6 takeaways from Lions’ enjoyable preseason win in opposition to Commanders

The Detroit Lions have been residence for his or her penultimate preseason contest in opposition to the Washington Commanders, and had a very enjoyable day in entrance of their very own crowd. It was Kids Day at Ford Field, and it was exhausting to disregard the tiny cheers and jeers that the Lions have been getting all through this contest, making it an much more enjoyable atmosphere.

Ending the sport on a really enjoyable be aware was Jackson Meeks, who punched the ball out of the Commanders’ punt returner’s arms to drive a turnover on the finish of the fourth quarter. Their protection, as soon as once more, got here up large amid an enormous cease alternative, which was the theme on the day.

Their offense won’t have been all that explosive, save for a quarterback keeper that resulted in a 50-yard, however they hit their stride within the second half and helped to safe the 17-13 win ultimately.

8 takeaways from Lions’ enjoyable preseason win in opposition to Commanders

1. Detroit has a glut of expertise on their line of defense

Take your choose – would you just like the human bowling ball that’s Skyler Gill-Howard taking reps at defensive sort out, or the demise by a thousand cuts supplied by the Lions’ edge rusher room that includes Aidan Hutchinson, DJ Wonnum, and Derrick Moore? What about one other UDFA standout, Eric O’Neill, who appears to hunt and discover any gaps potential for tackles for loss or pressures?

It felt like by no means ending dashing was disrupting the Commanders’ offense all through this recreation, and it is in all probability a part of why Washington pulled Jayden Daniels so rapidly from this contest. Detroit’s two sacks do not actually inform the story: six tackles for loss and 6 quarterback hits do. Their beginning line has an opportunity to be one thing particular in 2026.

2. Lions’ quarterback room shouldn’t be spoken for

Josh Dobbs obtained off to a shaky begin in his first preseason begin for the Lions. He had one choose, a fumble, and simply took some time to get settled previous to his large 50-yard dashing landing. Luke Altmyer, then again, seemed alright in his snaps, ending up with 87 passing yards on 9-13 passing. He did take 4 sacks, however a whole lot of that needed to do with the Lions’ offensive line trying weaker as the sport went on.

Both ought to proceed to get the chance to battle it out for the QB2 place, though it feels just like the Lions are actually hoping Dobbs might be their reply on the place. The thought of a UDFA coming in and instantly backing up Jared Goff is hard to abdomen, regardless of how nice he is been within the preseason.

3. Juice Scruggs seemed good underneath heart

Scruggs started the sport for Detroit underneath heart, and seemed fairly respectable on the place. Once he was taken out for Seth McLaughlin and Michael Niese, that is when Washington started getting extra executed up the intestine of the Lions’ offensive line. Scruggs has been taking reps at heart throughout coaching camp as of late resulting from Cade Mays’ harm, so seeing him look strong on this place provides you hope as a Lions fan looking for higher safety for Goff in 2026.

READ MORE: Lions’ ‘business-like’ strategy to coaching camp is a pleasant change of tempo

4. The RB3 competitors may be out of Sione Vaki’s arms

On the day, the trio of Jacob Saylors, Raheem Blackshear, and Trayveon Williams had 97 dashing yards and one landing courtesy Williams. Saylors continued to choose up the place he left off in Week 1 of the preseason, trying explosive and selecting up additional yards fairly constantly after contact. The similar went for Blackshear and Williams.

Vaki didn’t go well with up on this recreation, doubtless as a result of he is ramping again up into motion after lacking a while in camp. However, if he does not get any appears at operating again in Week 3 of the preseason, that may very well be an honest signal that the Lions are content material with conserving him with their particular groups unit solely.

5. Derrick Moore had an ideal preseason debut

Moore had a superb week of coaching camp forward of this contest, so all eyes have been on the rookie edge rusher to see if that play might translate in opposition to one other unit. The outcomes: one sack, one quarterback hit, one sort out for loss, and a pressured fumble that was recovered by the Commanders. He seemed spry, quick, and violent as a cross rusher, though he nonetheless must work on getting pushed an excessive amount of previous the pocket by blocking linemen.

It’s an thrilling growth for Detroit, as they really want to seek out constant assist for Aidan Hutchinson up entrance. Moore, and Wonnum, seemed good when on the sector to start the sport.

6. Detroit’s secondary bailed out by line of defense

You know it is a dangerous day when even Nick Whiteside, with all of the hype round his coaching camp play, is getting burned in protection.

The Lions’ secondary gave up a number of chunk performs all through this recreation, with Whiteside and rookie Keith Abney II feeling like the most important victims of Washington’s air assault.

Abney, particularly, obtained burned a number of instances and had a tricky holding name that was completely avoidable. He’s solely starting to get his ft moist exterior of Lions coaching camp, so we will not learn an excessive amount of into this efficiency, however Detroit’s secondary as a complete left lots to be desired on this one.

Add us as a most well-liked supply on Google

Follow