Historic offense: Despite a little bit of a slow start to begin the year, Detroit's offense has really found its groove the last two weeks (89 points scored combined) and that's fueled some pretty wild offensive statistics to begin the year. Through the first five games of any season in franchise history, the 2024 Lions are tied for first in rushing touchdowns (9), second in total net yards (2,080), fourth in total points (151), fourth in net passing yards (1,373) and seventh in point differential (60).
First drop: The Lions were the only team left in the NFL that hadn't recorded a dropped pass before Jameson Williams dropped one late in the first quarter that just might have gone for a touchdown had he hauled it in. I liked that quarterback Jared Goff went right back to Williams on the very next play and Williams made a tough catch for a 15-yard gain and a first down. Williams caught three passes for 76 yards and a touchdown (37 yards) in the contest.
INT zone: Kerby Joseph (4) and Brian Branch (3) have combined for seven interceptions for the Lions in five games. All four of Joseph's interceptions have come in the Lions' end zone, and Branch had one in the end zone Sunday to thwart a scoring opportunity on Dallas' second possession of the game. Those are huge plays that take points directly off the board. Those two are quickly becoming a pretty special safety tandem in Detroit.
Replacing Hutchinson: It's tough to win a game the way the Lions did Sunday in Dallas and feel really great walking out of the stadium knowing they lost their best defensive player and early Defensive Player of the Year candidate, edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson, to a broken tibia that will require surgery and most likely end his season. With Hutchinson out for the foreseeable future, I expect GM Brad Holmes to take a look around the league to see about bringing in some edge help via trade.
Fast starts: Over 50 years. That's how long it's been since the Lions started back-to-back seasons with 4-1 records. Not since 1970 and 1971. With the Lions going to 4-1 after a 47-9 win in Dallas Sunday, it sets up a monster matchup in the NFC North when the Lions travel to undefeated Minnesota who have the early lead in the division at 5-0.
Speaking of the North: It's the best division in football this season and it's not even close. Both Chicago and Green Bay recorded wins Sunday to improve to 4-2 on the year. As it stands right now heading into Week 7, Minnesota leads the division at 5-0, Detroit is right behind at 4-1 and the Packers and Bears are 4-2. The North is the first division since realignment in 2002 to have all four teams with at least four wins through six games. This is going to be a heck of a chase to the NFC North title between these four clubs over the next two and a half months.
Goff rolling: In wins over Arizona, Seattle and Dallas the last three weeks, Goff has recorded a completion percentage above 70 percent, thrown at least two touchdowns and had a passer rating over 100.0. In the last two games against Seattle and Dallas, that passer rating was north of 150.0. Only he and Drew Brees have ever had back-to-back games with a passer rating above 150.0 with at least 15 pass attempts. Goff is simply dealing right now and hopefully that continues next week in Minnesota.
No penalties on Arnold: Rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold went his first NFL game Sunday without recording a pass interference penalty. He had two tackles, defended a pass, recovered a fumble and was penalty-free. Progress.
