Dave Birkett Detroit Free Press Published 6:03 AM EDT Sep 9, 2020 There’s more buzz about the Detroit Lions as playoff contenders this fall than there has been in recent years. How they answer these three questions will help determine how far they go: (Read the offense breakdown here) How big a role will Jeff
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Dave Birkett Detroit Free Press Published 6:02 AM EDT Sep 9, 2020 The 2020 NFL season will begin Thursday, and the Detroit Lions open their season on Sunday. Here’s where all 32 teams rank to start the campaign: 1. Chiefs As long as Patrick Mahomes stays healthy, the Chiefs will be the favorites to repeat
Dave Birkett Detroit Free Press Published 6:00 AM EDT Sep 9, 2020 With the 2019 season upon us, beat writer Dave Birkett takes a position-by-position look at the Detroit Lions defense and special teams. Defensive line It’s always an interesting exercise to look back at last year’s season preview and see how things have changed.
Rod Beard The Detroit News Published 4:23 AM EDT Sep 9, 2020 In a normal season, coaches can prepare for the season opener by looking at some game tape from the preseason to get a sense of some tendencies. By and large, teams are very vanilla in the exhibition games, seeking more to strengthen their
Justin Rogers The Detroit News Published 12:40 AM EDT Sep 9, 2020 In an offseason that lacked some of the more-traditional roster battles, two of the more hotly contested spots on the Detroit Lions’ roster this year were on special teams, where longtime long snapper Don Muhlbach and punter Jack Fox emerged victorious, beating out
Bob Wojnowski The Detroit News Published 10:52 PM EDT Sep 8, 2020 Detroit — It’ll be different, from the mostly empty stadiums to the COVID uncertainties. It’s hard to judge anything right now, as the NFL plunges ahead after a historically strange offseason and a non-existent preseason. In some ways, the season will be reduced to
Rod Beard The Detroit News Published 8:11 PM EDT Sep 8, 2020 Lions defensive coordinator Cory Undlin isn’t fixated on the past and the troubles the Lions have had on that side of the ball. In his first year on the job, Undlin is looking to make his own mark and give a clean slate
Carlos Monarrez Detroit Free Press Published 7:23 PM EDT Sep 8, 2020 Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell isn’t exactly sure what to expect from Adrian Peterson. The Lions haven’t had their first practice of the season. And it’s been nine years since Bevell was calling plays for Peterson out of the Minnesota Vikings’ backfield.
Justin Rogers The Detroit News Published 7:29 PM EDT Sep 8, 2020 Cordarrelle Patterson is one of the greatest return men of all time. The Chicago Bears’ kickoff specialist has averaged 29.9 yards on returns during his seven-year career, second all-time to Hall of Fame running back Gale Sayers. And Patterson’s seven touchdowns in the
Justin Rogers The Detroit News Published 7:52 PM EDT Sep 8, 2020 In case you hadn’t heard, there are some new rules in place for NFL practice squads this year, part of the league’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. First, practice squads have been expanded from 10 players to 16. Second, there’s no limit on
Carlos Monarrez Detroit Free Press Published 5:49 PM EDT Sep 8, 2020 Martin Mayhew admitted he had made a mistake. And it was a big one. Shortly after the 2012 season, the Detroit Lions’ general manager at the time said he had mistakenly counted on running back Jahvid Best to return from a concussion he
Associated Press Published 4:14 PM EDT Sep 8, 2020 Tempe, Ariz. — The Cardinals have agreed to a two-year contract extension with star receiver DeAndre Hopkins that will keep the three-time All-Pro in Arizona through the 2024 season. The team announced the deal on Tuesday but didn’t disclose terms. The NFL Network reported that the extension
Carlos Monarrez Detroit Free Press Published 4:31 PM EDT Sep 8, 2020 Detroit Lions cornerback Jeff Okudah, the No. 3 overall pick in the NFL draft, has not been listed as a starter, according to the first depth chart released by the team. The Lions have veteran Desmond Trufant and Justin Coleman as their two
Justin Rogers The Detroit News Published 1:07 PM EDT Sep 8, 2020 Allen Park — Since being drafted by the Detroit Lions in April, cornerback Jeff Okudah has temporarily worn the No. 1 jersey he donned at Ohio State. But that was always going to change. The NFL has strict uniform restrictions, which require players to
Dave Birkett Detroit Free Press Published 6:59 AM EDT Sep 8, 2020 There’s more buzz about the Detroit Lions as playoff contenders this fall than there has been in recent years. How they answer these three questions will help determine how far they go: Can Matthew Stafford stay healthy in 2020? Health is such a
Dave Birkett Detroit Free Press Published 6:02 AM EDT Sep 8, 2020 With the 2020 season upon us, beat writer Dave Birkett takes a position-by-position look at the Detroit Lions offense. Quarterbacks Matthew Stafford has some lofty goals in mind for 2020. Former Lions receiver Nate Burleson said on “Good Morning Football” earlier this month
Dave Birkett Detroit Free Press Published 7:02 PM EDT Sep 7, 2020 For Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow, a Vikings fan growing up in Minnesota, the opportunity to block for new teammate, Adrian Peterson, is literally a dream come true. Ragnow said he spent the past day asking teammates how he should introduce himself to
Dave Birkett Detroit Free Press Published 7:28 PM EDT Sep 7, 2020 Matthew Stafford, future NFL MVP? For the Detroit Lions quarterback, winning the award doesn’t seem the least bit far-fetched. Former Lions receiver Nate Burleson said on his “Good Morning Football” show last week that Stafford texted him earlier this summer, after co-host Peter
Justin Rogers The Detroit News Published 7:14 PM EDT Sep 7, 2020 A fiery competitor on the field, Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford publicly presents himself as reserved and humble outside the white lines. So, it’s hardly surprising he downplayed a private text shared by former teammate Nate Burleson, where the quarterback made a bold
Justin Rogers The Detroit News Published 6:11 PM EDT Sep 7, 2020 Ahead of one of the most unique season openers in NFL history, Detroit Lions coach Matt Patricia isn’t about to hand the Chicago Bears any informational advantage. So when it comes to discussing a possible role for running back Adrian Peterson — who was officially