The Lions don’t need a flawless opener against the Saints. They just need the kind of start that lets Dan Campbell’s group settle in and make an early statement.
That begins with the ground game. Detroit was at its best last season when the run could force defenses to honor everything else, and that formula matters again with Drew Petzing making his debut as offensive coordinator.
Jahmyr Gibbs is the engine here, and with depth behind him a concern, the Lions need him getting loose early. If Gibbs can pop a few runs, Jared Goff gets to lean into play-action, where he’s most comfortable.
That’s especially important because the Saints bring some edge up front. Carl Granderson is part of that picture, and Cam Jordan could be available to play at defensive end. For Detroit, the first order of business is winning the line of scrimmage and creating room for Gibbs to attack downhill and turn touches into explosive gains.
The other side of the ball is just as important. If the Lions can’t generate pressure, it gives Shough a chance to settle in, work through his reads and push the ball downfield.
Detroit has some questions in the secondary, even with Dan Campbell’s confidence in the group, and Kelvin Sheppard may have scheme changes coming. But the Lions have also leaned heavily on man coverage in the past, and that puts even more pressure on corners if the rush doesn’t arrive quickly.
So the burden falls on Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeill, D.J. Wonnum and the rest of that front to get after Shough early and often. If the pass rush shows up, it changes the entire feel of the afternoon.
One more area to watch is third down. Detroit struggled there last season, finishing 20th in the league with a 38.8 conversion rate, which was a surprising dip compared with what the offense had done in previous years.
The fix starts with staying ahead of the chains. If the Lions can avoid long-yardage situations, Petzing and Goff have a much easier job, and the run game can stay in the mix to keep the Saints guessing.
That was a real issue for Detroit a year ago, and it cut into the offense’s rhythm. A cleaner opener would go a long way toward changing that tone right away.
In Other News...
Lions Make An Unexpected Week 1 D Line Move Before Saints
The Lions made an early defensive line adjustment ahead of their season opener, releasing Levi Onwuzurike from the active roster and rookie Tyre West from the practice squad. Onwuzurike had spent much of training camp on the roster bubble after dealing with injuries, but he still broke camp on the initial 53-man roster, making the move a notable shift this close to Week 1.
It is the kind of transaction that suggests Detroit is still fine-tuning the back end of its defensive front while the games now count for real. Dan Campbell also addressed the teams travel plans for an upcoming game in Germany, another reminder that the Lions are already juggling more than just the Saints and the usual opening-week prep. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Part Of A Bills Gameday Twist Detroit Fans Will Notice
Before the Lions kick off at Highmark Stadium on Sept. 13, the pregame scene will carry a distinctly cross-border flavor. The Bills announced they will play both the American and Canadian national anthems, with Aulii Cravalho handling the U.S. anthem and the Barenaked Ladies performing the Canadian one, a small but notable nod to the audience Buffalo has long tried to reach north of the border.
It also fits with the Bills broader push to deepen ties with Canadian fans, including an expanded radio network now reaching three major Canadian markets. For Detroit, it is just another wrinkle in a road trip that already comes with plenty of attention, because the atmosphere around this game is shaping up to be about more than what happens once the opening whistle finally sounds. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Are Taking A Real Gamble With One Starting Spot
The Lions are heading into Week 1 with an open question on the left side of their offensive line, and offensive coordinator Drew Petzing says the team plans to keep leaning into it. Christian Mahogany and Ben Bartch are set to share the work at left guard as Detroit tries to sort out who fits best in the spot, with the competition framed less as a setback than as a chance to sharpen the depth chart before the season settles in.
Petzing stressed that the rotation is part of the process and is expected to keep going unless something breaks down. For Detroit, it is a calculated gamble at one of the most important spots up front, because the Lions are still trying to determine whether they already have the answer on the roster or whether the job will eventually belong to one player alone. [Read more 🡒]