We get interior presssure and voila, different defense. Sheesh you guys are smart (you too @maggie.m).
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Was noticing on slowlights how Hutch and Commish were interior rushers together. If I had absolutely nothing to do, I’d love to chart the formations yesterday. We played everyone everywhere, it seemed.
Just not sure how our bigs had become so complacent last week. On purpose? Lazy?
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Bring in Suh while we’re on the subject. Keep pushing the damn pocket.
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Major props to Aaron Glenn for switching up the philosophy on the DL this week. That’s why they won.
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No idea. The Falcons interior OL is more decorated than Seattle’s.
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I am not sure he changed anything. Bottom line is ATL line is just not nearly as good as KC and Seattle lines.
With that said, more push from the interior makes all the difference and also getting Hutch 1v1 is huge. That strip sack happened because ATL thought they could handle him 1v1 and he ate that tackle for lunch.
Listen, you will see way more sacks if the Lions get ahead because teams will need to put more guys in routes and not be able to chip and double Hutch. Or someone else needs to get it going.
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Seattle? The prevailing opinion would be that although aspects of it can struggle in pass pro the Falcons line is better than Seattle’s. Especially when Seattle is on OT3 and OT4.
Week 3
Week 2
Reductions for McNeil and Benito mainly. More Barnes and Campbell.
I saw several times both last week and this week where McNeil engaged the blocker and he could break off and apply pressure but instead he stayed put to try and clog the throwing lanes. I think it’s how their being coached.
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LOVED seeing Barnes rushing the passer some. Been clamoring for that for two full years.
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I do think we were worried about off schedule stuff against both Mahomes (well duh) and Geno.
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Full disclosure, I’ve 
every time, LOL. He looked a lot better on the line than Campbell. Still it was good to see both out there at SAM.
You and my wife would be friends.
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Seattles IOL sucks. They can’t stop a pass rush to save their ass. Teams that apply pressure and collapse the pocket on them win. Gino struggles with pressure in his face.
Me too …. We’re finally getting good enough LBer play to get more creative there.
Hopefully AG builds on this success.
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This guy is not even a Lions writer …
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The Hutch sack/fumble to end the game was a beautiful individual football play.
- lined up in 2-point stance slightly off the line of scrimmage (almost LB depth)
- straight bull rush on the Falcons center
- Leverage! (Hutch is 6’7" and got is arms underneath the pads of the OL and pushed him back 5 yards
- Once the C was off-balance, Hutch violently sheds the block and slaps the ball out of QB’s hand
- out hustled everyone to the ball…just pure effort
chef’s kiss
I’ve watched that highlight 50 times already.
Great players, make big plays, in big moments. This was a defining play for Hutch. It’s what superstars do…and he did it.
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Yeah I’m gonna have to say this is false. Atlanta has one of the better Olines in the league. KC might be close to theirs, but Seattles definitely isn’t.
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Atlanta does have a very good OL but to be fair they do get there by being uber-elite at run blocking and merely serviceable in pass pro.
But yes they are clearly better than Seattle on the OL. Especially when Seattle is without it’s OTs.
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I’m of the opinion that Seattle was getting rid of the ball FAST and Atlanta was not. I’d like some form of data on this opinion one way or the other. It just seemed as though Gino Smith was getting rid of that ball like it had an STD and Ridder was taking more time, which allowed our pass rush to get home.
If my hypothesis holds up, that means we haven’t solved anything and remain susceptible to Seattle’s attack. If not, it shows improvement and growth. I think this is a good question to ask.
What was Gino Smith’s average time with the ball in his hands vs Ridder?
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Can I start calling him “VaGeno”?