Lions show their potential in victory against the Cardinals, but have not yet reached it

GLENDALE, Arizona – After a game like this, the mood in the visitors' locker room was calm and matter-of-fact. Not too high. Not too low. The morale of a job well done.

In many ways, Detroit's 20-13 victory over the Cardinals on Sunday was a return to normalcy for a group with high expectations – especially after a loss last week in which the team didn't look like itself. But on Sunday, it was.

“It's good to have another win,” Campbell said. “You know, our guys, like I said, were all in and ready to go this week. It felt like we got a lot of things done that needed to be done. And it's still not perfect, but ultimately we and our guys knew this was going to be one of those dirty, messy, inglorious jobs that needed to be done on the O-line, the D-line, the receivers, the DBs, everywhere, man. And that's what the game was.”

Grainy
Restless
B pic.twitter.com/tfxrtlCWDP

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) 23 September 2024

In other words, a complete game where the Detroit Lions got back to Detroit Lions football. That wasn't the case a week ago. The game plan against the Buccaneers was to establish the pass early to set up the run for later. It was a concerted effort to avoid being defeated by 346-pound nose tackle Vita Vea — destroyer of worlds and offensive lines — and an overall solid Tampa Bay defense. The end result, however, was a Lions offense that was largely unrecognizable.

One of the league's best offenses over the past two seasons completed just 1 of 7 passes in the red zone. Jared Goff threw 55 passes, and the Lions fell to 0-3 in such games. All-Pro center Frank Ragnow and reliable guard Graham Glasgow allowed uncharacteristic pressure, perhaps leading Goff to play the hero and do too much. There were swing passes and blocks inside or near the red zone that were easy to spot, largely due to a game plan that played right into Tampa Bay's hands.

But the most notable takeaway from the loss was that one of the NFL's best offenses has strayed from its roots. The Lions were careful not to make the same mistake twice.

One of the best indicators of a well-run franchise is in the way it reacts. Pretty much everyone you spoke to – head coach, coordinator, star player, reserve player – accepted blame for the loss. It was one of those weeks where they couldn't wait to get back in the game and make up for their mistakes. In this case, it didn't take long.

O-Line and David Montgomery go to work early #DETvsAZ | FOX pic.twitter.com/Src4k4TeNm

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) 22 September 2024

The first possession – a calculated, methodical, nine-play, 70-yard touchdown drive that included tough sets, three passes to tight ends and six runs – ended with a 1-yard touchdown run by David Montgomery. It looked like Lions football. And it all went according to plan.

“We had a plan before the game to run the ball,” Montgomery said after the game. “Last week we got a little bit off of that, so (Lions offensive coordinator) Ben (Johnson) said very clearly, 'We're going to run the ball.' That showed what we can do. Running a game with the ball felt good. It felt good to be able to put the ball in on the first drive. So it was good for us to start the drive like that.”

“We went through our opening plays last night and coach said if we get more than 4 yards on the first run, we're just going to stay in the jumbo and keep running,” left tackle Taylor Decker said. “…We knew very early in the week that this is how we wanted to play this game.”

To the offense's credit, they got in the game early. We saw better success in the red zone in this game. The plays were creative, and Johnson's slick play got two of his best players, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jahmyr Gibbs, to combine for a score. Goff started hot and managed the game well for the most part. The offensive line made its presence felt early and often, and Montgomery rushed for over 100 yards on the day. In total, the Lions rushed for 187 yards. It started early.

David Montgomery finished with 105 rushing yards and a touchdown. (Matt Kartozian / Imagn Images)

Admittedly, some of those good vibes quickly faded after the Cardinals first took the field. They quickly responded, marching down the field to score a touchdown of their own. Kyler Murray did most of the damage, running for 34 rushing yards and completing all four of his passes for 38 passing yards and a touchdown to Marvin Harrison Jr.

It all looked far too familiar and far too easy. But the defense of these Lions made sure it wasn't that way from that point on.

What we saw from this defense was inspired football. For the rest of the game, the Lions allowed just 6 points. They limited Murray to 11 rushing yards after that opening drive and 169 passing yards on 30 attempts. Overall, the Cardinals were held to 77 rushing yards, made 1 of 11 on third and fourth down attempts overall, and were held in check. Detroit's defense consistently left the field. They didn't allow the Cardinals to get back in the game or take the lead. It was a collective effort to make life hell for this Arizona offense.

In a game like this, and really earlier in the year, we've seen Lions players all over the field take their game to new levels. Brian Branch has established himself as a safety and does a good job in both the passing and running game. Fellow safety Kerby Joseph — more mature, playing within the structure of the defense — recorded his second interception in three weeks, picking off a pass on fourth down that led to a turnover on downs. He's played excellently to start the season. And Aidan Hutchinson has 6 1/2 sacks in three games and has a sack in his last five games — a franchise record.

Arizona had to fight for everything in the ring against a defense that believes it is developing into a true heavyweight.

““I think that was our best defensive game I've ever been a part of, just collectively,” Hutchinson said after the game. “It's not like we sacked the quarterback that much. But I think with what they gave us, we executed the game plan really well.”

“This defense, in my opinion, might be the best defense in the NFL,” cornerback Terrion Arnold said. “I mean, we have all the pieces. We haven't played together very long, so we're developing more chemistry every game. Up front, they're going to go out and chase, and it's our job to hold off the back. So as long as we can stop the run game and make it a pass game, we're strong.”