On Sunday night, the Detroit Lions take on the Los Angeles Rams at Ford Field to kick off the 2024 season. When the two teams faced off in the NFL playoffs the previous year, Detroit prevailed 24-23 at home in a hard-fought match. With two quarterbacks, Jared Goff and Matthew Stafford, going up against their old teams and Stafford playing in his first-ever playoff game at Ford Field, it was as poetic as it gets.
The Lions had just finished a season in which they were one NFC Championship game away from playing in their team’s inaugural Super Bowl.
Here are three things to watch out for if the Lions defeat the Rams. This year’s Rams have seen some obvious changes, one of which being the retirement of defensive lineman Aaron Donald, a potential Hall of Famer. For the first time in ten years, the team will play without Donald. But it doesn’t imply the younger team at the job isn’t taken into consideration. In the team’s 3-4 defense, outside linebackers Byron Young and Jared Verse play behind starting defensive linemen Bobby Brown III, Kobie Turner, and Braden Fiske. Considering that Donald won’t be a member of the team in 2024, the Rams gave up the 13th fewest rushing yards per game (105.3) in the previous campaign.
The Lions’ offensive performance depends heavily on Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, who finished fifth in the NFL in total rushing yards the previous season. They must exploit the top-ranked offensive line in front of them and get an early advantage over a youthful defensive line and linebackers.
Contain Nacua, Kupp
Of course, it’s simple to declare that Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp are two of the league’s top wide receiver tandems. Nacua recorded a career-high 181 receiving yards in the NFC Wild Card playoff game from the previous season, despite the loss. Stafford targeted him ten times, and he made nine catches. Nacua achieved a touchdown as well. As the new season approaches, the Lions secondary is composed of both young and seasoned players, but there are many reasons to think they’re prepared for a real test right away. If not, defense could have a demanding day.
Head coach Dan Campbell stated on Wednesday that he loves both Kupp and Nacua’s blocking abilities in addition to their ball-catching prowess. Along with the other players in the secondary, rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold is prepared for the job, he continued. Although I know our boys are looking forward to this, it will be a struggle. They truly are, according to Campbell.
Campbell more aggressive with rookie kicker?
The head coach of Detroit enjoys playing aggressively. That was the team’s downfall in the NFC Championship Game against the 49ers, when Campbell decided to go for it on fourth down instead of attempting a field goal to extend the Lions’ lead, missing two opportunities to do so.
With rookie kicker Jake Bates joining the Lions for the first time this season, it will be fascinating to see if Campbell is even more committed to the same strategy going into the opening week. Bates took over for Michael Badgley, who was expected to be the Lions’ kicker but had an injury during training camp that ended his season.
Bates was 2-for-2 in preseason tries over 50 yards, so there’s no doubting his leg strength. In field goal attempts, he went 6-for-7 as well, but he had early consistency issues. Ford Field’s indoor stadium would undoubtedly assist, but it will be interesting to watch if Campbell sticks to playing all four downs or instead brings Bates on the field when necessary. And given that it’s Sunday Night Football and all, Campbell won’t likely duck the limelight.