After an intense reaction to the Detroit Lions’ struggles Week 1, NFL writers and analysts are changing their tunes.
While I did find a few people with more tempered reactions to Detroit’s uncharacteristically poor performance against the Green Bay Packers, there were plenty who sounded the panic alarm — after just one week into the 2025 NFL season.
The Lions roared back Week 2, pummeling the Chicago Bears 52-21. So what are people saying about the Detroit Lions now? Let’s take a look.
“Dan Campbell had a message he wanted to send. He wanted to send it specifically to the Bears and to Ben Johnson — he was the big brother.” — Manti Te’o on Good Morning Football
“A+ : Afforded a clean pocket, Jared Goff picked Chicago apart from start to finish, spreading five touchdown throws to Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and backup tight end Brock Wright. Throw in another 151 yards from the Jahmyr Gibbs-David Montgomery duo, and the all-star attack is officially back.” — Cody Benjamin on CBS Sports
“Locals can breathe a sigh of relief. The offseason of change didn’t completely alter everything. Sunday was the juiciest of 50-burgers against a division rival and former OC. What we really learned: Green Bay’s defense appears even better a week later.” — Around the NFL staff
“Maybe, just maybe, the Lions’ struggles were due more to the Packers than their own issues. Detroit looked great Sunday. They’ll be fine. Week 1’s result just said way more about the Packers, and that is still something the Lions have to contend with.” — Frank Schwab at Yahoo! Sports
“Maybe they had never really gone away, but the Lions announced their return to our NFL lives in emphatic fashion by scoring 52 points against the Chicago Bears in Week 2. That game was an explosive reminder of the multitude of weapons around quarterback Jared Goff.” — Neil Reynolds at Sky Sports
“We were all a little worried when the Lions scored 13 points in Week 1 without Johnson coordinating the offense, but Detroit made a statement by putting 511 yards and 52 points on Johnson’s new team.” — Josh Kendall and Chad Graff at The Athletic
And onto the rest of your notes.
- Oh man, this is sure to be an epic episode of “Calls of the Game.” Surprised Dan Miller even has a voice left.
- “You wanted offense? You got offense. You wanted explosive plays? Explosive plays delivered.” Detroit Free Press columnist Mitch Albom shares his thoughts on the exciting win. ($)
- Isaac TeSlaa reacts to yet another incredible, one-handed catch. At this point I’m not sure he knows he can use two?
- In case you missed it, Lions’ all-time sack leader Robert Porcher was inducted into Pride of the Lions during the game. Porcher, who collected 95½ sacks through his 12-year career, is the 22nd player to receive the honor, joining recent inductees Calvin Johnson (2024), Lomas Brown (2023) and Chris Spielman (2021). You could say his friends were just a little happy for him.
- How are fans faring when it comes to Eastern Market tailgating after last year’s shooting? The Detroit Free Press’ Beki San Martin has that story. ($)
- “I might just sleep until next week’s game.” A Bears fan pledged to run a mile for every point the team loses by this season. On Sunday, he ran 31 miles.
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