'We call them the northern savages' – Lions' culture has it set up to where they can overcome just about anything in 2024
The Detroit Lions defense may be as banged up a unit there is in Week 14, but it certainly doesn't look that way when the lights come on. Sure, allowing 31 points in four quarters isn't an ideal outcome, however, the Lions defense did what it had to do early on, which was hold the Green […]
The Detroit Lions defense may be as banged up a unit there is in Week 14, but it certainly doesn't look that way when the lights come on.
Sure, allowing 31 points in four quarters isn't an ideal outcome, however, the Lions defense did what it had to do early on, which was hold the Green Bay Packers offense down long enough for Jared Goff and co. to build a lead. The unit did just that, as Jordan Love and co. scored just seven points in the first half and that allowed the Lions to take a 10-point lead into halftime.
Aaron Glenn's crew held Packers running back Josh Jacobs, who was averaging a robust 4.5 yards per carry heading into Thursday night's game, to 3.7 yards a clip. Love completed just 60% of his passes for 206-yards – his third-lowest passing yardage total on the year. The Packers finished the game just 1-of-5 on third down and Lions cornerback Carlton Davis came up with a huge takeaway in the first half that led to three points.
But when it mattered most, and with some help in the form of an offensive pass interference penalty, the Lions defense came away with a huge fourth quarter stop that led to a Packers field goal that tied the game at 31 instead of a touchdown that would've given them a four-point lead.
So it's easy to see why Thursday night was a success. Especially when adding in the fact that the Lions defense literally played multiple guys that were sitting on their respective couches before Thursday. It didn't matter, however, as Glenn had his guys ready and prepared to take on a very good division rival.
"We wanted that defense to just cut it loose, just go play," Dan Campbell told reporters after the game. "Effort, finish, and man they did that. God, they did that. Hell of a job by (Lions Defensive Coordinator Aaron Glenn) AG, and those guys just laid it on the line. We call them the northern savages, they just roll right in the door, and they’re in the game. It’s a hell of a job."
The defense is supposedly "depleted" and this was supposed to be a game in which the Lions were supposed to have all kinds of problems on defense. They made it work with a group of guys that just got here, practice squad guys and everybody else. Yeah they allowed 31 points, but to be fair two of the touchdowns they allowed were on short fields after turnovers. These guys earned their checks on Thursday. Now the Lions will take 11 days to get as healthy as possible. – Mike Payton, A to Z Detroit
"It’s always a hard challenge, especially coming from a different team, different style, but (Lions Defensive Coordinator Aaron Glenn) AG, (Lions Run Game Coordinator/Defensive Line Coach Terrell Williams) T, (Lions Assistant Defensive Line Coach Cameron Davis) Cam, they implemented a good gameplan, make it simple for people, just basically line up and play ball, put the ball down and go," Lions defensive lineman Pat O'Connor said after the game.
"So, we thank them for doing that and it showed. People getting off, doing their thing… it’s exciting for everyone, (Lions DL) Myles (Adams), (Lions DL) Jonah (Williams), they just came in on Monday, so hats off to them. But it’s a great feeling knowing what we can do with the people we had today and just overcome a win like that is insane. That’s a hat off to us because next man up and it’s a great feeling.”
It's a major testament to what Campbell has built. Not only is he no-nonsense, but he's built a culture that just oozes confidence from anyone wearing Honolulu blue. That translates onto the field and then into the win column, where the Lions have now won 11 straight games.
“I got to talk about the defense real quick. What our defense did this week is tremendous and I know the points – whatever, they had guys out there that got here on Sunday that were playing and doing a hell of a job," Goff said after the game. "Credit (Lions Defensive Coordinator Aaron Glenn) AG, credit that staff over there, and credit those freaking players for playing their tails off today. They went out there, they let it hang and played hard ball, and made it hard on them – it was fun to watch.”
Campbell has things set up to where this team believes at all times, regardless of the situation. I mean, losing Aidan Hutchinson all the way back in Week 5 is primarily an afterthought because guys just keep stepping up and making plays. Regardless of name or stature – they're getting it done.
And that kind of environment, especially when considering the talent of the overall roster, should lead the Lions to even bigger things as the season continues to roll on.
Jared Goff had a hidden beautiful moment with one of his receivers during the Lions win over the Packers
Thursday was a big win for the Detroit Lions over an NFC North rival, but that wasn't the only big thing that happened Thursday night, Lions receiver Tim Patrick caught two touchdowns. If it's felt like something you've been waiting on for a while, Patrick has waited even longer. He hasn't caught one since December […]
