The Lions have no room for another sloppy performance. If Detroit wants to bounce back against the Jets and move to 2–1, these are three things they absolutely cannot afford to do.
We’re just a couple of days away from the Jets traveling to Detroit to take on the Lions at Ford Field. Detroit is coming off a loss to the Bills, a divisional rival of the Jets, but playing on Thursday Night Football gives the Lions extra time to prepare.
Detroit should be well-rested and ready to go. If the Lions want to start 2–1, here are three things they cannot do during this game.
1. Turn the Ball Over
Detroit has made it through two games without throwing an interception and has lost just one fumble. Against the Bills, neither team committed a turnover, but if Detroit could have won the turnover battle, it would have gone a long way toward changing the outcome.
In fact, Detroit did come up with an interception on the goal line, but a flag on Rock Ya-Sin wiped out the play.
One of my bold predictions this week is that Detroit forces three turnovers. If the Lions can protect the football while creating extra possessions for their offense, it could be a major difference-maker.
2. Allow Pressure on Jared Goff
Last week, Detroit was without Chris Mahogany and Blake Miller, which allowed the Bills to record four sacks against the Lions while also producing 11 quarterback hits.
When Miller played in Week 1 against the Saints, New Orleans recorded just one sack and eight quarterback hits.
When Jared Goff has a clean pocket, he is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. However, his lack of mobility can hurt him when the pocket collapses. If Goff doesn’t have time to operate, he can struggle to escape pressure and often ends up taking the sack.
Detroit needs to keep pressure off Goff, and if the offensive line can give him time, I can’t imagine him having a bad day against the Jets.
3. Shut Down the Tight Ends
Detroit has not done a good job covering tight ends through the first two weeks.
In Week 1, Noah Fant and Juwan Johnson combined for seven receptions, 87 yards and two touchdowns. Then, in Week 2 against the Bills, Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox combined for nine receptions, 100 yards and two touchdowns.
Detroit may catch a break this week, as it looks like Jets starting tight end Mason Taylor will be ruled out with a thumb injury.
However, the Lions will still have to deal with 16th overall pick Kenyon Sadiq, who is an extremely athletic tight end. Sadiq ran a 4.39-second 40-yard dash, which was the fastest recorded time for a tight end since 2003.
The Lions have struggled to cover tight ends early this season, and Sadiq presents another difficult matchup. Detroit needs to find a way to limit him and the rest of New York’s tight end room.
If the Lions can protect the football, keep Jared Goff clean and shut down the Jets’ tight ends, they’ll put themselves in a strong position to come away with a win at Ford Field.
