Detroit, MI
Denver Broncos’ Limitations Exposed In Blowout Loss To Detroit Lions
The 2023 Denver Broncos have been a nice story, but their limitations were vastly exposed in a national television blowout defeat to the Detroit Lions.
After starting out the season 1-5, the Broncos had been the hottest team in the NFL, winners of six of their past seven games — tied for most in the league — and in prime position to clinch a playoff spot in the AFC.
While those hopes remain alive even after their humbling loss to the Lions — they face three losing teams in the AFC to close out the season, the lowest strength of schedule in the NFL at .341 — much of the confidence built over the past two months evaporated following a flat-out dominating defeat at the hands of a good — but not great — Lions squad.
Without a lead and a stout running game to lean on, the Broncos’ offense was lethargic, completely shut out in the first half. Russell Wilson’s limitations were on display, going just 4-of-10 for 69 yards, mustering just 3.1 yards per offensive play and going for 1-6 on third down conversions during the first half.
In Wilson’s defense, much of that had to do with the Broncos’ offensive line simply being dominated by the Lions’ defensive line. Wilson’s fumble on their first offensive drive with the ball at Detroit’s 20-yard-line was basically a sign of things to come, as the Lions were far more physical and much faster than the Broncos all game long.
Jared Goff — who had struggled in recent weeks, throwing seven touchdowns against nine turnovers in the past four games — carved up the Broncos’ defense, throwing five touchdowns, with three going to Sam LaPorta and the other couple being snagged by Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jahmyr Gibbs.
While the score wasn’t nearly as bad as their 70-20 thrashing at the hands of the Miami Dolphins, the Lions’ plethora of offensive speed demons drew memories of Tyreek Hill, Raheem Mostert and Devon Achane carving up the Broncos.
As good as Denver’s defensive unit has been in recent weeks, their true weakness when it comes to matching up with fast offensive players became obvious (yet again) in their loss to the Lions.
In fact, defensive coordinator Vance Joseph compared the Lions’ team speed to that of the Dolphins just days prior to the game.
Outside of Goff’s season-best game, the Lions carved up the Broncos to the tune of 185 yards on 28 carries (6.6 yards per carry) behind the likes of Gibbs and David Montgomery.
In the perfect example of the Broncos’ run defense being exposed for what it is — very weak, ranking dead last in rushing yards and yards per carry entering the game — the Lions ran for a first down on a 3rd-and-10 play with the speedy Gibbs on a simple sweep play to the right early in the third quarter.
That’s not mentioning the number of broken tackles Gibbs created with this 33-yard run.
This is a team that has overachieved based upon great coaching, limiting turnovers, creating turnovers and playing sound enough football to squeak out wins.
The problem is, that can only get you so far until you start playing the better and more talented teams in the league, such as the Lions and Dolphins. Then you get exposed.
The Broncos have won games while winning the turnover battle and protecting their efficient, but limited quarterback. They’ve won the turnover battle in six of their past seven games, with their only loss being the one game in which they did not win in that category.
The star on this Broncos squad is head coach Sean Payton. When you look at this 53-man roster, there aren’t many stars. In fact, outside of Courtland Sutton, there isn’t a single player on offense deserving of a Pro Bowl bid. On defense, the unit has a bunch of no-names, with the only two players deserving of Pro Bowl consideration being Justin Simmons and Patrick Surtain II.
The offensive line is mediocre, the run defense is the worst in the league, the tight ends have the lowest production in the league of any team, and the quarterback is merely an efficient game manager.
As solid as Wilson has been this season, he’s simply very limited and is the very definition of a game manager at this stage of his career.
This game was the perfect example of Wilson’s limitations as the Broncos weren’t in control — they needed their $250 million star to put them on his back and lead them to victory. The problem is, unless the game is going according to plan — Broncos winning the turnover battle and dominating time of possession with a stout running attack — he can’t do that.
We saw that on display when Wilson turned the ball over three times in an important 22-17 loss to the Houston Texans just a couple weeks prior. He also threw the game-losing interception in the end zone while attempting to threat the needle to tight end Adam Trautman.
Once again, the final box score stats looked fine against the Lions — 223 passing yards, one touchdown and 7.0 yards per attempt — but 66 of those yards came in the fourth quarter with the game out of reach.
In a moment that was very telling — bad calls by the referees aside — instead of going for it on 4th-and-goal at the Lions’ 5-yard line while trailing 28-7 late in the third quarter, Payton opted to kick a field goal instead of placing the ball in Wilsons’ hands. He was also seen on the sidelines yelling at Wilson, instead of berating the referees for their phantom offsides call and missed touchdown call from Jaleel McLaughlin.
Payton dismissed the idea that he was yelling at Wilson during the postgame press conference, instead arguing that he was upset about the offsides call.
The Broncos essentially waved the white flag by kicking the field goal and did so again when they punted while trailing 35-10 early in the fourth quarter from their own 44-yard-line.
Not exactly resounding confidence from the head coach in the franchise quarterback.
As of this writing, the Broncos are in 11th place, below all of the seven-win teams due to their lowly conference record — 4-5 — which may ultimately cost them a spot in the playoffs.
While they could very well finish the season at 10-7 and squeak in with some help, this is an overmatched squad that has been playing above their means.
It’s been a great coaching job by Payton, but it’s clear that this team still has vast improvements to make in the offseason in order to be considered a true contender.
Detroit, MI
Detroit Axle workers OK possible strike with contract expiring next week
The impact and history of autos in Detroit, The Motor City
Here are some facts about Detroit’s auto industry.
UAW members at Detroit Axle have voted to OK a strike.
The union said in a news release that workers on Wednesday “had voted by a resounding 99% to authorize a strike if necessary.”
Workers produce front and rear axles as well as transmissions for Daimler Truck, and one of the main issues is pay disparity.
Detroit Diesel workers are in the same plant and make $10 more an hour “for the same assembly work,” according to a union video, accusing the company of using “divide and conquer” tactics. The workers are represented by UAW Local 163.
A union flyer says the top assembler wages for Detroit Axle workers in January 2024 were $24.50 per hour, while wages at Detroit Diesel were $34.62 per hour in January 2024 and are set to increase to $36.83 per hour in June 2027.
Anja Weinert, a spokeswoman for parent company Daimler Truck North America, provided a statement highlighting the vote as part of the negotiating process:
“We would like to clarify that the recent vote was a preauthorization vote and is part of the normal negotiations process. The current contract remains in effect until next Friday, Jan. 24, at 11:59 p.m. We are optimistic about reaching a negotiated agreement.”
The company said there are about 400 employees in the bargaining unit.
The company in December announced a $285 million investment at the complex. That project, which garnered incentives of more than $30 million in state grant funding and a tax abatement, was to enhance current production and equip the plant to make electric components for medium- and heavy-duty electric trucks.
The investment was promoted as creating up to 436 jobs and preserving about 2,000 more at the facility in Redford Township and Detroit that supplies parts for the Freightliner, Western Star and Thomas Built Buses vehicle platforms.
A 2023 company news release said the operation dates to 1938 and the formation by General Motors of the GM Diesel Division. Detroit Diesel Corp. was formed in 1988 and acquired by Daimler in 2000.
The company at the time said the operation had produced 1.1 million heavy-duty engines and had almost 3,000 Daimler Truck employees in Detroit.
Laura Dickerson, UAW Region 1A director, said in the union release that “since 2020, Daimler has seen over $17 billion in profits. Daimler can afford to provide UAW members at Detroit Axle what every worker deserves: pay that keeps up with inflation, a safe workplace and a secure retirement. If it takes a fight to win that, our members are ready.”
Zachary Harper, a committeeperson at Detroit Axle, said in the release that “this overwhelming vote shows we are no longer content with the crumbs from Daimler’s pie.”
The contract fight in Detroit follows successful negotiations between the union and company last year.
In May, UAW members at Daimler Truck plants in the South approved a new four-year contract with the company.
That agreement, which covers more than 7,000 workers, averted a strike and included raises of more than 25% and the introduction of profit-sharing and cost-of-living adjustments as it ends a tiered wage system at the truck maker, according to the union.
Contact Eric D. Lawrence: elawrence@freepress.com. Become a subscriber. Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters.
Detroit, MI
Detroit-style pizza chain Emmy Squared slides into former Short Pump Burger Bach space – Richmond BizSense
Another new-to-market restaurant chain is grabbing a slice of Short Pump.
Emmy Squared Pizza, known for its Detroit-style pizza, is preparing to open at 2225 Old Brick Road in the recently vacated Burger Bach space in West Broad Village.
The growing pizzeria brand’s geographic roots span various regions of the country. While it serves Detroit-style pizza, which is baked in a rectangular pan and is topped with cheese up to the edges for a crispy crust, Emmy Squared first opened in New York City in 2016 and is now headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee.
The company did respond to multiple requests seeking comment for this story. It recently applied for an ABC license for 2225 Old Brick Road and posted multiple job listings for a new Glen Allen location.
The Short Pump location looks to be part of a broader growth plan for the company. Emmy Squared has over 30 locations open or in the works throughout the country, including one in Charlottesville, and late last year it announced new C-suite leadership to “position the brand for its next phase of growth and innovation,” according to a news release.
Burger Bach closed in West Broad Village last summer after more than a decade in business, and in the fall it closed its Midlothian location. Its Carytown location, which is owned by a different group, remains open.
The building in West Broad Village to which Emmy Squared is headed is owned by Shamin Hotels and is anchored by Shamin’s Aloft Hotel.
Thalhimer’s Jim Ashby and Colliers’ Peter Vick and Harrison Hall handled Emmy Squared’s lease.
The bulk of West Broad Village’s commercial space was sold in 2022 to Florida-based CTO Realty Growth. Since then, the mixed-use center has seen a bit of restaurant churn. Ford’s Garage recently opened in the old MPM Tiki Bar, which came available after MPM relocated to the former Halligan space within West Broad Village.
Last year the former Kona Grill building was filled by Brazilian steakhouse Fogo de Chão, and West Broad Village also lost a longtime restaurant tenant in Carrabba’s, whose old home remains vacant.
Detroit, MI
Detroit Pistons Guard Had Words For New York Knicks Fan
Malik Beasley meant business in New York City earlier this week. As the Detroit Pistons faced off against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, Beasley got off to a hot start.
In the first quarter of action, Beasley checked in off the bench for five minutes. He made all but one of his five shots from the field. All of his makes came from downtown. Beasley produced 12 points as the Pistons got off to a 37-26 lead over New York.
The next two quarters were quiet for the veteran sharpshooter. Coming out of the half, Beasley checked in for three minutes. He landed just one point during that time.
When Beasley collected another four minutes of action in the third quarter, he split free throws and missed both of his shots from the field. Once again, Beasley produced just one point.
At that point, Beasley claimed he had heard a lot of chirping from a fan seated near the court. After the game, the guard revealed he had words for that Knicks fan after getting the last laugh in the fourth quarter.
“Shoutout to the Knicks fan,” Beasley told The Athletic. “He said I hit four threes in the first quarter and hadn’t done **** since. I was like, ‘Watch this.’ Got the ball, hit the three, cussed him out, then I got the second one.”
Although the Pistons had a small cushion of a lead going into the fourth quarter, the Knicks didn’t make it comfortable in quarter four. It was a back-and-forth battle, with Detroit’s game getting threatened in nearly every possession.
Cade Cunningham led the way for Detroit by scoring 11 points in his final nine minutes on the court. However, Beasley’s nine points, which included two very timely threes, created a dagger sequence for the Knicks. Beasley had every right to gloat at The Garden.
The Pistons made it back home to Michigan with a 124-119 victory. Malik Beasley once again proved to be a fantastic offseason pickup, as he scored 22 points in 17 minutes.
Overall, Beasley has produced 17 points on 40 percent shooting from three in 40 games. While he gets the occasional start for Detroit, the 28-year-old veteran has been a star off the bench.
More Pistons on SI
Former NBA Champion’s Two-Word Cade Cunningham Statement
Detroit Pistons’ Ausar Thompson First to Post Statline in NBA History
Pistons Guard’s Blunt Statement on Anthony Edwards’ Career-High
Detroit Pistons Making Series of Roster Moves Before Blazers Matchup
-
Technology1 week ago
Meta is highlighting a splintering global approach to online speech
-
Science5 days ago
Metro will offer free rides in L.A. through Sunday due to fires
-
Technology1 week ago
Las Vegas police release ChatGPT logs from the suspect in the Cybertruck explosion
-
Movie Reviews1 week ago
‘How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies’ Review: Thai Oscar Entry Is a Disarmingly Sentimental Tear-Jerker
-
Health1 week ago
Michael J. Fox honored with Presidential Medal of Freedom for Parkinson’s research efforts
-
Movie Reviews1 week ago
Movie Review: Millennials try to buy-in or opt-out of the “American Meltdown”
-
News1 week ago
Photos: Pacific Palisades Wildfire Engulfs Homes in an L.A. Neighborhood
-
Business1 week ago
Meta Drops Rules Protecting LGBTQ Community as Part of Content Moderation Overhaul