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The Detroit Lions defeated the reigning Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs, in the Chiefs’ own building, for the second year in a row on Saturday
The stakes were just a bit different this time.
It was Week 2 of the preseason, and Saturday was another opportunity to evaluate the back end of the roster. There were some dramatics along the way — including a 43-yard field goal on the final play to give the Lions a 24-23 victory at Arrowhead Stadium. But that’s less important in the grand scheme of things. The Lions are looking for answers as the preseason games unfold. They might’ve found some today.
Here are our takeaways from the game.
Hendon Hooker should start the preseason finale
First things first: The Lions love Nate Sudfeld for what he brings to the table. He’s a cerebral quarterback who’s been in this offense for parts of three seasons now. Quarterbacks coach Mark Brunell values a QB who can provide a second pair of eyes for starter Jared Goff, which is why former backup David Blough — who is now an assistant quarterbacks coach in Washington — managed to stick around previously.
At the same time, Sudfeld clearly has a ceiling. His numbers (14 of 27, 196 yards, one TD and one INT) don’t reflect it because he did most of his damage on checkdowns, but Sudfeld missed plenty of throws that were available. He’s only taking away needed reps from Hooker at this point. You’re not learning anything new about Sudfeld. And if the argument was that Sudfeld’s ability to read through his progressions would help the staff evaluate its top group of receivers, his performance hasn’t exactly done that.
Meanwhile, Saturday was the best we’ve seen Hooker yet — since OTAs, really. He finished the game 12 of 15 for 150 yards and a rushing touchdown. He looked more and more comfortable as the game progressed, and he settled in. Now that he’s gotten some opportunities to shake the rust off, it would be nice to see him get the first shot in a game — especially one like this.
If Hooker is going to be the QB2 during the season, why not get him reps against the first- and second-teamers rather than third? The Lions alternate those looks in practice — with Sudfeld and Hooker taking turns with the second-team offense. That hasn’t happened yet in the preseason, but it’s time. He looks ready for more.
Hendon Hooker keeps it himself for the touchdown
📺: #DETvsKC on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/kcVSro9xT5
— NFL (@NFL) August 17, 2024
Offensive standouts
You can make a case for Sione Vaki as the Lions’ offensive MVP of the preseason. He’s been able to showcase the raw talent that GM Brad Holmes couldn’t walk away from draft weekend without. In Saturday’s game, Vaki hauled in all four targets for 60 yards. He finished the game with 10 touches for 82 yards.
We knew the Lions would love Vaki on special teams, but he’s been impressive as a receiver in training camp. He’s still working on his vision and cutting as a runner, but you can see flashes. Craig Reynolds is still Detroit’s RB3 — Vaki isn’t there yet. But these are signs of growth. If he continues on this trajectory, the Lions will carve out some offensive snaps for him.
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The only player who might have Vaki beat in terms of a preseason MVP on offense? Undrafted rookie wide receiver Isaiah Williams. He always seems to be open, offering both Sudfeld and Hooker a reliable target After leading the team in receiving yards in the opener against the Giants, Williams was back at it again with six receptions for 71 yards on Saturday. The Lions are searching for someone to step up at receiver, and Williams is doing everything he can to remain in the picture.
As Campbell said after the game, Williams is a slot-first receiver — a bit redundant with Amon-Ra St. Brown and Kalif Raymond on the roster. If the Lions don’t offer him a spot, you’d have to think they would try to keep him on the practice squad. But after his preseason performance, that might not be realistic.
To round out the standouts, receiver Kaden Davis’ 61-yard touchdown was the highlight of the day, and something he’s been doing in camp of late. It was a nice day for him. He’s in the mix for the WR3 job, but then again, who isn’t? I also thought running back Zonovan Knight was efficient and made the most of his touches, with eight carries for a team-leading 36 yards. Good stuff from him.
Kaden Davis takes it 61 yards to the house 🏃♂️💨
📺: #DETvsKC on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/Eu25yEfVOf
— NFL (@NFL) August 17, 2024
Big Game Bates
It wasn’t a perfect day for kicker Jake Bates — or Detroit’s special teams unit in general — but man, did he help his case on Saturday.
It began on his first attempt. Known for his range, Bates certainly showed it, as the Lions lined up for a 55-yarder. Bates nailed. It would’ve been good from Allen Park. He’s now 2-for-2 on kicks of 50 or more in the preseason, after connecting on a 53-yarder against the Giants last week. Bates also made his next three field goals from 23, 32 and the game-winner from 43 yards as time expired. That’ll do.
Now, what won’t do was Bates’ missed extra point after Detroit’s lone touchdown. We’ve seen a few of those in training camp, and he’s going to need to clean that up. But what was more impressive was his response. Kicker can be a lonely position when things aren’t going well. A lot of it is mental. Bates — talented yet inexperienced — could’ve let things continue to spiral. Instead, he bounced back with three makes in a row to close it.
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“Every time he does something like that, you gain a little bit more confidence in him,” Campbell said after the game. “That was really good to see.”
Campbell said he and special teams coordinator Dave Fipp know Bates hasn’t arrived yet. He said he knows there will still be growing pains along the way. But they’re going to be patient and let Bates continue to grow into the job. It sure sounds like he’s their guy. They’re getting him reps and seeing what he can do.
Defensive standouts and a note on special teams
There were several players who helped their cases defensively.
• Khalil Dorsey and Kindle Vildor: If the coaching staff is deciding between Dorsey or Vildor for the last cornerback spot on the roster, it’s gonna be tough. Both played well against the Chiefs and earned some love from Campbell. Dorsey probably offers a little more on special teams, while Vildor is probably more game-ready defensively.
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• Mitchell Agude: It was another solid day at the office for Agude. Against the Chiefs’ starters, he pressured Patrick Mahomes to force an incompletion, then perfectly dissected a screen pass and stopped it in the backfield to hold Kansas City to a field goal.
• Mathieu Betts: It’s been a quiet training camp for Betts, and the Lions even took the Sam linebacker responsibilities off his plate. That’s not a great sign for someone trying to make the team. However, Saturday was his best day yet. He was one of three defenders credited with a sack and also had a pressure that led to an incompletion. The Lions have an open competition for the back end of the edge position. Someone’s gotta grab it.
• Isaac Ukwu certainly looks the part of a player who can help the Lions. He continued to flash. If there’s a defensive undrafted rookie who can make this roster, it’s him.
• Josh Paschal: Yes, Paschal’s spot on the 53-man roster is secure, but it was a bit jarring seeing him in the fourth quarter of a preseason game. He made the most of it, though, recording a strip-sack late in the game. He’ll provide depth at edge behind Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport and, when he’s lined up there, Levi Onwuzurike.
• Saturday was a bad day for Detroit’s special teams unit, outside of Bates and punter Jack Fox. The group was way too sloppy with the football. Can’t have that.
(Photo of Hendon Hooker: David Eulitt / Getty Images)
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Fitnessnacks – #Lions #takeaways #Hendon #Hooker #Jake #Bates #lead #standouts #win #Chiefs
Courtesy : https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5707069/2024/08/17/lions-chiefs-preseason-hendon-hooker-jake-bates/