Tom Brady is in the first year of a huge contract with Fox.Photograph: Kevin Jairaj/USA Today Sports
Ups
Detroit’s offense (defense TBD)
“The major question mark hangs over the Detroit Lions and whether their middling defense can handle losing its capstone, Aidan Hutchinson,” I said back in the dogeared annals of two weeks ago. As the hobbled defense makes the best of what it has, the offense has shown it matters little on the Lions’ inexorable march to the postseason.
At 6-1 the Lions should be aiming for the NFC’s No 1 seed. Ben Johnson’s offense operates with such aggressive efficiency – the Lions’ six touchdown drives against the Titans on Sunday lasted a whiplash-inducing average of a little under 90 seconds – that the ‘85 Bears could turn up in their prime and Jared Goff and Co would still find a way past them.
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Back in reality the Detroit defense relied on dramatic playmaking against the Titans to get the job done. The Lions scored three touchdowns on short fields from two interceptions and a fumble, giving the offense a gorgeous view of the Titans’ end zone from an average starting field position at the 50-yard line. The pass rush without Hutchinson however was non-existent. Tennessee’s beige backup QB Mason Rudolph threw for 220 yards in the first half on 23 throws in which he was hit four times. Meanwhile Goff was hit four times on eight first-half throws. One sack was generated from 38 Rudolph passing attempts.
These numbers will raise hopes for Green Bay in a huge NFC North showdown this week, signifying that Jordan Love may well be able to make the most of a comfy pocket. They also raise hopes for a pulsating shootout unless the Lions can find a way to generate pressure. A trade for pass rushing phenomenon Maxx Crosby wouldn’t hurt their chances.
Battle for the NFC West
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