The Detroit Lions franchise was founded in 1930 as the Portsmouth Spartans and has been a part of the National Football League since. But the franchise has never had back-to-back seasons with at least 10 wins. Until now.
The Lions improved their record to 10-1 today, after going 12-5 last season, giving them double-digit wins two years in a row.
Prior to last year, the Lions had only had 10 double-digit win seasons in franchise history: In 1931, 1934, 1953, 1962, 1970, 1991, 1993, 1995, 2011 and 2014. They’re not used to success in Detroit.
But this is a very different Lions team, a team that made the NFC Championship Game last year and is playing even better this year. And a Lions team that won’t be satisfied with 10 wins, or with anything less than winning the Super Bowl.
The Lions had a few injury concerns coming out of Sunday’s victory over the Colts, but at least two of the players should be OK for the Thanksgiving matchup against the Bears.
Via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, both running back David Montgomery and left tackle Taylor Decker said postgame that they’ll be good to go for Thursday afternoon.
Montgomery suffered a shoulder injury. Via Colton Pouncy of TheAthletic.com, Montgomery noted he could have come back in on Sunday but head coach Dan Campbell told him there are “bigger fish to fry” and held him out. With the Lions playing again in a few days, Montgomery noted it was a smart decision.
Decker also had to exit and came back in with knee and ankle injuries.
However, there is more concern with cornerback Carlton Davis (knee) and receiver Kalif Raymond (foot). Davis said he will know more after going through imaging on Monday.
The Lions moved to 10-1 on the season with the 24-6 victory over Indianapolis.
The Lions used a solid defensive performance to keep Anthony Richardson and the Colts under wraps, coming away with a 24-6 victory.
Detroit running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery combined for three touchdown runs in the contest. Gibbs led the way with…. as Montgomery had to leave the game due to a shoulder injury. He finished with 37 yards on eight carries.
Gibbs’ 1-yard touchdown run gave the Lions a 7-3 lead early in the second quarter. Then Montgomery scored on a 6-yard run late in the same period. Gibbs put the ball in for a 5-yard score late in the second quarter, which made the score 21-6.
Jake Bates added a 56-yard field goal midway through the fourth quarter to give Detroit 24 points.
The Colts had opportunities, particularly early in the game. But they could not capitalize on them. While the club had a solid opening drive with Anthony Richardson powering his way through defenders, the possession stalled in the red zone and Indianapolis settled for a 27-yard field goal. Then Drew Ogletree dropped a touchdown in the second quarter that would’ve made the game 10-7, Indianapolis, with an extra point. But instead, the club had to settle for a 29-yard field goal and was still down 7-6.
Indianapolis did not score again.
Richardson finished with another ugly passing stat line, completing 11-of-28 passes for 172 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. While he did fumble once, he recovered it. He led the team in rushing with 61 yards on 10 attempts.
Jonathan Taylor finished with 35 yards on 11 carries.
The Lions limited the Colts to just 11 first downs, 268 total yards, and 3-of-12 on third down.
But Detroit had several players suffer injuries, which could be a concern with the team playing on Thursday to begin the Thanksgiving slate. Aside from Montgomery, receiver Kalif Raymond exited with a foot injury suffered on a punt return. Cornerback Carlton Davis left with a knee injury suffered in the second half. Left tackle Taylor Decker briefly left with knee and ankle injuries but did return.
The Lions have now won nine consecutive games in a season for the first time since 1934. And Detroit has also won at least 10 games in consecutive seasons for the first time in franchise history.
Now at 10-1, Detroit will host Chicago on Thursday afternoon.
The 5-7 Colts will be on the road to face the Patriots in Week 13.
The Lions are dealing with multiple injuries to key offensive players during the second half of Sunday’s matchup with the Colts.
David Montgomery had to come out of the game after taking a short pass 14 yards in the third quarter. The Fox broadcast showed Montgomery walking up to the locker room without his shoulder pads on.
Montgomery is questionable to return with a shoulder injury.
Left tackle Taylor Decker is questionable to return with knee and ankle injuries.
Receiver Kalif Raymond is questionable to return with a foot injury after taking a hard hit on a punt return.
The Lions have a 21-6 lead late in the third quarter after Jahmyr Gibbs ran in his second touchdown of the day, scoring from 5 yards out.
UPDATE 3:10 p.m. ET: While Decker has returned to the game at left tackle, Raymond has been downgraded to out with his foot injury.
The Lions took a drive to get going, but scored touchdowns on back-to-back possessions and have a 14-6 lead over the Colts at halftime.
David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs each have a rushing touchdown, as quarterback Jared Goff started the game 8-of-10 for 98 yards. Montgomery and Gibbs also each have a long third-down conversion on the ground, picking their way through Indianapolis’ defense to move the chains.
Gibbs scored on a 1-yard run early in the second quarter. Montgomery took it in from 6-yards out late in the same period.
The Lions had another possession at the end of the half but couldn’t get anything going and had to punt.
Jared Goff is 10-of-13 passing for 111 yards. Montgomery has 39 yards on seven carries with a TD while Gibbs has 30 yards on eight carries.
The Colts have had their opportunities but haven’t been able to punch the ball in. A promising opening drive stalled in the red zone, with Matt Gay hitting a 27-yard field goal to get Indianapolis on the board. Then Drew Ogletree dropped a touchdown midway through the second quarter, leading the club to settle for a 29-yard field goal.
Anthony Richardson has completed 7-of-14 passes for 117 yards, including a beautiful 49-yard deep ball to Alec Pierce. Richardson also leads with 36 yards rushing on five carries. Jonathan Taylor has 21 yards on 10 attempts.
Detroit will receive the second-half kickoff.
The Lions didn’t get in the end zone during the first quarter of Sunday’s game against the Colts but made it to the paint to end the club’s second possession.
Running back Jahmyr Gibbs took it in for a 1-yard touchdown, giving Detroit a 7-3 lead over Indianapolis.
That capped a nine-play, 60-yard drive that took 4:12 off the clock.
Gibbs also had the one third-down conversion on the drive, running it 17 yards on third-and-8 as Detroit capitalized on running it in what’s usually a passing situation.
The Lions have now had a rushing touchdown in 25 consecutive games. Gibbs has nine rushing TDs now on the season and has eclipsed 1,000 yards from scrimmage.
The Colts had a promising opening drive stall in the red zone, settling for a 27-yard field goal to go up 3-0. But the club has not been able to get much going on offense since.
Every week we bring you all the inactives from the 1 p.m. ET games in one post, constantly updated with the latest information.
The Cowboys will be without both of their starting guards in Washington on Sunday.
Left guard Tyler Smith was ruled out when the team handed in its list of inactive players 90 minutes before Sunday’s game against the Commanders kicked off. Smith missed two practices this week with ankle and knee injuries before returning for a limited practice on Friday
Right guard Zack Martin was downgraded to out on Saturday. He has ankle and shoulder injuries. T.J. Bass and Brock Hoffman will likely get the start at guards for Dallas.
Cowboys at Commanders
Cowboys: G Zack Martin, G Tyler Smith, CB Trevon Diggs, CB Caelen Carson, RB Deuce Vaughn, TE Jake Ferguson, DE Tyrus Wheat
Commanders: CB Emmanuel Forbes, QB Jeff Driskel, CB Marshon Lattimore, LB Dominique Hampton, G Chris Paul
Buccaneers at Giants
Buccaneers: T Tristan Wirfs, DB Tykee Smith, CB Tyrek Funderburk, LB Jose Ramirez, TE Devin Culp, DL Earnest Brown
Giants: S Anthony Johnson, CB Tre Hawkins III, G Jake Kubas, DL Jordon Riley, QB Tim Boyle
Chiefs at Panthers
Chiefs: OL C.J. Hanson, DT Marlon Tuipulotu, T Ethan Driskell, RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, DE Cameron Thomas
Panthers: WR Jalen Coker, S Jammie Robinson, CB Shemar Bartholomew, LB Thomas Incoom, LB DJ Johnson, OL Jarrett Kingston, DT Jaden Crumedy
Patriots at Dolphins
Patriots: QB Joe Milton, WR K.J. Osborn, DT Jaquelin Roy, G Tyrese Robinson, DE Deatrich Wise, LB Titus Leo
Dolphins: RB Jeff Wilson, CB Ethan Bonner, CB Kendall Fuller, LB Mohamed Kamara, OL Andrew Meyer, TE Jack Stoll, WR Dee Eskridge
Titans at Texans
Titans: RB Tyjae Spears, CB Gabe Jeudy-Lally, OL Leroy Watson, TE David Martin-Robinson
Texans: DT Foley Fatukasi, T Blake Fisher, LB Jamal Hill, DE Jerry Hughes, CB Jeff Okudah, WR Steven Sims
Lions at Colts
Lions: CB Terrion Arnold, G Kayode Awosika, DT Brodric Martin, T Giovanni Manu, OL Colby Sorsdal, LB Al-Quadin Muhammed
Colts: QB Sam Ehlinger, WR Anthony Gould, S Darren Hall, DE Isaiah Land, TE Will Mallory, T Bernhard Raimann
Vikings at Bears
Vikings: TE Josh Oliver, CB Dwight McGlothern, DL Levi Drake Rodriguez, OL Dan Feeney, OL Walter Rouse, QB Brett Rypien
Bears: WR Tyler Scott, S Elijah Hicks, DB Ameer Speed, OL Ryan Bates, T Kiran Amegadjie, DE Dominique Robinson
The Lions won’t have either of the corners that they picked at the top of this year’s draft.
The team announced that first-round pick Terrion Arnold has been downgraded to out with a groin injury and did not travel with the team to Indianapolis. Second-rounder Ennis Rakestraw was ruled out on Friday with a hamstring injury and he’ll miss at least three more games as well.
Rakestraw was placed on injured reserve Saturday. The Lions filled his roster spot by activating cornerback Emmanuel Moseley from injured reserve.
The Lions also elevated linebacker David Long from the practice squad to round out the day’s roster maneuvers.
Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams celebrated a touchdown with an homage to Marshawn Lynch, falling backward into the end zone and grabbing his crotch. The NFL was not amused.
Williams has been fined $19,697 for what the NFL deemed “obscene gestures.”
The league often comes down harder on players for celebrations than for illegal hits. In fact, Williams’ fine this week was the biggest any player got for any action — more than other players got for hip-drop tackles, facemasking, hits on defenseless players and other violations of player safety rules.
Williams has developed into one of the Lions’ best offensive players, but he has also run afoul of the league office repeatedly, including suspensions for violations of both the gambling policy and the PED policy. And now he’s getting his paycheck docked.
The Colts have brought one of their key defensive players back to the 53-man roster.
Indianapolis announced that defensive end Tyquan Lewis has been activated off of injured reserve. The club waived Genard Avery as a corresponding move.
Lewis (elbow) has been a full participant in practice all week but is still listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against Detroit.
Lewis, 29, has recorded 17 total tackles with 1.5 sacks, two tackles for loss, and three QB hits so far this season.
Additionally, the Colts have elevated guard Atonio Mafi from the practice squad to the active roster for Sunday’s contest.
