Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes was all smiles after the team's 45-21 win over the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Sunday. Barnes said it "felt good" to head into Detroit's Week 6 bye on a high note, especially after the team's defensive struggles early in the season.
Throughout the week, Barnes said he had received several text messages from head coach Dan Campbell, who expressed his urgency to win and to go "whip ass" in Arizona. The Lions had entered the game allowing a league-worst 31.8 points per game. After giving up a touchdown on the Cardinals' opening drive, the defense adjusted, and Arizona's only other score came late, after the game had already been decided.
Campbell was fired up after the win but challenged his staff to figure out "who are we really?" At 3-2, Detroit enters the bye with much-needed momentum. Under new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, the Lions are averaging 32.8 points per game, tied with the Buffalo Bills for the most in the NFL. Quarterback Jared Goff has emerged as an early MVP candidate, throwing for 1,485 yards with 12 touchdowns and no interceptions.
On defense, coordinator Kelvin Sheppard was under fire after the unit gave up at least 30 points in three of the first four games. The secondary has struggled most, allowing a league-high 1,487 passing yards through five games. The defensive line, however, has produced the most sacks (20) through five games of any season in franchise history, with edge DJ Wonnum leading the team with 5.0.
Source: ESPN NFL · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing