Detroit Lions hand Seattle Seahawks their first loss

DETROIT — The Detroit Lions staved off a Seattle Seahawks comeback try in a 42-29 win at Ford Subject on Monday evening.

Detroit scored three dashing touchdowns and three extra within the air, together with a 70-yard landing connection between quarterback Jared Goff (who had zero incompletions on the evening) and receiver Jameson Williams. It was the Seahawks’ first lack of the season after getting off to a 3-0 begin.

Listed below are the keys to know from the sport:

With 100 former Lions gamers in attendance for homecoming festivities and Calvin Johnson’s induction into the Pleasure of the Lions, Detroit defeated Seattle for the primary time within the common season since 2012. The Lions had misplaced 5 consecutive video games to the Seahawks.

QB breakdown: Goff’s 4 interceptions within the first three video games of a season have been essentially the most in his profession throughout that span, however he went turnover-free towards Seattle on an ideal evening. Goff ended with 292 passing yards whereas going a spotless 18-for-18.

Most stunning efficiency: Offensive line. Lions Professional Bowl middle Frank Ragnow was dominated out with {a partially} torn pectoral muscle, however the offensive line stepped up with veteran lineman Graham Glasgow shifting over to middle and Kayode Awosika beginning at left guard. Their safety helped Lions operating backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery mix for 3 dashing TDs within the first half.

Eye-popping stat(s): Monday was a fantastic evening for Detroit duos. Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown turned the fifth duo to every have a move and receiving TD in the identical sport in NFL historical past due to a trick play within the third quarter. It additionally marked the sixth sport wherein Gibbs and Montgomery have every scored a dashing TD, tying them for essentially the most such video games by a Lions duo in franchise historical past, per ESPN Analysis. — Eric Woodyard

Subsequent sport: at Dallas Cowboys (4:25 p.m. ET, Oct. 13)

Between an extended record of absences, a loaded Lions workforce and a hostile surroundings at Ford Subject, a lot was stacked towards the Seahawks on Monday evening as they tried to enhance to 4-0 underneath new coach Mike Macdonald.

The jury continues to be out on how good they are often on this transition season, particularly with a protection that feasted on below-average quarterbacks over the primary three weeks — Bo Nix, Jacoby Brissett and Skylar Thompson — earlier than getting labored by Goff. However hanging with Detroit regardless of all of the adversity they confronted confirmed they’re robust, if nothing else.

The quarterback assessments will proceed for many of the subsequent 5 weeks. After dealing with Daniel Jones subsequent week, they will see Brock Purdy, Kirk Cousins, Josh Allen and Matthew Stafford earlier than their Week 10 bye. They will must get more healthy on protection to have any shot at maintaining.

QB breakdown: Geno Smith believes he is underpaid, and his efficiency towards Detroit should not change his thoughts about that. Along with his trademark accuracy, he made fast choices and and infrequently put the ball in hurt’s means till a desperation throw into the top zone with a few minute left. Smith set profession highs in completions and passing yards, finishing 38 of 56 passes for 395 yards and one landing. He led three different landing drives. He took three sacks, however that was to be anticipated with an overmatched offensive line dealing with a robust Lions move rush in one of many NFL’s loudest stadiums.

Pivotal play: DK Metcalf‘s misplaced fumble late within the first quarter was a giant mistake in a sport wherein the Seahawks could not afford any. He was preventing for further yards on the Detroit 34 when the Lions punched the ball out, ending a promising scoring drive and organising a simple Lions landing after their 49-yard return. What might have been a tie sport was as a substitute a 14-0 deficit. Per ESPN Analysis, Metcalf now has misplaced seven receiving fumbles since he entered the NFL in 2019, which is tied for essentially the most in that span. He did, nevertheless, develop into the primary participant in franchise historical past with three straight 100-yard video games (seven catches for 104 yards).

Describe the sport in two phrases: As anticipated. The Seahawks would have wanted a defensive miracle to cease Detroit with out Uchenna Nwosu, Boye Mafe, Leonard Williams, Byron Murphy II and Jerome Baker. They misplaced one other key defensive participant when Julian Love went down within the first half with a thigh harm.

Silver lining: Kenneth Walker III is again. The Seahawks’ RB1 returned after lacking two video games with an indirect harm, and his three-touchdown efficiency reminded everybody of what Seattle was lacking in his absence. Zach Charbonnet stuffed in admirably, however he is an influence again that does not have the burst by the road or further gear by the second degree that Walker confirmed whereas racking up 80 yards on 12 carries. — Brady Henderson

Subsequent sport: vs. New York Giants (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday)