As the season moves into Week 3, the Detroit Lions (1-1) are still looking to get star receiver Jameson Williams going.
In its first two games under first-year offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, the Lions
have put up 31 points in both contests. But, Williams was targeted just four times in the Lions' "Thursday Night Football" date at the Buffalo Bills. Through two games, Williams has just six catches for 78 yards.Williams didn't help himself in Week 1, dropping three passes. But, the 6-foot-1, 184-pound receiver had a key 22-yard grab in overtime of the Lions' season-opening win over the New Orleans Saints.
After back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons, is this trend with minimal production from Williams here to stay?
In its look at surprising
early-season trends across the NFL, ESPN's Eric Woodyard writes that it's not time to panic about Williams' slow start.
Mirage. Coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, there were high expectations for Williams entering 2026 as WR2. However, Williams has just six receptions for 78 yards under first-year offensive coordinator Drew Petzing. Williams has been targeted 13 times and hasn't been able to make much of an impact through the first two weeks. But quarterback Jared Goff maintains faith in Williams, as the wide receiver should certainly get back on track. "I'm not worried about him in the slightest, and I got to be a little bit better for him too," Goff said after Detroit's Week 1 win. - Eric Woodyard, ESPN
Detroit heads into Week 3 against the New York Jets (1-1) looking to ignite its run game as well. After opening the season with 165 rushing yards against the Saints, Detroit finished with just 66 rushing yards at the Bills. Jahmyr Gibbs averaged just 3.3 yards per carry, rushing 16 times for 52 yards in Buffalo.
While the Lions can be expected to try to get its run game headed back in the right direction versus the Jets, it would behoove Detroit to get Williams' 2026 campaign jumpstarted in the receiving department, too.
Kickoff between the Lions and Jets from Ford Field is set for 1 p.m. ET on FOX.
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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: ESPN evaluates surprising early-season Lions trend
