Similar start: It was unlikely the Detroit Lions were going to go 17-0 this season. Sure, Sunday was a disappointing loss at home to the Bucs, but don't forget about the disappointing overtime loss to Seattle at home Week 2 last year. Detroit learned from it and went on to win their next four contests to start 5-1. They'll obviously be hoping for similar results this season.
Monster game for Hutch: Aidan Hutchinson finished with five tackles (four solo), five quarterback hits, 4.5 sacks, four tackles for loss and one forced fumble. His 4.5 sacks were the second most a Lions player has had in a single game since the 5.5 sacks by William Gay in 1983. Hutchinson now has 5.5 sacks in two games this season. He's become one of the elite pass rushers in this league in just his third season.
LaPorta usage: The Lions have to find a way to get tight end Sam LaPorta involved more, especially in a game where they went 1-for-7 in the red zone. That's an area of the field where LaPorta was lights out last season in his record-breaking rookie campaign. LaPorta was targeted just three times and caught two passes for 13 yards Sunday.
"Like we kind of said last week, all these guys – it'll rotate as the year goes," quarterback Jared Goff said when asked about LaPorta's lack of production after the game. "He's a damn good player, he's as good as a tight end as there is in this league. His touches will come, I know he knows that, and it's just a matter of time."
Learning curve: Rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold was flagged for a pass interference call early that cost Detroit's defense 41 yards. He also had a personal foul facemask penalty a little later. That's now four major penalties on Arnold in two games after he had two pass interference calls go against him last week vs. the Rams. Hopefully these are early teaching moments for the rookie. The NFL is an offensive league and any contact with receivers down the field, no matter how light, will most likely get flagged.
Branch at safety: Brian Branch is settling in nicely at safety. After breaking up three passes last week vs. the Rams, Branch totaled six tackles (five solo), two more passes defended and his first interception of the season. The second-year player is a natural playmaker at safety and the more he gets comfortable with what he's seeing in front of him, the more and more plays he's going to make.
LB depth: One of my favorite plays from Sunday was the hit-stick tackle by linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez on running back Rachaad White. It just speaks to the depth and talent level the Lions have at linebacker right now between Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Rodriguez and others. Lions linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard said this week he views Rodriguez as a starter.
Jack Fox's arm: Fox completed a 17-yard pass to running back Sione Vaki on a fake punt. Don't forget Fox was a former high school quarterback. For his career, Fox is 4-of-5 passing (80 percent) for 61 yards. All four of his completions have resulted in first downs. And his 61 passing yards are the second most by a punter in team history. And oh yeah, he's a pretty darn good punter too.
Who is WR 3?: Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams are No. 1 and No. 2 at receiver. Who is No. 3? Kalif Raymond is the closest with three catches for 27 yards against the Bucs. Tim Patrick, who was a practice squad elevation this week, caught two passes for 12 yards. I think it's safe to say after two weeks with his usage (11 receptions first two weeks) that running back Jahmyr Gibbs is currently the No. 3 option in the Lions' passing game.
