6 Takeaways from Lions' 20-17 Victory against Jets
It was billed as a matchup between two NFL teams looking to establish themselves as future franchises to be reckoned with.
Playing at MetLife Stadium for the second time this season, the Detroit Lions were the beneficiary of a little bit of luck before the game even kicked off.
New York Jets quarterback Mike White was not cleared to play, and standout defensive tackle Quinnen Williams was also ruled inactive before the game kicked off.
Detroit walked away with a victory, in a defensive battle, to even its record to 7-7.
Jared Goff tossed a late touchdown to tight end Brock Wright, to give the Lions the hard-fought, three-point road win.
Next week, the Lions again head on the road to face the Carolina Panthers on Christmas Eve.
Here are six takeaways from the Lions' 20-17 victory against the Jets.
Strong opening drive ends without points
After the Jets won the coin toss and deferred, the Lions opened the game with a 14-play, 73-yard drive that ate up 8:00 of the clock.
Detroit's offense came out, and executed the scripted playbook with ease, moving down the field to reach the goal line.
The Jets' defense held strong on the goal line, though, as the Lions came away with no points on their opening drive. Running back Jamaal Williams was stuffed on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line.
The defensive stop ended a streak of 19 consecutive touchdowns scored when the Lions reached goal-to-go situations.
Jared Goff had one opportunity to toss a deep pass to standout wideout Jameson Williams. But, his pass was quite underthrown, missing the rookie wideout, who had gained a step on his defender.
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Kalif Raymond continues to be unsung hero
The Lions' defense was able to force a three-and-out with the Jets pinned deep on their opening offensive possession.
Wideout Kalif Raymond, who was cut from the Jets back in 2017, returned a punt for a 47-yard touchdown. It was the first punt return for a score of his career, and he became the first Lions player to return a punt for a touchdown since 2020.
The journeyman has been able to carve out a solid niche in Detroit, since joining the team in 2021.
Detroit's special teams unit has been stellar in 2022, as it has recorded three punt returns of 35 or more yards this season.
Goff even targeted the veteran late in the game on a key third down.
Holding calls prove costly
The Lions' offensive line struggled with penalties and blocking the aggressive Jets' defensive line in the first half.
After right tackle Penei Sewell was called by officials for holding in the first quarter, the returning Evan Brown cost his team precious yards with consecutive holding penalties in the second quarter.
In the red zone, after the Jets tied the score at seven, Brown, who returned after missing three games due to an ankle injury, incurred holding penalties on two of three called plays.
Instead of capping off a long 15-play, 62-yard drive with a touchdown, Detroit's offense was backed up, and was forced to settle for a field goal, after taking 7:00 off the game clock.
Veteran center Frank Ragnow was also called for a holding penalty late in the third quarter, as well as again in the fourth quarter.
Defensive takeaway gives Lions added offensive possession
Earning as many takeaways as possible has been a theme all season for Detroit's defense.
For the seventh consecutive game, the Lions' defense was able to come up with a takeaway.
When cornerback Jerry Jacobs picked off quarterback Zach Wilson on the Jets' first possession in the third quarter, it represented the 12th takeaway Aaron Glenn's defense has been able to secure in the past seven games.
Unfortunately, Detroit's offense was again not able to capitalize with a touchdown, but was able to take a 13-10 lead to start the second half.
Detroit's defense was able to stifle the Jets' offense all afternoon, forcing Wilson into errant throws and questionable decision-making.
Dan Campbell makes questionable decisions
The Lions' coaching staff again will be facing questions regarding its decision-making against the Jets.
While the early decision to go for it on fourth down was not as punitive as many will think, a decision made late in the game by Campbell will be debated.
Leading, 13-10, Campbell decided to have kicker Michael Badgley attempt a 54-yard field goal.
Unfortunately, a miss gave the Jets prime field position.
Wilson was able to subsequently find tight end C.J. Uzomah for his second touchdown on the afternoon, giving the Jets a 17-13 lead.
Lions extremely lucky Zach Wilson was under center for Jets
Despite conservative play-calling at times offensively, the Jets were simply unable to capitalize on mistakes made by the Lions.
Detroit's defensive backs struggled mightily in the first half, as wideout Jeff Smith was able to secure back-to-back big gains late in the first half to set up a game-tying field goal.
Wilson was benched earlier in the season, and an argument can be made that the second-year quarterback should have been benched against the Lions.
At one point in the third quarter, rookie wideout Garrett Wilson was visibly frustrated, as Zach Wilson was not anywhere near on target on a pass intended for him.
Garrett Wilson was seen walking back to the sideline with his head down, seemingly dejected that the offense could not sustain any sort of momentum up until that point.
Late in the game, with one final opportunity to lead his team to victory, Wilson and the Jets' offense came up short.
