“Smash mouth Lions turn Ford Field into Hitsville”
Ford Field needs a new nickname.
The team that plays there is good enough. The style of play by the Detroit Lions is sexy enough.
They hit you on defense. They smash you on offense. And more importantly they win.
I propose that the Lions steal a chord from the Motown Museum and Motown records.
The Lions officially play at Ford Field. But let’s call it Hitsville.
The Lions (4-1) played the hits again Sunday during an easy 42-24 victory over the winless Carolina Panthers (0-5). This team punched the Lions in the face last season by rushing for more than 300 yards in a 37-23 victory in Charlotte.
The Lions returned the favor this season. The Lions preach grit and violence and smash mouth. That’s why this season has been so delicious so far. The Lions do not win through razzle and dazzle although offensive coordinator Ben Johnson provides a spoonful of trickery to keep teams off balance.
The Lions win by pounding the rock. They rushed for 159 yards against the Panthers with running back David Montgomery leading the way with 109 yards on 19 carries.
The Lions have a top 10 defense that let up a bit only because Sunday’s game became so one-sided. Instead of pressing the Panthers all the way, they let up when the game got out of hand.
They were without two of their pound for pound toughest players. Amon Ra St. Brown is a guy who hasn’t met a pass he doesn’t want to catch. He will catch it in traffic, in the flats and over top.
Defensive back Brian Branch is a rookie who hits like a 10-year veteran. Did you see the hit he laid on Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson? He not only knocked off his helmet but knocked Robinson into next week.
The Lions are a smash mouth team doing it in the high wire and sexy NFL. They love to play with violence. They love to play with grit. And of course they love to hit whether on offense or defense.
Even the fans hit hard. Ford Field is now one of the loudest stadiums in the NFL. The roar of the fans rattle opposing quarterbacks and rock opposing offenses.
Ford Field is now Hitsville for many reasons.
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For more from the author Terry Foster, check him out on Twitter here: @terryfosterdet
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Original Photo Credit: © Lon Horwedel – USA TODAY Sports
