The Detroit Lions picked up their tenth win of the season following a brutally efficient 24-6 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. The Lions never looked out of control and decisively put the Colts away. At 10-1, the 2024 Lions have matched the 1934 Lions with the best 11-game start to an NFL season. Here are the critical thoughts from Detroit’s road win.
Pressure Equals Prizes
The Lions’ defense, specifically the defensive line, was the engine behind Detroit’s win over Indianapolis. They say that pressure bursts pipes, which indeed burst the Colts’ hopes of winning this game. Seven different Lions recorded at least one pressure. The Lions generated pressure on 14 of Richardson’s 30 dropbacks, per Next Gen Stats. Detroit’s pressure rate of 46.7% was the highest from any team this season.
Per @NextGenStats:
Anthony Richardson completed only 2/14 passes for 33 yards when the Lions pressured him, compared to 9-of-14 passes for 139 yards with a clean pocket.
Detroit generated pressure on 14 of 30 dropbacks for a 46.7% pressure rate (highest in a game this season). pic.twitter.com/C50pvaODXA
— Cody Manning (@CodyTalksNFL) November 24, 2024
The result of all that pressure? Anthony Richardson completed two passes for 33 yards. The game MVP was Alim McNeil. The destructive defensive lineman was at his physical best, generating four quick pressures, causing a holding penalty and a hands-to-the-face penalty. McNeil was ferocious. He consistently challenged Indianapolis’ interior offensive line. It was one of his best performances for the Detroit Lions.
Tim Patrick Is Proving To Be Invaluable
Tim Patrick had a very underrated but effective game against the Colts. Patrick caught four passes on four targets for 55 yards. But the box score only tells part of the story. Patrick caught several passes when the Colts forced Jared Goff to scramble out of the pocket. The big-bodied veteran catcher was the reliable safety valve for his quarterback. Moreover, he continued to block well in the run game and displayed plenty of desire to do the hard work in the screen game.
Pro Football Focus graded Patrick as one of the best Lions from Sunday’s game. Before the season, many fans and pundits were concerned about Josh Reynolds’ departure and a lack of a replacement. Patrick has filled in and replaced Reynolds more than adequately. And most importantly, Patrick has the trust of his quarterback. After the game, Goff was effusive in praising the 31-year-old former Denver Bronco:
“Tim’s great. He’s just a great ball player. He does the right thing over and over. He’s a big body and has good hands, and I can trust him to make a catch.”
Injury Concerns Won’t Go Away
The main disappointment from Sunday’s win was the Lions’ injuries. Carlton Davis, Taylor Decker, David Montgomery, and Kalif Raymond all left the game at various points with injuries.
Fortunately, head coach Dan Campbell confirmed that he was not too worried about Decker, Davis and Montgomery’s fitness; nonetheless, on a short week, the Lions did not need more injuries.
Detroit held a walkthrough on Monday, but the injury report did not read well.
Lions Monday practice report: pic.twitter.com/aCDSr7Ex7E
— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) November 25, 2024
On consecutive Thursdays, the Lions squad will be stretched to the maximum with two massive divisional games. The Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers are next on the Lions’ schedule. They cannot afford to lose too many more essential starters.