Free Press columnist Carlos Monarrez tackles the tough questions for the Detroit Lions after their 20-17 victory over the New York Jets in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sunday:
What do you think of the Lions’ playoff chances now?
Let’s cut to the chase. The Lions are going to the playoffs, not only because they’re 7-7 and red-hot with six wins in their past seven games and a soft remaining schedule, but because Sunday’s victory proved they’ve learned how to win in every environment: on the road, in close games, in blowouts, and when everything’s on the line in a crucial game. Sure, Greg Zuerlein could have made that 58-yard field goal attempt to send the game to overtime. But the fact that the Lions defense didn’t have its best day but still got enough stops against the Jets tells you this team has learned to do what it needs to do. On top of all that, Lions have the easiest schedule among the contenders — the Washington Commanders, the New York Giants and the Seattle Seahawks — for the NFC’s final wild-card spot.
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Who gets the most credit for beating the Jets?
Dan Campbell? Ben Johnson? Jared Goff? The defensive line? How about the name at the very top of the organization? Two months ago, when the Lions were 1-5, owner Sheila Hamp told reporters “we really believe in our process, we really believe in, we’re going to turn this thing around the right way.” It was Hamp, with the help of her advisers, who passed on Jets coach and Dearborn product Robert Saleh in order to hire Campbell, and the results are obvious. This wasn’t a one-game referendum that validated that decision, but it’s clear she made the right pick as the Lions are headed in the right direction. You also have to give Hamp credit for also supporting Campbell when it was an unpopular thing to do because she saw past what most people couldn’t. When this season is over, I hope she holds another news conference and publicly gets the credit she rightfully deserves.
Any areas of concern?
The defense — specifically, the secondary — gave up way too many big plays against a bad offense led by a formerly benched starter in Zach Wilson. The defensive line did a good job bringing pressure and the front seven held the Jets to 50 rushing yards. Wilson only completed 51.4% of his passes, including an interception by Jerry Jacobs. But too often the coverage broke down. The Jets had seven plays of at least 20 yards and Jeff Okudah was victimized several times. Wilson looked mostly awful, but his ability to keep an awful offense in the game until the final seconds despite bad reads and missed throws doesn’t bode well for a defense that will have to come up with more dependable play in the secondary if the Lions hope to win out — and make some noise in the playoffs.
Contact Carlos Monarrez: cmonarrez@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @cmonarrez.