NFL News NFL News, Reports and Updates
Editor’s note: This is the fourth of a five-part series on the quarterbacks and teams best equipped to stop Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs from becoming the first NFL team in the Super Bowl era to three-peat. No. 2 on our list: Jared Goff and the Lions. (No. 5 was Jalen Hurts and the Eagles, No. 4 was Brock Purdy and the 49ers, and No. 3 was C.J. Stroud and the Texans.)
On the night the Chiefs unveiled their Super Bowl LVII banner last season, the Lions spoiled the party.
Sure, Kansas City’s shortcomings played a role. The wide receiver drops hurt. The absence of superstars Travis Kelce (knee injury) and Chris Jones (contract dispute) did too. But the Lions capitalized.
We got our first look at what would be a star rookie class for Detroit: a 50-yard pick-six from defensive back Brian Branch and big contributions from tight end Sam LaPorta, running back Jahmyr Gibbs and linebacker Jack Campbell. Veteran tailback David Montgomery scored the go-ahead touchdown midway through the fourth quarter, and the Lions held on for the 21-20 victory on opening night, stunning Kansas City on a day of celebration.
“We came in here, knew what we needed to do, knew it wasn’t going to be easy, and we did that,” coach Dan Campbell said at the time. “We won.”
That Week 1 victory affirmed the Lions’ legitimacy as a contender on the heels of a promising 2022 season.
Now, nearly a year later, they look like the NFC’s best shot to stop a Kansas City three peat.
Detroit enters 2024 off its first 12-win season and NFC Championship Game appearance in 32 years. The team’s offense, ranked top-five in scoring in back-to-back seasons, is still coordinated by playcaller Ben Johnson, who elected to stay with the Lions despite being a hot head coach candidate. Quarterback Jared Goff, who has rejuvenated his career in Detroit and inked a four-year, $212 million extension in May, headlines a unit returning nine starters.
Impact of Jared Goff’s franchise-record extension
Source link : https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/chiefs-three-peat-challenger-no-2-jared-goffs-detroit-lions
Author :
Publish date : 2024-08-29 20:54:16
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
