No Ben Johnson, tidak masalah: singa membuktikan pelanggaran mereka masih kreatif, agresif
Before David Montgomery’s 31-yard touchdown late in the Lions’ Monday game against the Ravens, a run that helped seal Detroit’s impressive 38-30 win, two teammates played an integral role in creating the rushing lane.
Pre-snap, tight ends Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright were at the front of a three-man stack with Montgomery behind quarterback Jared Goff. Then they shifted simultaneously to the left side of the formation, up to the line of scrimmage, forcing Baltimore’s defensive line to slide over. And when Montgomery received the hand off, Wright’s block on Ravens defensive end Brent Urban gave the veteran tailback enough time to bounce back to his right, climb to the second level and outrace the secondary into the end zone.
It was one of 11 times that Detroit showed the Maryland-I formation, popularized by legendary college football coach Tom Nugent in the 1950s. Featuring three running backs stacked single file directly behind the quarterback, it’s a run-heavy formation that gives an offense multiple options and creates deception. The Lions even called it a few times with Montgomery, LaPorta and fellow star back Jahmyr Gibbs in the backfield together.
In addition to the touchdown, Detroit created four short down and distances (three or fewer yards to the line of gain) and two conversions out of the set.
“I showed up Wednesday and that was in the game plan,” Goff said of the Maryland I formation.
It served as an example of how the team has remained innovative and assertive offensively without Ben Johnson, Detroit’s star playcaller the past three seasons before leaving to become head coach of the Bears. After a rough start to the season, a 27-13 loss to the Packers, the Lions (2-1) have shown that they’re still the Lions of the past few seasons with new coordinator John Morton calling offensive plays.
Detroit had a 52-point outburst against Chicago in Week 2, not letting up on the onslaught or pulling starters deep into the fourth quarter with the game secured. And the Lions continued to be aggressive against the Ravens, going 3-for-3 on fourth down.
It started on the opening drive. With the Lions facing a fourth-and-3 from the Ravens’ 11, Goff hit receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown for seven yards, setting up Gibbs’ first touchdown and a 7-0 lead.
At the start of the fourth quarter, facing a fourth-and-1 from the Ravens’ 4 with the game tied at 21, Detroit showed some creativity in its aggression. Goff handed the ball off to St. Brown, who pitched the ball in the flat to Gibbs, who ran into the end zone.
“In the meeting room, the play was on the screen, and [Gibbs] Duduk di sebelah saya, dan dia pergi, 'Bro, kami tidak menyebut permainan ini,' “St. Brown mengenang.” Dan saya berkata, 'Hanya karena Anda mengatakan itu, kami menyebutnya minggu ini. Jam tangan.' Benar saja, kami menyebutnya, dan itu berhasil. “
Jalankan touchdown sealing game Montgomery diatur pada peringatan dua menit dari periode terakhir, ketika Detroit menghadapi keempat dan-2 dari 49 orang sendiri. Goff mencapai St. Brown sejauh 20 yard.
The Lions juga pergi 7-dari-14 pada turun ketiga, dan memiliki dua drive touchdown setidaknya 95 yard.
“Saya pikir ritme -nya hebat,” kata Goff tentang Morton. “Saya pikir down ketiganya mungkin adalah bagian terbaik dari semua yang kami lakukan. Semuanya hebat.”
Ya, semua yang ada di Detroit masih tampak hebat, bahkan tanpa Ben Johnson.
Ben Arthur adalah an NFL Reporter untuk Fox Sports. Dia sebelumnya bekerja untuk jaringan Tennessean/USA Today, di mana dia berada Titans Kalahkan penulis selama satu setengah tahun. Dia menutupi Seattle Seahawks Untuk Seattlepi.com selama tiga musim (2018-20) sebelum pindah ke Tennessee. Anda dapat mengikuti Ben di Twitter di @Benyarthur.
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