Detroit, MI
Detroit Lions NFL grades against New York Giants Dan Campbell
In what was the most effective efficiency of the Dan Campbell period, the Detroit Lions received their third straight recreation. The newest within the streak came to visit the New York Giants, a 31-18 triumph that featured dominant performances on the defensive facet of the ball.
The Lions will attempt to carry the momentum right into a Thanksgiving showdown with the mighty Buffalo Payments. The final time Detroit received three straight video games got here in 2017, which was the crew’s final profitable season.
Listed below are the grades for every place group, primarily based on their respective performances in Sunday’s recreation.
Quarterback: C+
Jared Goff was turnover-free for the second straight recreation, which paid dividends. Whereas the Lions generated two takeaways, the quarterback was sound in his decision-making, and took care of the ball.
Goff didn’t make many huge performs, as his longest completion was a 32-yard toss to Amon-Ra St. Brown. But, the veteran signal-caller didn’t should make waves, given the defensive efficiency and consistency of the run recreation.
Goff was practically picked off within the third quarter, when he threw behind Tom Kennedy into double protection. Nonetheless, a lucky bounce off the palms of a defender stored the drive alive. The play got here after Detroit recorded a takeaway of its personal. So, the bounce prevented what may’ve been a momentum-changing play.
Working backs: B
Jamaal Williams remained the crew’s high choice within the backfield regardless of D’Andre Swift’s improved well being. The BYU product delivered with one other huge day, as he recorded his first profession three-touchdown recreation.
The main rusher on the day was neither participant, nonetheless. Justin Jackson, who started the season shifting between the energetic roster and the observe squad, delivered a game-high 66 speeding yards on 9 carries.
Jackson, the crew’s third string again in Craig Reynolds’ absence, confirmed toughness and physicality in his operating. Although he was the one of the three backs to achieve the tip zone, he delivered a top quality efficiency.
Fullback Jason Cabinda dropped each of his targets, together with one approaching a well-designed wheel route during which he was huge open.
Tight ends: B-
Brock Wright made two catches for 20 yards, whereas James Mitchell didn’t file a goal. Wright practically reached paydirt within the second quarter, taking a brief cross to the 1-yard-line to arrange Williams’ second rating.
Each he and Mitchell have been used considerably within the run recreation and did a strong job establishing run lanes for the operating backs. Cabinda additionally labored in a good end-type position as a blocker.
Large receivers: C+
Amon-Ra St. Brown had one other team-best day with seven catches and 75 yards. Moreover, he carried the ball as soon as for 4 yards. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson continued to deploy St. Brown and Kalif Raymond in distinctive methods.
Raymond and Tom Kennedy have been the one different receivers who recorded catches. For Raymond, it was a three-catch, 33-yard efficiency. In the meantime, Kennedy had one catch for 13 yards.
DJ Chark returned to motion from injured reserve however didn’t make an impression. He had only one goal, a protracted cross that was practically intercepted.
Offensive line: B+
Goff was stored on his toes all afternoon lengthy, whereas Detroit averaged 4.3 yards per stick with it the bottom.
Penei Sewell was penalized twice, together with an illegal-block penalty dedicated within the crimson zone. Nonetheless, the second-year sort out was spectacular in his downfield blocking on different display screen passes.
Jonah Jackson was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct within the first half, as properly, when he landed a shot after the whistle.
Frank Ragnow was energetic after lacking time through the week with an damage. He carried out properly in the course of the Lions’ line, which had a robust afternoon, except for the penalties.
Defensive position: A
The Lions carried out admirably in opposition to New York star operating again Saquon Barkley. Averaging over 100 yards per recreation getting into Sunday, Barkley was held to a season-low 22 yards (on 15 carries).
Aidan Hutchinson, John Cominsky and Alim McNeill every performed key roles on this effort. McNeill and Cominsky mixed for 5 tackles for loss, with each recording a solo sack.
Hutchinson, in the meantime, picked off a cross for the second time in three weeks, and likewise fell on a fumble. Going through Daniel Jones, a quarterback who had restricted his errors all through the season, Detroit introduced strain, and created three turnovers.
Linebackers: B-
Malcolm Rodriguez returned to motion after lacking final week’s recreation and began alongside Alex Anzalone. Derrick Barnes and Chris Board additionally contributed in sure conditions.
Detroit’s linebackers struggled in protection, as New York made a dwelling with brief passing routes early within the recreation. Moreover, Barkley made an impression with two catches for 16 yards. The Giants focused Rodriguez with a brief cross to Barkley instantly.
Whereas the struggles within the passing recreation have been evident, the linebackers carried out properly in opposition to the run. Serving to within the effort to decelerate Barkley, Anzalone completed with 5 tackles whereas Rodriguez had 4.
Secondary: B-
Kerby Joseph continued his ball-hawking methods together with his third interception in as many weeks. Moreover, Will Harris had a hand in a turnover as he pressured the fourth quarter fumble that Hutchinson recovered.
Detroit’s depth was examined, as Jeff Okudah entered concussion protocol through the first half and didn’t return. In his absence, Harris, Amani Oruwariye and Jerry Jacobs took the accessible reps.
Jacobs made a formidable play on a crossing route run by Wan’Dale Robinson, but in addition gave up a protracted completion to Isaiah Hodgins.
Oruwariye, who was penalized six instances earlier within the season in opposition to Minnesota, was known as for defensive holding within the fourth quarter.
Robinson led the Giants with 100 receiving yards on 9 catches, whereas Darius Slayton completed with 85 yards. Detroit’s depleted secondary held up, bending however not breaking. However, it is going to be examined much more come Thursday, if Okudah will not be in a position to return.
Particular groups: A-
Jack Fox averaged 48.2 yards per punt on 5 makes an attempt, touchdown one contained in the 20. He had one touchback however boomed a 63-yarder that flipped the sphere within the second quarter.
Michael Badgley proved his value Sunday by nailing all of his further level makes an attempt in addition to a 24-yard discipline objective. On the opposite facet, Giants kicker Graham Gano missed each of his point-after makes an attempt.
Justin Jackson totaled 62 yards on two kick return makes an attempt, one in all which was a 36-yard scamper to open the second half.
Teaching: A
Sunday proved to be one in all Campbell’s finest teaching efforts. He was calculated in his decision-making, beginning together with his resolution to take the factors on Detroit’s first possession, fairly than try a brief fourth-down strive.
The Lions by no means pressured the problem Sunday. As an alternative, the coaches reacted properly to the conditions round them.
Detroit offensive coordinator Ben Johnson continued his roll, with one other properly drawn-up gameplan that attacked the inside of the Giants’ protection.
On the flip facet, Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn created a scheme that funneled Barkley to the sides, the place defensive ends have been ready to make performs. The Penn State product hardly ever had room to run, as Detroit bought the most effective efforts from gamers like Cominsky and McNeill.
It’s unsure how lengthy this good mojo will final for the Lions, however Campbell and his teaching workers are studying how you can constantly win. The crew has now received three video games in a row, and its means to complete with touchdowns in every of the final two quarters has demonstrated a brand new confidence.
Detroit will likely be examined Thursday in opposition to the Payments. Its efficiency on Thanksgiving must be used as a measuring stick, as to the steadiness of its success for the rest of the 2022 season.
Detroit, MI
Kings Lose Heartbreaker in Stunning Fashion to Pistons
If you heard a noise in Sacramento tonight around 9:30 pm PT, it was the sound of the air being let out of the city as Jaden Ivey hit a four-point play to stun the Sacramento Kings. The Detroit Pistons stole the game 114-113 in the final minutes after the Kings led by as many as 19 points and held a 10 point lead with 3:37 left in the game.
De’Aaron Fox fouled Ivey on a three-point attempt with 3.1 seconds left on the clock and Ivey went on to make the circus shot and the free throw before Fox missed the half court heave.
Fox was having a huge second half and scoring with ease. Trey Lyles had 20 points and 8 rebounds off the bench. The bench as a whole combined for 38 points. The Kings looked back.
And then, poof. It was all gone.
All the positivity the Kings spent 45 minutes building, gone.
Gone with a Malik Beasley heater of 9 points in two minutes to bring the Pistons back in. Gone with a Jaden Ivey four-point and-1.
The Kings fall to 13-18 on the season in stunning fashion. It’s their second one-point loss in the last five games and the third of the season.
Sacramento now has a record of 3-11 in games decided by five points or less and continue to struggle to close out games, a supposed strength coming into the season.
In one of the most bizarre seasons in recent memory, the Sacramento Kings continue to find new ways to lose, and a disappointing season turns from bad to disaster in a span of minutes.
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Detroit, MI
Detroit Pistons Decide on Isaiah Stewart’s Playing Status vs Kings
While the Detroit Pistons have had a healthy starting five in place lately, a key member of their bench unit has been dealing with a notable injury concern.
When the Pistons faced the Miami Heat last week, the veteran center Isaiah Stewart was injured just seven minutes into his shift off the bench. He left the court with four points and three rebounds.
After getting evaluated back in the locker room, Stewart did not get clearance to return to help the Pistons close out the matchup against the Heat.
Since then, Stewart has been out. Will the trend continue on Thursday night against the Sacramento Kings?
Unfortunately, for Detroit, that will be the case. Stewart has been downgraded to out for Thursday’s game.
After going out against Miami, Stewart was not part of the action when the Pistons hosted the Utah Jazz the following game. On a positive note, Pistons head coach JB Bickerstaff mentioned that Stewart’s recovery would not require a long timeline. He was viewed as day-to-day.
When the Pistons traveled to take on the Phoenix Suns, Stewart hit the road with the team. He was seen putting in work following a shootaround session. Although Stewart didn’t play, the Pistons found success against the Suns with an eight-point win.
Nothing changed earlier this week when the Pistons paid a visit to the Los Angeles Lakers. Stewart was ruled out, but the Pistons did well enough to win without him. After getting a couple of days off following the win over the Lakers, Stewart was upgraded on the injury report to questionable.
While it’s a positive sign he seems to be making progress, Stewart is still not ready to return.
The Pistons and the Kings are set to tip at 10 PM ET.
Detroit, MI
New Coach, Same Outcome for Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings announced the inevitable with the firing of head coach Derek Lalonde. The team showed life at the start of his tenure and even improved to 41 wins last season. But this year was a noticeable plateau under Lalonde, and Detroit made the only call they could.
In Lalonde’s place, the Red Wings hired Todd McLellan. The former San Jose Sharks, Edmonton Oilers, and Los Angeles Kings coach has over 15 years of NHL head coaching experience, and Detroit is hoping he can bring the team back to the postseason. It’s a gamble worth taking for the Red Wings organization, but the outcome won’t change as long as the roster construction remains the same.
McLellan is a good coach. He’s certainly an improvement over Lalonde, bringing more career wins and nine playoff appearances across three organizations, but he’s a band-aid. The wound in the Red Wings organization runs much deeper than who is behind the bench, and McLellan will be the next bench boss to fall victim to the lack of talent in Detroit
The Red Wings haven’t made the postseason since the 2015-2016 campaign. Long gone is the 30 year stretch where they were basically a perennial playoff team, capturing four Stanley Cups since 1996. The organization has been attempting to rebuild that dynasty for the last decade, with repeated failures along the way.
The current attempt to build the right core is another one of those missteps. They have good players. Captain Dylan Larkin will be a member of the United States roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off and is a talented point producer. Lucas Raymond continues to improve and become the team’s best offensive player. Alex DeBrincat has speed and scoring capabilities. Top defensemen Moritz Seider and Simon Edvinsson give them quality minutes every night.
Beyond them, though, the roster is so far from a playoff one, let alone a championship one. They lack depth across every position and they’ve consistently failed with their analysis of goaltenders. For several seasons now, the organization has been banking on their overflow of young prospects breaking through to the NHL, but it’s still a waiting game.
That won’t help McLellan take this middling team to the postseason. He has some weapons to work with and his arrival is sure to reinvigorate the Red Wings players. It ultimately won’t matter though. It won’t change the outcome this year or next year or even the year after until their NHL lineup improves drastically.
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