hutchinson. Brian Branch when he returns. The core is young and wired the right way. Even Alim McNeil, who battled injury and only flashed once, drew praise from people who study line play. The belief in him is real. Contrast that with Cleveland's question of what a “Cleveland Brown” even is right now. The gap in identity is the story. Offensive Line Priorities The NFL season exposed needs, and right guard sits near the top. Cleveland talk shows are speaking about Joel Bitonio in the past tense. He has been a rock at left guard. He fits Detroit's culture. Wyatt Teller holds down right guard in Cleveland, and that profile is exactly where the Lions could upgrade. The center plan came into focus too. Tate Ratledge projects as Detroit's center in 2026 and beyond. That is about long-term fit, not 2025 limitations. Graham Glasgow handled center this year because he was more comfortable there, and because Jared Goff favored that stability. Michael Niese is in the mix for depth looks. The line is not a teardown. It is a targeted refinement. Week 18 in Chicago, Then the Long View It is Tuesday, the calendar's final turn is in sight, and Week 18 awaits the Bears. Dan Campbell will not test Ratledge at center this week. That restraint tracks with the larger approach. Keep the standards. Protect the quarterback. Evaluate without panic. The Detroit Lions still have their quarterback in Jared Goff. They still have a top-end nucleus on offense and defense. The Browns are debating Shadur Sanders, trading up, or leaning on lottery tickets like Dante Moore or Fernando Mendoza. Detroit is not living in that chaos. The perspective from Cleveland underscored the point. The Lions are not falling off a cliff. They are figuring out their next set of edges. Identity. Interior line upgrades. Health for young stars. That is the work. That is how a contender stays a contender in the NFL. From Cleveland to Detroit, the message landed. Stay the course. Build the line. Trust the culture. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cB5sjNV_8eY #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #rightguardpriority #interiorlineupgrades #grahamglasgowatcenter #jaredgoffpreference #tateratledge2026center #michaelniesedepth #wyatttellerprofile #joelbitonioveteranguard #week18inchicago #protectthequarterback Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After the Minneapolis Meltdown The Detroit Lions walked out of Minneapolis with bruises and questions. The Minnesota Vikings exposed protection issues, timing issues, and game-management issues. It was hard to watch. On the latest episode of The Grey Area, the conversation turned fast from pain to purpose. This is the last week of the season. The Bears are next. The focus is whether anything learned in that loss will shape what happens now. Dan Campbell's words mattered. Right after the game he said the Lions “gotta make changes.” No hedging. No deflection. His Monday tone was calmer, but the message stood. Change is coming, and he has to be the agent of it. That echoes his raw line after the NFC title loss two seasons ago about “that might have been our shot.” Seasons in the NFL are fragile. Windows swing fast. What happens next decides whether that old line is a footnote or a warning. There was no comfort in the tape. Execution sagged. Play calling sputtered. The Vikings dictated terms. That adds weight to Week 18. Not for stats. For choices. Campbell's Crossroads: Play, Rest, or Recalibrate Grey wrestles with the final-week question. To play or not to play. The roster is banged up. The rhythm is off. The instinct to chase numbers gives way to a need to reset habits. The staff has to decide who benefits from snaps and who needs a seat. No simple answer, but clarity is required. Campbell already pushed past the usual coach-speak about “on to the next one.” He went straight to overhaul talk, with a game still left. That tells you where his head is. Numbers over narratives took a back seat. This week the lesson is bigger than the box score. The Lions need a cleaner plan and a cleaner identity before Chicago. That is the work. Fix the Offensive Line, Fix the Offense The priority is clear. The offensive line is job one. Find a center. Stack guard depth. Solve tackle. You can do that in one offseason. Other teams have done it with castoffs. If Brad Holmes and Campbell hit on those spots, a lot of what failed in Minnesota vanishes. Protection stabilizes the pass game. The run game breathes. Play calling opens up. Defense needs help too. All three levels. But without the line, you get what you just saw. The blueprint is attainable. The roster core can support quick repair. The front office has to execute. Temperature Check: Fans, Accountability, and the Bears Ahead Fans are angry. They should be. The team has traded on two years of success. Prices went up. Expectations followed. Then came the worst Lions performance in years, by execution and by design. That stings. The enemies list segment landed hard because accountability matters right now. Giving in to lesser angels is easy. The smarter move is to demand concrete fixes. The Detroit Lions still control their response. Beat the Bears with purpose. Then attack the line, the depth, and the defensive holes. Campbell opened the door to change. Now he has to walk through it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WqWARwBd_E #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #minneapolismeltdown #minnesotavikings #protectionissues #game-managementissues #dancampbell #week18 #chicagobears #playorrest #offensivelineoverhaul #findacenter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Week 18 Door Opened, Lions Stumbled The NFL weekend handed the Detroit Lions every break. Green Bay got drilled. Chicago lost to San Francisco. A win-and-in shot with the Chicago Bears in Week 18 sat on the table. Detroit did not hold up its end. The Christmas loss to the Minnesota Vikings turned opportunity into regret. The Vikings were a known entity. They crowd the middle. They blitz. They play downhill. Detroit still walked into the trap. The result felt like a coaching loss from prep to whistle. That sting was familiar. The opener against Green Bay carried the same scent. The Detroit Lions Podcast audience heard the frustration. A good team played small in a gotta-have-it moment. NFC Results That Framed It Everything else aligned. The Packers got blown away. Jordan Love was out. Baltimore rolled, and Derrick Henry ran wild. Malik Willis played well before leaving hurt again. Chicago then dropped a high-scoring thriller to the 49ers on Sunday night. The Bears sit high in the NFC mix, pending what the Rams do. Seattle sits at number one. All of it kept a Week 18 showdown in play. Detroit only needed to cash its Christmas ticket. It did not. The 12 Personnel Trap on Offense The offensive plan made it harder. Detroit leaned into 12 personnel and pounded inside. That shrank the field. Linebackers crept up. Safeties walked down. Put Shane Zylstra or Giovanni Ricci in the slot and defenses do not fear the seam. They crowd the box and choke the space where Detroit wanted to live. Spacing matters. You chase linebackers and safeties off with speed and threat. Kalif Raymond changes leverage. Isaac Teslaw does too. Use them to widen the second level and clear seams. Detroit instead condensed everything and invited contact. Inside runs met free hitters. Protection saw extra bodies and late blitzers. The Vikings love that fight. Detroit gave it to them snap after snap. Irrespective of line play, the structure was off. The Lions drew defenders into the very area they targeted. That is backwards. Against an aggressive front, widen, stress, and punish. Detroit did not. Coaching Heat: Campbell and Morton This one lands on the headsets. Dan Campbell as play caller. John Morton as offensive coordinator. Minnesota started Max Brosmer and had backups across the offensive line. Short week for both teams. The Vikings still looked more prepared for what Detroit would do than Detroit was for what Minnesota always does. That is the rub. The worry now is persistence. Keeping Morton in any capacity invites more of the same. Scheme must create its own luck. Preparation must steal downs. The Lions can manufacture it with smarter spacing, better personnel groupings, and quicker answers to pressure. Week 18 still offers meaning. The path narrowed because Detroit gave it away. The fix is not mystical. It is alignment, speed on the field, and a plan that refuses to play to an opponent's strength. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnAcmdsNjlw #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #minnesotavikings #chicagobears #greenbaypackers #sanfrancisco49ers #jordanlove #derrickhenry #malikwillis #12personnel #lateblitzers #spacing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Detroit Lions Stumble Into the Finale After a Christmas Collapse The Detroit Lions walked into U.S. Bank Stadium on Christmas with their season on the line and walked out with it basically over. The loss to the Minnesota Vikings did not feel like a one-off. It felt like every nightmare Detroit fans have been trying to forget, all crammed into one afternoon. Bad starts. Bad breaks. Bad decisions. A team that looked tight, reactive, and completely out of rhythm when it mattered most. If you are asking how an NFL roster that still flashes top-tier talent can end up eliminated before the final week, the answer starts with the way the game unfolded. Detroit never got control of the moment. It began with a penalty that set the tone and it never got better. The offense spiraled. The turnovers stacked. The Vikings did not have to be great for four quarters. They only had to be functional while Detroit handed them short fields and momentum. This was not just a Jared Goff game, but it was one where everything went sideways. He started clean, then got stuck forcing throws, locking in on Amon-Ra St. Brown, and trying to dig out of holes that never should have existed. When you are down multiple scores and your offensive line is held together with tape and optimism, the margin disappears. That is when the bad habits show up. That is when the same old Lions feeling creeps back in. Personnel Misfires, Coaching Blind Spots, and What the Finale Must Be The most frustrating part is that the problems were not mysterious. Detroit has been stretched thin by injuries all year, but the staff kept trying to plug-and-play replacements as if the skill sets were interchangeable. They are not. When you lose Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch, you cannot call defense like they are still on the field. When you lose Sam LaPorta, you cannot pretend the tight end room is the same. When the interior pass rush is missing juice, you cannot expect the back end to survive forever. The personnel usage told the story. Heavy tight end packages without credible tight end threats condense the field and invite defenders into the box. That makes the run game harder and shrinks the passing windows. Detroit played into exactly what Minnesota wanted, then spent the rest of the day trying to climb out. Now the Lions head into the season finale with the playoffs gone, which changes the stakes but not the responsibility. This is still Ford Field. This is still Dan Campbell. And this is still an organization that cannot afford to drift into a losing culture after a 15-win season. The finale has to be a hard reset. Play fast. Play clean. Stop asking backups to be stars. Put players in roles they can actually win. And just as important, take a serious look at why Detroit keeps drafting and acquiring talent that cannot stay on the field. That is not bad luck anymore. That is a pattern. The Lions may be eliminated, but the evaluation is not. Sunday is about pride, clarity, and making sure this stumble does not become a new standard. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEQOVKTTuFI Get yourself a Classic Detroit t-shirt here! Don't miss our great merch selection in the Detroit Lions Podcast store. Looking for the relief that CBD products can bring? Click here: https://bit.ly/2XzawlG Get your Lions Gear at: https://bit.ly/2Ooo5Px As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases made here: https://amzn.to/36e2ZfD Donate Direct at: https://bit.ly/2qnEtFj Join the Patreon Crew at: https://bit.ly/2bgQgyj #DetroitLions, #Lions, #DetroitLionsPodcast, #OnePride, #ChristmasCollapse #LionsEliminated #SeasonOnTheLine #TurnoverTrouble #InjuryExposed #CoachingQuestions #GoffUnderFire #VikingsLoss #EndOfTheRun #FinaleWithPride Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Christmas Collapse in Minnesota The Detroit Lions turned a dominant defensive effort into a bitter loss on Christmas. They fell to the Minnesota Vikings despite allowing only three net passing yards until the final snap. The NFL will not remember the style points. It will remember six Detroit giveaways and one back-breaking coverage bust. That was the difference in a game the Lions should have closed. The numbers sting. Minnesota finished with just 11 first downs and 161 total yards on 51 plays. Sixty-five came on Jordan Addison's game-sealing touchdown. One play erased three quarters of work. It also punished the same structural stress the Lions have failed to solve all season when opponents dress up misdirection and eye candy. This Detroit Lions Podcast breakdown is about hard truths. The Lions invited disaster with turnovers, protection issues, and a run game that never tilted the field. Minnesota crowded the box and disguised pressure. Detroit never adjusted enough. Defense Dominates Until One Bust For most of the day, the defense smothered the Vikings. The front squeezed lanes. The safeties rallied downhill. Max Brosmer accomplished little until the shot that mattered. Then the Lions lost their landmarks. The pattern reappeared. Minnesota mirrored what the Rams, Steelers, Packers, and Cowboys have shown on film. Motion and window dressing pulled the second level inside. The safeties bit. The linebackers held too long. DJ Reed crashed outside leverage with no help behind him. Earlier weeks, it was Amik Robertson or Rak Yassin on the wrong end of similar concepts. On Christmas, Addison ran free. One lapse undone a superb afternoon. Even with that bust, the defense played well enough to win. It cannot be asked to survive six offensive turnovers. Offense Unravels: Line, Plan, and Quarterback Jared Goff started sharp. He drilled a third-down throw on the move to Jameson Williams. He dropped a red-zone strike to Isaac to slaw for the lone touchdown. Then the wheels came off. Minnesota dialed pressure. Detroit's offensive line could not sort it out, and the giveaways piled up. Personnel reality bit hard. Kingsley Agwacun made only his second career start at center. Dan Skipper stepped in at left tackle with Taylor Decker out due to illness. Christian Mahogany gutted through his leg recovery but is not close to full strength. Asking this group to reach across two gaps or land difficult reach blocks was wishful. The run game vanished, and the pocket turned static. There were answers on tape. Shorter drops. Quicker triggers. Roll the launch point right and left. When Goff moved by design, throwing angles opened and timing improved. Detroit did not lean on that enough. Play calling invited the rush instead of using it against an aggressive front with screens, tempo, and rhythmic underneath throws. The equation is simple. Protect the ball. Protect the edges. Protect your defense's work. The Lions did none of it in Minnesota. One explosive allowed and six giveaways define a loss no one in Detroit will soon forget. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5AOYbHi4BY #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #minnesotavikings #sixgiveaways #coveragebust #jordanaddisongame-sealingtouchdown #misdirectionandeyecandy #motionandwindowdressing #crowdedthebox #disguisedpressure #protectionissues #kingsleyagwacun Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Christmas Eve Stakes and a Narrow Path The Detroit Lions fly to Minneapolis with a slim, real path. Win at the Vikings on Christmas. Win at the Bears in Chicago. Hope the Packers lose out. That is the math. It is not pretty, but it exists. The other motivator is pride. Going from the best record in the NFC last year to the basement in the NFC North will not sit well with Dan Campbell or his locker room. The Lions are favored. They should play like a team with playoff vitality. Context matters in December in the NFL. Detroit needs urgency and clean execution. The margin is small. The opponent is wounded, not harmless. Vikings Quarterback Shuffle: Max Brosmer Time Minnesota ruled out JJ McCarthy on Tuesday afternoon. A hairline fracture in his hand ends his season. In comes Max Brosmer. He is an undrafted rookie with one start and mop-up reps. He has an arm and workable accuracy. He lost to the Seahawks, which happens to many. He is not Aaron Rodgers or Matthew Stafford. He is not even a fully healthy Jordan Love. That is a reprieve for a Detroit defense that has seen a run of top quarterbacks. The Vikings are battered elsewhere. Christian Darrisaw, their left tackle, is out. They have shut players down after elimination, similar to how the Lions just shut down Kirby Joseph. The depth chart is thin, but the skill talent around Brosmer still gives structure. Detroit must turn those absences into pressure and turnovers. A Defense That Hasn't Allowed a Passing TD in Six Games Here is the problem for the Lions offense. The Vikings have not allowed a passing touchdown in six straight games. That is the first time a team has done it since the 1989 Browns. This is a legit unit. They blitzed the Lions to great effect in the first meeting. They hammered the A gap. They made life hard for Jared Goff. Detroit's passing game has been inconsistent. Goff has been pretty good, but the interior pass protection must be better. Answers versus the A-gap pressure are non-negotiable. Quick decisions. Firm guards and center. Defined hot routes. Detroit Lions Podcast coverage this week centers on interior protection, blitz answers, and a battered Vikings offense. If the Lions cannot block inside, points will be scarce again. What It Means in Minneapolis and Beyond This sets up a grind. Expect Detroit to lean on pass rush against a backup left tackle and an inexperienced quarterback. Expect Minnesota to heat up Goff and test Detroit's A-gap integrity. Field position matters. So do red zone calls when passing touchdowns are hard to find. Win, and the Lions keep the playoff thread intact and roll into Chicago with purpose. Lose, and last place looms. The formula is simple. Protect the pocket inside. Tackle after the catch. Finish drives with touchdowns. It is Christmas in the NFL. Style points can wait. The Lions need a road win to keep the season alive. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7n9Z9vYgPU #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #a-gappressure #interiorpassprotection #jaredgoff #maxbrosmer #jjmccarthy #christiandarrisaw #backuplefttackle #undraftedrookie #sixstraightgames #passingtouchdown Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Back-to-Back Gut Punch Sets Up Christmas Stakes The Detroit Lions let a win slip in Week 16. Pittsburgh beat them 29-24. Detroit fell to 8-7 and took its first back-to-back loss since 2022. The Lions had first and goal at the 1 with seconds left and still walked off with a defeat. This was not a no-show. The Steelers looked like an AFC playoff team and strung together a suffocating, clock-chewing drive. Yet the chance was there. The miss stings. Now the NFL calendar points to Christmas Day. Vikings on Netflix. Detroit must win out. Green Bay must lose out. The Packers draw the Ravens next and finish with the Vikings. The Lions close with Minnesota and Chicago. The path exists, but it is narrow. The latest Detroit Lions Podcast lays out why the margin keeps shrinking. Third-Quarter Vanish, Red-Zone Regret The same issue keeps surfacing. The third quarter turns into a freezer. Negative yards. Empty possessions. Rhythm gone. Then a desperate rally follows and the game tightens late. That script played out again. The offense disappeared for long stretches, then reached the doorstep and failed to finish. First and goal at the 1. No points. That sequence defines the afternoon as much as any explosive play. Situational football hurt. Short-yardage execution hurt. The Lions have been one of the league's best at bouncing back after losses. Fifteen straight wins after a defeat had been the NFL's top mark. That streak and the margin for error evaporated in Pittsburgh. Run-Game Mechanics Under the Microscope The podcast dug into the run fits and assignments. Too often Detroit left the backside end unaccounted for after motion. An H-back would be aligned to help and then move away at the snap. The edge stayed naked and got knifed. Early on, Anthony Firkser aligned in the backfield to the left with Alex Highsmith outside. Motion pulled Firkser away, and Highsmith charged straight through. On other calls, guards were asked to pull across the formation and reach Highsmith. That is a tough ask against that burst and angle. There was a bright spot up front. Kingsley Accucon made his first career start and graded as the Lions' top run blocker. He showed promise. The contrast with earlier rotations that leaned on Tristan Colon at left guard and center raises timing questions. The unit needs continuity and cleaner answers on the edge. Defense Bent, Then Broke; Christmas in Minneapolis Pittsburgh's marathon march felt like ten minutes of scrimmage control. The defense gave up chunk runs late. Tackling and edge integrity sagged in the fourth quarter. Detroit never flipped the script in real time and paid for it. Next up is Minnesota on Christmas Day. Does it matter? It does if the Detroit Lions want the hunt to mean anything. Start fast. Fix the third-quarter lull. Secure the backside against the Vikings' rush looks. In the red zone, pick a hat on a hat and punch. All of it is on tape, as the Detroit Lions Podcast laid out. The job now is to make it look different in Minneapolis. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujTq6e7WSVA #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #third-quartervanish #red-zoneregret #firstandgoalatthe1 #clock-chewingdrive #runfitsandassignments #backsideendunaccounted #h-backmotion #alexhighsmith #anthonyfirkserinthebackfield #pullingguardreach Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trenches Tell the Story Two Days Before Christmas The Detroit Lions walked out of Sunday with a scar. The loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers came from the line of scrimmage. Film study backed it up. So did the grades. In the NFL, you cannot live in the low 40s up front and expect to win. The Detroit Lions Podcast broke it down with clear eyes and a steady pulse. The last two weeks produced the worst graded run blocking of the season. The last two games also produced the worst run defense grades. Tackling fell off a cliff. The base scoring mark sits at 60. Detroit lived below 50. That is losing football. Detroit's pass rush showed signs of life with stunts and loops, but the run fits and block shedding were not good enough. A veteran like Aaron Rodgers gets the ball out fast. One underthrown moonball turned into a fluke touchdown, and it stung more because no one finished the play. No whistle. No touch. Six points anyway. Center Spotlight and a Veteran Reality Kingsley Eguacan gave the Lions something to build on. Thrown into center against a well coached Pittsburgh front, he held up acceptably. Not perfect. Good enough to see again. He has guard experience from Florida. He has two years in the system. That matters. The evaluation window should stay open these last two weeks to see if he can be a low cost backup in 2026. Graham Glasgow is a pro's pro. Tough. Smart. Trusted by Jared Goff and the staff. He also represents the present more than the future. That balance defines where this offensive line sits. Detroit needs answers now, but it must also cultivate depth that sticks. Eguacan earned another look. Front Seven Accountability Detroit's defensive line investment is real. DJ Reader. Tylik Williams. Alim McNeill. The return has lagged in the run game. Blocks are sticking too easily. Aidan Hutchinson included. Shedding has to improve. The drills exist, but the mindset and urgency must rise. Think less. Strike more. Finish tackles. McNeill's arc is a reminder of time lost. He looked great in his first game back. Since then he has not been very good. A couple of late run stops showed up, but consistency is missing after nine to ten months without football. He knows it. The unit feels it. The Lions need their middle to anchor again. The Steelers' lucky strike exposed another cardinal rule. Play to the whistle. Alex Anzalone went head over heels. Others had to clean it up. No one did. That is fixable with focus. What Must Change Now The Detroit Lions must reclaim the line of scrimmage. Better run fits. Cleaner tackling. Faster block shedding. Keep the pass rush games that worked. Keep evaluating interior depth on offense. Trust your eyes before the grades, but let the numbers confirm the urgency. December demands clarity. Detroit has to find it in the trenches. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiJwlH7f5YM #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #offensiveline #runblocking #rundefensegrades #tackling #passrushstunts #runfits #blockshedding #kingsleyeguacan #grahamglasgow #djreader Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Detroit Lions got outclassed by a so-so Pittsburgh Steelers roster because the plan failed before the ball was kicked. In late December, that is a coaching loss. It exposed a defense without cohesion, a depth chart stretched past its limits, and a Dan Campbell team that needs answers now. This Detroit Lions Podcast recap stares hard at why. Coaching Exposed in Steelers Loss The NFL is unforgiving when preparation lags. Pittsburgh brought a clear script and executed it. Detroit arrived with a better cast and a worse idea. The coaches were not good enough. The defense had no identity. The game plan did not fit the personnel available. That mismatch showed up on every level, from alignments to adjustments. The Steelers dictated with modest talent because they were organized. The Lions were not. That's the headline. It is also the trend. The final score felt earned, and not in a good way. Numbers over narratives point to the same truth. Too many explosive gains. Too many empty downs. Too many drives where Detroit never forced Pittsburgh off schedule. Depth, Scheme, and a Defense That Lost Its Shape Detroit's backups are not winning games in December. Injuries gutted the defense and chipped away at the offensive line again. The “next man up” idea sounds brave. It does not stop crossing routes or protect a corner stranded in man coverage he cannot play. You cannot build a man-heavy scheme and then ask reserves to survive it. Detroit tried to mix in zone. That fell apart too. The front four must cover for the back end. It did not. The starters up front are healthy, as are the three linebackers behind them. Pressure still lagged. That left a shaky secondary to hold forever. Plans that counted on additions like Josh Paschal and Levi Onwuzurike never stabilized. The result has been a defense gashed by everyone, not just top NFC offenses but a middle-tier Steelers unit as well. Worse, the same problems surfaced in other spots. Remember the 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers performance in Detroit. The Lions handed him leverage with structure. He took it. That is a scheme problem. It is also a self-scout problem that has not yet been solved. Flags, Farewells, and the Stakes for Dan Campbell Officiating cannot be the story, but it keeps grabbing the mic. The calls at the end were brutal. They did not decide the outcome. They did shape the discourse. When pool reporters and penalty explanations dominate the postgame, the NFL has a quality control issue. Detroit cannot count on cleaner Sundays. It must become call-proof. Hard choices are next. Some of the Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes originals are nearing the exit. Alex Anzalone may have played his last game at Ford Field. Others with devoted followings could join him. Sentiment meets performance here. Depth must get better. So must the plan to deploy it. This is the inflection point. The Detroit Lions have the talent to compete. They need a defense that fits who is actually available, not who was penciled in back in June. Campbell's next moves will define his tenure. Adapt now, or see December become a closed door again. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsDHgopy-aQ #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #pittsburghsteelers #coachingloss #defensewithoutcohesion #depthchart #dancampbell #explosivegains #man-heavyscheme #crossingroutes #mancoverage #frontfour Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Playoff hopes dim after chaotic ending The Detroit Lions saw their playoff hopes fade in a 29-24 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The finish twisted the knife. Detroit appeared to score on the final snap. The celebration died when offensive pass interference wiped it away. The call, tied to Amon-Ra St. Brown, turned a stunning comeback into an empty box score. The moment fit the day. Frustration. Confusion. Missed chances. This loss stings because it was there to take. The Steelers were banged up. The Lions did not capitalize. Detroit's offense sputtered on the ground. The defense broke late. In the NFL, that combination loses you games in December. Officiating confusion and accountability The officiating crew, led by Carl Cheffers, lost the plot in the final sequence. Communication failed on the field. Players and coaches were left guessing. Letter of the law, the offensive pass interference on St. Brown can be called. Process matters too. It did not look like the crew controlled the situation or explained it. That erodes trust. Earlier, an offensive pass interference flag on Isaac TeSlaa compounded the angst. TeSlaa was pushed by a defensive back into another defender, which triggered the foul. That nuance mattered. Detroit paid for the savvy by Pittsburgh. Calls like these underscore a bigger NFL problem. Transparency is lagging. The league needs an eye-in-the-sky voice. It needs clear, real-time explanations. With gambling tied into every broadcast, the room for opaque officiating is gone. Run game stalls, defense cracks late The Detroit Lions run game vanished. David Montgomery had four carries for 14 yards. His longest went for 17, which means the rest lost three yards. Jameer Gibbs had seven carries for two yards. His longest was six. The other six lost four yards. Jared Goff lost a yard on a designed run. That is a non-starter for a Detroit offense built on balance. It is more galling given Pittsburgh's injuries. No T.J. Watt. No Nick Herbig. Cornerbacks rotating. The Lions offensive line was makeshift, but the execution fell short. Detroit could not move bodies or sustain tracks. The Steelers defensive front won too many snaps on first down. The sticks flipped, and the playbook shrank. Defensively, Detroit blinked in the biggest moments. Two long Jaylen Warren runs in the fourth quarter tilted the field and the clock. Those gap fits must be airtight. They were not. The Lions did not play well enough to overcome that, even without the officiating swirl. Short week to Christmas kickoff An abbreviated week now looms. The Detroit Lions play again on Christmas. The locker room has to flush this and find urgency. The margin is gone. The path is narrow. What remains is pride, correction, and sharper detail. The Detroit Lions Podcast daily notes it plainly. Detroit must own the self-inflicted wounds, demand clarity from the league, and run the ball when it matters. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04GqVJ-4R4s #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #amon-rast.brown #offensivepassinterference #carlcheffers #isaacteslaa #davidmontgomery #jameergibbs #jaredgoff #jaylenwarren #t.j.watt #nickherbig Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Detroit Lions vs Pittsburgh Steelers Post Game Show: A December Fight at Ford Field Everything on the Line for the Lions in Week 16 The Detroit Lions entered Week 16 of the NFL season with no margin for error, hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers at Ford Field in a game that carried unmistakable playoff urgency. December football rarely offers subtlety, and this match-up fit the bill. The Lions needed a complete performance, while the Steelers arrived with their own postseason hopes hinging on discipline, defense, and physical execution. On our post game show, the focus turns to how Detroit handled the moment. Did the Lions play free and aggressive, or did the weight of the situation show early? Ford Field has been a fortress at times this season, and the atmosphere reflected what was at stake. We will break down how the Lions responded to that energy and whether it translated into clean execution on the field. One of the defining storylines heading into the game was how Detroit would deal with Pittsburgh's identity. The Steelers are built around defense, pressure, and forcing mistakes. That puts immediate emphasis on Jared Goff's decision making, the offensive line's communication, and Detroit's ability to stay ahead of the chains. Whether the Lions leaned on the run game or trusted the passing attack to move the ball will be a central part of the discussion. Key Talking Points from Lions vs Steelers Tonight's Detroit Lions post game show will cover the most important themes from this late season clash: Quarterback composure: Goff has been at his best when playing within rhythm and avoiding turnovers. We will evaluate how he handled Pittsburgh's pressure packages and disguised coverages. Defensive toughness: The Steelers rarely beat themselves. Did Detroit's defense create negative plays, win on early downs, and force Pittsburgh into uncomfortable situations? Physicality and field position: Games like this often come down to hidden yards. We will examine special teams, punt coverage, and how both teams managed field position. Coaching decisions under pressure: Late season games test a staff's nerve. We will discuss fourth down choices, clock management, and red zone strategy. Execution in critical moments: Third downs, short yardage, and turnovers tend to decide games with playoff implications. Detroit's performance in these moments will be a major focus. Listener Calls and Detroit Lions Reaction The heart of the post game show is always the fans, and tonight will be no different. We will open the phone lines and take listener calls to capture the full Detroit Lions reaction to a game that could define the season. Were fans encouraged by the Lions' resolve? Did this performance reflect a team ready for January football, or were there missed opportunities that loom large? December games against teams like Pittsburgh reveal who you are. They expose flaws, reward toughness, and leave no room for excuses. Regardless of the final score, this match-up provides a clear snapshot of where the Lions stand as the playoff picture tightens. Join us for the Detroit Lions vs Pittsburgh Steelers Post Game Show as we break down every critical moment, analyze what it means for the Lions' postseason push, and hear directly from the fans who live every snap. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBL6E5p4akI Get yourself a Classic Detroit t-shirt here! Don't miss our great merch selection in the Detroit Lions Podcast store. Looking for the relief that CBD products can bring? Click here: https://bit.ly/2XzawlG Get your Lions Gear at: https://bit.ly/2Ooo5Px As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases made here: https://amzn.to/36e2ZfD Donate Direct at: https://bit.ly/2qnEtFj Join the Patreon Crew at: https://bit.ly/2bgQgyj #DetroitLions, #Lions, #DetroitLionsPodcast, #OnePride, #LionsSteelers, #FordField, #NFLWeek16, #JaredGoff, #AidanHutchinson, #DetroitVsEverybody Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Detroit Lions head into Steelers week with a sharper injury picture and a clearer offensive to-do list. Thursday brought both concern and relief. It also underscored where this NFL team must win situationally, and how the Detroit Lions Podcast sees the fixes lining up. Injury Ledger and Depth Moves Graham Glasgow did not practice with a knee after being listed as a full participant in Wednesday's walkthrough. That is a setback. He has stabilized the interior and played better since the 10-day break. Taylor Decker returned on his standard rest plan. Thomas Harper stacked a second full practice and should clear concussion protocol, putting him on track to start at safety. Sione Vaki moved to full. That helps special teams and sub packages. Giovanni Manu was officially activated. The knee injury was a hyperextension, not surgical. Practice reps are the priority. He needs every snap he can get, even as a scout team tackle or emergency sixth lineman. The planet theory applies here. Athletes that big who move like that are rare. The realistic goal is tackle three next year. Getting him back in the building now accelerates that plan. Morton's Offense After Rams Coordinator John Morton loosened up in front of the mics and still drilled the core point. Detroit must get off the ball better in the run game. The Rams teed off when the Lions showed two backs. Safeties crashed the A gap and squeezed the edges. Tight end blocking did not hold up. That shrank lanes for Jahmyr Gibbs and wasted early downs. The Detroit Lions still scored 34, but the tape says there is meat left on the bone. The fix is personnel. Stop leaning on 12 when you do not have two NFL-caliber tight ends available. Lean into the wideouts. Jameson Williams, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Isaac TeSlaa and Kalif Raymond give Detroit burst, leverage, and spacing. More 11 and spread looks stress rules without telegraphing the run fit. It also creates cleaner access throws that let Gibbs and Amon-Ra work after the catch. Morton even joked about foot speed with Williams and Gibbs. The speed is real. Use it. Special Teams and Steelers Prep Dave Fipp backed Jake Bates after a rough outing. The kicker had a bad day. It happens. Confidence from the coordinator matters in December. Hidden yards and calm operations matter even more. The Steelers are up. That front punishes hesitation. Detroit's path is simple to say and hard to do. Win first contact in the run game. Keep protection firm if Glasgow cannot go. Feature tempo and spacing. Rotate receivers and challenge leverage. Trust Bates when points are on offer. The Detroit Lions Podcast view is consistent. Health is trending up, the offensive identity is clear, and the details now decide games. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afM4bK-Jj3s #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #dailydlp #grahamglasgow #thomasharper #concussionprotocol #taylordecker #sionevaki #giovannimanu #johnmorton #tightendblocking #jahmyrgibbs #jamesonwilliams Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Week 16 Home Finale: Steelers Visit Ford Field Week 16 lands in Detroit with the Pittsburgh Steelers coming to town for the Detroit Lions' last home game of the season. The Lions enter off a loss to the Rams, and the Detroit Lions Podcast zeroed in on health and depth as the NFL stretch run tightens. The matchup features an Aaron Rodgers led Steelers offense that does not push the ball deep often, paired with what has been one of the slowest wide receiver groups in the league. That combination makes timing, tackling, and nickel execution pivotal for Detroit's defense. Thomas Harper's return from a concussion changes the look on the back end. He went through a full practice and profiles as the replacement for Brian Branch in the nickel. Against a quarterback who prefers intermediate windows, Harper's quick trigger and slot discipline are timely. The Lions do not have a clean replacement for Kirby Joseph, and that is the core worry in this game. Secondary in Flux: Hallett Out, Garber In, Joseph Trending Out Roster churn hit the safety room. Eric Hallett is no longer a Detroit Lion, signed off the practice squad by the Tennessee Titans after he logged notable snaps against the Rams. He flashed position flexibility, and his exit trims depth right where the Lions could use it most. To backfill, Detroit added Keenan Garber, an undrafted rookie from Kansas State who began his college career at wide receiver before moving to the secondary. He has bounced through the Vikings and Colts practice squads. This is a developmental add, an evaluation play for future contracts, not an immediate fix. Kirby Joseph did not practice Wednesday and Dan Campbell's tone suggests he is unlikely to go this week. That leaves Avonte Maddox as a hybrid answer and increases the burden on communication. Taylor Decker received veteran rest. The walkthrough produced estimated listings with Tristan Colon limited by a wrist, Giovanni Manu limited with a knee, and Sione Vaki limited with a thumb. The Lions will need special teams reliability from Vaki after a rough outing last week. Guard Play Under the Microscope The interior line became a talking point after the Rams loss. Colon opened well at left guard, especially in pass protection, but his play tailed off as the game wore on. Christian Mahogany logged a full practice, and while the staff remains cautiously optimistic, his return would stabilize the spot if he is cleared to dress. If not, clarity on the rotation is needed. Fans keep asking why Miles Frazier, who looked solid in his debut versus the Cowboys, did not see work against the Rams. That remains an open question as Week 16 approaches. The path is straightforward. Clean up guard play, leverage Harper in the slot, and survive at safety without Joseph. Do that, and the Detroit Lions can close their home slate with control against a methodical Steelers offense. The margin is thin, but the plan fits the opponent. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1M-kUqDDo5A #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #week16homefinale #pittsburghsteelers #fordfield #aaronrodgersledsteelersoffense #slowestwidereceivergroup #nickelexecution #thomasharper #brianbranch #kirbyjoseph #avontemaddox Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Halftime Hope, Second-Half Slide The Detroit Lions lost control of Week 15 and lost the game, 41-34 to the Rams. They led at halftime. They looked ready for a shootout. Then the offense stalled, the defense bent, and the window shut. Two punts in the third quarter, another to open the fourth, and the game was effectively gone. It felt winnable. It also felt like a hard reality check about where this team stands in the NFL. The Detroit Lions Podcast framed it simply. The Rams were better across the board. That is not fatalism. It is the tape. The Rams' offense moved with rhythm. Their line created space. Their run game dictated terms. Detroit had no sustained answer after the break. At 8-6, the Lions remain talented and dangerous, but hot-and-cold. The inconsistency showed up again when the margin tightened. Where the Match-ups Tilted Los Angeles hit Detroit with heavy football and smart formation choices. The Rams leaned into 13 personnel and forced the Lions out of their comfort plan. Detroit's counter is often to go heavy with an extra linebacker and win with size. The Rams removed that edge. Puka Nacua sat at times, and the tradeoff still favored the visitors because the fronts and fits worked. The Lions saw fewer light boxes and more bodies clogging space. On the other side, the Rams' defensive line was ferocious. Their linebackers flowed clean. Their safeties tackled in space. Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery were hemmed in, snap after snap. Detroit needed explosives to keep pace, and they tried. After a three-and-out to start the third quarter, Jared Goff took the shot everyone has been asking for, a vertical to Jameson Williams. The ball nearly hit. The process was right. The result set up another bad down-and-distance, another punt, and more clock for Matthew Stafford to grind down the defense. Flags, Contact, and Thin Margins The frustration bubbled because contact shaped those swing plays. Goff took a helmet-to-helmet shot on the deep ball. Williams was tripped as he stretched for it and later took contact in the back of the end zone. No flags. Around the league, it often cuts the other way for quarterbacks and vertical routes. On this day, it did not. That is not a conspiracy. It is a reminder that Detroit's margin shrinks when officiating gray areas go against them and the opponent keeps stacking efficient snaps. Strip away the noise and the picture is clear. The Rams executed at a higher level and dictated personnel. Detroit's offense blinked at the wrong time. The defense could not tilt the field. The Lions still have the traits to beat good teams, but Week 15 underscored the gap between “can” and “do.” If they want a different ending, the next three weeks must be cleaner, faster, and more forceful at the line of scrimmage. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjWN45pnJv0 #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #week15loss #41-34 #ramsheavyfootball #13personnel #extralinebacker #lightboxes #linecreatedspace #rungamedictatedterms #thirdquarterpunts #jaredgoffdeepball Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Detroit Lions Have No Room For Error The Detroit Lions arrive at this point of the season with zero margin left. Sunday's match-up at Ford Field against the Pittsburgh Steelers is not just another game on the NFL calendar. It is a referendum on where this team is headed and whether the lessons of the last two months have actually been absorbed. In the latest episode titled Detroit Lions Have No Room For Error, the conversation is honest, uneasy, and rooted in the reality that Detroit must start stacking convincing wins immediately or watch the playoff door close. Officiating Noise, Rams Fallout, and a Team Searching for Its Edge The episode opens by revisiting the Rams loss, not to re-litigate the result, but to confront the lingering frustration around officiating. The hosts make it clear this was not why Detroit lost, yet the blown calls and New York involvement remain impossible to ignore. Across the league, trust in the officiating process is eroding, and the Lions have found themselves on the wrong end of too many moments that change momentum if not outcomes. That frustration feeds into a larger issue. The Lions have not been the same team since early October. Injuries in the secondary, rotating offensive line combinations, and a defense that sometimes looks outmatched have stripped away the identity that fueled last season's run. Against the Rams, Detroit looked like the less talented roster for the first time in years. That realization hit hard. The episode frames it as a wake-up call, not just for players, but for the entire organization. Steelers Preview and the Playoff Math Nobody Wants The reality is brutal. Detroit needs wins now, not moral victories. The Pittsburgh Steelers come in fighting for their own playoff lives, and that matters. This is not a team Detroit can sleepwalk past. The Steelers offensive line is physical and stable, their tight ends stress the middle of the field, and they are comfortable turning games into grind-it-out affairs. That is exactly where Detroit has struggled when execution slips. Defensively, the Lions need pressure packages similar to what worked against Baltimore earlier in the season. The Steelers can be beaten if their quarterback cannot sit and survey. That means coordinated rush lanes, disguised looks, and better tackling in space than Detroit has shown recently. This is where pride has to take over. The playoff math is uncomfortable but unavoidable. Detroit can still get in, but it requires winning games like this one and doing it decisively. The episode emphasizes that belief inside the locker room matters as much as standings. This is a team that has to prove to itself it can dominate again, not just survive. Sunday is not about style points. It is about control. The Detroit Lions still have the talent to make noise in January, but only if they treat this Steelers game as the beginning of a three-week sprint where nothing is taken for granted. The room knows it. The fans feel it. There is no room for error now. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bp19_fngA0 Get yourself a Classic Detroit t-shirt here! Don't miss our great merch selection in the Detroit Lions Podcast store. Looking for the relief that CBD products can bring? Click here: https://bit.ly/2XzawlG Get your Lions Gear at: https://bit.ly/2Ooo5Px As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases made here: https://amzn.to/36e2ZfD Donate Direct at: https://bit.ly/2qnEtFj Join the Patreon Crew at: https://bit.ly/2bgQgyj #DetroitLions, #Lions, #DetroitLionsPodcast, #OnePride, #NoRoomForError #MustWinDetroit #LionsPlayoffMath #ProtectGoff #FixTheExecution #FordFieldPressure #NFLRefWatch #SteelersTest #DecemberFootball #LionsAtTheCrossroads Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trenches Decide It: Rams Exposed, Steelers Loom Tuesday morning brings cold air and sharper truths for the Detroit Lions. After getting pushed around by the Rams, the next opponent is the Pittsburgh Steelers, who just handled the Dolphins on Monday Night Football. Pittsburgh led 28-3 before late window dressing. They did it up front. That mirrors how Los Angeles beat the Lions. On the Detroit Lions Podcast, the focus is clear: fix the line play or watch the same script repeat. Pittsburgh's offensive line is built to run. A good young center. Functional guards. Not as talented as the Rams, but plenty capable of moving bodies. Jalen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell can churn out the same six to eight yards on first down that burned Detroit. The Steelers lean into 12 and 22 personnel about half the time, so extra tight ends will be on the field. That naturally slows Aidan Hutchinson with chips and doubles. It puts the onus on the other edge. Al-Quadin Muhammad and Marcus Davenport must win and finish. Run Fits and Interior Muscle Must Tighten The Rams loss turned on run fits and interior control. Linebackers got stuck inside. The Blake Corum touchdown was a clinic in what not to do, with all three backers diving into the same gap. Jack Campbell's 14 tackles were real, but too many came after gains. That's a defensive line problem. This is where the fix begins. Alim McNeill needs to put stats on the sheet. Tylik Williams has to dent the line and shift a gap. DJ Reader must anchor and refuse displacement. Hold ground. Create stalemates on first down. When the Steelers get behind the sticks, their structure frays. The Lions had chances against the Rams with two errant snaps. They failed to cash those in. That margin disappears against a run-first team that stays on schedule. Rush Plan, Personnel Groupings, and a Quiet Worry on Offense The pass rush approach needs urgency. “Crush the can” works when the quarterback stays inside the tackles. It did last night against Aaron Rodgers, who manipulates within the pocket. But it has to arrive faster. On second watch, Hutchinson's down-to-down work held up better than it seemed live, interception aside. He still needs help. Rams 13 personnel buried edges with three tight ends. Pittsburgh doesn't major in 13, but their 12 and 22 looks will still stress contain and set edges. The Lions must convert pressures into negative plays, not just squeeze the pocket. The quiet concern is Detroit's offense versus the Steelers front. Pittsburgh bullied Miami even without T.J. Watt, whose status bears watching after a reported collapsed lung. Regardless, that front won with power and timing. If Detroit's protection and run game resemble the Rams outing, drives will stall. The remedy is familiar: win first down, keep the playbook open, and make Pittsburgh defend width and speed. Do that, and the NFL week ahead shifts back to Detroit's terms. Fail at the line of scrimmage again, and the result will look too much like Sunday. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xC40xwBEd2Q #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #runfits #interiorcontrol #12personnel #22personnel #chipsanddoubles #crushthecan #behindthesticks #winfirstdown #pressuresintonegativeplays #t.j.wattstatus Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Third-Quarter Meltdown at SoFi The Detroit Lions had a halftime lead at SoFi and left with a lesson. The NFL punishes teams that nap after the break, and the third quarter did the damage. Three straight three-and-outs. Short fields for Los Angeles. The defense buckled. The Rams took whatever they wanted. A slip in the postgame summed it up, calling it a three-quarter game before catching it. That is how it played. The game swung in 15 minutes, and the Lions could not claw back. This was not a one-off blip. It mirrored the recent pattern. Since early October the Lions have whipsawed win to loss to win again. The common thread is the third quarter and the struggle to steady the wheel when the script flips. Against the Rams, the reset out of the locker room never came. The Lions waited until the fourth to find rhythm. Too late. Identity Crisis on Offense The Detroit Lions offense lacks a reliable backbone. In the first half, they found it. David Montgomery churned tough yards. Six carries. Thirty-one yards. Early-down success. Manageable thirds. That is how you protect your quarterback against a strong Rams front and a top scoring defense. Then halftime hit, and the plan dissolved. Early-down chuck and duck. Long thirds. Montgomery vanished. Jahmyr Gibbs struggled to dent the wall. The approach drifted from what worked to what played into Los Angeles' hands. The play-caller change was supposed to clarify things. The overall numbers still look fine on paper, especially scoring. But how the Lions get there shifts week to week and quarter to quarter. That is why the roller coaster persists. This team needs a repeatable core idea. Run to set terms. Stay on schedule. Use play action off that. Until the Lions lock into that, the variance will keep biting good game plans in half. Trenches in Trouble Grey underscores the most urgent problem - the offensive line. Tristan Colon is not the answer at left guard. The film and the result say it. If Christian Mahogany is not ready, Miles Frasier has to be the next man up. Graham Glasgow is gutting it out. Taylor Decker is playing through a shoulder. Penei Sewell gets his ankle wrapped every week while carrying the load. The unit is battered, and it shows when the rotation hits the bottom of the depth chart. The offseason priority is clear, but December is here. Protection and the run game are the lifelines for the identity this offense keeps misplacing. Get Montgomery back in early. Make life simpler for everyone across the front. Pass Rush Plan and Secondary Strain The defensive line plan needs a reset. Time to pressure is among the league's worst, and it played out in Los Angeles. Aidan Hutchinson leads in pressures, but they arrive late. That invites disaster for a man-coverage secondary. Puka Nacua and the Rams feasted while Matthew Stafford sat clean and patient. You cannot ask corners to shadow NFL separators for that long and expect a win rate. Fix it with design, not just effort. Heat early. Change launch points. Win on first down to unlock the rush. If the front speeds up the clock, the coverage can breathe. If not, the Lions will keep chasing games they should control. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xb1cCPeMh-U #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #third-quartermeltdown #threestraightthree-and-outs #shortfieldsforlosangeles #ramsfront #topscoringdefense #offensivelinedepth #tristancolon #davidmontgomery #jahmyrgibbs #aidanhutchinson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First-Half Firepower, Then Silence Monday in Detroit arrived without the noise. The Detroit Lions fell to the Rams on Sunday, and the tape split in two. The first half looked like the team that bullied the NFL last year. Jared Goff was sharp. Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams found space. The blocking held up. Aidan Hutchinson stole a possession with an interception. Even with dodgy officiating, the Lions pushed to a 24-14 lead. A late Rams field goal trimmed it before the break, but the Detroit Lions still felt in control. That control vanished after halftime. Three possessions. Nine plays. Three three-and-outs. With a penalty factored in, the Lions finished the third quarter at minus-four yards on those drives. The Rams defense surged. The run game stalled. Jameer Gibbs never found daylight and bounced runs into trouble. Tristan Colon struggled at left guard. The call is clear: the line needs Christian Mahogany back. When you cannot protect Goff or run with any reliability, good NFL teams bury you. The Rams did. Edges Exposed, Back End Missing Matthew Stafford ignited in the second half. Los Angeles attacked the Lions where they are weakest right now, at cornerback and safety. The Blake Corum touchdown came when Rock Ya-Sin crashed too hard inside, surrendering the edge. That was emblematic. Missed assignments piled up. Beyond Hutchinson's takeaway, the pass rush did not change the math. The Rams looked like the number one seed, because they played like it. The absences hurt. The defense is built for back-end playmakers to close windows and erase mistakes. Kirby Joseph and Brian Branch were not out there. Eric Hallett was thrust into his first meaningful NFL minutes and battled, but he is not an All-Pro. The result was a secondary asked to survive on an island. It did not. Dan Campbell's Reality Check Dan Campbell captured the mood postgame. The Lions saw the top of the NFC and are not there right now. That tracks with this season's pattern. At times, Detroit looks like a contender. Last week against Dallas, the ceiling flashed. At other times, like the third quarter Sunday, the floor drops out. Consistency has not arrived, and the margin for error has vanished. Three Games Left, Narrow Path There are three games left. Win all three and the Detroit Lions should reach the postseason. They can do it. Pittsburgh is on the slate and should be beatable, but nothing is guaranteed with this form. The blueprint is simple. Stabilize left guard. Get healthier on the back end. Let Goff, St. Brown, and J Mo dictate tempo early and often. Let Hutchinson's playmaking spark the rush. The Detroit Lions Podcast Daily framed it well: macro truths first, details to follow. The truth is blunt. The Rams were better. Detroit must turn flashes into four quarters, or January will slip away. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKFSx_eFA0E #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #aidanhutchinson #jaredgoff #amon-rast.brown #jamesonwilliams #jameergibbs #tristancolon #christianmahogany #rockya-sin #matthewstafford #blakecorumtouchdown Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Detroit Lions vs Los Angeles Rams Post Game Show: Late Season Spotlight at SoFi A Familiar Storyline in a Crucial NFL Match-up The Detroit Lions traveled west in December to face the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium, and the setting alone ensured this would be one of the most discussed games of the late NFL season. On our post game show, the focus turns not just to what happened on the field, but what it means for Detroit as the calendar moves closer to January. Any Lions versus Rams match-up immediately brings the quarterback conversation to the forefront. Jared Goff returning to face his former team and Matthew Stafford lining up against the franchise where he built his legacy creates a narrative that never fully goes away. This game provided another chapter in that story, and our show will unpack how each quarterback handled the moment, the pressure, and the game plan built around them. Beyond the quarterbacks, this contest tested Detroit's ability to execute in a challenging road environment. SoFi Stadium can be unforgiving, and the Rams defense has a way of speeding up decisions with pressure and disguise. We will examine how the Lions managed protection, whether the run game found traction, and how Detroit adjusted when momentum shifted. What We Will Break Down on the Post Game Show Tonight's Detroit Lions post game show will dive deep into the Detroit Lions vs Los Angeles Rams match-up with a focus on several key areas from this Game 14 stretch of the season: Quarterback play under pressure: How did Goff handle the Rams pass rush and coverage looks? How did Stafford respond when Detroit's defense forced him off schedule? Offensive balance and execution: Did the Lions establish rhythm through the ground game, or did they lean on timing routes and quick throws to move the chains? Defensive discipline: The Rams thrive on misdirection and play action. We will analyze how Detroit's linebackers and secondary handled those challenges. Coaching decisions: Late season games often hinge on situational calls. We will discuss fourth down choices, red zone strategy, and clock management. Physicality and depth: December football exposes roster depth. Which Lions stepped up when the game demanded it? These are the conversations that define the post game show, going beyond the box score to understand the flow and feel of the game. Listener Calls and Detroit Lions Reaction As always, the heart of the post game show comes from the fans. We will open the phone lines and take listener calls to capture the full Detroit Lions reaction to this match-up. Whether it was satisfaction with how Detroit handled a familiar opponent or frustration with missed opportunities, the fan perspective brings the conversation to life. This game against the Rams is more than a reunion story. It is a measuring point for a Lions team navigating the final stretch of the season with postseason goals firmly in view. How Detroit performed at SoFi Stadium offers insight into its readiness for what lies ahead. Join us for the Detroit Lions vs Los Angeles Rams Post Game Show as we break down the performances, the decisions, and the reactions that shape another pivotal moment in the NFL season. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ug0WAKvAGF4 Get yourself a Classic Detroit t-shirt here! Don't miss our great merch selection in the Detroit Lions Podcast store. Looking for the relief that CBD products can bring? Click here: https://bit.ly/2XzawlG Get your Lions Gear at: https://bit.ly/2Ooo5Px As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases made here: https://amzn.to/36e2ZfD Donate Direct at: https://bit.ly/2qnEtFj Join the Patreon Crew at: https://bit.ly/2bgQgyj #DetroitLions, #Lions, #DetroitLionsPodcast, #OnePride, #LionsWin, #LionsRams, #Goff, #Stafford, #NFLWeek15, #SoFiStadium, #LionsFootball Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Statement win sets up a pivotal Week 15 The Detroit Lions are back in the win column. A Thursday night win over the Cowboys steadied the season and kept the heat off. The offense looked like itself again. The defense forced turnovers, hit Dak Prescott, and finished plays with sacks. That combination travels in the NFL, and it mattered here. An in-game twist changed the shape of Dallas' attack. CeeDee Lamb exited, and the Cowboys struggled to land counters without their top weapon. Detroit seized control with pressure and opportunism. The front won early downs. Short fields and extra possessions followed. The result pushed the Lions forward and put a dent in Dallas' postseason hopes. The Detroit Lions Podcast framed it like a play-in vibe. Not literally, with four games left, but close. A crisis averted. A win that reset the pulse and moved focus to Week 15 versus the Rams. Secondary in flux after Branch's Achilles The price was heavy. Branch suffered an Achilles injury. It's brutal, not only for his talent but his versatility. He can trigger downhill, play single high, rotate as a split safety, and man up in the slot. That toolbox is hard to replace on the back end. Safety remains unsettled. There is doubt about a Kirby Joseph return. The room has seen looks at veterans such as Jalen Mills and Damontae Kazee. Avonte Maddox appears first in line for more work. He flashed against Dallas. He closed space, nearly stole a pick, and read routes with confidence. One chest-high deflection could have been six the other way. Another break on a tight end route forced a modest gain instead of a chunk. Depth took more hits. Thomas Harper is in concussion protocol after a scary moment. That leaves Detroit balancing personnel with structure. There is a path here. Earlier this season, a shorthanded group versus Washington leaned into more zone concepts. It wasn't simple, but it fit the lineup and looked sharp. With DJ Reed and Terrion Arnold back, the defense leaned heavily on man coverage again. That works if quick pressure arrives. Without it, the risk spikes. The question now: blend? Dial up zone on early downs, sprinkle man on money downs, and let the rush dictate. With Branch out, the call sheet must protect leverage and angles while keeping the pass rush connected to coverage. What travels to Rams week Week 15 brings the Rams and a fresh stress test. Detroit's pass rush just changed a game. It needs to do it again. Turnovers fueled the win over Dallas. They must show up on the road. The coverage plan is the hinge. Maddox's snaps matter. Reed and Arnold's technique and eye discipline matter. So does tackling after the catch. The formula is clear. Start fast. Hit the quarterback. Win takeaways. Keep the secondary out of isolation for long stretches. Do that, and the Detroit Lions keep stacking wins in December. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5_BozdF7ac #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #dakprescott #ceedeelamb #week15atrams #brianbranchachilles #kirbyjoseph #jalenmills #damontaekazee #avontemaddox #djreed #terrionarnold Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rams Week Arrives With a Thin Secondary The Detroit Lions turn from a satisfying win over Dallas to a brutal test. The Los Angeles Rams bring Matthew Stafford, Davante Adams, and Puka Nakua. That is elite NFL firepower. Detroit's secondary is shredded. Terrion Arnold is on IR. Brian Branch is out for the season after Achilles surgery. The Detroit Lions will miss his burst and instincts. Eight to twelve months is the window. Explosiveness is the concern. Kirby Joseph has not played since Cincinnati. A knee has stalled him for two months. It is extremely unlikely he plays this week. Even if he suits up, rust would be real. That leaves a patchwork back end. DJ Reed is back and looked spryer against Dallas. Amik Robertson has been targeted and tested. Some of that is opponent selection. Some of that is the lack of reliable safety help. Rakusin can fight through contact. He can body up bigger wideouts like Nakua. He has seen Adams before. There is a path to competence on the outside if leverage and help are right. Depth could matter. Names like Dorsey and Whiteside linger as emergency snaps. Thomas Harper has played decent ball and may need to stabilize the middle. Stafford, Nakua, Adams vs What's Left The Detroit Lions Podcast focused on a simple truth. Stafford punishes hesitation. The Rams offensive line is steady. Alrick Jackson is playing fantastic at tackle. That buys time for layered concepts. It also stresses communication for new safety pairings. With Branch and Joseph out, spacing must be clean. Angles must be precise. Miss a tackle and a chunk play follows. Context matters. The Rams play on Thursday night against Seattle. Short week. Division pressure. That can influence game flow. If the Detroit Lions jump early, Los Angeles might conserve for the NFC West fight ahead. No one is suggesting they look past Detroit. But the clock and next week exist. Start fast and force a choice. How Detroit Can Steer This Game The Cowboys arrived hot. They could not keep up with the Lions. That is the template. Score first. Make the Rams one dimensional. Then protect the corners with smart safety landmarks. Keep Nakua in front. Make Adams win with contested catches. Rally and tackle. Reed must stack another clean game. Robertson needs better bracket timing. Rakusin has to turn physicality into reroutes, not flags. Harper's consistency matters on third down. Communication is the currency. One bust against Stafford can flip the script. This is not pretty. It is resilient. The Detroit Lions can live with completions if they choke off yards after catch and finish red zone snaps. A couple of early stops, one takeaway, and the offense can tilt the field. December football is about surviving matchups. The path is narrow, but it is there for Detroit Lions fans to believe in this week against the Rams. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEgkNrvNoEU #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #matthewstafford #pukanakua #davanteadams #alrickjackson #ramsoffensiveline #shortweekvsseattle #brianbranchachillessurgery #terrionarnoldir #kirbyjosephknee #djreed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dallas Lessons, December Stakes December football sets the stage. The Detroit Lions enter the final four-week stretch back on a Sunday rhythm with the Los Angeles Rams looming. The Dallas tape offered a clear tell. The NFL's number one scoring offense looked like itself again. The run game gave the passing game teeth. David Montgomery logged six carries for 60 yards. Ten yards a pop signals clean creases and a line winning at the snap. Jameer Gibbs wrecked space as a receiver. Amon-Ra St. Brown hovered near 100 yards. Jared Goff settled in after a shaky start and finished 25 of 34 for 309. The offensive line needed a beat to sort the rush, then found a groove. Myles Frasier debuted at tackle and delivered a mixed bag that leaned encouraging. The lesson is simple. When the Lions run game finds daylight, everything else breathes. The Montgomery-Goff Efficiency Link Numbers over narrative, and the numbers are blunt. When Montgomery runs efficiently, Goff follows with precision. That pairing has defined this Detroit Lions offense all year. Examples stack easily. Dallas: Montgomery 6 for 60. Goff 25 of 34 for 309. Chicago early: Montgomery 11 for 57. Goff 23 of 28 for 334. Cincinnati: Montgomery 18 for 65. Goff 19 of 23 for 258. Washington: Montgomery 15 for 71. Goff 25 of 32 for 320. Baltimore: Montgomery 12 for 151, including a 72-yarder. Goff 20 of 28 for 202. Volume is not the point. Efficiency is. Montgomery does not need a highway. He needs a crease. When he gets it, play action sharpens, early downs stay on schedule, and Goff's outcomes tilt to quick decisions and high-percentage throws. The rotation with Gibbs keeps the offense balanced and prevents predictable sequences that put the unit behind the sticks. Rams Week: The Tell to Watch The Rams conversation often centers on Matthew Stafford and Puka Nakua. Their passing game draws headlines. The defense deserves equal attention. That unit is tough and better than the chatter suggests. This week comes down to the Detroit Lions offensive line. If the interior moves bodies early and tackles handle speed, Montgomery's first few touches will show it. Four yards here, seven there. Cutbacks available. If those creases appear, expect Goff to operate on time, Gibbs to stress matchups in space, and Amon-Ra to gash zones on option routes. Watch the first three Lions runs. If they gain efficient yards, the script opens. Play action bites. Screens and counters puncture the rush. Special teams or a short field can tilt the math. If the run game stalls, the Rams defense can dictate rhythm. Reinforcements might be on the way. The core truth remains. In this matchup, Montgomery's efficiency is the early tell. The Detroit Lions Podcast will have more as expansion rolls on, but the equation is already on tape. Create creases. Keep Goff clean. Let the offense breathe. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R--tDXoHBxc #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #offensiveline #davidmontgomery #jaredgoff #jameergibbs #amon-rast.brown #mylesfrasier #losangelesrams #matthewstafford #pukanakua #ramsdefense Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Detroit Lions Make A Statement When They Had To The Detroit Lions did not just beat the Dallas Cowboys. They answered a question the rest of the NFL was starting to whisper: could this team still reach the gear it showed last year when everything mattered. A 44–30 win over Dallas at Ford Field in a must win spot is not perfection, but it is proof of concept. This is what the Lions offense is supposed to look like when it breathes, and what this defense looks like when it steals possessions instead of just surviving. Jared Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs and an Offensive Line That Finally Settled This felt like a reset game for Jared Goff. After weeks of interior chaos and happy feet, he played like a quarterback who trusted what was in front of him, finishing with a 121 passer rating and command of the entire field. He did not just lock onto Amon Ra St. Brown. He spread it around. St. Brown went 6 for 92 on one good ankle. Jameson Williams added 7 for 96 in what might be his most complete game as a pro. The star, though, continues to be Jahmyr Gibbs. He is no longer just a fun wrinkle in the playbook. He is the problem defenses cannot solve. Seventy seven receiving yards, a series of ankle erasers in space, and the constant threat that any touch might become a house call. This is the first Lions player since Barry Sanders who genuinely makes you lean forward every time he has the ball. Quietly, the big shift up front was Miles Frazier. Once the rookie stepped in at left guard for Tristan Colon, the protection and run fits stopped looking like a fire drill. Frazier buried people on duo and inside zone, climbed to the second level with bad intentions, and gave both Goff and David Montgomery room to operate. Monty responded with 60 hard rushing yards and looked far closer to the back we saw last season than the guy fighting for air against Philadelphia. If this is who the offensive line can be with Frazier settling in and the tackles relatively healthy, Detroit's playbook opens back up. Shot plays to Williams, option routes for St. Brown, and Gibbs isolated on linebackers is how the Lions offense stresses an entire defense. Defense, Special Teams and the NFC Playoff Picture The Lions defense did not dominate Dallas statistically, but it did what great units do in big games. It turned the ball over. Fourteen points came directly off Cowboys mistakes. Jack Campbell flew around again, DJ Reed battled with CeeDee Lamb until the concussion, and the front made Dak Prescott uncomfortable enough to force high risk throws. Special teams finally flipped a field too. Tom Kennedy looked like he had been waiting five years for those returns, hitting seams at full speed and giving the offense short grass it has been missing all season. That is how complementary football is supposed to look in a real playoff race. In the NFC playoff picture, the win keeps the Detroit Lions alive for more than just a wild card berth. It keeps pressure on Green Bay and Chicago, and it turns next week's trip to play the Los Angeles Rams into a leverage game instead of a funeral. Run the ball the way Carolina just did against the Rams, protect Goff the way they did against Dallas, and Detroit can turn this one statement into the start of a December run. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvYN107viHw Get yourself a Classic Detroit t-shirt here! Don't miss our great merch selection in the Detroit Lions Podcast store. Looking for the relief that CBD products can bring? Click here: https://bit.ly/2XzawlG Get your Lions Gear at: https://bit.ly/2Ooo5Px As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases made here: https://amzn.to/36e2ZfD Donate Direct at: https://bit.ly/2qnEtFj Join the Patreon Crew at: https://bit.ly/2bgQgyj #DetroitLions, #Lions, #DetroitLionsPodcast, #OnePride, #LionsWin, #LionsMakeAStatement #GoffLockedIn #GibbsElectric #FrazierBreakout #LionsPlayoffPush #JamoStepsUp #StBrownBattles #CowboysFallInDetroit #ComplementaryFootball #FordFieldEnergy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two Thursday games rattled the calendar and the Detroit Lions. The week felt sideways. The noise got loud. The product wobbled. Strip away the spin. What we learned matters more than what we hoped. Headlines You Cannot Trust The injury chatter swung like a gate in the wind. Ragnow went from absent to savior to ghost in a blink. Kirby Joseph told people his knee was cooked, then showed up at practice in a big brace. That is whiplash. This team is usually clear with its injury tone. Not this week. The lesson is simple. Do not let a headline set your expectations. Watch who lines up. Listen to how they move. The Detroit Lions need stability in December, not rumor traffic. The churn even spilled into odd notes about Lamb Barney. It all fed a theme. Confusion. Mixed messages. A week when Allen Park felt less buttoned up than normal. In the NFL, clarity is competitive advantage. The Lions did not have it. Fundamentals Are Bleeding the Defense This defense has to get back to basics. Communication in zone is off. Handoffs in the secondary are late. Aidan Hutchinson is sprinting upfield and running out of plays. Too many snaps look like hero ball. Too few look like assignment football. That gap shows up in explosives and third downs that should die but do not. The fix is not complicated. Line up right. Fit gaps. Tackle. Trust leverage. Make the play that is there. Coaches have called it out. Players have echoed it. The standard slipped the past couple of weeks. It must snap back now. Interior Offensive Line Is Priority One Nothing on offense works if the middle caves. Jared Goff is getting heated up. The run game is choppy despite talent in the backfield. Interior pressure ruins timing and rhythm. Games, blitzes, and straight-ahead power are splitting the A and B gaps. That is the story. Anyone not named Penay Sewell has room to grow. That is the blunt truth. The offseason answer is clear. Fix the interior. But the Detroit Lions cannot wait for March. For the next five weeks, protect the pocket interior first. Get the ball out. Stay out of long yardage. That keeps the play sheet open and the hits down. Five Weeks to Reclaim Their Edge This team is not as good as we thought. Not right now. Staff changes hit. Injuries took a toll. Execution dipped below last year's crisp level. Coaching has to be better Monday through Friday and again on Sunday. That includes clock work, preparation, and corrections. The doomers get their day after a week like this. Fair. The enemies list is short though. It is the details. The Detroit Lions can still write a December worth keeping. Start with discipline on defense. Clean up the interior on offense. Cut the noise. Play to the plan. The Detroit Lions Podcast framed the week around those truths. The path forward is narrow, not closed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ANEFDHr-5w #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #aidanhutchinson #frankragnow #jackcampbell #kirbyjoseph #jaredgoff #penaysewell #interioroffensiveline #interiorpressure #aandbgaps #zonecommunication Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thanksgiving Fallout: Packers Exploit Lions' Soft Spots The Detroit Lions just got punched in the mouth on Thanksgiving. Green Bay walked into Ford Field and exposed familiar weak points. It was not a surprise. This matchup has been a bad fit for Detroit in recent seasons, from Week 1 to a prior holiday meeting. The result felt inevitable once the first few series played out. The Lions could not protect Jared Goff. They could not pressure Jordan Love. That two-lane problem defined the day in the NFL spotlight. The Detroit Lions Podcast laid it bare. You could tell what kind of Goff game it would be almost immediately. Early heat rattled timing. Pocket noise forced hurried feet and tight-window throws. Meanwhile, Love operated in rhythm. Detroit's front never got him off his spot. That is a losing formula, no matter the venue. Protection, Pressure, and a Quarterback on Alert This loss was not about one player. It was the offensive line and the defensive line failing together. Pass protection broke down at critical moments. The run game could not steady the offense. Goff needs trust in his interior. He did not have it. On the other side, the pass rush never arrived. Edge wins were rare. Interior push was flatter still. With no heat, Love surveyed calmly and found answers against zones and match rules that never stressed him. The Packers' front presents unique challenges to this roster construction. That showed up again. When Detroit cannot dictate with its lines, the margin shrinks. Mistakes become touchdowns and field goals instead of punts. The Lions paid for it. Discipline, Details, and the Wicks Touchdown There will be noise about officiating. A missed timeout on a false start created a four-point swing. The Lions lost by seven. That stings, but it is not the story. Detroit's issues were self-authored. Coverage busts and situational lapses fed Green Bay's momentum. The Wicks touchdown tells the tale. Brian Branch throttled down at the goal line. He looked at the quarterback instead of finishing the route. That is a cardinal sin for a defensive back. Eyes can find the ball, but the feet must stay alive. He admitted as much, and the tape confirms it. One pause, six points. Add in missed pressures, soft landmarks, and leverage errors, and you have a defense that never dictated. Love picked it apart because he was allowed to. No disguised pressure. No hurry. No hits. Where the Lions Must Tighten Up Detroit needs its identity back at the line of scrimmage. Protect Goff. Collapse the pocket on defense. Clean up the small stuff in coverage. The Lions have enough talent to fix this, but it won't be solved by arguing flags. It comes from pad level, communication, and fundamentals. Start there. The next opponent will test those same stress points until the Lions prove otherwise. Thanksgiving turned combative in living rooms across Michigan for a reason. The film matches the frustration. The path out is simple to say and hard to do. Win up front. Finish routes on defense. Give your quarterback clean answers. That is Detroit Lions football when it works. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nfhkTuvRtk #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #thanksgiving #fordfield #greenbay #jaredgoff #jordanlove #offensiveline #defensiveline #passprotection #passrush #interiorpush Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thanksgiving Loss Autopsy The Detroit Lions stumbled on the holiday stage. A 60-minute reminder that thin margins decide NFL games. The Green Bay Packers seized the key points. Detroit let them. The box score looked even. Yards and first downs were a wash. Penalties matched. Time of possession tilted late to the Lions. The first half belonged to Green Bay. The difference lived on the edges. Fourth downs. The Packers converted. The Detroit Lions did not. That flipped field position, momentum, and mood at Ford Field. Detroit's third-down efficiency hid a quieter problem. Too many calls short of the sticks on third and long. That set up fourth and manageable. It also invited disaster when the conversion failed. Fourth Down Philosophy Under Fire Aggression is a Detroit Lions brand. It has paid off. It also burned them here. Two fourth-down calls defined the loss. The first was telegraphed. The formation screamed run. Jamir Gibbs lined up deep. Offensive linemen dug their knuckles. Green Bay read it. Everyone in the building did. The play crashed into a wall. The second call was sharp. Roll Jared Goff. Move the launch point. Punish a pass rush that had battered the offensive line. Jameson Williams streaked across the field. He shook free. The throw and the catch were not clean. Both the quarterback and receiver owned it. The concept worked. The execution failed. That theme echoed all afternoon. Play Calling, Execution, and Bandwidth The Detroit Lions Podcast framed a broader issue. Dan Campbell taking over offensive play calling energized the Washington game. It also put strain on the operation. Since the switch, precision has slipped on both sides of the ball. Missed assignments. Late details. Detroit's edge in the margins dulled. Is the head coach stretched thin? In-game play design demands focus. So does clock, fourth down math, and defensive oversight. If assistants cannot carry more weight, small cracks widen. Thursday showed it. Detroit's tendencies were on tape. Green Bay anticipated and attacked them. The offense toggled between conservative third-down calls and aggressive fourth-down tries. That split personality cost possessions and points. Next Up: Dallas Test, Urgent Fixes The Lions visit Dallas next week. The Cowboys punish mistakes. Detroit must recalibrate before then. Throw to the sticks on third down. Break self-scout tendencies. Dress runs with motion and constraint plays. Use Gibbs as a decoy and a finisher. Protect Goff with movement and rhythm. Lean into Jameson Williams' speed with clear reads and layups. This roster wins with detail and conviction. Thursday lacked both. The solutions are not exotic. They are disciplined. Balance fourth-down aggression with smarter third-down design. Vary formation tells. Clean up timing and landmarks. If the Detroit Lions hit those notes, the path sharpens again. If not, Dallas will hear the same music Green Bay did. And play it louder. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4S3YWKlSTo #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #greenbaypackers #fourth-downaggression #third-downefficiency #jamirgibbs #jaredgoff #jamesonwilliams #dancampbellplaycalling #self-scouttendencies #passrush #dallascowboys Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Detroit Lions vs Green Bay Packers Post Game Show: Game 13 Breakdown Lions Host Rival Packers in a High Stakes Division Clash The Detroit Lions welcomed the Green Bay Packers to Ford Field for a crucial Week 13 NFL showdown, a game that always brings emotion, pressure, and no shortage of story lines. On tonight's post game show, we will break down everything from the execution on both sides of the ball to the growing implications inside the NFC North race. Detroit entered this match-up riding momentum and expecting the building to carry a playoff atmosphere. The Packers arrived fighting to stay alive in the division chase, hoping to disrupt the Lions' rhythm and force mistakes. Even without Frank Ragnow, who is expected to return soon but not in time for this game, the Lions leaned on an offensive line that has held up admirably through injuries and depth challenges. Our show will take a close look at how the Lions handled the trenches, how well Jared Goff operated under pressure, and whether the front seven was able to disrupt Green Bay's offense. With the rivalry heating up this late in the season, discipline, turnovers, and situational football were always going to play a central role. What We Will Discuss on the Post Game Show Tonight's Detroit Lions post game show will take a full view of the Detroit Lions vs Green Bay Packers battle. Key topics include: Offensive adjustments without Ragnow: How did the Lions manage the interior line and communication responsibilities? Did the ground game find consistency or did the Packers' front control the early downs? Quarterback play and rhythm: We will evaluate Goff's timing, accuracy, and decision making against a Packers defense that has leaned heavily on disguised pressures and young play-makers. Defensive pressure and containment: Aidan Hutchinson and the Lions' pass rush faced the challenge of keeping Green Bay uncomfortable. We will break down whether Detroit generated enough pressure and how the secondary handled the Packers' young receivers. Situational excellence: Third downs, red zone efficiency, and turnover margin will be dissected in detail, since these elements often decide Lions vs Packers games. Depth and development: Key injuries have pushed younger players into roles they did not expect to fill this early. Did those players step up? How did the defensive rotation respond to Green Bay's tempo and play calling? Listener Calls and Detroit Lions Reaction As always, our post game show will feature live listener calls so we can capture the full Detroit Lions reaction. Fans will have plenty to talk about regarding the division rivalry, the physicality of the match-up, and how the team handled the moment at home. Whether the Lions delivered a statement win or battled through a tight contest, this game provides important clues about where Detroit stands heading into the December stretch. With Ragnow's return on the horizon and the roster rounding back into form, the Lions have a chance to strengthen their grip on the division. Join us for complete analysis on the Detroit Lions vs Green Bay Packers Post Game Show, where we dive into every angle and hear from the fans who live and breathe this rivalry. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4b3RqEYzSw Get yourself a Classic Detroit t-shirt here! Don't miss our great merch selection in the Detroit Lions Podcast store. Looking for the relief that CBD products can bring? Click here: https://bit.ly/2XzawlG Get your Lions Gear at: https://bit.ly/2Ooo5Px As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases made here: https://amzn.to/36e2ZfD Donate Direct at: https://bit.ly/2qnEtFj Join the Patreon Crew at: https://bit.ly/2bgQgyj #DetroitLions, #Lions, #DetroitLionsPodcast, #OnePride, #LionsWin, #FordField, #Goff, #AidanHutchinson, #NFLWeek13, #BeatThePackers #FTP Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First-Half Flames, Second-Half Fix The Detroit Lions survived a nail biter against the New York Giants. It was a big NFL win, but it started ugly. The defense looked disorganized. Misfits. Miscommunication. The Giants scored more in the first half than Philadelphia managed across four quarters. That set the tone. The week's theme inside Allen Park was firefighting. Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard called his unit the firefighters. Dan Campbell leaned into it too. In the first half, everything burned. After halftime, the Lions put the fire out. Structure returned. Tackles stuck. The scoreboard slowed. That resilience, not the chaos, is the lasting note. This Detroit Lions Podcast recap keeps the focus on cause and effect. The early mess forced the defense to respond. They did. The win stands because they adjusted, not because the opening plan worked. That is a useful truth with a short week ahead. Jahmyr Gibbs, Star Power in Full View Jahmyr Gibbs tilted the field. Again. He is the biggest offensive star the Detroit Lions have had since Calvin Johnson. Before that, Barry Sanders. That is the lineage described, and the tape backs it. Gibbs changes leverage with one cut. He erases angles in space. He is lethal in the run game and the pass game. The national conversation is finally catching up to what Detroit already knows. Touches will always be the debate. Some want more Gibbs. Some want more David Montgomery. The truth is simpler. There is only one player on this offense, and maybe in this league, who can do what Gibbs can do snap to snap. He must be a focal point against Green Bay on Thanksgiving. Every motion, every screen, every counter that stresses rules should run through 26. Campbell's Call Sheet and the Sideline Clock Dan Campbell taking over play calling midseason was a gamble. It has lifted the offense, but it has a cost. Game management suffered against the Giants. Timeouts were misused. The challenge process faltered. Too much traffic on the headset, and too much on one person. That is the trade-off when the head coach calls plays instead of John Morton. The Lions can live with some inefficiency if the sequencing and feel stay hot. But the margin is thin with six games left and the Packers next. Campbell must evolve weekly. Clean the clock work. Streamline the challenge mechanics. Keep the creativity. The team cannot keep fixing the plane at altitude. Amon-Ra's Pain, Packers on Deck Amon-Ra St. Brown is playing hurt. The drops tell the story. He had two all of last season. He has two or three in back-to-back weeks now. And yet he still led the team in catches and yards. The toughness is obvious. The production remains. That balance will matter on Thursday at Ford Field against the Packers. The enemies list shifts after a win like this. Green Bay tops it. Firefighting metaphors can stay in the past. The Detroit Lions need clean starts, Gibbs in rhythm, and a calmer sideline clock. Do that, and the next Detroit Lions Podcast will be breaking down a statement Thanksgiving win. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvi2PQZFnYA #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #newyorkgiants #miscommunication #kelvinsheppard #firefighters #dancampbell #playcalling #gamemanagement #timeouts #challengeprocess Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Detroit Lions vs New York Giants Post Game Show: Game 12 Breakdown Lions Return Home Looking to Maintain Their NFC Push The Detroit Lions returned to Ford Field for Game 12 of the NFL season, hosting the New York Giants in a match-up that carried weight for both teams. Detroit sought to continue its run toward the top of the NFC, while the Giants came in trying to salvage a turbulent season marked by inconsistency and injuries. On our post game show, we will break down how Detroit handled this late November test and what the performance revealed about the team's trajectory. One of the biggest story-lines entering the game was head coach Dan Campbell continuing to call the offensive plays. Campbell's influence has been felt in recent weeks, with Detroit showing more tempo variation, increased aggression in early downs, and a willingness to challenge defenses vertically. Game 12 offered another chance to see how his vision meshes with Jared Goff and the rest of the offense. The Giants brought a defensive front capable of disrupting rhythm. Detroit's offensive line, still adapting to mid-season injuries, needed to neutralize the interior pressure that New York relies on to stay in games. Whether the Lions leaned on Jahmyr Gibbs for explosive plays or asked Goff to dissect coverages will be a focal point during the show. What We Will Discuss on the Post Game Show Tonight's Detroit Lions post game show will dive into several important angles from the Detroit Lions vs New York Giants match-up: Offensive identity under Campbell: With Campbell calling plays, how did Detroit's offense evolve this week? Did the Lions find balance between the run and pass or lean heavily in one direction? Defensive performance: Aidan Hutchinson and the Lions front had an opportunity to pressure a Giants offense that has struggled to find consistency. Did Detroit control the line of scrimmage and limit the Giants' rushing game? Execution in critical moments: Third downs, red zone trips, and turnover margins often define close NFL games. We will evaluate whether Detroit capitalized on these situations. Depth and resilience: This stage of the season often reveals which teams can withstand injuries. Did Detroit's defensive rotation hold up? Were the young cornerbacks tested? Listener Calls and Detroit Lions Reaction No post game conversation is complete without hearing from the fans. On the post game show, we will open the phone lines to take live calls and gather the full Detroit Lions reaction to this Week 12 match-up. Were fans encouraged by what they saw with Campbell leading the offense? Did the Lions look like a team gearing up for a playoff run, or did the Giants expose areas that need urgent attention? Regardless of the final score, this game provides valuable insight into Detroit's ability to adapt, compete, and finish strong as the season enters its most demanding stretch. Join us as we break it all down on the Detroit Lions vs New York Giants Post Game Show, along with the reactions that only Lions fans can deliver. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNESt_kSmAI Get yourself a Classic Detroit t-shirt here! Don't miss our great merch selection in the Detroit Lions Podcast store. Looking for the relief that CBD products can bring? Click here: https://bit.ly/2XzawlG Get your Lions Gear at: https://bit.ly/2Ooo5Px As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases made here: https://amzn.to/36e2ZfD Donate Direct at: https://bit.ly/2qnEtFj Join the Patreon Crew at: https://bit.ly/2bgQgyj #lions #detroitlions #detroitlionspodcast #onepride #nfl #goff #jaredgoff #Goff, #AidanHutchinson, #NFLWeek12, #LionsWin, #FordField, #DetroitVsEverybody #NewYork #NewYorkGiants #Giants Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Detroit Lions Podcast: OT Draft Fits for the Lions November Draft Lens From the Detroit Lions Podcast It is late November and the Detroit Lions conversation already includes the NFL Draft. Playoff expectations sit high, but roster building never sleeps. The focus here is offensive tackle. Four names came up. Three look like fits for Detroit. One does not. Two earned deep dives, and both would impact the trenches in different ways. The Lions value athletic thresholds, positional movement skills, and verified testing. Measurements matter. So does tape that shows recovery, spatial control, and finish. Day 1 versus Day 2 will hinge on those numbers. Early Day 2 is a sweet spot if the board and need align. Brad Holmes has shown a willingness to maneuver when a specific player matches the profile. Caleb Tiernan's Decker-Style Fit at Left Tackle Caleb Tiernan of Northwestern checks boxes that tie directly to Taylor Decker's role. He is a left tackle with real experience and Detroit roots at Country Day. He carries a big frame at six foot seven and 329 pounds. The size looks honest. The game reflects it. Tiernan is not the smoothest mover, but he is coordinated and functional. He gets into space, engages, and finishes. He uses his length well and fires his hands with improving placement. If he loses early, he knows how to recover. That ability shows on film and matters on Sundays. The profile reads leader with grit and snarl. The style echoes Decker's steady control more than twitchy flash. On consensus boards he sits near 62. On a sharper internal board he ranks 39. That places him squarely in the second round. For the Detroit Lions, that screams early Day 2 consideration. It might be earlier than their natural slot, which invites the familiar question about moving up. Athletic testing will be important. He is the least athletic of the discussed quartet, but not a bad athlete. If the numbers clear Detroit's benchmarks, the fit stays strong. Blake Miller's Surge and a Right Tackle Contrast Blake Miller of Clemson brings a different energy. A four-year starter at right tackle with a small taste of left tackle, he is an ascending talent. The tape this season is the best he has played. Footwork pops. Hips and shoulders sync. He keeps his feet alive and wins in space. He seals corners. He down blocks with force. The athletic profile is real and functional in the open field. Miller's arc shifted from a summer fifth or sixth round projection to a top-20 grade on that same internal board. Consensus has him near 65. The weight is the pivot. He was listed at 295 in spring. He is pushing 300 now. If he hits 305 to 310 by the combine, first round is on the table. The style differs from Penei Sewell. Miller is more speed and space than pure power. That contrast can work in Detroit's ecosystem. Two tackles. Two lanes to upgrade depth and plan succession. As the Detroit Lions press forward, the offensive line remains the identity. The draft will offer answers at left tackle and right tackle. The board already hints at where to look. #DetroitLions #Lions #DetroitLionsPodcast #CalebTiernan #BlakeMiller #TaylorDecker #PeneiSewell #LeftTackle #RightTackle #EarlyDay2 #FirstRoundOnTheTable #AthleticThresholds #PositionalMovementSkills Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Detroit Lions Podcast: Pressure Rising and Identity on the Line The Detroit Lions return to Ford Field this weekend in what feels like a must win against the New York Giants. Coming off a deflating loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit cannot afford another slip. In the newest episode of Risdon Reviews the Lions after Philly, the tone shifts from frustration to urgency. The show lays out exactly what went wrong in Philadelphia, what must change fast, and why this match-up with New York may define the trajectory of the season. Offensive Line Problems, Goff's Struggles, and the Blueprint Against Detroit The Lions enter Week 11 with an offense that has been exposed in consecutive losses. Defenses have figured out the formula. The NFL is a copycat league, and the Vikings and Eagles both executed the same plan: attack the interior offensive line, compress the pocket, eliminate the shallow crossers Jared Goff depends on, and force him off rhythm. It worked in Minnesota. It worked even more effectively in Philadelphia. The interior trio of Graham Glasgow, Tate Ratledge, and Kayode Awosika was overwhelmed. The transcript makes it clear that none of them played to the level the Lions need. Ratledge looked like a rookie drowning in high level waters. Glasgow struggled with recognition, leverage, and transitions. Even Awosika, who arguably fared the best of the three, was inconsistent. The Eagles blew up the middle of the field and removed Detroit's bread and butter. The running game never found traction. Goff rarely had clean pockets or clean launch points. The result was predictable: offensive stagnation and stalled drives. What makes the situation more concerning is that Dan Campbell and offensive coordinator John Morton have not yet adapted their system to match personnel. Brock Wright was asked to be Sam LaPorta. Glasgow was treated like Frank Ragnow. Ratledge was given responsibilities better suited for a seasoned veteran. The podcast argues that Detroit must simplify. Play to strengths, not memories of players who are no longer active. The Lions need new answers, new formations, and new wrinkles before defenses bury them under predictability. A Defense Worth Believing In and a Giants Team Detroit Must Beat If there was one beacon of hope from Philadelphia, it was the Lions defense. Jack Campbell played arguably the best game of his young career, totaling fifteen tackles and blowing up multiple Eagles staples. Kelvin Shepherd's defensive front stood up to the notorious tush push, stonewalling it like no team has this season. The Lions forced the Eagles' offense into existential panic. Detroit can win big games with this defense. That is not in question. But injuries remain a hurdle. Terrion Arnold, Brian Branch, Taylor Decker, Kirby Joseph, and Penei Sewell highlight a long and critical injury list. The Giants, despite their record, have a dangerous defensive front. Dexter Lawrence, Brian Burns, and Kayvon Thibodeaux (if healthy) are capable of wrecking an unsteady interior. That makes this game a true test of whether Detroit has learned anything from the last two losses. The Lions cannot afford another misstep. Another loss tightens the playoff picture and erodes confidence. But the podcast remains optimistic. Detroit still controls its fate. Win the next two, including a Thanksgiving rematch with Green Bay, and they will be right back in the NFC North race. As Risdon says, the Lions remain capable of winning anywhere, anytime. But belief must now be paired with answers. The Giants are the moment to show they are still the hunters, not the hunted. https://youtu.be/RlijTEo16vc #LionsMustWin #ProtectGoff #FixTheInterior #ShepherdDefense #GoffAccountability #NextManUpDetroit #GiantsGamePrep #LionsInTheHunt #CampbellCulture #DetroitAdjustments Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sunday Night in Philadelphia, Hard Lessons The Detroit Lions went into Philadelphia on Sunday night and left with bruises and questions. The NFL stage was big. The moment was bigger. The Eagles punched through the middle and the game spiraled. The numbers were ugly. The narratives were worse. There are seven weeks left in the regular season. Pressure now rides on every snap, especially inside the division. This Detroit Lions Podcast episode drills into what matters. Simple fixes do not exist. The urge to find a single culprit is strong. The tape says otherwise. A beatdown like this exposes layers. It shows stress points and bad matchups. It forces honest talk about process, personnel, and poise. Playcalling Pivot and Game Management All week it was hashtag fire Morton. John Morton was stripped of playcalling duties. Dan Campbell took the wheel. That move was supposed to ignite the Detroit Lions offense. It did not. One change cannot patch every hole on a moving ship. Morton did not control the health of the offensive line. He did not change how quickly receivers separated. He did not block interior pressure. That all showed up in Philadelphia. Campbell's feel for the game is real. But taking over the call sheet changes the head coach's bandwidth. You saw it in the details. Timeouts in the first half went away too fast. Fourth-down aggression lost its edge and its math. Zero for five on fourth down is a backbreaker. Repeated tries into bad leverage invited short fields and lost momentum. Detroit needs a cleaner process. A trusted voice in the headset. Clear rules for when to push and when to punt. Game management cannot go on cruise control while the offense is being built on the fly. Trenches, Matchups, and the Real Problems Matchups matter. They defined this loss. Philadelphia's defensive tackles wrecked the interior. That is where the pocket collapsed. That is where the run game got squeezed. When the middle caves, play design takes a back seat. Routes do not mature. The ball comes out rushed. Detroit's struggles getting guys open showed again. That combo is toxic against a front like this. The takeaway is blunt. John Morton was a problem, not the problem. With playcalling moved, the critical issues remain. Health and cohesion up front. Separation and answers versus tight coverage. Protection rules that hold up against elite interiors. Those are November and December problems that decide seasons. What Now for the Stretch Run Seven games to go. Three division wins are non-negotiable. The Detroit Lions must recalibrate their fourth-down calculus. Protect the interior with help, tempo, and varied launch points. Build in quick answers to get receivers free. Tighten the timeout plan. The enemies list changed this week. One team came and went. The bigger opponents are habits and matchups. This is still a good team staring at hard truth. The next steps demand calm minds and tough fixes. No shortcuts. Just better football, starting up front and echoed in every decision. #Philadelphia Eagles #SundaynightinPhiladelphia #interiordefensivetackles #interiorpressure #pocketcollapse #rungamesqueezed #receiverseparation #tightcoverageanswers #playcallingchange #JohnMorton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices