Detroit News

Justin Rogers   | The Detroit News It was late in the first half against the Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions had executed the worst two-minute drive imaginable. Taking over at their own 7-yard line, the team proceeded to go backward after quarterback Matthew Stafford took a sack near the goal line.  That put punter

Justin Rogers   | The Detroit News Two weeks into the season and Detroit Lions fans have just about seen enough. Given we haven’t cleaned out the mailbox in four months (sorry about that), it seemed like a good time to do a mailbag.  Enjoy.  ► Question: Any chance they find a way to pressure the quarterback? —

Justin Rogers   | The Detroit News When you think about this recent version of the Arizona Cardinals — the Detroit Lions’ Week 3 opponent — your first reaction is to salivate over the offense.  Embracing league-wide trends, the Cardinals began their re-branding a year ago, plucking coach Kliff Kingsbury from the college ranks and pairing him with

Justin Rogers   | The Detroit News Offseason concerns about the Detroit Lions’ pass rush have manifested into a regular-season issue, which has the team taking a closer look at bringing in some help. According to multiple reports, the team is working out free agent defensive end Jabaal Sheard.  Lions coach Matt Patricia was asked about the

Associated Press Published 7:17 PM EDT Sep 23, 2020 Chicago — Gale Sayers, the dazzling and elusive running back who entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame despite the briefest of careers and whose fame extended far beyond the field for decades thanks to a friendship with a dying Chicago Bears teammate, has died. He was 77.

Rod Beard   | The Detroit News In recent weeks, Matthew Stafford has become one of the most outspoken members of the Detroit Lions on social issues. His biggest statement was a piece for The Players Tribune titled “We Can’t Just Stick to Football,” which highlighted his thoughts on social injustice and some of his experiences with

Justin Rogers The Detroit News Published 4:01 PM EDT Sep 23, 2020 What’s Matt Patricia supposed to say at this point? If the Lions coach had the answers to what’s ailing his team after dropping 11 consecutive games and squandering four straight double-digit leads, he’d incorporate them into his game plans, not share them via the

Justin Rogers   | The Detroit News For the first time in two weeks, Detroit Lions wide receiver Kenny Golladay was able to practice, adding to the hope he’ll be able to make his season debut on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.  Golladay (hamstring) was a limited participant on Wednesday, along with right tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai (foot),

The Detroit News Published 2:08 PM EDT Sep 23, 2020 Justin Rogers, Rod Beard, John Niyo and Bob Wojnowski of The Detroit News offer their predictions against the spread for Week 3 of the 2020 NFL season. Detroit +5.5 at Arizona Rogers: Arizona Beard: Arizona Niyo: Arizona Wojnowski: Arizona Miami +2 at Jacksonville Rogers: Jacksonville Beard:

Justin Rogers The Detroit News Published 11:11 AM EDT Sep 23, 2020 In one of the more surprising moves of the offseason, the Detroit Lions decided they no longer had a need for the services of linebacker Devon Kennard. A two-time captain and 2019 Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee, the team released its

Justin Rogers The Detroit News Published 7:22 PM EDT Sep 22, 2020 Matt Prater is one of the greatest kickers in NFL history and a significant part of his resume has been his ability to drill field goals from long distance. That’s why the start of this season has been so frustrating for the Detroit

Justin Rogers The Detroit News Published 7:12 PM EDT Sep 22, 2020 When things are going bad, like they are for the 0-2 Detroit Lions, you start looking for any reason to explain why. The obvious answer is the team’s defense, which is getting gouged both through the air and on the ground, but the

Rod Beard The Detroit News Published 6:44 PM EDT Sep 22, 2020 The numbers aren’t pretty: 46 points allowed in the second half in the first two games. A league-worst 408 total rushing yards allowed. Zero turnovers caused by the defense. Zero wins. Two losses. It’s still early in the season, but the way things

Beth LeBlanc The Detroit News Published 5:29 PM EDT Sep 22, 2020 Michigan crept closer Tuesday to repealing the state’s ban on ticket scalping as a six-year effort to reform the law gained steam. State House lawmakers passed legislation Tuesday that would repeal a Michigan ban on ticket scalping while preventing software or practices that interfere

Justin Rogers The Detroit News Published 3:31 PM EDT Sep 22, 2020 After the Green Bay Packers put the boots to the Detroit Lions on Sunday, most fans would probably rather move on to the next one (game, season, your pick). But since it was cornerback Jeff Okudah’s pro debut, we thought it might be worthwhile

Rod Beard The Detroit News Published 4:39 AM EDT Sep 22, 2020 With the first overall pick in the 1980 NFL Draft, the Lions selected running back Billy Sims, setting a foundation for the position for the next 20 years, with another top-three pick, Barry Sanders, following at the end of the decade. The Lions

Justin Rogers The Detroit News Published 6:27 PM EDT Sep 21, 2020 Reggie Ragland knows a thing or two about winning. You could argue, it’s all he knows. Outside of his first NFL season in Buffalo, where he was sidelined the entire year with an injury, the Detroit Lions linebacker has won, and won big,

Justin Rogers The Detroit News Published 6:47 PM EDT Sep 21, 2020 If there was one positive to come out of the Detroit Lions’ 42-21 loss to the Green Bay Packers, it’s that the team didn’t suffer any of the serious injuries that plagued the league this weekend. Not that the Lions needed any more

Justin Rogers The Detroit News Published 5:54 PM EDT Sep 21, 2020 Following a disappointing debut for Detroit Lions rookie cornerback Jeff Okudah, local sports talk radio host Mike Valenti opened up his afternoon program on 97.1-FM with an anonymous report that there was draft-day division regarding the team’s selection of Okudah in April.  Referencing

Justin Rogers The Detroit News Published 2:08 PM EDT Sep 21, 2020 Here are four observations after having a night to ponder the Detroit Lions’ 42-21 loss to the Green Bay Packers.  First down One of the primary points of intrigue heading into the contest was the impending debut of cornerback Jeff Okudah, the team’s first-round