A dozen games into the NFL season, we know what the Lions are.
Their offense is somewhat inconsistent, the defense often a sieve and the hit-or-miss aspect of Dan Campbell’s tendency to roll the dice unnerving.
Yet, one aspect triumphs over all. In moments that decide games, the Lions are clutch.
Sunday’s 33-28 victory over New Orleans was a classic example why the Lions are 9-3 and well on the way to capturing their first division title since 1993.
Obviously, they were ready to play. The 21-0 lead midway through the first quarter spoke volumes about how the Lions reacted to the dismal Thanksgiving Day loss.
Little goes as planned in the wacky NFL, however. The Saints, who have been a disaster in the scoring zone most of the season, started to completely scorch the Lions’ defense, while Detroit’s offense inexplicably began to flounder.
In the end, though, when the Lions really needed a first down to secure a precarious lead, quarterback Jared Goff, turning his biggest weakness, a lack of elusiveness, somehow into a strength, scrambled and found Josh Reynolds for the game-clinching first down.
Now, some may say the Lions were more lucky than good. A lot of “what if’s.” What if the Saints didn’t hand the ball to the Lions for a short scoring drive in the second half? What if Saints’ QB Derek Carr wasn’t forced from the game after being pile driven by recently-acquired veteran defensive end Bruce Irvin?
Carr had completed 15 straight passes, and Jameis Winston came in slinging the football with incredible inaccuracy, considering his experience.
But the Saints got a few breaks, too, particularly the tipped pass by Winston that set up their final TD.
The Lions deserved this win because of the manner they started, the exceptional ability of rookie tight end Sam Laporta, the wisdom to suit up Irvin, who also had a sack, and not turning the ball over.
Also, for adjusting. It was supposed to be a low-scoring, grind-it-out game, and it was anything but. The Lions have won 17 of their last 22 games in many different ways. They are resilient, deep and well-coached.
We saw why again Sunday in New Orleans.