Not content to be one of the rare teams to have never played the Super Bowl
, the Detroit Lions have been one of the dunces of the NFL for several seasons. In the past three years, they have only won 11 matches. And, last year, they even had to wait for the 13th day before signing a victory. The attack and defense were among the worst of the season. But, after two days since the start of the new exercise, things are going a little better.
Detroit narrowly lost to the Philadelphia Eagles (38-35), before beating the Washington Commanders (36-27). And, as the scores indicate, the offensive squad made a strong impression this time around. She is currently third in points scored and fourth in yards gained. These results were certainly not obtained against two of the best defenses in the NFL but, at least, they warm the hearts of the Lions.
Already six TD passes for Goff
Three players are particularly involved in the team’s offensive success: quarterback Jared Goff, runner D’Andre Swift and receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (so called, in honor of an ancient Egyptian god, by his father who was passionate about this period). Arriving on the team last year, Goff (27) lost the aura that was his when he guided the LA Rams to the Super Bowl in 2019 (loss against New England). Last year, he only threw 19 touchdowns. But this season, in just two matches, he has already managed six.
Swift (23), who began his NFL career in Detroit three seasons ago, galloped 144 yards against Philadelphia. He also scored a one-time TD against Washington. St. Brown (22), pro since last year, shone against the Commanders with 116 yards gained. In the same game, Amon-Ra St. Brown made a nice long run of 58 yards.
Hutchinson, the hope of the defense
The three players have been evolving since last season under the orders of Dan Campbell, a long-time assistant coach in Miami and New Orleans. Apart from an interim of less than a year in Florida, Campbell got his first head coaching job in Detroit. It is up to him to lead the Michigan State cats to a positive season (performance not achieved since 2017) and the play-offs (absent since 2016).
The defense of the Lions, it is a little less brilliant. She collected 65 points in two matches. But she has cause for hope, in the person of defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (22), second choice of the last draft. A native of the country – he was born 45 km from Detroit and went through the University of Michigan – he was impressive against Washington, with three sacks on Carson Wentz, the opposing QB, and five individual tackles. An asset on which the Detroit Lions will rely on Sunday to face the Minnesota Vikings, who have a formidable offensive trident, with Kirk Cousins (QB), Dalvin Cook (RB) and Justin Jefferson (WR).
