10 biggest takeaways from Lions vs Cardinals, Jared Goff bounces back big and Lions social team gets the Cardinals so good

The Detroit Lions needed to bounce back and they did with a 20-13 win over the Arizona Cardinals. Here's our 10 biggest takeaways from the game: Goff Report What a first half from Jared Goff. He went 12-12 for 137 yards and two touchdowns and looked as crisp and cool as fans could hope for.  […]

Mike Payton — Detroit Lions Beat Writer
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The Detroit Lions needed to bounce back and they did with a 20-13 win over the Arizona Cardinals. Here's our 10 biggest takeaways from the game:

Goff Report

What a first half from Jared Goff. He went 12-12 for 137 yards and two touchdowns and looked as crisp and cool as fans could hope for. 

Goff did throw a pick in the second half, but he was otherwise pretty good in the second half too. He finished the day going 18-23 for 198 yards and two touchdowns. It was his scramble that salted the game away. A much better showing after a rough first two weeks.

Defense

The Lions defense had another really good day. This was a Cardinals team that had been putting up points and were the best third down team in the league coming into this game. The Lions held them t0 277 yards and an amazing 1-9 on third down. This group is legit. They just need to clear up penalties and and stay healthy.

Establish the run

The Lions had a plan in this one and they executed it. The Lions ran the ball and then ran the ball some more after that. Then when they were done doing that, they ran the ball even more. The Lions had 109 yards and a touchdown between David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs in the first half.

In the second half they kept going. The Lions finished the day with 188 yards on the ground. 106 yards and a touchdown for Montgomery and 83 yards for Gibbs. 

You'll always be my bodyguard

David Montgomery had been running so much on Sunday that the Lions offensive line thought it would be nice to carry him the rest of the way like they were Kevin Costner and Montgomery was Whitney Houston. 

Deep at linebacker

I personally thought it was crazy that the Lions had eight seven linebackers on the roster, but this game was a good example of why that was a good idea. The Lions came into the game without Alex Anzalone due to him being in concussion protocol. Then the team lost Derrick Barnes in the second quarter when he was carted off. 

Big oops by the Cardinals social media team

The Cardinals posted a picture of Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker in the third quarter, but what they didn't consider was that he was wearing a Lions hat since he's a big Lions fan. They deleted the tweet. 

The Lions social team caught it first and had some fun with the Cardinals. 

Hook and Ladder forever

This is some school yard stuff and the Lions love running it. Here's hoping they just keep doing this one going forward because it works every time. 

Kerby Game

Kerby Joseph had two big plays in the third quarter. The first one was a touchdown saving interception in the end zone and the second one was a tackle on Kyler Murray that prevented the Cardinals from getting the first down and continuing a their drive. Big stuff and little stuff gets the job done. 

Need to take advantage of turnovers

The Lions were able to force multiple turnovers on Sunday. They got a pick and got two fourth down stops, but they weren't able to take advantage of any of them. The Lions punted twice and turned the ball over on downs once. Going forward they need to take advantage of the extra possessions they get. It's easier to win that way. 

Jack Fox needs a game ball

The Lions field position optimization specialist had a hell of a game. He buried the Cardinals offense in their own territory over and over again. He's quietly having an All-Pro type season.

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