The Detroit Lions, despite scoring just 20 points last week, did a pretty good job against the Green Bay Packers defense last week. Jared Goff was cooking in the first half of that game, and it’s led to him getting some serious recognition.
But this week’s contest against the Minnesota Vikings is an entirely different beast. Whether it’s their ridiculous blitz rate, the outstanding play from their linebackers, or just how well they disguise everything, Minnesota is operating on an elite level on defense.
They’re allowing just 12.3 points per game (first), with only a single team managing more than 20 against them so far. And that game, the Vikings produced four sacks and two turnovers.
ON this week’s Midweek Mailbag podcast (recorded Tuesday), Erik Schlitt and I discussed the matchup against the Vikings defense this week. Will Jared Goff continue his success against the blitz? Where are the vulnerabilities against Brian Flores defenses? How will Detroit’s offensive line hold up amidst the chaos?
On top of that discussion, we also hit the following topics:
- What’s going on with Detroit’s short-yard running game and why not more QB sneaks?
- Explaining EPA and success rate statistics
- Did Dan Campbell cause a looser-officiated game vs. GB when it comes to pass interference?
- Thoughts on the recent play of Derrick Barnes, Jack Campbell
- What non-CB positions could the Lions trade for at the deadline?
- Dan Campbell’s strength in football awareness/situational readiness
- Could the Lions still be in the market for a defensive assistant should a good coach get fired (ie: Todd Bowles, Aaron Glenn)?
Check out this week’s episode below:
As always, catch bonus content from this week’s episode by checking out the video version of the show on YouTube and Twitch!
