JAMAAL WILLIAMS

Previously: Offensive lineRUNNING BACKSStarters: RB Jamaal Williams, FB Jason CabindaBackups: D’Andre Swift, Justin Jackson, Craig Reynolds, Jermar JeffersonKey stats: Jamaal Williams led the NFL, breaking Barry Sanders’ single-season club record with 17 rushing touchdowns. The 27-year-old set career-best marks in attempts (262), yards (1,066), touchdowns (17), long rush (58 yards) and yards per game (62.7). Pro Football Focus ranked Swift 20th and Williams 33rd among running backs with enough attempts to qualify. Swift opened the year with 144 rushing yards and one touchdown, then didn’t see double-digit carries again until Week 13. Swift topped 100 total yards only one other time, with 78 rushing and 39 rushing yards in the team’s Week 17 win.

Lions running back Jamaal Williams was fined over $18,000 for his hip swivel after a touchdown over the Packers. He was not penalized for the celebration.

ALLEN PARK -- In a fitting end to a historic season, Detroit running back Jamaal Williams has been named NFC offensive player of the week for his heroics in the 20-16 win against Green Bay in the finale. He’s the sixth Lions player to win a weekly award this season, matching a club record set back in 1995. He ran for two more touchdowns in Green Bay, pushing his season total to a staggering 16. “I’m grateful,” Williams said that night in Green Bay. Check.’ The rushing record was a check I didn’t even have on my goal list, so I’m just blessed for it.

The Detroit Lions turned their house of horrors into their kingdom as they eliminated Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers 20-16 at Lambeau Field.

The Detroit Lions were powered by the defensive line and linebacker Alex Anzalone in their 20-16 win against the Green Bay Packers in Week 18. Related: John Cominsky, an unsung hero, wants to re-sign with Detroit LionsRelated: Lions grades: Defense shines while offense closes Week 18 win over PackersCominsky was followed by Anzalone, Isaiah Buggs, Kerby Joseph and Hutchinson in the defensive grades. Buggs’ earned the top marks of his year, with strong all-around marks, getting credit for a whopping five PFF stops. He ran 16 times for 72 yards and two scores against his former team in Week 18. And Swift caught all seven of his targets for 61 yards, adding 25 yards on the ground.

Columnist Jim Moore, aka @cougsgo, isn’t saying the Seahawks can’t pull off a miracle, but the odds are against it, and the team still had a great season.

After Detroit Lions running back Jamaal Williams broke Barry Sanders’ single-season touchdown record on Sunday night vs. his old team, the Green Bay Packers, all of the emotions were on display.

The Detroit Lions (9-8) ended their season by beating the Green Bay Packers (8-9) 20-16 in Week 18 action from Lambeau Field. Grade: A-Running backs: Jamaal Williams finished his career-best season with back-to-back impressive showings after a tough stretch. Those two scores gave him 17 on the season, besting Barry Sanders’ franchise record for rushing touchdowns in a single season. Grade: B-Offensive line: It’s important to remember that Packers interior defender Kenny Clark is very good at what he does. That said, the Lions held things down in the trenches, running 25 times for 104 yards and two short-yardage touchdowns.

Detroit Lions running back Jamaal Williams dropped a "Naruto" reference in his player introductions. Detroit would beat Green Bay on the road Sunday.

Getting eliminated from playoff contention about an hour before their season finale didn’t alter the Detroit Lions’ approach.

It was a bittersweet Sunday for Detroit Lions fans, but at least it ended on the sweeter side of things. Also, Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown added a mind-boggling catch on the Lions’ game-deciding drive. REACTING TO LIONS WIN@Ercoman: This is my favorite Lions season ever. It was a great season and I can’t wait to see the GRIT we come back with next season @Lions #OnePride____@ole_jay: The @Lions finished 5-1 in the division. #OnePride____@WMDubitsky: I will always have a soft spot in my heart for the 2022 Detroit Lions.

The Detroit Lions, with nothing to play for, came into Lambeau Field and played spoiler, knocking the Green Bay Packers out of the playoffs with a Week 18 win.

The Lions couldn’t clinch a playoff spot, but they played spoiler on Sunday night with a big road win vs. the Packers at Lambeau Field, dashing Green Bay’s playoff hopes.

When it comes to running the football into the end zone, no Detroit Lions player has ever done it better in a season than those guys. Williams added yet another in the season finale on Sunday night in Green Bay, bringing his league-leading total to 16. That ties Sanders’ all-time franchise record, set back in 1991 -- the last time the Lions won a playoff game, as it happens. He snapped the 1,000-yard mark early in the game against Green Bay, becoming the first Lions player to do that since Reggie Bush in 2013. But Green Bay didn’t want him back.

And while the first name to come to mind is quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Dillon and Aaron Jones has boosted the four-time MVP and Green Bay’s offense. Dillon has started scoring touchdowns at a scary pace, while Jones has remained one of the more dynamic weapons at his position. Aaron Rodgers was Green Bay’s leading rusher that day, taking off four times while gaining 40 yards. And Jones is fresh off a 111-day on the ground, proving he’s still one of the game’s best when he’s rolling.

ALLEN PARK -- Two years into this rebuild, the Detroit Lions have still signed only one free agent to a multi-year contract. That’s how much they valued Jamaal Williams’ potential fit on the field and in the locker room. The Lions can make the playoffs with a win (and Seattle loss), while Williams is on the cusp of some personal achievements. “They didn’t want me, like that ex-girlfriend,” Williams said after arriving in Detroit last year. With D’Andre Swift struggling to stay healthy and meet expectations, Williams’ reliability has been essential to keeping the Lions offense on schedule.

And the rookie’s increased role was foretold by Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell, with Williams playing it cool ahead of the game. The analytics site had the Lions with 13 missed tackles last week in Carolina, not to mention 15 missed tackles the first time they faced these Bears. Detroit’s defense was docked with six missed tackles, which is a step in the right direction. Swift graded above 90 for the first time, adding 54 yards after contact and forcing six missed tackles. Williams had 107 yards after contact, forcing five missed tackles, one of the best showings of his career.

DETROIT -- The Detroit Lions (8-8) beat the Chicago Bears (3-13) 41-10 in Week 17 action from Ford Field. This post will run through MLive’s grades from the game:We’ve got a Detroit Lions newsletter! Grade: ARunning backs: Jamaal Williams and D’Andre Swift were each at their best against the Bears. Malcolm Rodriguez appeared to miss the ticket on the easy touchdown pass to tight end Cole Kmet. Ben Johnson also delivered another glowing plan of attack, despite some early technical issues keeping him from communicating with Goff.

DETROIT -- The Detroit Lions and their once-elite rushing attack returned to form after weeks of talking about taking a closer look at the problem. The Lions ran 39 times for 265 yards and two touchdowns in their 41-10 blowout win over the Chicago Bears in Week 17. And it wasn’t just one person breaking out, with the one-two punch of D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams reigning supreme. He’s now one off of Barry Sanders’ single-season franchise record of 16 rushing touchdowns. “Watching Swifty that’s like -- that’s like being out in the desert with nothing to drink and there’s that water that just found.

Jared Goff threw two of his three touchdown passes to Brock Wright in the first half, and the Detroit Lions beat the Chicago Bears 41-10 to remain in the playoff chase.

After pounding the Chicago Bears 41-10 on Sunday, these Detroit Lions have a chance to become the next to come back from the dead. Even if the Seahawks win that game, the Lions will still take their unlikely playoff bid to the final week of the season. No matter what happens around the league, the Lions are now headed for a do-or-die finale against the Packers in the frozen tundra at Lambeau Field. The Lions will roll into that game with one of the hottest quarterbacks in the league. D’Andre Swift chipped in two touchdowns and Jamaal Williams added another, running the Lions’ season total to 433 points.

St. Brown has been on a tear since, seeing double-digit targets in four of the last five games. START QB Justin Fields, RB David MontgomeryJustin Fields is ESPN’s near-consensus QB1 for Week 17 fantasy rankings. ESPN has Montgomery ranked 16th for this crucial fantasy week. St. Brown torched this group for one of his best games of the campaign. 2022 TEAM STATSDVOA overall ranking: Lions 9th | Bears 29thDVOA offensive ranking: Lions 6th | Bears 23rdDVOA defensive ranking: Lions 28th | Bears 32ndNet yards gained per passing attempt: Lions 7.0 (5th) | Bears 5.4 (28th)Rushing yards per attempt: Lions 4.4 (18th) | Bears 5.2 (3rd)Points per game: Lions 26.1 (5th) | Bears 20.2 (22nd)Points allowed per game: Lions 26.7 (32nd) | Bears 26.2 (31st)Net yards allowed per passing attempt: Lions 7.3 (32nd) | Bears 7.2 (31st)Rushing yards allowed per attempt: Lions 5.1 (30th) | Bears 4.9 (27th)Takeaways: Lions 18 | Bears 21SERIES HISTORYThe Bears lead the all-time series 104-76-5, with the previous eight meetings decided by 10 points or less.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions were without a handful of players at their first practice of the week, including starters Josh Reynolds, Frank Ragnow, DeShon Elliott and Kerby Joseph. The Pro Bowl center has managed a foot injury all season and missed the first two practices last week before playing through the injury and questionable designation. Joseph and Reynolds weren’t on last week’s injury report. The Lions were also without offensive guard Logan Stenberg, and linebacker and special teams ace Josh Woods at Wednesday’s practice. Related: Detroit Lions shutting down Quintez Cephus for season, DeShon Elliott day-to-dayRelated: Lions Pro Bowler Frank Ragnow having most fun of career amid challenging season

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions have climbed back into the playoff race, and remain alive despite a disappointing setback in Carolina. Which begs the question: Could the Denver Broncos consider him as a successor to Nathaniel Hackett? “I would be very surprised if Ben Johnson doesn’t get (a head-coaching interview),” King told us. Q: For as much credit as Ben Johnson deserves for Detroit’s offensive success, how much blame does he deserve - if any - for the decline in the Lions’ running game? By day’s end, one of the league’s most improved defenses had allowed its second-most rushing yards in the Super Bowl era, and third-most offensive yards overall.

The Detroit Lions (7-8) lost to the Carolina Panthers, 37-23, in Week 16 from Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. D’Andre Swift had 12 yards on four carries, while Jamaal Williams went for 11 yards on seven attempts before limping off late. Burns had both of Carolina’s sacks while its defense added seven quarterback hits and four tackles for loss, holding the Lions to 45 rushing yards on 17 tries. Grade: FLinebackers: On top of that, the Panthers gashed the Lions for seven runs of more than 10 yards. And while there are pieces to like for the future in Carolina, 320 rushing yards and 37 points to that offense is a severe black eye.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions (7-7) are on the road for the holidays, with a chance to strengthen their playoff hopes against the Carolina Panthers (5-9) in Week 16. DJ Chark caught one ball on two targets for 18 yards last week, while Josh Reynolds and Jameson Williams were blanked. MATCHUPS TO WATCHLions C Frank Ragnow vs. Panthers DT Derrick BrownWe’re not getting cute this week. He’s allowed five sacks and 22 pressures across 825 snaps. So, (it) makes my life a lot easier.”2022 TEAM STATSDVOA overall ranking: Lions 9th | Panthers 28thDVOA offensive ranking: Lions 6th | Panthers 29thDVOA defensive ranking: Lions 23rd | Panthers 20thNet yards gained per passing attempt: Lions 6.9 (5th) | Panthers 5.8 (23rd)Rushing yards per attempt: Lions 4.4 (15th) | Panthers 4.4 (16th)Points per game: Lions 26.4 (4th) | Panthers 19.7 (30th)Points allowed per game: Lions 26 (31st) | Panthers 22.4 (16th)Net yards allowed per passing attempt: Lions 7.1 (31st) | Panthers 6.0 (12th)Rushing yards allowed per attempt: Lions 4.9 (26th) | Panthers 4.4 (18th)Takeaways: Lions 18 | Panthers 14SERIES HISTORYThe Panthers lead the all-time series 7-3, blanking the Lions 20-0 in the last meeting between these two back in 2020.

Detroit Lions prized rookie defender Aidan Hutchinson isn’t slowing down, with his second consecutive game as the team’s highest-graded defender from Pro Football Focus. Hutchinson helped fuel Detroit’s dominant run defense, which held the Jets to only 50 rushing yards on 22 attempts and a long of 6 yards in Week 15. Hutchinson finished with five tackles, including one for loss, while generating two pressures and four PFF run stops (“tackles that constitute a ‘failure’ for the offense”). The Lions hit Jets quarterback Zach Wilson 10 times, including six tackles for loss from the front seven. -- Evan Brown was back out there with the rest of the starting offensive line for all 68 snaps.

There is a lot on the line in the Week 15 matchup between the Detroit Lions (6-7) and New York Jets (7-6) from MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. We’ll try and answer three burning questions ahead of kickoff below:What does Jets QB Zach Wilson’s return mean for this game? He averaged only 182.7 passing yards per game with a QBR of 72.6 in seven starts. It’s not all bad, with the Lions averaging 4.5 yards per rush, 17th in the league heading into Week 15. Our gameplan always starts with the run game, and so, sure, it’s been disappointing,” Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson said.

“We’ve got to get better in our run game,” Campbell said. “We have to have better run efficiency on offense. They might need a running game to see this thing through, and Campbell is searching for answers heading into New York. “We’ve got to be better,” Campbell said. But like the rest of the running game, he’s been in decline too.

Week 14 of the NFL contained the Bills repping injured teammate Von Miller and the Eagles in cruise control early. Here are the top viral moments from around the league!

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Defense and offensive weaponry proved to be too much for the Jacksonville Jaguars as the Detroit Lions had a convincing 40-14 victory, improving to 5-7 on the season, and are now just two games back in the loss column for the seventh and playoff spot.

DETROIT -- The Detroit Lions beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 40-14 in Week 13 action from Ford Field. And those 340 yards were the second-most of his tenure around these parts (378 yards in Week 4). Grade: ARunning backs: And don’t look now, but D’Andre Swift had 18 touches in the win, his most since Week 1. Ben Johnson and the offense appeared to find the balance between Swift and Jamaal Williams, each getting their fair share of the work. The Jaguars had two sacks and three tackles for loss, while the Lions ran 31 times for 100 yards and two touchdowns.

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff had a fantastic day against the Jacksonville Jaguars, leading the team to 40-14 victory. Goff had 340 passing yards and two touchdowns.

Jamaal Williams ran for his 14th touchdown to help the Detroit Lions get off to a strong start and they didn't slow down in a 40-14 rout of the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.

DETROIT -- Jameson Williams played just two snaps in the first half of his highly-anticipated NFL debut. But with only three practices under his belt in nearly a year, and only a handful of full-speed routes with Goff, Williams is one a severe pitch count against Jacksonville. The Lions haven’t even been forced to punt yet thanks to a clinical first half from the other receivers. Jamaal Williams plunged into the end zone from 1-yard out on the next play, his 12th rushing touchdown of the year. That’s a league high, and the second most in Lions history, trailing only Barry Sanders’ franchise-record 16 from 1991.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions (4-7) are in the middle of three straight home games, hosting the Jacksonville Jaguars (4-7) in Week 13 action. Zay Jones has seen double-digit targets in consecutive games, with 29 looks through this three-game stretch. Zay Jones has caught 24 passes for 253 yards and no touchdowns, with the game-winning two-point catch last week. Lawrence was sacked four times last week and five the week before, so there are cracks in the armor. Zay Jones is 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, while Kirk is a shifty slot threat who can make you pay in the open field.

This post will run through MLive’s grades from Detroit’s loss on Thanksgiving:Quarterbacks: Jared Goff had another solid game. But it’s hard to address his performance without fixating on the third-and-1 missed opportunity to Chark in the final minute. And Jack Fox had another solid day punting. Ben Johnson called another solid game, highlighted by the team’s creative rushing attack -- see the designed run for St. Brown on fourth-and-1. But for the Lions to hang with the Bills and Allen for all 60 minutes while not feeling fluky?

Late-game heroics by Josh Allen, Stephon Diggs, and Tyler Bass spoils the Thanksgiving Day spirit of the Detroit Lions as they fell 28-25, ending their winning streak at three games.

DETROIT -- The Lions launched their winning streak against wounded Green Bay and Chicago. Then they flew back home for a showdown with mighty Buffalo, hoping to show the nation they are for real. Jamaal Williams ran for another touchdown -- his league-leading 13th -- and Amon-Ra St. Brown tacked on another touchdown on fourth-and-goal just before halftime to help send Detroit into the locker room within 17-14 of the Bills. Dan Campbell’s aggression has been a big reason for Detroit hanging tough with one of the league’s best, dialing up three fourth-down tries. He’s completed 10 of 18 passes for 114 yards and one touchdown, plus ran for a game-high 41 yards and another score.

Week 12 of the NFL kicks off with Bills-Lions, followed by Giants-Cowboys and Patriots-Vikings. Here are the top plays!

DETROIT -- Jameson Williams won’t play on Thanksgiving. The Lions have activated Josh Reynolds for their Turkey Day showdown against the Bills at Ford Field. Now Chark and Reynolds are both back on the outside, with St. Brown doing his thing in the slot. The first-round pick began practicing this week, ran routes at Ford Field during warmups on Thanksgiving, and should return a week or two after Thanksgiving. Cornerback Jeff Okudah (brain) and defensive linemen Charles Harris (groin), Josh Paschal (knee) and Michael Brockers (benched) also will not play.

Thanksgiving Day will feature three NFL games, and all six teams involved are vying for potential playoff spots with the postseason just seven weeks away.

But they face their toughest task in the form of Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills on Thanksgiving. The Lions allow a league-high 7.4 net yards per passing attack, not to mention 5.2 yards per rush attempt. And Detroit’s running game remains the piece that keeps this train rolling. MATCHUPS TO WATCHBills QB Josh Allen vs. EverybodyJosh Allen is stuck in a down stretch. “And yeah, we’ve got our work cut out for us.”2022 TEAM STATSDVOA overall ranking: Lions 16th | Bills 1stDVOA offensive ranking: Lions 10th | Bills 6thDVOA defensive ranking: Lions 25th | Bills 3rdNet yards gained per passing attempt: Lions 6.8 (6th) | Bills 7.2 (4th)Rushing yards per attempt: Lions 4.7 (11th) | Bills 5.3 (3rd)Points per game: Lions 25 (8th) | Bills 28.1 (2nd)Points allowed per game: Lions 28.2 (32nd) | Bills 17.4 (5th)Net yards allowed per passing attempt: Lions 7.4 (32nd) | Bills 5.8 (9th)Rushing yards allowed per attempt: Lions 5.2 (30th) | Bills 4.3 (10th)Takeaways: Lions 13 | Bills 18SERIES HISTORYThe Bills lead the all-time series 6-4-1 against the Lions.

The Detroit Lions went to MetLife Stadium and stunned the New York Giants 31-18 for their third win in a row, thanks to their young defense and wily veteran Jamaal Williams, who had a historic day.

The Lions (4-6) almost certainly won’t catch Minnesota (8-2), which has total command of the division. But Detroit is just 1.5 games out of the final playoff spot in the NFC, pending how San Francisco (5-4) fares tonight against Arizona (4-6) on Monday Night Football. Hutchinson joined Ndamukong Suh as the only rookie linemen to pick off a pass for the Lions since 1951. The Giants, who had lost just one game since Week 2 and had one of the best records in the league, never seriously threatened Detroit again. Detroit will be without its top cornerback too, after Jeff Okudah suffered a suspected brain injury in New York.

The Detroit Lions (4-6) beat the New York Giants (7-3) 31-18 in Week 11 action from East Rutherford, New Jersey. This post will run through MLive’s grades from Detroit’s latest win:Quarterbacks: Jared Goff was in game-management mode against the Giants. Goff hit the throws the Lions needed him to hit, and there isn’t much more to say about that. Grade: BRunning backs: Justin Jackson probably earned more touches in this one, running nine times for 66 yards off the bench. The Lions moved the chains on the ground 12 times, averaging 4.3 yards per attempt on 37 rushes.

Every time I get tired or I think I can’t go no more, I think of that (expletive) record. Williams now has 12 touchdown runs on the season, which not only leads the league, but is a club record through 10 games. He’s run for multiple touchdowns five times already, which hadn’t been done by anybody since LaDainian Tomlinson set the single-season rushing TD record in 2006. At this rate, he’s on pace to break Sanders’ franchise single-season rushing TD record of 16, set back in 1991. Now he’s run for six touchdowns in the four games since, and the Lions have won three of them to surge back into the playoff picture.

Week 11 of the NFL continues Sunday with the Cowboys-Vikings, Bengals,-Steelers and more in action. Here are the top plays!

That’s three straight wins overall, from a team that hadn’t been on a winning streak of any kind in two years, and on a winning streak of this size since 2017. Detroit is now 4-6 on the season, and has surged into second place in the NFC North heading into Thanksgiving. Williams added another touchdown run with just seconds left in the half, then added another to open the third quarter. Now the defense is rolling, the offense is running, and this team -- three weeks in a row -- is winning. One week after Kennedy made a huge 44-yard catch on third-and-long to help set up Jamaal Williams’ game-winning touchdown run, Kennedy made a huge 13-yard catch on third-and-long to help set up Williams’ touchdown run to open the second half.

While the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns played at their home field in Detroit, the Lions dominated the New York Giants, securing their third straight win, and their second straight on the road.

Two weeks ago, the Detroit Lions pass rusher joined Ndamukong Suh as the club’s only rookie linemen to ever pick off a pass. Hutchinson’s two picks match the NFL record for a rookie defensive lineman, and this one -- like the last one -- was big too. He returned the ball 20 yards, giving Detroit possession at New York’s 18-yard line. Williams added another touchdown plunge on fourth down in the final minute of the first half, giving Detroit a commanding 17-6 lead heading into halftime -- a remarkable feat considering the cold temperatures and windy conditions that have slowed both offenses. Don’t look now, but the Lions are 30 minutes from their first three-game winning streak since 2017 -- and second place in the NFC North.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions (3-6) cross into the season’s second half riding a two-game winning streak. He’s added 393 yards after contact while forcing 16 missed tackles and rushing for 38 first downs, the fifth-most in the NFL. Jackson added 14 rushing yards and 14 receiving yards in last week’s win in Chicago. The room has contributed three touchdowns in two weeks, with the Lions opting for a more conservative offensive approach. Grade: C-Linebackers: Malcolm Rodriguez has been one of the best rookie defenders in the game, providing this defense a much-needed boost.

The Detroit Lions stormed back from a double-digit fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Chicago Bears 31-30 for their second win in a row while snapping a 13-game road losing streak under head coach Dan Campbell.

CHICAGO -- The Detroit Lions entered the fourth quarter trailing the Chicago Bears 24-10. Detroit’s defense looked lost against Bears quarterback Justin Fields, and its offense had stalled out in the second and third quarters. According to Stathead, entering Sunday the Lions had lost 98 straight games when trailing by at least 14 points entering the fourth quarter. Sunday’s comeback started with D’Andre Swift opening the fourth quarter with a 9-yard touchdown run to trim the Bears’ lead to 24-17. “It just shows like our dedication and staying with it,” Williams said of the comeback win.

Grade: B-Wide receivers: The Lions made it a point to feed Amon-Ra St. Brown early and often in Chicago. St. Brown secured 10 of 11 looks for 119 yards, adding one rush for 2 yards to move the chains. St. Brown showed his superior route-running ability on third-and-9 in the first half when he ran a delayed looping slant. St. Brown is now in the top 10 all-time, with 139 catches through his first 25 games. But feeding St. Brown and getting creative with the rushing game took the pressure off that short-handed passing attack.

Jamaal Williams scored on a 1-yard run in the closing minutes, Jared Goff threw for 236 yards and a touchdown, and the Detroit Lions overcame another spectacular effort by Chicago’s Justin Fields to beat the Bears 31-30.

SIT Lions RB D’Andre SwiftIt’s hard to trust the Lions and D’Andre Swift in fantasy football. START Lions RB Jamaal WilliamsOn that note, ignore those rankings for the Lions running backs, and roll with Jamaal Williams. MATCHUPS TO WATCHDetroit’s defense vs. Fields and Chicago’s rushing attackJustin Fields forced eight missed tackles last week, averaging 7.87 yards after contact per attempt (!). The Lions missed five tackles last week, with defensive lineman Alim McNeill (two), linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (two) and cornerback Will Harris accounting for those. They’re really, really good, and the thing is they break tackles, they can find the seam, so we really have to be disciplined.

ALLEN PARK -- Injuries have struck the Detroit Lions offense again. Running back Craig Reynolds has been moved to injured reserve because of a rib injury he suffered in the win against Green Bay. Now the Lions are adding some help, re-signing Trinity Benson off Denver’s practice squad. Benson is a rangy burner whom the Lions first acquired in a trade with the Broncos last season. Benson showed a better grasp of the playbook this offseason, but ultimately didn’t do enough to win a roster job and was cut coming out of training camp.

DETROIT -- Detroit Lions running back D’Andre Swift was even more limited in his second game back playing through ankle and shoulder injuries. Swift was limited to only 10 offensive snaps, running twice for 10 yards. Jamaal Williams led the running backs in work (38 snaps) and production again. Reserve back Justin Jackson worked 13 offensive snaps, running four times for 27 yards. Wright played 50 of the 62 offensive snaps, failing to catch his lone target.

DETROIT -- The Detroit Lions (2-6) beat the Green Bay Packers (3-6) 15-9, snapping their five-game winning streak with the Week 9 win from Ford Field. And while it wasn’t his best day, the running back ran 24 times for 81 yards against his former team. D’Andre Swift remained limited, running only twice for 10 yards and catching three of four targets for 40 yards. Grade: B-Wide receivers: Goff and his receivers never found their rhythm, failing to make much of an impact in this win. So, in the first game without T.J. Hockenson, Lions tight ends caught three of four targets for 9 yards and two touchdowns.

Aaron Rodgers matched a career high with three interceptions and threw an incomplete pass on fourth down from the Detroit 17 in the final minute, letting the Detroit Lions hold on for a 15-9 win over the Packers in a matchup of slumping teams on Sunday.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions (1-6) host the Green Bay Packers (3-5) in Week 9 action from Ford Field. This post serves as a fantasy guide while running through matchups to watch, team stats and the series history:FANTASY GUIDEStart Packers RBs Aaron Jones, A.J. Start Lions WR Amon-Ra St. BrownAmon-Ra St. Brown will be the best fantasy bet via the Lions for the rest of the season. St. Brown has seen double-digit targets in every game he’s been healthy. 2022 Team stats:DVOA offensive ranking: Lions 10th | Packers 8thDVOA defensive ranking: Lions 32nd | Packers 22ndNet yards gained per passing attempt: Lions 6.9 (6th) | Packers 5.8 (23rd)Rushing yards per attempt: Lions 5.2 (4th) | Packers 4.9 (10th)Points per game: Lions 24.7 (9th) | Packers 18.1 (26th)Points allowed per game: Lions 32.1 (32nd) | Packers 21.6 (16th)Net yards allowed per passing attempt: Lions 7.7 (32nd) | Packers 6.2 (13th)Rushing yards allowed per attempt: Lions 5.1 (28th) | Packers 4.9 (25th)Takeaways: Lions 6 (t31st) | Packers 7 (t30th)SERIES HISTORYThe Packers lead the all-time series 105-73-7, winning five of the previous six meetings.

The Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions are struggling.

Can you guess what the most popular Halloween costume is in Michigan this year?

The Detroit Lions continued their losing ways as they fell to the Dallas Cowboys 24-6 in a week seven matchup that was very winnable.

Ezekiel Elliott ran for two 1-yard touchdowns and Dak Prescott threw for a score in his return from injury while the Dallas Cowboys leaned on their defense again in a 24-6 victory over the Detroit Lions.

The Detroit Lions had too many errors and not enough big plays in a mostly closely-fought game vs. the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.

Can we finally start Tony Pollard.

The Detroit Lions are 1-4 with one of the worst defenses in the league and Jared Goff is too mistake-prone to save them.

Games are going down to the wire in the NFL at an unprecedented rate this season.

The injury-depleted Detroit Lions fell to the Seattle Seahawks 48-45 in the highest-scoring game of the young season.

Geno Smith threw for two touchdowns and ran for a score in the first half, and the Seattle Seahawks held off the Detroit Lions for a 48-45 win.

Three key takeaways from the state’s football scene -- and a glimpse at what’s to come next week.

The Minnesota Vikings stole a win from the Detroit Lions in the final minute of a divisional matchup in Minneapolis on Sunday.

Episode one of HBO’s Hard Knocks featuring the Detroit Lions aired Tuesday night, and it taught us a lot about our football team and the direction it’s going in.

The city of Detroit is buzzing about the upcoming Detroit Lions footage on Hard Knocks, as more than 18,000 fans filled Ford Field for Family Fest last Saturday.

Rashaad Penny rushed for a career-high 170 yards and two touchdowns, Russell Wilson threw three of his four TD passes to DK Metcalf, and the Seattle Seahawks routed the Detroit Lions 51-29.

The Detroit Lions put cornerbacks Ifeatu Melifonwu and Mark Gilbert along with linebacker Tavante Beckett on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

The Detroit Lions are down to six more chances to win a game in coach Dan Campbell’s debut season.

The winless Detroit Lions may be without their best player against the Minnesota Vikings.

Boston Scott and Jordan Howard each had two touchdowns on the ground, helping the Philadelphia Eagles run over the Detroit Lions in a 44-6 win Sunday.

The Lions continued its losing streak Sunday.

The problem facing Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell isn’t finding things to fix.

Football season is underway, so it’s time to play Monday Morning Quarterback, my favorite position!

Dan Campbell wasn’t thinking about moral victories.

Green Bay Packers running back Jamaal Williams (30) celebrates a touchdown off a throw by quarterback Aaron Rodgers during the second half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)(Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

FILE - San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams (71) looks on prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, in Glendale, Ariz., in this Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020, file photo. (AP Photo/Jennifer Stewart, File)As the NFL opened its business year Wednesday, veterans Trent Williams, A.J. The Seahawks addressed another need, agreeing to terms with tight end Gerald Everett on a one-year deal. Ad— Kansas City agreed to a $5 million contract for next season with three-time Pro Bowl guard Kyle Long, who will come out of retirement. — New England brought back center Ted Karras on a one-year, $4 million contract.

The Pro Bowl running back, Jones has agreed to a new deal with the Green Bay Packers and wont be exploring free agency. Drew Rosenhaus, Jones agent, confirmed that his client had agreed on a four-year deal worth $48 million that includes a $13 million signing bonus. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke, File)Pro Bowl running back Aaron Jones has agreed to a new deal with the Green Bay Packers and won’t be exploring free agency. Drew Rosenhaus, Jones’ agent, confirmed that his client had agreed on a four-year deal worth $48 million that includes a $13 million signing bonus. “We anticipated bigger offers in free agency, but Aaron wanted to stay with the Packers,” Rosenhaus said via email.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) walks off the field after the NFC championship NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Green Bay, Wis., Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)GREEN BAY, Wis. – Aaron Rodgers said he's not sure what his future holds in Green Bay. Green Bay allowed a total of 16 sacks in its other 16 games. The NFC championship game reflected the occasional inconsistency of Green Bay’s defense under Pettine. Green Bay’s most notable flaw during its seven-game streak was its occasional tendency to have a breakdown on special teams.

Thompson was Packers general manager from 2005-17 and drafted many notable players on the current roster, including two-time MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer, File)GREEN BAY, Wis. – Ted Thompson, whose 13-year run as Green Bay Packers general manager included their 2010 Super Bowl championship season, has died. Mike Sherman had been working as Packers coach and general manager up to that point. “Certainly he’s a guy who’s held in the highest regard in this building and, I think, just around the league,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. Gutekunst, who had been working with Thompson as player personnel director, was promoted to general manager and remains in that position.

The Green Bay Packers teammates would love the opportunity to produce plenty of similar scenes next month by staying home throughout the NFC playoffs. Rodgers threw four touchdown passes as the Packers trounced the Tennessee Titans 40-14 for their fifth consecutive victory Sunday night. I think we proved that tonight.”Playing in the cold at Green Bay is tough for road teams, anyway. With snow falling throughout the first half and continuing to cover much of the field the rest of the game, Green Bay moved the ball at will all night. Green Bay pulled ahead 19-0 when Rodgers threw touchdown passes on each of their first three possessions.

Aaron Rodgers threw for a season-low 143 yards but produced a touchdown pass – his 40th of the season – and a touchdown run for the Packers. Green Bay (11-3) won its fourth straight and took a half-game lead over New Orleans (10-3) in the race for the NFC’s best record. Mason Crosby gave the Packers some breathing room with a 51-yard field goal with 3:39 left, but the Panthers wouldn't go away. The strategy didn't work then Green Bay stopped Carolina on its final possession. Green Bay hosts Tennessee in another night game on Dec. 27.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The NFL and the union are investigating the San Francisco 49ers and receiver Kendrick Bourne for possible violations of the league’s coronavirus protocols. A person familiar with the investigation says the probe is looking into whether Bourne was wearing a face covering as required by the COVID-19 rules. Bourne was placed on the COVID-19 list on Wednesday after testing positive for the coronavirus. The Packers also have their own coronavirus issues after running back AJ Dillon tested positive and was placed on the COVID-19 list Monday. Running back Jamaal Williams and linebacker Kamal Martin were also placed on the list because of high-risk close contacts.

The team said the positive test came back Wednesday morning and Bourne immediately went into self-quarantine after getting the diagnosis. Bourne is the 49ers’ third-leading receiver with 25 receptions for 352 yards and a touchdown. This is the first positive coronavirus test for the 49ers since the start of the regular season. The Packers are dealing with their own issues with the coronavirus after running back AJ Dillon tested positive on Monday. Running back Jamaal Williams and linebacker Kamal Martin were placed on the COVID-19 list on Tuesday as “high-risk” contacts to Dillon.

Green Bay had the ball at Minnesota's 41-yard line with 12 seconds and no timeouts left, but D.J. Each of the Vikings’ first four possessions ended with Cook touchdowns. Green Bay went a 2-point conversion got within 28-22 when replays determined the ball crossed the goal line on Jamaal Williams’ inside run. Green Bay got the ball back and reached Minnesota’s 41-yard line with 12 seconds and no timeouts left, but D.J. Four times in the second half, Green Bay reached Vikings territory without scoring.

The Packers (4-0) and Detroit Lions (1-3) don’t play this week and therefore are the first NFL teams to get a taste of how different off weeks will be amid a pandemic. “We have new protocols in place that are meant to keep everybody safe and healthy,” Lions coach Matt Patricia said. The NFL sent out a reminder Friday that the league’s agreement with the NFL Players Association in August means players who miss tests can be punished with a $50,000 fine. “You’ve got to look no further than Tennessee.”The protocols are impacting some players more than others. While the protocols have changed those plans, it has created opportunities for those players who already have their family members with them.

Tonyan caught three of Aaron Rodgers’ four touchdown passes, Za'Darius Smith recorded three sacks and the Packers remained unbeaten with a 30-16 victory over the winless Atlanta Falcons on Monday night. “I just had to continue to do what I've been doing, just keep playing well and stick to the game plan,” Tonyan said. Green Bay star receiver Davante Adams sat out a second straight game with a hamstring injury and Allen Lazard is on injured reserve with a core problem. Tonyan has scored in three straight games and now has five touchdown catches to match Tampa Bay's Mike Evans for the NFL lead. Defensive tackle Kenny Clark (groin) missed a third straight game.