By Richard Silva, The Detroit News

ALLEN PARK — In their professional careers, this is Round 4.

But in their lives, they’ve squared off countless times.

Within Sunday’s game between the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings lies a matchup layered with history and competition: Amik Robertson vs. Justin Jefferson. The two are incredibly familiar with one another, having grown up attending rival high schools in Louisiana. Robertson went to Thibodaux. Jefferson went to Destrehan. They battled at college camps throughout their recruitments before Robertson committed to Louisiana Tech. Jefferson ended up at LSU, where he spent three seasons and won a national championship in 2019.

“It’s always a great opportunity to go against the best,” Robertson said of Jefferson. “(We) all have a great respect for him. He’s a dog, but I’m a dog, too.”

Robertson had a standout performance while shadowing Jefferson in Week 18 last season, helping limit the receiver to 54 yards on three catches, way below his career average of 95.6 yards per game, which is currently the highest for any player in NFL history. The Lions, who beat Minnesota at Ford Field to secure their second consecutive NFC North title, benefitted from a handful of errant throws from former Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold. Still, Robertson was attached to Jefferson’s hip throughout, barking out some smack.

“A lot, but I’ve always been a confident guy,” Robertson said, when asked how much confidence he drew from that January outing. “Of course, it gave me a lot of confidence, just to show the world that I can play this game. That was new to the world, old to me.”

In their three previous meetings, Jefferson has caught 12 of his 20 targets for 162 yards and a touchdown, though he left their first duel with a chest injury in 2023 (when Robertson was still on the Las Vegas Raiders) after playing only 13 snaps. Jefferson beat Robertson for a 25-yard touchdown in Minnesota last season.

“I love his competitive spirit,” Jefferson said this week of Robertson. “I love the way he approaches the game, his energy, his trash talk. That’s all something that I’m used to, with knowing him and playing against him. I just love that type of energy and love that type of competition.”

Although Sunday’s game has less stakes than last year’s Week 18 bout, Robertson intends to approach it with the “same smoke.” His competitive edge doesn’t come from playing in big-time moments. That helps, naturally. But, as he put it, “any time you get to step foot on that grass and face an opponent, you’ve got to come with the same smoke, man. You can’t get too high because that’s when you get knocked off.”

Respect between Robertson and Jefferson is high. Robertson called Jefferson an “All-World talent,” and Jefferson said Robertson has “always been a baller.” That esteem, however, won’t diminish any of the competitive juices Sunday, when Robertson hopes to move to 3-0 against Jefferson in a Lions uniform.

“It’s definitely weird going up against him for this long period of time,” Jefferson said. “I’m pretty sure he’s the only one — especially through high school, college and now into the league — that I’ve went up against my whole entire career. It’s been a fun matchup.”

ALLEN PARK— The Detroit Lions have swung a deadline trade in three straight seasons, acquiring pass rusher Za’Darius Smith and receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones in 2024 and 2023, respectively, and sending tight end T.J. Hockenson to the Minnesota Vikings in 2022.

Will general manager Brad Holmes make it four in a row in 2025? Head coach Dan Campbell didn’t totally rule out the possibility Friday, but he cast some doubt on the idea of making a move.

“Look, I don’t,” Campbell said, when asked if he expects the Lions to be active before Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline. “But that doesn’t mean we won’t. (Holmes has) brought up a couple of things already, but there again, I’m so focused on the here and now and the roster we have in place, getting these guys ready to go.”

There aren’t many holes for the Lions to fill. They could target a cornerback, given the position’s attrition, but Terrion Arnold is expected to return against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, and veteran D.J. Reed (hamstring) figures to be back at some point. Plus, Detroit’s depth on the outside — notably, Rock Ya-Sin and Nick Whiteside — has stepped up mightily in recent weeks.

How about a pass rusher? The Lions are down Marcus Davenport (chest), but Campbell believes he’ll come off injured reserve this season, and Al-Quadin Muhammad has proven to be a viable option opposite Aidan Hutchinson. Muhammad has 27 pressures and five sacks through seven games, including a career-best nine pressures in a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Oct. 20.

“I love where we’re at,” Campbell said. “I think the roster is healthy, I think it’s in a good position, I think we have depth. But like I said, (Holmes is) always looking to improve the roster. That’s one of his jobs, and he does a hell of a job at it.”

Campbell wouldn’t share how many potential trade targets Holmes has approached him with, but he described the two as having “open communication.” Holmes, assistant general manager Ray Agnew and the front office do their work, studying those around the NFL who could potentially be had. If enough boxes are checked, Campbell gets looped in.

“If there’s somebody he knows that he feels good about, and that I would, then he’ll bring it,” Campbell said of Holmes. “Otherwise, he doesn’t bog me down with any of that. Listen, the amount of time spent and players that are looked at between he and Ray and that staff, you’d be shocked the hours that goes in. They’re doing the legwork. If there’s somebody that he thinks is intriguing, he thinks the price could be right, it’s somebody, maybe, he fits us, it could be a need, then it comes to me. Like, ‘Hey, let’s check this out.’

“But otherwise, he just kind of stays away from that. Which is all good, man.”

Happy Halloween

The Lions recently had their team Halloween party, and we saw some creative costumes come to life. Quarterback Jared Goff was the chef from Pixar’s “Ratatouille.” Rookie receiver Dominic Lovett was the Joker. Offensive lineman Christian Mahogany was Shrek.

But none of those getups have anything on what Campbell wore many years ago, when his wife, Holly, purchased him an outfit so that he could pretend to be Marilyn Monroe. Campbell recalled the costume Friday, tabbing Holly as “the creative one” in their relationship.

“I actually had broken an ankle, so I was on crutches, too,” Campbell said. “So, that was great.”

Told he’s a good sport, Campbell replied: “Yeah, I guess so. Alcohol helps.”

The Campbell residence plans to hand out Reese’s and M&Ms to Friday’s trick-or-treaters. “That’s usually kind of been the staples. That’s where we go,” Campbell said. “It’s not the caramel apples or anything.”

ALLEN PARK — Amid a host of other self-scouting initiatives that were undertaken during the bye week, the Detroit Lions want wide receiver Jameson Williams to get the ball on a more consistent basis.

It was fairly reasonable to expect that Williams would see a jump in production after he surpassed 1,000 yards last season, but the numbers have significantly regressed after he signed a three-year, $83 million contract extension on the eve of this year’s opener. Through seven games, Williams has just 17 catches for 289 yards and two touchdowns.

Still, coaches are hesitant to blame Williams for the situation. Lions offensive coordinator John Morton pointed the finger at himself, saying he needs to do a better job of getting Williams open.

“There (have) been opportunities where it just didn’t happen. It’s not like we aren’t going to try to target him,” Morton said Thursday. “So, that was the biggest thing. I looked at everything, and I failed him. That’s what I told him. I have to do a better job with that.”

As many coaches have noted during the drought, Williams holds value outside of being a pass catcher. His speed puts fear into the hearts of opposing defenses, forcing them to play with two high safeties and opening up the receivers underneath. Williams is also a terrific and willing run blocker, so it’s not like the lack of production is causing him to slack in other areas.

Williams has been a good sport about it in his weekly media sessions as well.

“I ain’t frustrated at all, bro. How could I be frustrated? I’m me,” Williams said. “It’s a part of the game, but I got catches. I would like more, but I’m never frustrated.”

Asked what he’s seeing from defenses, Williams said: “They try to take … my ability to go over the top out of the game. That’s the main thing that I’ve been seeing in the first half (of the season). We’ve got plans to attack it, and we’ve got a lot of players, so we’re never really worried about one person getting (taken) out of the game, because we got other players who go make explosives and touchdowns and plays for us.”

Morton is thrilled with how Williams has responded to the lack of opportunities.

“He was great. He doesn’t sweat it. I’m like, ‘Listen, man, I’m going to do a better job.’ That’s my job during the bye week, because I stayed here. And that was my job — and third down — to really study that,” Morton said.

“Because there’s a lot of — especially on third down — they’re doubling (Amon-Ra St. Brown), they’re doubling him, there’s a lot of stuff that’s going on. So, I have to be creative. I have to go in the archives to try to get these guys open better.”

No tricks, just treats

The Lions haven’t used one of their patented trick plays on special teams this season, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t called them.

“We always have something available, but it just hasn’t come up, whether it be the situation of the game, the look we wanted,” special teams coordinator Dave Fipp said.

During the early stages of Dan Campbell’s tenure in Detroit, the team gained a reputation for its propensity to gamble on fourth down by using trick plays out of punt formation. These days, the Lions still have the gambling reputation — but they typically run fourth-down plays using their offense instead.

Fipp said one of the reasons why opportunities have been so limited is that teams are always prepared to have to defend a fake punt. Which, in turn, does benefit their punt unit.

“It’s definitely gotten harder,” Fipp said. “You definitely see a lot more people around the box, and some guys playing with eyes inside, and just a lot of different things. But yeah, I would say it’s definitely gotten harder. But theoretically, it should help us punt the ball better, too.”

Hometown heroes

Among a host of standouts in the “Legion of Whom” — the nickname affectionately given to the Lions’ patchwork secondary, which dominated in the win over Tampa Bay — the story of cornerback Nick Whiteside shined through.

Whiteside grew up in Auburn Hills and attended Avondale High School, where Morton also attended. Morton’s brother, Tim, was the head basketball coach at Avondale for multiple seasons and coached Whiteside.

“I think it’s awesome to have somebody from my high school that can do that,” Morton said. “It’s kind of like my story a little bit. He’s had a lot of ups and downs and has fought his way. And listen, he had an opportunity, he did a good job. And hopefully that gives him confidence, and you never know what can happen. When you get confidence, guys change in different environments.”

After high school, Whiteside went on to play college football at Saginaw Valley State and was most recently in the United Football League before getting a chance to participate in Detroit’s training camp, where he made a positive impression. When health woes struck Detroit’s secondary, Whiteside got the call and lived up to the challenge. He had three pass breakups and two tackles against Tampa Bay.

“It’s nothing better to see than when I click on my Instagram and I see 100 articles talking about Nick Whiteside. That is unbelievable,” defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard said. “A guy that was in the UFL, probably thought honestly, ‘Man, this is the end of the road for me. Oh, I get a practice squad spot.’

“And they’re grateful for those moments, but those guys never see themselves lining up mano a mano on (Buccaneers receiver Emeka) Egbuka. They never see themselves lining up mano a mano on (Buccaneers receiver) Mike Evans. That’s just real. And for him to not only get that opportunity but make the most of it — Erick Hallett, (cornerback) Art Maulet, (edge defender) Tyrus Wheat.

“I mean, the names go on and on of the guys that went out and not only just played, not only held the line, but they’ve put some pressure on some of our starters now.”

Return of the Mac

Defensive tackle Alim McNeill immediately made his presence felt in Detroit’s win over Tampa Bay.

He recorded five pressures and made one tackle, but his impact can better be measured by the production of Detroit’s edge rushers. Edge defenders Aidan Hutchinson (12 pressures), Al-Quadin Muhammad (nine), and Wheat (two) all set a season high in pressures, with Wheat adding 1 1/2 sacks.

“Mac is exceptional. I know Hutch is glad to have him back, but more importantly, I’m glad to have him back,” Sheppard said. “Because if you try to double, nudge Hutch and things like that, you’re leaving your guard one-on-one on one of, if not the best, three-(techniques) in the NFL.”

Fipp not worried about Bates

Kicker Jake Bates missed a 54-yard field goal in the Lions’ last game, bringing him to 2-for-5 on field goals of 50-plus yards this season. Bates, whose massive leg is a defining trait, also missed a 67-yard attempt against Baltimore in Week 3 and a 55-yarder against Chicago in Week 2.

But he’s a perfect 6 for 6 on all field goals under 50 yards and has made all 27 extra-point attempts, so Fipp isn’t sweating the misses. Still, it’s something they plan to work on throughout the season.

“Practice-wise, the numbers that I have, I mean, he’s been exceptional,” Fipp said. “So, I feel really good about what he’s doing, where he’s at. I have a lot of confidence in him. But yeah, he hasn’t made all of the long kicks that we would love for him to make. Can he hit that at a higher percentage? For sure. Will that be something to work on? Yeah, no doubt.”

ALLEN PARK — Aidan Hutchinson hasn’t thought much about how he’s going to handle the life-changing money he’s set to receive, but he does know one purchase he’s on the hook for after landing a record-breaking contract extension from the Detroit Lions on Wednesday.

“I think the D-line, they are expecting a Christmas present this year,” Hutchinson said Thursday. “So, I will have to deliver on that. I’ve already got some stuff in the works that I’ve been thinking about.”

Hutchinson’s new pact with the Lions, which tacks four years and $180 million onto his already-existing rookie deal, is scheduled to keep him in Detroit through the 2030 season. It includes $141 million in guarantees, the most ever for a non-quarterback in NFL history.

“It sounds kinda cool,” Hutchinson, 25, said of the record. “But if I ask myself why I play this game and why I do what I do, the money is really a byproduct. So, while a lot of those numbers are fun to look at — and it’s cool and it’s such a blessing — in order to for me to keep putting one foot in front of the other and keep looking forward, I focus on my play and my evolution as a player. Because, to me, when I see that, that fires me up more than money ever would.”

Hutchinson did his best to stay away from negotiations, leaving most of the responsibilities to both his agent and parents.

“These things can get a little bit hairy the more you get into it and the longer it goes, as you see with other guys around the league,” Hutchinson said. “Obviously, you want to avoid those situations, and we were able to get it done and move on from it. Just super grateful and just ready to focus everything on this season and … on what’s important.”

The Lions have signed seven of general manager Brad Holmes’ draft picks to multi-year extensions, as Hutchinson joins a group already including offensive tackle Penei Sewell, defensive tackle Alim McNeill, receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, linebacker Derrick Barnes and safety Kerby Joseph.

Those seven extensions, plus deals with quarterback Jared Goff and running back David Montgomery, total more than $968 million. The Lions have invested in their core group of players — more commitments are likely on the horizon, with running back Jahmyr Gibbs, linebacker Jack Campbell, tight end Sam LaPorta and safety Brian Branch all becoming extension eligible next March — and they’re in line to remain together for the foreseeable future.

“Everybody knows we’ve got the pieces,” Hutchinson said. “We’ve just got to go out there and do it, you know? We know we have the talent and we have the coaches to do it, the culture. Everything is set and in place. Last year was what it was. But this year, that will always be the goal with this group.”

Hutchinson has shown no signs of dropping off since returning from the broken leg he suffered last October. He was a force in training camp and has extended that play into the regular season; he leads the NFL in pressures (48) and paces the Lions in sacks, with six. His win rate (25.2%) ranks third among all players in the league who’ve had at least 100 snaps as a pass rusher, behind Houston’s Will Anderson Jr. (29%) and Cleveland’s Myles Garrett (26.9%).

“That’s where, in those moments of the unknowing, you just have to rely on God’s plan and God’s journey for you,” Hutchinson said of his injury, which occurred just over a year ago. “Because, ultimately, I wasn’t expecting to get hurt last year, and it happened. Although it served as a bump in the road in my eyes, it’s set me up this year for an incredible comeback. … Looking back now, a year later from when it happened, I feel like I’m in a great spot.”

Hutchinson received congratulatory messages from a number of personalities in the NFL, including some of the best pass rushers who’ve come before him, in Michael Strahan and J.J. Watt. One person who did not reach out, however, was Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy, Hutchinson’s former teammate at Michigan who he’ll be trying to sack Sunday.

“I did not get a text from any Minnesota Vikings,” Hutchinson said, smiling. “No, I did not.”

Aidan Hutchinson, the homegrown heart and soul of the Detroit Lions’ defense, has agreed to a four-year contract extension with the team, his agent announced via social media Wednesday morning.

Financial terms have not been released.

Hutchinson, still just 25 years old, was the No. 2 pick out of Michigan in the 2022 NFL Draft and becomes the first member of general manager Brad Holmes’ second draft class to receive a significant contract extension.

Over his first two seasons, Hutchinson appeared in all 37 games (including playoffs) for Detroit and averaged 10½ sacks during the regular season, finishing as the runner-up for Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2022 and making his first Pro Bowl in 2023 after an 11.5-sack, 121-pressure campaign.

To begin the 2024 season, Hutchinson cemented himself as one of the NFL’s best pass rushers. At the time of his injury, which occurred after the Lions’ Week 5 bye, Hutchinson led the NFL in pressures (45) and sacks (7½). He remained the NFL’s pressure leader until Week 8, when his total was surpassed by Nick Bosa (San Francisco 49ers).

“Every time you watch him, he gets better and better and I was pretty blown away last night,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said after Hutchinson recorded a career-high 4.5 sacks in a Week 2 loss against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season.

“He’s a force. He’s a force. … He’s just relentless, he’s powerful, he’s explosive.”

Despite the severity of his injury, which required immediate surgery at a Dallas-area hospital, Hutchinson remained adamant he would be able to return for the Super Bowl, if the Lions had been able to make it that far. Campbell repeatedly warned against such optimism, but noted, “If anybody can come back from this, it would be Aidan.” The point ultimately became moot as the Lions fell to the Washington Commanders, 45-31, in the NFC’s divisional round.

Still, as highlighted by Campbell’s comments, Hutchinson’s dedicated work ethic is the shining example of what the Lions want their players to be.

Shortly before Detroit’s 2024 opener, former Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn said of Hutchinson, “Hutch has had a tremendous offseason. He had a tremendous training camp, and now he’s at the point that he needs to set his sights at being, if not the best player defensively in this league, to one of the best players — which he is, but now it’s time to look at himself as the best player.”

Since graduating from Dearborn Divine Child High School, Hutchinson has been at the forefront of reviving two local programs. In Hutchinson’s senior year at Michigan (2021), the Wolverines snapped an eight-game losing streak against rival Ohio State — a 42-27 victory at Michigan Stadium in which Hutchinson sacked Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud three times — and a 17-year drought as Big Ten champions, reaching the College Football Playoff for the first time in school history.

With his multi-sack performance against Ohio State, Hutchinson set Michigan’s single-season sack record (14), a distinction previously owned by his father, Chris. He was named a unanimous All-American and finished as runner-up for the Heisman Trophy.

Two years later, Hutchinson helped propel Detroit to its first division title in 30 years as the Lions won two playoff games — doubling their total (one) from 1957-2022 — en route to an NFC Championship appearance, where the Lions came up short by way of a furious second-half comeback by the 49ers at Levi’s Stadium.

Though Hutchinson didn’t necessarily grow up donning the Honolulu blue — “My dad’s from Texas, so he was never a big Lions fan,” he said last year — he acknowledged the surreal nature of the team’s turnaround ahead of the NFC title game.

“Growing up here, you grow up with a lot of the ‘Same Old Lions’ stuff, and a lot of the tragedy and whatever you want to call it,” Hutchinson said. “I see videos of little kids (excited about the Lions), and just like, seeing that generation growing up with this Lions team and the Lions teams to come, it’s just cool to have two different perspectives on it and to see kind of both sides of the coin.”

Entering the 2022 draft, Hutchinson was long believed to be the obvious No. 1 pick before Jacksonville ultimately chose to select Georgia pass rusher Travon Walker. Though Walker has steadily improved into a really good player, he has yet to exhibit the sky-high potential of Hutchinson. And he probably won’t be getting paid like him either.

The Detroit Lions on Tuesday became the fourth and final team in the NFC North to enter its bye week, getting some time off later in the calendar than the Green Bay Packers (Week 5), Chicago Bears (Week 5) and Minnesota Vikings (Week 6).

An idle date in Week 8 doesn’t split the season in half — Detroit (5-2) has 10 games to go, plus whatever is to come in a potential postseason run — but it serves as a well-deserved break for the Lions, who rank third in points scored per game (30.7) and 12th in points allowed (21.6) this season.

With four NFC North contests still to come, including one apiece against the Packers and Bears, we’ll break down the resume of each of Detroit’s divisional foes, as well as why Lions fans should (and shouldn’t) be hopeful for their upcoming matchups.

Green Bay Packers

Record: 4-1-1

Winning percentage of remaining opponents: .563 (seventh highest)

Remaining game vs. Lions: Week 13

The skinny: The Packers opened their season with a statement win over the Lions, stifling Detroit’s offense before doing the same to the Washington Commanders in Week 2. There were consecutive hiccups in the two following weeks — the Cleveland Browns pulled off an unlikely upset, and the Dallas Cowboys played Green Bay to a tie — but the Packers are winners of two straight, and, based on winning percentage, currently lead the NFC North.

Reason for optimism: Dan Campbell’s Lions haven’t been swept by an in-division opponent since the Bears did it in 2021. Week 1’s result against the Packers was worrisome, especially when a number of Detroit’s perceived flaws (fresh coordinators, new-look offensive line) were evident. But those issues have largely dissipated in the weeks since, and the Packers, particularly on defense, don’t look to be the juggernaut they appeared early on.

Reason to be worried: Defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley is proficient at limiting explosive plays. Green Bay’s pass defense allows 5.0 yards per play (third-lowest, behind the Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons), and its run defense holds opponents to -0.13 Expected Points Added (EPA) per play, the fifth-best mark in the NFL. Communication issues were a problem for the Lions’ offensive line in Week 1. That can’t happen again against a defensive front — Micah Parsons, Rashan Gary, Devonte Wyatt and Colby Wooden — as talented as the Packers’.

Chicago Bears

Record: 4-2

Winning percentage of remaining opponents: .534 (13th)

Remaining game vs. Lions: Week 18

The skinny: The Bears, in Ben Johnson’s first year as head coach, are undefeated since getting blown out by the Lions in Week 2. They’ve beat up on a couple inferior opponents (the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 4 and New Orleans Saints in Week 7), but have solid wins against the Cowboys in Week 3 and Commanders in Week 6. Impressive about Chicago’s victory over Dallas: The Bears held the Cowboys’ high-powered offense to 14 points, its fewest this season.

Reason for optimism: If there’s one thing the Lions are going to sell out to do defensively, it’s stop the run. That matches up well with the Bears, who are a run-first team — they’ve run the ball on 46.8% of their offensive snaps, the fifth-highest rate in the league. If the Lions can slow the Bears on the ground or jump out to an early lead and force Chicago to play catch-up, it’s a firm advantage for Detroit.

Reason to be worried: One would naturally think Chicago’s recent success is due to the offense, given Johnson’s history. But the Bears are rolling defensively, particularly on the back end. Tyrique Stevenson’s overall defensive grade from Pro Football Focus since Week 3 (91.7) ranks second among qualified cornerbacks, and Kevin Byard’s mark over that stretch (89.9) is second among safeties. The Bears have forced 15 turnovers over their last four games, including 10 interceptions. Four of those INTs have been courtesy of Byard.

Minnesota Vikings

Record: 3-4

Winning percentage of remaining opponents: .568 (5th)

Remaining games vs. Lions: Weeks 9, 17

The skinny: The Vikings fell to the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday, picking up their third loss in their last four tries. Things looked promising early in the season as backup quarterback Carson Wentz led a 48-10 clobbering of the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3, but Minnesota is 1-3 since, with losses to the Pittsburgh Steelers (Week 4), Philadelphia Eagles (Week 7) and Chargers (Week 8). The lone win came against the Cleveland Browns (Week 5).

Reason for optimism: If second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy returns from injury in Week 9, Detroit’s defense could feast on an inexperienced QB who has struggled in seven of his eight quarters of professional football; outside of a 21-point final frame against the Bears in Week 1, the Vikings have scored just 12 points on 19 total possessions with McCarthy at QB. Even if the Vikings keep McCarthy on the bench in Week 9, Wentz (110-of-169 for 1,216 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions this season) has hardly been a world-beater.

Reason to be worried: Minnesota’s pass defense is once again strong this season, ranking fourth in EPA per pass attempt (-0.17). Cornerback Isaiah Rodgers has proven to be a helpful offseason addition, and defensive end Jonathan Greenard (30 pressures) continues to show his value as a pass rusher. The Vikings’ excellence against the pass should come as no surprise, as coordinator Brian Flores has been doing this for years. In fairness to the Lions, though, we’ve seen them handle a Flores-led defense before; quarterback Jared Goff has a passer rating of 110.5 in his last four meetings with Flores.

ALLEN PARK — If you’re familiar with Alim McNeill’s temperament, his answer shouldn’t surprise you.

Athletes and coaches speak often about the value of remaining even-keel. Never getting too high, never getting too low. Refusing to ride the inevitable emotional roller coaster that comes during a five-to-six-month NFL season. It’s easier said than done.

But McNeill, in his fifth year with the Detroit Lions, lives that mantra.

“He’s always very steady, which I appreciate about him,” teammate Aidan Hutchinson said.

McNeill is set to make his season debut against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night, about 10 months removed from the torn ACL he suffered last December. For some, a return like this draws emotion, maybe even some tears of gratitude during pregame warmups or the national anthem. McNeill, however, doesn’t see himself responding that way, and it’s not because he doesn’t appreciate the moment.

“I don’t take things for granted at all; it’s for sure going to be a huge moment. But just knowing me, it’s just going to be game day for me,” said McNeill, as nonchalant as he is talented. “I’m not going to sit here and try to make a big deal out of it and all this and that. Because people get hurt and come back all the time. So, it’s like, why would I make a big deal out of it? Let’s just go play football.”

McNeill’s return is massive for the Lions. He’s a disruptive run defender next to fellow defensive tackle DJ Reader, but perhaps more important is his ability to rush the passer from an interior alignment. The Lions have missed that this season, with not only McNeill being unavailable, but also Levi Onwuzurike, who had a season-ending knee procedure before training camp.

Before getting hurt against the Buffalo Bills in Week 15 last season, McNeill posted 45 pressures, tied for the eighth-most among all defensive tackles through Weeks 1-15. He also had seven tackles for loss and 3½ sacks. His presence on the defensive line should, at least in theory, open up even more opportunities for Hutchinson, who, entering Week 7, leads the NFL in pressures (36) and strip-sacks (three), and is fourth in sacks (six).

“It’ll be super fun,” McNeill said of playing alongside Hutchinson again. “We were already out there (at practice) trying to get that chemistry back going. It’s a couple things that we were doing out there, little head nods, little small stuff like that we were trying to get going. It’s going to be fun. That’s an electric player to be beside. He elevates everybody around him.”

Excitement around McNeill’s return isn’t limited to members of the defensive line. Linebackers coach Shaun Dion Hamilton is well aware what McNeill can do for his unit, eating up space, closing gaps and opening avenues for the team’s linebackers to come down and get run stops.

The Lions already had a handful of strong run defenders at defensive tackle, in Reader, rookie Tyleik Williams and veteran Roy Lopez. Adding a fourth stout piece to the rotation should only make everyone’s responsibilities more manageable.

“Very ecstatic, as a coach, to have that guy back,” Hamilton said. “Some of the things that he can do at 300-plus pounds, you’re not supposed to be able to do. He’s going to, for sure, help affect the quarterback, play the run. It’s so many things that guy can do. Just glad that he’s on our team and not another team.”

How many snaps McNeill plays against the Bucs remains to be seen, but he’s expecting to perform at the same level he was at before getting injured. He attacked his rehabilitation too hard to think anything different: “That’s the work that I’ve been putting in, to be the same exact way, if not better.”

Ten months of work and recovery will culminate for McNeill on Monday. Don’t expect to see watery eyes when the camera pans toward him. But rest assured, McNeill, one of Detroit’s defensive cornerstones, couldn’t be happier.

“It’s the only thing I’ve been looking forward to,” McNeill said of his upcoming return. “I don’t even know how to (properly) explain that to you. I’ve been waiting on this day for a long, long time.”

ALLEN PARK — Jared Goff and Baker Mayfield are living the lives that are expected from former No. 1 picks: Both are playing for a contender and near the forefront of the MVP conversation.

But neither quarterback in Monday night’s game between the Detroit Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers took an easy road to get here, even after they were the top picks in their respective drafts, Goff with the Los Angeles Rams in 2016 and Mayfield with the Cleveland Browns in 2018. Goff is on his second team while Mayfield is on his fourth.

Between the 53.3 yards that’ll separate the two sidelines on Monday night, you’ll find there’s a lot of mutual respect.

“He’s a good friend,” Goff said of Mayfield, who has the Buccaneers off to a 5-1 start despite several key injuries at the skill positions. “(I have) a ton of respect for him. I think we both kind of — I don’t want to speak for him but — (we) can recognize that there’s some dark days in that transition and coming out the other side of it for both of us.

“A lot of respect from my end for sure and I hope he’d say the same. … I’m a big fan of his and he’s done a great job.”

Goff began his resurgence a few seasons before Mayfield latched on with the Buccaneers, but their stories are similar. They’re both former top picks who were cast off by the teams that drafted them and had their reputations dragged through the mud on their way out of town.

It took Mayfield a few more stops — he spent seven games with the Carolina Panthers before taking over the Rams’ starting job down the stretch of the 2022 season — but they arrived at the same destination: with a team that wanted them.

In Mayfield’s first two seasons with the Buccaneers, the team won the NFC South both years and reached the playoffs. The Lions beat the Buccaneers in the 2023 NFC divisional round to advance to the NFC Championship. Goff has also led the Lions to consecutive division titles.

“I think they’re both tough,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said. “Like to me they’re both really tough, dependable, resilient guys. I think both of them have overcome a lot. I think when you watch those guys and just the nature of the way they play — like, our quarterback will sit in there, he’ll make throws (when) he’s getting crunched in the pocket and has to deliver the ball. He’s not afraid of that.”

Mayfield, who’s about to face the Lions for the fourth time since joining the Buccaneers in 2023, returned the admiration in his weekly press conference.

“I love Jared. Great guy. Like I’ve told you guys before, from somebody that can relate to needing a fresh start somewhere else, it’s good to see that story,” Mayfield said. “Everybody loves a good underdog story, whatever it is, go through adversity, come through on the other side stronger. That’s life, and that’s what football can teach you.”

Now, the two are set to duel it out in what’s sure to be one of the most riveting “Monday Night Football” games of the season.

Goff enters Monday Week 7 with the league lead in completion percentage (75.9%) and passing touchdowns (14) and second in passer rating (120.6). Mayfield, meanwhile is tied for fourth in passing touchdowns (12), fourth in passing yards (1,539), and sixth in passer rating (108.5), all while being without two of his top receivers, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, for most of the season.

Mayfield is third in MVP odds (+325, BetMGM) and Goff is fourth (+1500), while both are under new offensive coordinators. For Mayfield, he’s with his third offensive coordinator (Josh Grizzard) in three seasons.

The Lions and Buccaneers have met three times since Mayfield arrived in Tampa. Over those three games, Mayfield is 57-for-97 passing (58.8%) for an average of 246.7 yards with four total touchdowns and four interceptions. He added 70 rushing yards in those three games.

Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard said Mayfield is the type of player who’d fit well in Detroit.

“He’s everything that we’re about here,” Sheppard said. “He’s a tough guy to deal with because when it seems like there’s nothing there, he finds a way to pull his team through. So, he makes that thing go. The coordinators are smart because they don’t try to change much, they understand what works for him and they carried over.

“There’s some nuances that changed motion-wise, schematically, but for the most part it’s Baker’s show.”

Whatever happens Monday night, this could only be a preview for an even bigger matchup down the road. The Lions and Buccaneers have been two of the NFL’s strongest organizations over the last handful of years, and there’s plenty of reasons to believe that they’ll be at their best when January rolls around.

Chief among them, however, is the rock-solid quarterback play.

“They both deliver in critical moments,” Campbell said. “They don’t get frazzled.”

ALLEN PARK — Jared Goff has been strong against the blitz since joining the Detroit Lions, but the quarterback has taken things to another level this season, so far turning in an NFL-best passer rating (137.1) on the 51 dropbacks in which the defense has sent at least one extra rusher.

That excellence will be tested Monday night against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have a blitz rate (32.6%) that ranks third in the NFL, behind the Atlanta Falcons (39.9%) and Minnesota Vikings (35.8%). Offensive coordinator John Morton called Tampa Bay’s defensive strategy, which kept him up late preparing Saturday evening, “a blitz fest.”

“If he sees something (at the line of scrimmage), we get to our blitz check. He can see everything,” Morton said of Goff’s proficiency against the blitz. “He’s a veteran guy, and he studies, man. This guy works his butt off. … He’s like a coach. It makes it so much easier (to operate the offense).”

Goff has completed 36 of 49 passes (73.5%) for 468 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions on the plays he’s been blitzed, according to Pro Football Focus. Much of that success is due to Goff’s continued growth, of course. But some of it can be ascribed to the defensive looks Goff faced in training camp.

“I know it’s helped him,” defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard said. “Because not only him, but Johnny Mo tells me. He’s like, ‘Coming out of training camp with you guys, they feel like they’re prepared for anything.’ That’s a credit to not only myself, but my staff. … There’s a lot of hands in the jar on this thing, and we present a lot of different defenses week to week. That takes a staff, not just one person.”

Sheppard and Goff have met often throughout the season, “whether that’s (for) two minutes or 20 minutes.” The parties do their best to inform the other of what they’re seeing from one another’s units during practice, handing nuggets of information back and forth in preparation for game day.

Goff, through six games, currently has career-high marks in completion rate (75.9%), success rate (56.3%), passer rating (120.6) and quarterback rating (72.4). His completion rate leads the NFL, more than 2.5% better than the next closest quarterback — New England’s Drake Maye (73.2%).

In his first year as defensive coordinator, Sheppard joked Goff never visited this much previously: “I said (to Goff), ‘I guess when I was a linebackers coach, I was a nobody because you never came in my office.’ Now, he’s in my office every week.”

“I think real guys respect other real guys,” Sheppard said of his relationship with Goff. “Like at the end of the day, you watch … how people work and you respect it in this game. … Real guys respect real guys. We have mutual respect for each other, and I think we want to see each other benefit and win. Because both of us will be mutual beneficiaries off of that.”

NEW YORK (AP) — Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch was suspended for one game without pay by the NFL on Monday for unsportsmanlike conduct following a loss at Kansas City.

Branch punched Chiefs receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster on Sunday night, setting off a postgame melee.

“Your aggressive, non-football act was entirely unwarranted, posed a serious risk of injury, and clearly violated the standards of conduct and sportsmanship expected of NFL players,” Jon Runyan, league vice president of football operations, wrote in a letter to Branch. “Your conduct reflected poorly on the NFL and has no place in our game.”

Detroit (4-2) will host NFC South-leading Tampa Bay (5-1) without Branch, another blow for a team with a banged-up secondary.

Branch will be eligible to return to the active roster on Tuesday, Oct. 21, during the team’s bye week ahead of its home game against NFC North rival Minnesota on Nov. 2.

After Kansas City beat Detroit 30-17, quarterback Patrick Mahomes extended his hand toward Branch and the third-year pro walked past the superstar. Smith-Schuster then walked toward Branch. They exchanged a few words and Branch responded by throwing a right hook that knocked Smith-Schuster to the ground.

Smith-Schuster leapt to his feet and went after Branch. Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco tried to get between them, but Branch ripped Smith-Schuster’s helmet off as a slew of players converged on the scrum.

Smith-Schuster came away with a bloody nose.

“I did a little childish thing, but I’m tired of people doing stuff in between the play and refs don’t catch it,” Branch said after the game. “They be trying to bully me out there and I don’t — I shouldn’t have did it. It was childish.”

Branch was fined $23,186 for facemask and unsportsmanlike-conduct penalties against Green Bay last month.

“I love Brian Branch, but what he did is inexcusable, and it’s not going to be accepted here,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said Sunday night. “It’s not what we do. It’s not what we’re about. I apologized to coach (Andy) Reid and the Chiefs, and Smith-Schuster. That’s not OK. That’s not what we do here. It’s not going to be OK. He knows it. Our team knows it. That’s not what we do.”

Detroit drafted Branch out of Alabama in the second round in 2023 and he has been one of the franchise’s top players during its recent run of success. He was a Pro Bowl player last season after finishing fifth in voting for AP Defensive Rookie of the Year.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — It’s been nearly three years since the Detroit Lions lost consecutive regular-season games, a testament to the resiliency and mental fortitude head coach Dan Campbell has hammered into a roster that’s 39-11 over its last 50 contests.

That streak will soon be put to the test.

The Lions, following a 30-17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, are hosting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for “Monday Night Football” in Week 7. The Buccaneers, sitting atop the NFC after six weeks, are winners of two straight. They own a 5-1 record, tied with the Indianapolis Colts for the NFL’s best.

If you believe what the Lions say, and if you believe in what they’ve accomplished over the last 36 months, don’t expect Sunday’s result at Arrowhead Stadium to linger into next week’s matchup with the Bucs.

“I mean, we’re men. We’re going to show up to work, we’re going to collect the film and we’re going to get back to work,” defensive tackle DJ Reader said. “I don’t think anybody on this team’s going to hang their head. I mean, s—, we’re 4-2. The sky’s not falling out of the air. … You’re 4-2, you’re still at the top of your conference. You just lost a game to a good team.”

Reader described Detroit’s loss to Kansas City as “frustrating,” and he rejected a notion that the Lions weren’t as focused as they typically are.

“We just got beat today, that’s just what it came down to. We didn’t respond well to all the adversity that was out there,” Reader said.

The Lions struggled in the biggest moments Sunday. The Chiefs converted two of their three fourth-down attempts. The Lions, meanwhile, went 0-for-2, including an atypical drop from receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown on fourth-and-short. Had the Lions converted, they could’ve built their lead going into halftime. Instead, the Chiefs took advantage by scoring a go-ahead touchdown before the break.

One of Kansas City’s fourth-down conversions was a 6-yard touchdown catch from Xavier Worthy, who beat cornerback Amik Robertson to the flat. Robertson tried to jam Worthy at the line of scrimmage, but the receiver evaded the contact, causing Robertson to lose his balance.

“At the end of the day, man, we’re not about to hold our heads down,” Robertson said. “We’re what, 4-2? It’ll be all right, man. Twenty-four-hour rule, get back to the drawing board. Like I always say, next game is the most important.”

St. Brown said bouncing back quickly from a loss is “mandatory” for the Lions, who hope they can respond in Week 7 like they did in Week 2, when they clobbered the Chicago Bears at home after opening the season with a troubling loss at the Green Bay Packers.

“We will watch the film and we will clean this stuff up. We’re going to have to,” Campbell said. “Tampa Bay is coming in and they’re a good football team. We’re going to have to be ready. … These only get harder and harder as you go. They are more meaningful every game that we go. I go back to this: Maybe we needed this.

“Maybe we needed to get kicked around a little bit, because that’s what happened.”

By Richard Silva, The Detroit News

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Richard Silva grades the Detroit Lions in their 30-17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on “Sunday Night Football.”

Quarterback

Conventional wisdom says to ascribe blame to a quarterback when his offense musters only 17 points. But Jared Goff was his usual self, completing 79.3% of his throws for 203 yards and two touchdowns, and he protected the ball throughout. Two of his six incompletions were drops (we’ll get to one of those momentarily). Goff also made some difference-making throws, finding tight end Sam LaPorta over the middle for 26 yards four plays before he did the same to receiver Jameson Williams, hitting the speedster for a 22-yard touchdown. The pocket was closing in on both plays. It didn’t matter for Goff, who stayed patient and hung onto the ball long enough for his pass-catchers to come open. Goff didn’t produce off-script moments like Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, but he was far from the issue Sunday night. Grade: B

Running backs

There appeared to be some success for Jahmyr Gibbs early on — five of his first seven rushes went for four or more yards, and he had a 3-yarder to move the chains on third-and-short — but his final tally as a runner (65 yards on 17 carries) wasn’t as prolific as you’d hope, given the hot start. David Montgomery was curiously only given four carries and six total touches, a development we’ll discuss further in the coaching section. Montgomery chipped in most of his yards through the air, catching two passes for 37 yards. He was pivotal in getting the Lions down the field and into the end zone on their third-to-last drive, when the game was still within reach. Grade: B-

Wide receivers/tight ends

It feels unfair to criticize Amon-Ra St. Brown too heavily for his uncharacteristic drop in the second quarter, but it’s difficult to ignore the play’s magnitude. The Lions were driving and had a chance to extend their lead going into halftime, but St. Brown couldn’t corral a slightly low pass on fourth down, allowing the Chiefs to take over possession near midfield and later score, taking a lead they’d never give back. It’s worth mentioning Williams, who got back on track with his first touchdown since Week 2 (he was Detroit’s leading receiver, with 66 yards), and LaPorta, who snagged a wildly impressive touchdown early in the fourth quarter. The grade here is going to take a slight hit due to shoddy screen-pass blocking that killed the Lions’ first drive of the second half. Grade: B

Offensive line

The offensive line did an impressive job protecting Goff from Kansas City’s pass rush, especially defensive tackle Chris Jones and edge defender George Karlaftis; Goff was sacked once (by Charles Omenihu), but it came late, and in an obvious passing situation. The O-line was not as successful paving running lanes for Gibbs, who averaged a modest 3.8 yards per carry. That’s a passable average, but well below expectations for Gibbs, who had a 4.6 average heading into Sunday. It was especially disappointing versus a Chiefs defense that had been struggling against the run. From Weeks 1-5, Kansas City allowed 4.8 yards per rush on the season, the sixth-worst average in the NFL. Grade: C+

Defensive line

Rookie left tackle Josh Simmons was a late scratch for the Chiefs, and yet Kansas City’s offensive line kept Detroit’s pass rush mostly in check. Aidan Hutchinson pulled his weight by recording a sack in his fifth straight game — setting a new franchise record, by the way — when he stripped Mahomes in the second quarter, but he let Mahomes out of his grasp on a play in the first half, leading to a 20-yard gain for Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, and he had a costly roughing the passer infraction in the fourth quarter. Al-Quadin Muhammad was the only other defensive lineman to sack Mahomes and it came with less than three minutes remaining. Grade: C+

Linebackers

Run defense falls within the defensive line’s scope, of course, but linebackers also are part of the equation. The Lions weren’t horrendous in slowing Isiah Pacheco, but they allowed the running back to post a season-high 51 rushing yards on 12 attempts. Considering the opponent (Mahomes is Kansas City’s leading rusher on the season), the Lions fell below their elite standards. Also of note: Jack Campbell missed at least two tackles, per Pro Football Focus’ live tracking data. He had two missed tackles total entering Sunday. Grade: C

Secondary

The Lions are down starters D.J. Reed and Terrion Arnold, and their absences were clearly felt against the Chiefs. Mahomes finished 22-for-30 for 257 yards and three touchdowns. His most popular target was Travis Kelce, who snagged six passes, including a third-down conversion while working against practice-squad call-up Arthur Maulet. Kelce also drew an impactful pass interference call against Rock Ya-Sin, putting the Chiefs in the red zone before his 17-yard catch placed them at the 1-yard line. Xavier Worthy scored because Amik Robertson missed his jam at the line of scrimmage, and Brown’s second TD was the result of miscommunication on the back end. Shout-out to defensive back Thomas Harper for having a pass breakup on fourth down. Grade: D+

Special teams

Punter Jack Fox did a solid job — Kansas City was forced to start drives on its own 7- and 11-yard lines due to a pair of Fox’s boots — but the Lions lost some of their advantage in the field-position battle when returning kickoffs. The Chiefs kicked the ball off to Craig Reynolds five times. He averaged 23.6 yards per return, a rate not good enough when the touchback comes out to the 35-yard line. Whether the fault is on the blocking or poor running from Reynolds, the Lions would benefit from being more explosive. Jake Bates was true on his one field goal attempt, which came from 28 yards out. Grade: C+

Coaching

Some of the offensive play-calling and personnel usage was curious. Namely, Montgomery’s lack of opportunity and back-to-back screen passes early in the second half. Neither play worked because there were missed blocks, but the calls were uninspiring, and perhaps telegraphed on second- and third-and-long. Defensively, Kansas City’s quick passing game was devastating, as nearly 70% of Mahomes’ passing yards came after the catch. The Lions never seemed to adjust. And if they did, it was ineffective. Grade: C

One third of the NFL season has elapsed, and unless you’re the New York Jets, roughly nothing has been settled. At most, Week 6 will end with six one-loss teams. The only division leader with a lead of more than one game is the Pittsburgh Steelers, who at 4-1 stand head and shoulders above the disappointing NFC North. The next 11 weeks should be a wild ride.

Here is what to know:

 

Beware of the Seahawks

One early theme this season is that no truly dominant team has emerged. Don’t be surprised if the Seattle Seahawks eventually stake their claim. The Seahawks beat the Jaguars, 20-12, in Jacksonville to improve to 4-2, and the victory carried the hallmarks of what makes Seattle a potential sleeping giant.

Seattle’s ferocious defensive line can take over any game. Its depth – Leonard Williams, DeMarcus Lawrence, Uchenna Nwosu, Byron Murphy II, Boye Mafe and others – sets it apart. Coach Mike Macdonald’s creative simulated pressures give offensive lines nightmare. The Seahawks hit Trevor Lawrence an absurd 17 times Sunday and registered seven sacks.

No wideout is playing better than Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who leads the NFL with 696 receiving yards. He caught another eight passes for 162 yards and a touchdown against Jacksonville. He has the body type and quickness of a slot receiver, but Smith-Njigba does his damage downfield: He entered Sunday second in the NFL behind Indianapolis’s Alec Pierce in yards per target.

He’s catching passes from Sam Darnold, who seems like a perfect conductor of new coordinator Klint Kubiak’s play-action heavy offense. Since the start of last season, Darnold is 18-5.

In both of Seattle’s losses this year, the Seahawks’ opponent scored go-ahead points with less than two minutes remaining. The Seahawks rarely get mentioned as an elite team, but they are playing like it.

Drake Maye’s breakout continues

One week after Drake Maye beat Josh Allen in Buffalo, he exploded in New Orleans for 261 passing yards and three touchdowns in a 25-19 victory for the New England Patriots. At 4-2, just a half-game behind the Bills in the AFC East, the Patriots have already matched their win total from both 2023 and 2024. The difference between misery and contention has been Maye, the third overall pick last year.

What stands out about Maye is his ability to mix accuracy and playmaking. Maye flicked darts downfield on the run, zipped passes from the pocket and scrambled to find open wideouts and gain yards. He converted a procession of third and longs.

The Saints defense offered little resistance and allowed receivers to roam free, but Maye was still one of the most impressive players of the day. His stat line would have been outrageous if not for two bizarre, suspect offensive pass interference flags that wiped out massive gains. It was a rough day for Adrian Hill’s officiating crew.

Maye entered Week 6 second in completion percentage and fifth in passing yards. His production, playmaking and poise have put him on track to become one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, maybe sooner than later.

What’s gotten into Rico Dowdle?

Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle’s 200-yard rushing game last week seemed like one of the great random stat lines of the season. After his performance Sunday in a 30-27 walk-off victory against the Dallas Cowboys it doesn’t seem quite as random.

Dowdle exploited his former team’s dismal defense with 183 rushing yards on 30 carries, plus four catches for a team-high 56 receiving yards. In the past two weeks, Dowdle has rushed for 389 yards. In his previous 56 career games, he ran for 1,547.

Dowdle surpassed 1,000 rushing yards last year for the Cowboys, who showed tepid interest in bringing him back. He began the year as a secondary back behind Chuba Hubbard, but Hubbard’s injury opened a path for him. He has taken advantage with two monster games. During the week, Dowdle warned that the Cowboys needed to buckle their chinstraps to play him. Then he went out and ran all over them.

Bo Nix is not making the leap

The Denver Broncos avoided disaster and escaped London with a 13-11 victory over the New York Jets, the NFL’s lone winless team, in a hideous game that may have set back United States-England relations. The Broncos remained clumped among the AFC’s best teams at 4-2, but they head home with diminished reason for confidence that quarterback Bo Nix can be the driving force behind a genuine contender.

As a rookie, Nix exceeded expectations and led Denver to the playoffs. Through six games, though, Nix has not progressed in his second season. Specifically, Nix remains unable to produce explosive plays to an extent that it places a hard ceiling on his ability. Nix’s average completion has sailed 3.6 yards beyond the line of scrimmage, second-lowest in the NFL, just ahead of Aaron Rodgers. Against the Jets, it was only 3.1. Against a defense that has spewed big plays, the Broncos managed one play longer than 17 yards.

Nix entered the league as a 24-year-old rookie after six seasons in college. He may be only in his second season, but he’s closer to being a finished product than most quarterbacks of his NFL experience. With their excellent defense and strong offensive line, the Broncos don’t need Nix to be a pyrotechnic passer. Nix remains first class at avoiding negative plays. But the Broncos need more explosive plays in the passing game to compete against the likes of Buffalo and Kansas City in the AFC.

Kyler Murray’s absence showed his shortcomings

What does it say that the Arizona Cardinals had their best offensive game of the season with Kyler Murray sidelined with a foot injury? That’s a question the Cardinals will have to grapple with after their 31-27 loss against the Indianapolis Colts, which ended with the Cardinals inside the Colts’ 10-yard line, threatening to score a game-winning touchdown inside the final minute.

Backup Jacoby Brissett passed for 320 yards, a total Murray has surpassed four times since 2020. Even with top wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. sidelined for most of the game with a concussion, the Cardinals’ offense functioned better with a journeyman backup at the controls than it has this year with Murray.

It’s not just a statistical comparison. Murray, 28, is an irrepressible playmaker, but his inconsistency managing the offense leads to persistent lulls. His speed and quickness allows him to conjure magic. His lack of height limits what the Cardinals can do in the passing game.

The Cardinals are financially wedded to Murray – his dead cap hit for next season is $57 million. Where does that leave them? Murray still has no playoff victories, and with the Cardinals at 2-4 it seems unlikely his first will come this season. The way the Cardinals played without him Sunday hints at uneasy questions Arizona should be asking itself.

BALTIMORE — Maybe, just maybe, the Detroit Lions are still an NFL powerhouse.

That did not seem likely when both of their coveted coordinators exited in the offseason following a gut punch of a playoff loss. It did not appear possible when the Lions began the season with a decidedly underwhelming loss to the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.

But Monday night at M&T Bank Stadium, the Lions of 2025 did a convincing impersonation of the Lions of 2024. There was offensive ingenuity. Coach Dan Campbell provided fourth-down bravado. The defense did its part. And the Lions bested a would-be Super Bowl contender on the road by outlasting the Baltimore Ravens, 38-30.

“That’s a good win for us, you know,” Campbell said. “I don’t know [about] statement, all this and that. But it just feels good to know against a type of team like that, you play a different type of game and you’re able to find a way to win.”

In improving to 2-1, the Lions produced touchdown drives of 98 and 96 yards. They converted all three of their fourth-down attempts. They crafted a go-ahead touchdown on the opening play of the fourth quarter when, on fourth and one from the Baltimore 4-yard line, quarterback Jared Goff handed the ball to wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, who pitched it to tailback Jahmyr Gibbs for a dash to the corner of the end zone. Earlier, there was a completion by Goff after he pitched the ball to tailback David Montgomery, then Montgomery threw a cross-field lateral back to Goff.

And with the game on the line with two minutes to play, Campbell dialed up more fourth-down daring. With a seven-point lead on fourth and two, the Lions could have punted from their 49-yard line and hoped their defense could close out the victory. Instead, Campbell leaned on his offense. Goff lofted a pass to St. Brown for a 20-yard completion, and Montgomery’s 31-yard touchdown sprint with 1:42 left put an exclamation point on the outcome.

“I know they trust me,” Goff said. “And I trust St. Brown. So put the game in our hands, and we’ll make it work. We’ve done it before.”

More important, they’re still doing it now.

“I’ve got a tremendous amount of trust in those guys,” Campbell said. “And that’s been built up now [for] five years. … It’s a thing of beauty, man.”

The Lions ran for 224 yards and four touchdowns. They didn’t commit a turnover, and Goff wasn’t sacked. He was barely touched in the pocket. Meanwhile, Detroit sacked Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson seven times and forced a fumble by tailback Derrick Henry.

Jackson threw three touchdown passes, and Henry provided a rushing score. But it wasn’t enough for the Ravens to keep pace as their record dropped to 1-2 ahead of a road game Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Lions will spend the entire season trying to prove they did not allow their best chance to secure the franchise’s first Super Bowl berth slip away last season. They had the swagger and confidence that came from Campbell’s aggressive coaching. They had two of the league’s top coordinators, with Ben Johnson’s creativity on offense and Aaron Glenn’s problem-solving on defense. The offense, as drawn up by Johnson and implemented by Goff, was unstoppable at times. Pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson was a defensive player of the year candidate.

But it never was quite the same after Hutchinson’s season was ended by a broken leg. Injuries accumulated on defense to the point that merely patching together a lineup was challenging. The Lions beat the Minnesota Vikings in the final game of the NFL regular season to secure the NFC’s No. 1 playoff seed with a 15-2 record, but their run ended with a stunning divisional-round defeat at home to the Washington Commanders.

Campbell’s top coaching lieutenants departed for head coaching jobs, Johnson with the Chicago Bears and Glenn with the New York Jets. Campbell rebuilt his coaching staff, promoting linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard to succeed Glenn and bringing back former offensive assistant John Morton to replace Johnson.

“We’re running some different scheme slightly,” Goff said. “And being able to win down the field on certain routes that are new to us and win in certain run-game stuff that’s new to us, I think it’s great.”

The Lions opened the season with a 14-point loss at Green Bay but then put up 52 points on Johnson and the Bears in a Week 2 triumph. They remained on a roll Monday.

“I knew we were a good team,” Hutchinson said. “And I know people were doubting us after that Green Bay game. … Every week, we’ve got to bring our ‘A’ game. We brought it today, and it paid off.”

The Lions did so many good things in the first half. They had touchdown drives of 11 and 18 plays, the second of which gobbled up nearly 11 minutes. They had possession of the ball for nearly 20 minutes of the first half. And yet the score was tied at 14 at halftime.

The Ravens moved in front with Jackson’s third-quarter touchdown pass to tight end Mark Andrews. But the Lions scored the next 14 points via Goff’s touchdown pass to St. Brown and Gibbs’s gadget-play touchdown run.

“That was a play that we’ve practiced for a few years now,” Goff said. “And I don’t know if we’ve ever called it. But it was good timing for it, and it worked perfectly.”

The Lions never trailed thereafter.

“We know what we’ve got here,” Campbell said. “We don’t need anybody telling us what we do or don’t have. … We feel good about it. And, look, it takes everybody doing their job. And our guys did that.”

Since the NFL expanded its postseason field to 14 teams in 2020, 19 teams have opened with 0-3 records. None of them have made the playoffs.

But while winless starts have proved to be a ticket out of contention, hot starts can be misleading. Since 2020, half of the 3-0 teams that made the playoff field (11 of 22) lost in the first round. Three others failed to make the postseason at all.

Several 2025 teams have made it through three weeks unbeaten, but their places in our rankings vary significantly – from the very top tier to the middle of the pack. Their records may be perfect for now, but their future success is far from certain.

As a reminder: These rankings differ from most of our counterparts in that they are not tied to win-loss records or nonquantifiable ideas such as momentum or positive vibes. They are simply a reflection of what our model says are the best teams in the NFL right now and how they should be expected to perform moving forward.

Top contenders

1. Baltimore Ravens (1-2)

2. Buffalo Bills (3-0)

3. Green Bay Packers (2-1)

4. Detroit Lions (2-1)

5. Philadelphia Eagles (3-0)

Baltimore is still No. 1 despite two losses? Yes. Hear me out.

This is where these power rankings diverge, sometimes considerably, from those that are simply regurgitations of win-loss records. These rankings are more indicative of what a team will do for the rest of the season, not what it has done in a three-game sample.

The Ravens’ two losses are by one point to the Bills (which required some heroics by Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen and an uncharacteristic fumble by Baltimore running back Derrick Henry) and by one possession to the Lions (who played a virtually flawless game and benefited from another Henry fumble), two of the four strongest teams in the NFL, per our ratings.

If you think that’s totally off the mark, consider that my power ratings set the spread for Sunday’s game between the Ravens and Chiefs in Kansas City at Ravens -2, while the Vegas line is Ravens -2.5. In other words, the sportsbooks are even more bullish on Baltimore than I am.

Besides, the Packers’ loss to Cleveland underscored how fragile the top of the NFL can be. Green Bay’s banged-up offensive line left Jordan Love little chance against the Browns’ relentless pass rush. Still, the Packers remain part of an elite cluster alongside the Bills, Lions, Ravens and Eagles, all of whom have shown they can win ugly or pull away for big victories.

Strong challengers

6. Kansas City Chiefs (1-2)

7. Los Angeles Chargers (3-0)

8. Los Angeles Rams (2-1)

Kansas City finally broke through for a win, though Patrick Mahomes had to weather dropped passes and fumbles to get it. The Chiefs’ ceiling remains high (mostly because of their reputation and the chances of key wide receivers returning soon), but right now they’re not as impressive as the NFL’s true elite. The Rams and Chargers round out this group; they can dominate for stretches but haven’t shown the consistency to belong in the top five.

Solid playoff teams

9. Minnesota Vikings (2-1)

10. Denver Broncos (1-2)

11. Seattle Seahawks (2-1)

12. Washington Commanders (2-1)

13. Indianapolis Colts (3-0)

Nobody expected Daniel Jones to open the season playing like an MVP candidate for the Colts, but here we are. Indianapolis is off to a 3-0 start fueled by Jones’s clean passing and timely scrambles, along with running back Jonathan Taylor’s explosive ability. The Vikings validated our (relatively) high ranking by blowing out the Cincinnati Bengals, 48-10.

In the hunt for playoff spots

14. San Francisco 49ers (3-0)

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-0)

16. Arizona Cardinals (2-1)

The 49ers lead the competitive NFC West after a last-second win over Arizona, but their success might not last. Star pass rusher Nick Bosa became their latest injury casualty, lost for the season with a torn ACL.

 

Average teams

17. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1)

18. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-1)

19. Houston Texans (0-3)

20. Dallas Cowboys (1-2)

The Jaguars land here because their defense has carried the load while their offense struggles with uneven play. Even with Jacksonville’s two-game advantage over the Texans, whom they just beat Sunday, our model sees little difference between them.

 

Below-average teams

21. Chicago Bears (1-2)

22. Las Vegas Raiders (1-2)

23. Cleveland Browns (1-2)

Cleveland leaned on its defense to squeeze out a win over Green Bay, but the offense still looks lost. Chicago bounced back with a big win over Dallas, but our model will need to see the Bears play well against a stronger defense before they move up much.

 

Rebuilding phase

24. New England Patriots (1-2)

25. New York Giants (0-3)

26. Miami Dolphins (0-3)

27. Atlanta Falcons (1-2)

28. Cincinnati Bengals (2-1)

29. New York Jets (0-3)

30. Carolina Panthers (1-2)

31. Tennessee Titans (0-3)

32. New Orleans Saints (0-3)

The Giants’ offense already has driven fans to call for a quarterback change, a clear sign of where things stand. (Rookie Jaxson Dart will get his shot Sunday.) Carolina’s blowout win over the Falcons did little to change its long-term outlook.

BALTIMORE — It took two weeks.

Two weeks.

After an offseason in which two of the best coordinators in football landed head-coaching jobs and took half the staff with them, after their All-Pro center retired and a stalwart right guard exited in free agency, and after they were annihilated by the Green Bay Packers in Week 1.

It took exactly two weeks for the Detroit Lions to become the best show on television once again.

Some could even argue it was true a week ago, when the Lions dismantled the Chicago Bears at home, but if you were holding out on buying all the way in because you questioned the strength of competition, well, sorry. You’ve got no choice but to believe now.

This game was complete and total confirmation that the Lions, as we knew them, are here to stay as long as Dan Campbell is the man in charge.

There are no remaining questions about the transition to coordinators John Morton and Kelvin Sheppard. Dead are the theories that it was actually Ben Johnson who was the mastermind of Detroit’s success. This team is every bit as much of a threat to win the Super Bowl as they were last season before the injury struggles set in.

“We have an identity, we have a culture, and nothing’s gonna change that,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said on Tuesday. “I thought Shep did a hell of a job in preparation and calling the game and the players, man, really responded. … John Morton, man. What a great job. And every week they’ve gotten better and better and better, and we’re all figuring each other out now in those roles.”

Detroit led the league in net yards (426) for the second week in a row and was also first in rush yards (224), touchdowns (five) and Expected Points Added per play (+0.31).

Defensively, they fed Lamar Jackson one of the most maddening days of his career, sacking the two-time MVP seven times. According to Jackson himself, there were no crazy tricks or schemes deployed by Sheppard, just a solid plan that was executed at the highest level — and one that is more sustainable than a wacky, new scheme with limited shelf life.

“They were just executing,” Jackson said. “That’s all it was.”

Let’s get the caveats out of the way: Yes, the Ravens were missing their two best pass rushers, which probably played a factor in the offensive line keeping Jared Goff clean for a second straight game. Yes, the Lions still gave up 30 points.

But the fact of the matter is that the Lions made plays at every critical juncture, just as they did all of last season, and looked pretty awesome doing it.

The Lions were three-for-three on fourth down, converting a goal-to-go situation with a tricky pitch play to Jahmyr Gibbs to go up 28-21 and drawing up a 20-yard completion to help ice the game on Detroit’s final drive. The Lions used aggression to seal the game on fourth-and-2 near midfield on a 20-yard completion to Amon-Ra St. Brown.

The offensive line rose from serviceable to elite once again. Offensive tackle Penei Sewell was Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded offensive lineman (98.7) in the league in Week 3; guard Tate Ratledge was fourth (91.4) and tackle Taylor Decker was ninth (82.9).

The defense registered a combined 30 pressures, according to PFF, while getting off the field in three plays or less on three different series in the second half.

Both teams left a few big plays on the table, but every football game generally comes down to five or six plays, and it’s usually the better team on the winning side of them. The Lions were that team Monday night, and it’s reasonable to expect them to remain that team going forward.

• Lions cornerback D.J. Reed has so far proven himself worthy of the three-year, $48 million contract he earned in free agency. As Terrion Arnold has struggled to find his footing in Year 2, Reed has been extremely dependable, helping limit the damage as Detroit’s secondary continues to jell.

He’s shown rapid improvement each week — he admittedly wasn’t great in coverage against Green Bay — and put it all together in Sunday’s win, when he allowed just one catch on three targets for a total of seven yards with a pass breakup. Baltimore receiver Zay Flowers, Reed’s top assignment on Monday, had just two catches for 13 yards.

“I thought he did a heck of a job, man. He’s been great for us,” Campbell said. “He’s one of the most veteran guys we have with the exception of (cornerback) Amik (Robertson), who we got last year.”

Reed has also been one of the team’s best run defenders. He had another five tackles with a fumble recovery on Monday after making five tackles the week prior.

“He’s got skins on the wall, he’s a vet, he does it right, he’s a pro. He’s competitive, and I mean, he’s fit right in with us,” Campbell said. “He’s been great for all those guys in the room, great teammate. He’s all about ball.”

• Lions linebacker Jack Campbell has hit a new stride in 2025. He was a dominant force in every phase on Monday night, finishing with a team-high eight tackles with a strip-sack of Jackson on fourth-and-goal.

He played a massive role in helping limit the production of Baltimore running back Derrick Henry, who, outside of a 28-yard rushing touchdown in the opening quarter, had 11 carries for 22 yards.

“First of all, did anybody see Jack’s got a laceration on his mouth? So he’s trying to call plays and blood’s spitting out everywhere, so they were just eating it up,” Campbell said. “This guy, man. He’s a workaholic, and the knowledge for the game, the way he studies the game, he prepares for it, and he’s just playing at a really high level right now.

“We feel like he can do it all. That’s why he doesn’t come off the field. I mean, he can do everything for us.”

• Alright, now let’s quickly talk about some negatives. The Lions beat the Ravens in spite of a poor performance across the board on special teams. The Lions started two drives inside their own 5-yard line, which would ultimately become a point of pride, but was definitely not what you want to see in the moment.

Baltimore ran its third kickoff back to the Baltimore 49-yard line and might have gone the distance had kicker Jake Bates not made the play. The Ravens began a third-quarter drive at the 40 after a kickoff from Bates when out of bounds.

And then, the penalties. Detroit was flagged eight times for 68 yards compared to three penalties for 31 yards called on Baltimore. All of that combined is a tough recipe for winning on the road.

The Lions obviously made it work, but one has to imagine cleaning up those two areas will be a focal point of the week.

ALLEN PARK — A few short weeks ago, it was easy to believe that Ben Johnson’s return to Ford Field would be a high-intensity slugfest between teams looking to establish dominance as the division’s top dog.

Instead, both teams are simply hoping to avoid starting 0-2 on the season and in the NFC North. The Lions lost at Green Bay, 27-13, on Sunday, and the Bears blew a second-half lead to fall, 27-24, to the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night.

That certainly does not lessen the stakes in a matchup between the apprentice, Johnson, and his coaching master, Dan Campbell. If anything, it might amplify them.

“We’re going in, getting ready to play Chicago, we’re going to win this game, we have to,” Campbell said earlier this week. “We’ve got to find a way to clean things up and do what we’ve got to do and they’re going to try to do the same thing. It’s like every week.”

After three successful seasons guiding the Lions’ offense, Johnson took the next step in his career by becoming the coach of the Bears in January. From 2022-24, the Lions were first in points scored and net yards.

There doesn’t appear to be any bad blood about Johnson choosing to further his career in the same division as Detroit. But Lions general manager Brad Holmes did say on an episode of the Green Light Podcast that he wondered, “Why Chicago?” when Johnson initially departed.

Earlier this week, Campbell called Johnson “my friend” and said, “Nothing about that’s going to change.” The two go back even further than their time spent in Detroit (2021-24). Campbell and Johnson overlapped for four seasons (2012-15) in Miami, where Campbell was primarily the tight ends coach and Johnson was an assistant quarterbacks coach. When Campbell became Miami’s interim head coach in 2015, Johnson assumed his duties as the tight end coach.

“We texted back and forth a few weeks ago. We have been in touch. That friendship is always going to be there. I view him like family, and I think he would tell you the same thing. That’ll never change,” Johnson said this week. “We have fond memories of back when I was just a young snot-nosed computer punk, as he likes to call it, in Miami. I feel like we have both grown up in this profession of coaching.”

But while there might not be any bad blood between the two staffs, Johnson’s decision to continue his career in a place where he’d play the Lions twice a year — and stand directly in the way of the Lions achieving their goals — has left a bad taste in the mouth of some fans.

Johnson classified his choice to go to Chicago as “a tough decision.”

“Everything, last year, ran through my head. That was one of the unfortunate parts of making that decision, you were saying goodbye to a lot of friends and a great place. My family, myself, we have a lot of strong relationships there in that community,” Johnson said this week.

“Hopefully, that continues to stay that way, as well. But, we felt like this was the best opportunity for myself and my family, and we were really excited about coming to Chicago. At times, you have to make tough decisions, and that’s really how that one went down.”

From an on-the-field standpoint, Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard said it’ll be just like training camp. Sheppard was the team’s linebackers coach when Johnson was engaging in those intense, daily battles against former defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, but he knows Johnson well all the same.

Asked what Johnson’s strengths are, Sheppard said, “Everything. Next question.”

“Listen, we all understand and respect Ben Johnson as a person, more importantly, but also as a play caller,” Sheppard said. “It’s why he got afforded the opportunity he’s in and we all understand this.”

Johnson was (and still is) a highly calculated man who pay the utmost attention to the details. Lions linebacker Jack Campbell provided proof of this.

He told reporters on Friday that he’d been asking guys on the offensive side of the ball about Johnson’s offense and what some potential points of emphasis would be.

Asked to elaborate, Campbell said, “I don’t know. I know Ben’s gonna read this, or some Chicago Bears person is gonna read this,” before moving on to the next question.

On the offensive side of the ball, several players spoke about what Johnson did for their careers.

“I love Ben. I’ll never really have anything bad to say about him because of what he did for me as a player, what he did for this team,” receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown said. “I remember, when I first got here as a rookie, he was a tight ends coach. They promoted him, to I think pass game coordinator, my rookie year.

“I feel like ever since he stepped in that role, I got more catches, more opportunities. He believed in me. He trusted me. And just seeing the work ethic that he had, I respect him as a coach, as a man. I love Ben, but there’s two games out of the year where I want him to fail.”

Lions receiver Jameson Williams, who was with Johnson for the first three years of his career, called Johnson “a great guy.”

“He taught me a lot, how to approach the game, how to learn the game, we talked a lot. I talked to him a couple times this offseason, just checking up on my little guy over there, (Bears rookie receiver) Luther Burden III, my little brother. They got (former Lions receiver Maurice Alexander) over there, so I was just calling him and I end up talking to Ben somehow,” Williams said, laughing.

“But I appreciate everything he’s done for me. He’s helped me a lot.”

Ultimately, an intimate knowledge of each other’s tendencies is not likely to enhance either side’s chances of winning the game, Dan Campbell said. He’s not getting caught up in worrying about Johnson’s trick plays, or what he might do to throw the Lions off their game. Both coaches reiterated in some form, “This game is about us.”

“I think we’re on equal playing ground really. I think it’s the same thing. He knows what we’re about, we know what he’s about and because of that you’re going to play that game a little bit,” Campbell said. “But the game doesn’t matter if you don’t master the basics inside the game, and so that’s what we have to get back to.”

That might be true, but the familiarity will certainly make the contest a lot more enjoyable to watch.

ALLEN PARK — John Morton is in lockstep with his head coach: The Detroit Lions aren’t panicking.

The offensive output in Sunday’s season-opening loss at the Green Bay Packers fell well below expectations. But Morton, in his first year as offensive coordinator, insisted Thursday his unit’s issues are fixable, and he’s assured the overarching problems present at Lambeau Field will be taken care of by the time the Chicago Bears visit Ford Field for Week 2.

“We have great players,” Morton said. “That’s why I’m confident.”

Particularly, the run game must improve. The Lions averaged a measly 2.1 yards per carry against the Packers, their worst since October 2023, when they beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a game Jahmyr Gibbs missed with a hamstring injury. Gibbs and David Montgomery have never been less productive in a game both participated in than they were against the Packers.

Much of Detroit’s struggles can be connected to miscommunication. On a number of plays, at least one member of the offensive line was not mentally in line with his teammates. Sometimes, it was multiple players at fault. And it wasn’t just a youth issue. Rookie right guard Tate Ratledge and left guard Christian Mahogany, playing in the first and third career games, respectively, had their fair share of concerns. But so did some of the veterans, according to Morton.

Take the near safety at the start of the fourth quarter as an example. Ratledge allowed defensive tackle Colby Wooden to come through unblocked, drawing the ire of those who watched the replay. Left tackle Taylor Decker revealed Wednesday he was also incorrect on that rep, as he ran the same play Ratledge did. Mahogany, center Graham Glasgow and right tackle Penei Sewell were on a different page.

Those are the type of correctable mistakes Morton identified on tape.

“It’s addressed,” Morton said. “It’s going to be fixed.”

Asked why he’s confident in the run game improving, Morton said, “Because we’re doing plays that they’ve done. Now, there’s some young guys, right? We’ve just got to make sure we give them the right looks, all the different type of right looks, and to make sure they know exactly what they’re doing. And that’s what we’ve done.”

Head coach Dan Campbell said Monday there may have been too much put on the players’ plates too early, and dialing things back some against the Bears could be beneficial. It’s about getting back to the fundamentals. The meat and potatoes, if you will.

“We did an extra period in the runs this week, and I think it’s going to help,” Morton said. “I think that’s what you’ve got to do. It’s an easy fix. Again, we’re not in panic mode. But 2.1 (yards per carry), that ain’t gonna cut it. It should never happen.”

Chicago’s defense doesn’t posses the talent of Green Bay’s, especially so if some starters who missed Week 1 (cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon, and linebacker T.J. Edwards) aren’t available. Johnson (calf/groin) returned to practice Wednesday. Edwards (hamstring) was limited and Gordon (hamstring) did not practice.

Morton and Campbell are also familiar with the scheme, having worked with defensive coordinator Dennis Allen in New Orleans. It’s similar to what the Lions run defensively, with an emphasis on man coverage. That’s different than the Packers, who often play zone and drop seven defenders in coverage.

“Last game, the best thing about that is it’s the first game of the season. Nobody’s in panic mode,” Morton said. “The players have been awesome, great attitudes. We’ve had great preparation, just like we did last week. The bottom line is it’s just about execution and the details of everything. … How do we fix this? We’re in the fix-it business, as coaches. Dan’s been awesome, players have been awesome. We had a good practice yesterday, and we’re moving on to Chicago.”

ALLEN PARK — Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard admitted he was “pissed” after his defense gave up 27 points in Sunday’s opener against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.

But like a lot of the chatter coming out of the team facility this week, Sheppard emphasized he’s not as discouraged after having some time to digest the performance. According to Sheppard, the metrics out of Sunday’s game were encouraging — even if the Lions‘ offense couldn’t match them, resulting in a 27-13 loss to begin the season.

Sheppard acknowledged some necessary areas of improvement while making the case his defense truly did buckle down in the second half of Sunday’s game.

“Coming off the field, you guys know, ultra-competitive nature of the game. My temperament and things, I was pissed,” Sheppard said. “And I’m ready to scowl at everybody, but then you sit back and look at it and after the second time and after the third time, you go, ‘There’s a lot of good football on this tape.’”

He started with the passing defense, which allowed 188 yards and two touchdowns from Packers quarterback Jordan Love, who went 16-for-22 through the air for a passer rating of 128.6. Love was efficient and hit on big plays when the Lions’ defense presented him with opportunities to do so. Sheppard said he’s more than happy to give up just 188 yards of passing, which tied for 18th among all quarterbacks in Week 1.

Sheppard was upset by the two-play drive that gave Green Bay a 17-3 lead in the second quarter. Cornerback Terrion Arnold was the closest defender on both a 48-yard completion to Romeo Doubs and a 17-yard touchdown pass to Michigan State product Jayden Reed. Outside of that, he was satisfied by the passing defense — but it’s worth noting Green Bay threw the ball just six times in the second half.

“We went into the game saying, ‘You’ve got to make these guys beat us,’ Sheppard said. “You cannot give them things because that’s when they thrive. You have to make them beat us, and we did not do that on back-to-back plays. Inexcusable, and that’s been addressed.”

Asked about the team’s lack of consistent pass rush, Sheppard said the team wasn’t given many opportunities to get home, and also praised its ability to keep Love in the pocket.

It’s the second part that’s worth paying attention to: The Lions seemingly put more effort into containing Love as a rusher than disrupting his flow in the passing game. On second-and-9 in the red zone on the Packers’ opening drive, Aidan Hutchinson got the one-on-one he wanted after Roy Lopez stunted to eat a double team, only for Hutchinson to hover at the line of scrimmage like a point guard defending the perimeter as Love threw an incompletion to Doubs.

“Go back with your stopwatch and turn on the pass plays, they weren’t going to allow it. But more importantly I thought — I want to give credit to our guys of not letting this guy out of the pocket. That’s things that we’ve struggled with in years past,” Sheppard said. “Jordan Love has burned us in years past with his legs. He had one run, I think, for four yards. So, I want to look at the positives in that.

“Yeah, we could’ve done things and things like that, but we had a specific gameplan and for the most part, the guys went out and executed the gameplan.”

Ultimately, Sheppard expects the pass rush to be better this weekend, especially from Hutchinson — but it’s worth noting the Lions’ opponent at quarterback, Caleb Williams, has a similar tendency to escape from the pocket and extend plays with his legs.

“When you’re the elite of the elite, people are going to plan for you and that’s why he’s the caliber player that he is. We will counter that and Hutch will counter that. He’s an ultra-aware player, he knows how to manipulate things and move himself around,” Sheppard said.

“We’re working off a one-game sample size, people.”

And, in fairness, the run defense was excellent — no caveats needed. The Lions gave up 78 yards on 25 carries, an average of 3.1 per carry.

“We should’ve been at 2.2 (per carry),” Sheppard said. “Why do I say that? Because one of those was a 15-yard explosive run that should’ve never happened. That’s been addressed as well.”