ALLEN PARK: The Detroit Lions don’t need any reminders that Justin Jefferson can injure them or turn a game around. They saw Jefferson two weeks ago, and he nearly willed the Minnesota Vikings to an upset win on Christmas Eve.
Jefferson had six catches for 141 yards and one touchdown against the Lions. That day, the Lions held on for a 30-24 division-clinching win, intercepting a late desperate throw for Jefferson to put the game out of reach. But their problems defending star wide receivers haven’t gone away.
Last weekend in Dallas, CeeDee Lamb blasted them for 13 receptions, 227 yards, and one score. The Cowboys won 20-19, and even though Lamb had a 92-yard touchdown reception, you can subtract that and he still has a 135-yard day against this team, which isn’t ideal.
When preparing for another tough challenge on the outside, Dan Campbell said the Lions are considering the combinations and timing of potential double-teams. It’s also about how they challenge at the line of scrimmage, whether in man or zone coverage, according to the Lions’ head coach. It’ll be another necessary test before the playoffs, with Lamb, as well as Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, A.J. Brown, and DeVonta Smith, among others, on the roster.
“We’ve got to try to make some contact on a few things a little bit better,” Campbell remarked on Wednesday. “And that’s something I think we can improve on our own, and now look, he’s a heck of a player, and he’s going to make some plays.” That’s just the nature of playing someone of his caliber, but I know we can do better.”
Cam Sutton has stayed the Lions’ outside cornerback on nearly every play. Rookie Brian Branch has honed his job from the slot, and Kindle Vildor’s usage on the other side of Sutton has increased. The field-flipping ability displayed by the safety combo of Kerby Joseph and Ifeatu Melifonwu to close the season has been the most significant development.
The Lions are also back in action, preparing to face a Vikings team that has gone through four quarterbacks this season. Two weeks ago, they started Nick Mullens against the Lions. Mullens, on the other hand, threw four interceptions while passing for 400 yards or more and was benched in favor of Jaren Hall.
The rookie quarterback only lasted one half against the Green Bay Packers before being replaced by Mullens. Josh Dobbs is also in the mix for Minnesota. However, he has been perplexingly buried on the depth chart after revitalizing the position following Kirk Cousins’ season-ending injury.
However, according to the Vikings, Mullens will play again this weekend, and the Lions have been preparing for all three.
“You prepare for all three of them,” Campbell explained. “Certainly, we had the opportunity to play against Mullens for the first time. We’ll have a general sense of how things will go. Then we had a glimpse of Hall. Except for last week, there isn’t much evidence out there. He appeared briefly (versus Green Bay) when Cousins was injured. And then there’s a lot more footage on Dobbs, so I think it all comes together.
“They haven’t — there are enough things out there that they like conceptually that I don’t think will go away.” So, aside from that, you’re just trying to prepare for all of them. That’s fine; it’s all part of our work.”
The Lions could possibly receive some defensive reinforcements back in time for the playoffs. C.J. Gardner-Johnson, the former defensive back, has been back at practice for a week. Since injuring his pectoral in Week 2, Ceedy Duce has not played.
Alim McNeill, the standout inside defender, returned to practice ahead of Week 18. Campbell believes both will play against the Vikings this weekend. And that could be the lift this team needs in Week 18, not to mention for the rest of the season.
“Yeah, look, anytime you feel like you’re getting some of your good football players back, it’s exciting,” Campbell went on to say. “And that’s why — you mention — you inquire about (McNeill) Mac.” That’s a terrific football player, I mean. And speaking of Ducey, if we can get him back this week, that’s a good football player, so you sense (Ifeatu Melifonwu) Iffy and Kerby (Joseph) maturing on the backside, growing together, and getting better, as well as (Brian) Branch.
“… and then you think about Ducey getting back in there, and it opens up possibilities.” You get another playmaker in the game, which is great.”
