The biggest issue was what happened on first down. We didn’t put ourselves in good situations. I think we had three possessions, and on two of them we barely gained anything on first down — maybe a yard or none at all. Against a defense like that, it’s tough. When you’re constantly behind schedule, they can really dictate things. We still had opportunities on third down and would’ve liked to convert more of those, but starting drives that way limits what you can do.
On the Effectiveness of the Run Game
There’s always room to improve. I’m sure the guys up front would tell you they want more production there. That’s not a criticism — it’s just our mentality. Running the ball is part of who we are. Some games tilt one way or the other. There are games where the run game carries us and passing is harder, and then there are days like this where we lean more on throwing the ball. That’s just how football goes, and we depend on each other to adjust.
Thoughts on Being 8–6
We’re 8–6 and still right in the mix. There are three games left, and the goal is to win all three. But it starts with the next one. You can’t get ahead of yourself.
Why He Still Believes the Team Can Finish Strong
This is a tough, resilient group. We’ve shown that we respond after games like this. We’ve got a home game coming up with our fans behind us, and we expect that energy to help us get back on track. Ideally, there’s nothing better than heading into the postseason riding a three-game winning streak. But none of that matters unless we take care of the next game first.
What Worked in the First Half
We were able to apply pressure early. Some of the runs were effective, and the passing game was clicking. Guys were getting separation, the protection was solid, and I had time to throw. That allowed us to hit some shots downfield. It was a good first half overall — we just didn’t carry it over after halftime.
On Pass Protection Throughout the 2025 Season
It’s been up and down at times, but recently it’s been strong. I thought the protection against Dallas was excellent, and for most of this game it was good as well. I had time back there, and we were able to hit routes over the middle and push the ball downfield. The offensive line deserves credit for that.
Did the Rams Adjust Defensively in the Second Half?
Not really. When you break it down, the issue came back to down-and-distance. When you’re facing third-and-long — eight, ten yards — it becomes difficult. We always talk about getting that one first down to reset the drive. Once that happens, things usually start rolling. Those two receivers are among the most explosive players in the league, and getting them the ball in space is a priority. For the most part, we were able to do that.
On the Successful Fourth-Down Play Near Midfield
It was a play we’d practiced all week. I liked the design, liked the matchup, and liked how it attacked the coverage they were showing. Given the look the defense gave us, we felt confident it would work.
On the Third-Down Screen to Amon-Ra St. Brown for a Touchdown
That was one of those situations where we were probably thinking about going for it on fourth down anyway. If we could get close, it would’ve been manageable. The call was perfect. They brought an all-out blitz, and a screen against zero pressure is about as good as it gets. After that, it was just about letting Amon-Ra make a play.
Defining the Identity of the 2025 Lions
If I had to sum it up right now, I’d say resilience. Hopefully I can give a more complete answer in a few weeks. This team bounces back. There’s still a lot in front of us, and we believe we have the kind of group that can win a championship.
The key is staying together and not letting outside narratives affect us. Our leaders and captains need to be vocal, bring energy, and set the tone — which is exactly what I expect them to do. We’ll need to prove that resilience again before this is over.
