How Can the Lions Bounce Back After a Week One Loss?

The Lions had a rough start to the season, losing their first game against the Packers 27-13. It was going to be a battle right from the start, as division rivalry games tend to be. The Packers, with a new identity on the defensive end, came out hot at the start of the game with a new fire, with energy that we didn’t see in previous seasons. It made Jared Goff and company take a step back and evaluate how they’re going to attack. 

Last season, Detroit had no trouble with division opponents, going 6-0. But the start of this season was much different than last season. Losing pieces all across the board with both coordinators gone and key pieces of the offense and defense leaving. With a long offseason of planning and preparation, both sides of the ball still looked like they needed some help stopping the force of Green Bay. 

Jared Goff threw a total of 39 attempts and completed 31 for 225 yards. With one touchdown and one interception, Goff finished with a QBR of 52.8. The Lions were known to have a strong run game in previous seasons with two-headed snake Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, but we didn’t see that on Sunday. The two combined ran for under 50 yards on 20 carries. 

The defense of the Packers looked very strong after the addition of Micah Parsons, giving Goff trouble all game. Sam LaPorta and Gibbs were targeted the most on the offensive side of the ball. Laporta was targeted nine times, and Gibbs was targeted 10. The secondary held Amon-Ra St. Brown in check by only allowing four receptions for 45 yards. 

Heading into Week Two for the homecoming game for Ben Johnson, the Lions will have to look to return to their old ways of running the ball efficiently and effectively. Once the run game starts flowing, it opens up the playbook for new coordinator John Morton. Expect it to be a hard-fought and physically demanding game as they look to fight in the trenches up front. With both teams losing in Week One, it will be a must-win game for both the Detroit Lions and the Chicago Bears.