On Sunday, the Detroit Lions will continue their quest for another NFC North title, the conference’s top seed, and, eventually, the franchise’s first ever Super Bowl championship.
Throughout this season, the Lions have already set several team marks, and they have another chance to rewrite the record books. The Lions are currently on a seven game winning streak, and with a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, they would set a franchise mark with eight straight wins. The last time they accomplished that? Their very first year as the “Detroit Lions,” 1934.
The 2-8 Jaguars are certainly struggling, and big changes may be on the way for the downtrodden franchise. However, that doesn’t mean Sunday will be a cakewalk—regardless of what the two-touchdown Vegas line suggest. Jacksonville has only lost two games by more than a touchdown, and their performance last week against the Minnesota Vikings suggests they give the toughest teams their best effort. Jacksonville was up 7-6 with eight minutes left in the fourth quarter, and had it not been for a few untimely turnovers late in the game, they may have pulled off the upset.
But the Lions have done a very good job this year of avoiding the letdown game or the “trap” game. Coach Dan Campbell always seems to have his team focused, and I wouldn’t expect anything less this week.
So we’ll be providing live updates from Ford Field as the game kicks off at 1 p.m. ET. Just hang right here, update the page, and watch the drive-by-drive analysis, highlights and score updates come in.
See you at kickoff!
First quarter
The Detroit Lions won the toss, but opted to defer to the second half. That meant Mac Jones and the Jaguars would start with the football. Jacksonville converted an early third-and-2 with a pass to Evan Engram. After crossing midfield, Jones attempted to scramble for a third-and-8 conversion and came up a couple yards short. However, they were close enough to try a 59-yard attempt, and Cam Little drilled it. 3-0 Jaguars.
The Lions offense looked to strike back with a 22-yard pass to Shane Zylstra to open up the drive. A pair of David Montgomery runs earned 14 yards, as the Lions went no-huddle into Jaguars territory. A quick slant to Amon-Ra St. Brown picked up 11 yards and set the Lions up first-and-goal from the 7-yard line. Two Montgomery runs later, and the Lions were in the end zone. 7-3 Lions.
Despite picking up 9 yards on first down, the Jaguars went three-and-out thanks to fantastic stops from Kerby Joseph and Alex Anzalone.
A good punt from the Jaguars pinned the Lions at their own 7-yard line. A couple passes to St. Brown moved Detroit to near-midfield, where they would face a third-and-1 heading into the second quarter.
Second quarter
Goff couldn’t connect with Jameson Williams on third down, but the Lions opted to go for it on fourth down, and Goff kept the drive alive with a QB keeper. On the next play Goff connect with Williams for 24 yards. Then Jahmyr Gibbs took over—first with this 23-yard run…
…then this 1-yard touchdown run:
14-3 Lions.
The Jaguars quickly went three-and-out again. A third-down screen was completely blown up by Amik Robertson for a 3-yard loss.
The Lions opened up the next drive with yet another hook-and-ladder play that earned 11 yards.
Montgomery followed it up with three rushes for 24 yards. A few plays later, Montgomery plowed into the endzone for his second score of the day (with some help from Penei Sewell). 21-3 Lions.
Jacksonville managed a single first down on the next drive, but after three consecutive incomplete passes from Jones, they punted again, giving the Lions the ball back with 4:58 left in the half.
Detroit opened with a swing pass to Jahmyr Gibbs that he nearly housed, but was ankle tackled for a 54-yard gain.
Three plays later, Goff found St. Brown for a 27-yard touchdown. 28-3 Lions.
On the next drive, Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone suffered a forearm injury and was initially listed as questionable to return. It sure looked like cameras caught him saying, “It’s broke,” but we’ll wait to hear an update.
As for the action on the field, the Jaguars worked their way onto the Lions side of the field and would tack on a field goal as time was expiring. 28-6 Lions.
Third quarter
It took just two minutes of game time for the Lions to add their lead. Goff found Jameson Williams on a crossing route that the Lions receiver housed for a 64-yard touchdown. 35-6 Lions.
