STUNNER: DETROIT STUFFS CARDINALS
Analysis: Takeaways from Sunday’s upset of high-flying Cardinals
Heading into their Week 15 contest, the Arizona Cardinals had everything to play for, while the Detroit Lions were simply playing out the string and exploring any avenue they could to field the best possible roster.
After dealing with two weeks of illness and injury that ravaged the Lions’ roster, the Lions played like a squad that was on the verge of clinching a division title.
Behind a strong and dominant rushing attack, the Lions gave the home crowd something to cheer loudly about, as they defeated the Arizona Cardinals, 30-12.
Here are five takeaways from Detroit’s Week 15 victory at Ford Field.
REYNOLDS EARNS START, SHOWS PROMISE
One aspect of the Lions’ offense that has emerged over the past several weeks has been the consistent rushing attack.
Craig “Netflix” Reynolds earned the starting nod against Arizona, and quickly proved why the coaching staff has been willing to increase his workload in the absence of Jamaal Williams and D’Andre Swift.
In the first half, Reynolds rushed for 59 yards on 14 carries, including a long of 27 yards.
Detroit used its opening drive, led by Reynolds, to shave nearly 9:00 off the clock, before taking an early 3-0 lead.
With the run game working, Anthony Lynn and Co. were able to execute a couple of explosive plays in the passing game.
Early in the fourth quarter, Reynolds secured his first career 100-yard rushing performance.
The Detroit rookie passed Mel Farr (170) for the second-most rushing yards by a Lion in his first two games with the organization.
The only player with more rushing yards in their first two games as a Lion was Billy Sims,
who recorded 287 back in 1980.
GOFF CONNECTS WITH MULTIPLE WIDEOUTS
All season long, Jared Goff and the Lions were booed off of the field at halftime.
On Sunday, after finally heading to the locker room with a comfortable lead of 17-0, Goff and the team was cheered on as they headed off for the break.
Detroit’s signal-caller stood in, and weathered multiple roughing-thepasser penalties in the first half, but still was able to find wideouts Amon-Ra St. Brown and Josh Reynolds for touchdown throws.
After missing one play in the second quarter, Goff returned to loud cheers, as the home crowd showed appreciation for the 27-yearold’s toughness.
Arizona questionably incurred several roughingthe-passer penalties that aided Detroit in its efforts offensively.
Harris signed a one-year contract with Detroit worth $1.75 million this past offseason, after playing with the Miami Dolphins and Atlanta Falcons early in his career.
Aaron Glenn’s defense pressured and confused standout quarterback Kyler Murray all afternoon.
Cornerback Amani Oruwariye continued his stellar season, as he recorded his sixth interception of the season. The tally is the most from a Lions defensive back since Darius Slay back in 2017.
Oruwariye’s 50-yard interception return set Detroit up deep in Cardinals territory.
Goff went on to find fullback Jason Cabinda for a 6-yard touchdown reception that extended Detroit’s lead to 24-3 halfway through the third quarter.