Some Christmas Day thoughts on the Detroit Lions...

B.A.R.

B.A.R.

CTG Partner
Staff member
Still technically alive for the playoffs but not all that realistic...

I don't think there is a chance in hell that Green Bay loses to both Baltimore and Minnesota. Even without Parsons, that defense is too solid. That comeback last Saturday night really hurt Detroit. If the Packers hold on and win we have the Lions only needing a SF win to have a play in next week. Oh well.

Tomorrow is a tough game, mentally. Detroit will be playing their second straight Holiday game. Thanksgiving at home and now Christmas on the road. The league should look at that a bit harder in the future with Christmas days that are on non Sundays. Both Detroit and Kansas City are feeling the wrath of the schedule makers here. I know a few players were already bemoaning this game. That was before losing last week making this game less meaningful...

With that being said, it is meaningful. Detroit should win this game but with the defensive injuries and lack of an OC right now -- times are tough. The secondary injuries are what they are. They simply don't have the talent back there right now. We'll see how Brosmer fades.

On offense, Dan is trying to handle too much right now. The Washington game (his first calling plays) was fools gold for this team. Despite leading the league in scoring, they've had issues...

Dan is a very talented play caller. Many people forget he was a big part of this initial rise a few years back pre Ben. As I mentioned earlier, he's simply trying to handle too much right now and their are two major issues...

Issue #1 -- the OL

This offensive line is below average right now. Between age, injury and retirement this line is nothing like the early 2020's editions that were top 5 in the league!

Issue #2 -- refusing to run

Last week was the rock bottom for me. The Lions last two runs of the game were basically with OVER two minutes left in the first half!!

(Yes, they had the strategic Gibbs run at the 2min warning in the 4th).

Yes, I'm aware they ran 3 plays in the 3rd.

Still, how the heck do you go into a game at halftime TIED and enter the 4th down TWO and never run the ball!? Don't forget, that one possession in the 3rd we were backed up on the 3 yard line. Still refuse to run!

I expect that was Montgomery's last game at Ford Field. This has been a frustrating year for him with his lack of work. Yes, Gibbs is a star, but Campbell n company have grossly underused him.

I know you guys love to hate on MCDC and I have been pretty irritated since the Philadelphia game. There are some things that need to be cleaned up. This off-season is quite huge for both him and GM Brad Holmes.

Enough of my ranting, I'll probably pop back in for more later. This thread might turn into something more than Lions vs Vikings talk.

Back to the Christmas Day game ..

No JJ tomorrow, and that's fine because he was very solid in the game here in Detroit. He played very clean (interception wasn't his fault). He ran the ball well when needed. That loss was honestly the beginning of this kinda slide. Despite the injuries and a few weird endings, Detroit is still alive so let's see how they respond...

I mentioned in @TreyDawg thread that I have a tough time going on Monty props unless we lead all day. I stand by that. Maybe look live there?

Jamo has been COOKING the last month plus!

Gibbs and receptions have been tremendous since we had the nice bet vs Dallas.

As far as the props, I honestly would cap the game and go from there. If you think Detroit wins this easily, then we might have Monty value.

Good live prop game IMO.

Back to some somberness... I said this spring and summer that I saw this being a bump in the road year for Detroit. Unfortunately I was right. I figured they would be 2nd in division and be a WC. That won't happen now. Injuries and honestly some rough luck have attributed to that. Preseason I was content hoping that the winter of 2026 would the time to finalize this roster into a championship unit...

Well, what is disappointing is that the league is a bit down this year -- and WIDE OPEN. This was there for the taking.

The off-season is huge in Motown and frankly there is a bit more work to do than I would have thought.

We'll chat more but these are the quick areas that need to be addressed...

1. Big time hire at OC -- their is a segment that loves Mike McDaniel after he's fired in Miami. Hmmm. I just know we need to balance this offense out.

2. Rethink training camp. Too many injuries, again.

3. Trenches!

4. I believe we have no 3rd round picks. Brad Holmes needs to be active in FA.

Alright, that is my scattered Lions thread. Some Minnesota thoughts and some for the future...

Merry Christmas all. We appreciate everything you've all done this year!
 
I’ll probably regret it but I played Gibbs ov 76.5 rushing. Kinda like the fact they didn’t run it last week, hate playing running backs on short weeks after a lot of work. Don’t love the fact I expected him to go off vs Vikings the 1st meeting and he did nothing (think I actually bet alt props in that game, lol). Hate the fact he hasn’t hit 4ypc in like a month! All that said I can’t resist what should be an easily attainable number for him against a defense I think you can absolutely run on. Even tho lions are most likely dead men walking for playoffs (agree packers winning at least one more gm if not both), this is really their last stand and guess id be surprised if they didn’t at least try to get this run gm going.

Merry Xmas buddy.
 
Very tempted to play on jefferson alt yds over & td. This will be 3rd game in a row Brosner has seen time and Det secondary is in shambles. Cons are no LT and det could put the pressure on but no Hock no Mason have to think JJeff gets a bunch of targets
 
Lexington 125 said:
Very tempted to play on jefferson alt yds over & td. This will be 3rd game in a row Brosner has seen time and Det secondary is in shambles. Cons are no LT and det could put the pressure on but no Hock no Mason have to think JJeff gets a bunch of targets
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I hope you are right, he has been killing me for weeks in fantasy and actually benched him last week. I have to play him this week in Championship in part due to the idiot in Pitt getting suspended.
 
aplous said:
No real reasoning but I think Vikes hang, I took +8 for a few bucks. Brosmer yards over small ladder.
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I don't blame ya.

As I mentioned, multi Lions are none too happy about spending a holiday away.

This needs to be fixed next year.

Add in the season is likely 120 mins from conclusion.

Knowing all that they probably play as crispy as they did in Washington.
 
B.A.R. said:
I don't blame ya.

As I mentioned, multi Lions are none too happy about spending a holiday away.

This needs to be fixed next year.

Add in the season is likely 120 mins from conclusion.

Knowing all that they probably play as crispy as they did in Washington.
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The NFL anticipated this slate of games being blockbuster, hence the brilliant idea of Godell charging us more to watch all 3 games. F that Mfer.
As long as Detroit has life, they need to play balls out and stop whining. They’re getting paid handsomely to be complaining. It’s a 3 hour game, they’ll have the rest of the weekend off including Friday off.
Campbell has to self evaluate his style of playing in training camp and on gameday. He also has to evaluate if he has the right QB. If McVay didn’t think so then I’d take a good look at a future QB. I think Goff is closer to having a Phillip Rivers type career than anything. JMO
 
wiseplayer said:
The NFL anticipated this slate of games being blockbuster, hence the brilliant idea of Godell charging us more to watch all 3 games. F that Mfer.
As long as Detroit has life, they need to play balls out and stop whining. They’re getting paid handsomely to be complaining. It’s a 3 hour game, they’ll have the rest of the weekend off including Friday off.
Campbell has to self evaluate his style of playing in training camp and on gameday. He also has to evaluate if he has the right QB. If McVay didn’t think so then I’d take a good look at a future QB. I think Goff is closer to having a Phillip Rivers type career than anything. JMO
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Listen man,

I don't blame them or the Chiefs for being a bit upset.

There is zero reason for teams to be playing on both Christmas and Thanksgiving Day. We have more than enough teams to spread this out.
 
2025:

30.1 PPG and 378.7 ypg.

That's down slightly from last year but well above 2023 in the points category. They only averaged 27.1 back in 2023 NFC championship game season.

100% Dan needs a full time OC. This is too much to handle. With all that being said, this season is about the OL and defensive injuries. Add in horrendous play calling the last 6-7 weeks.
 
B.A.R. said:
2025:

30.1 PPG and 378.7 ypg.

That's down slightly from last year but well above 2023 in the points category. They only averaged 27.1 back in 2023 NFC championship game season.

100% Dan needs a full time OC. This is too much to handle. With all that being said, this season is about the OL and defensive injuries. Add in horrendous play calling the last 6-7 weeks.
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He needs to go outside of the organization for a DC as well. If Stefanski is fired by Cleveland go get Jim Schwartz or some other big time coordinator because that side of the ball needs a serious coaching upgrade.
 
B.A.R. said:
Listen man,

I don't blame them or the Chiefs for being a bit upset.

There is zero reason for teams to be playing on both Christmas and Thanksgiving Day. We have more than enough teams to spread this out.
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This Detroit team under Campbell has been entertaining. If they were in it and got W’s in these Thursdays games they’d also be getting mini byes.

My point in all of this is, Godell doesn’t give a rats ass about the players or the fans. Extended season, shorter careers. Use these service apps to make the fans pay more than they already are. Roger Godell taking all 3 of those games off of the national broadcast networks was a disgrace.
 
wiseplayer said:
This Detroit team under Campbell has been entertaining. If they were in it and got W’s in these Thursdays games they’d also be getting mini byes.

My point in all of this is, Godell doesn’t give a rats ass about the players or the fans. Extended season, shorter careers. Use these service apps to make the fans pay more than they already are. Roger Godell taking all 3 of those games off of the national broadcast networks was a disgrace.
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I forgot to add that Godell won’t even allow these teams to wear their traditional uniforms because the trash apparel they display on these holidays draws new revenue.
 
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