Offensive coordinator John Morton, defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard and special teams coordinator Dave Fipp spoke to the media Thursday ahead of Detroit's matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday at Ford Field.
1. Sheppard wasn't hiding from the fact that his defense needs to play better down the stretch, particularly in the pass game, if this team is going to get hot and reach the playoffs. Sheppard said Thursday when an offense scores at least 30 points like the Lions did against the Rams last week, they should win the game. The explosives given up in the pass game over the last month have really bothered Sheppard. He said there are going to be some personnel, technique and schematic changes this week heading into a must-win contest against the Steelers.
2. Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams accounted for roughly 88 percent of the targets in the passing game last week against the Rams, combining for 28 targets, 20 receptions, 298 yards and three touchdowns. Morton expects Pittsburgh to mix up their coverages and play a little more cloud coverage than the Rams did to try and limit St. Brown and Williams' impact Sunday.
"Other guys are going to have to step up," he said.
3. Jake Bates missed only three field goal attempts last season (26-of-29). He's missed double that amount this season (21-of-27) with three games left in the regular season. But Fipp and the Lions have not lost faith in their second-year kicker. In fact, it's the complete opposite.
"I'm not worried about him at all," Fipp said.
That stems from the data the Lions have accumulated on Bates over the course of two seasons in every practice and game kick. Fipp said Thursday Bates has the highest percentage of makes – in the high 90 percent range – than any kicker he's ever been around in his 18 years coaching in the NFL.
4. Veteran defensive lineman Alim McNeill hasn't been playing bad since his return from a torn ACL, but he also isn't making as many of the impact plays as we've been used to seeing from him. Sheppard said McNeill has said as much to him, and Sheppard expects more out of McNeill these last three weeks.
"I have all the faith in the world in Alim," Sheppard said. "He's done good things for us, but it is time for him to kind of kick in as far as being that impactful three technique we all know he can."
5. After rushing for just 70 yards last week against the Rams, how do the Lions get back to dictating pace of play and physicality on offense with their run game? Morton said it's a matter of being more explosive coming off the ball upfront. That's been a point of emphasis this week developing the run scheme.
6. What happened on the punt return last week where Kalif Raymond and Tom Kennedy ran into each other? Thankfully Kennedy was still able to field the ball and it didn't result in a turnover. It was Raymond's first game back after missing two games with an ankle injury and the Lions wanted him out there. They also saw Kennedy step into that role in Raymond's absence and be a playmaker. So, they put them both back there. If the kick was to the left, it was Kennedy's and if it was right, it was Raymond's. The punt went left, and Raymond should have let Kennedy catch it and become a blocker, per Fipp.
7. Sheppard has played and coached against Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Sheppard said the quick release and accuracy are still there but the one area of his game that's changed a little is he's not as willing to get out of the pocket to extend plays and take hits. Sheppard said Rodgers operates mostly out of the pocket but is still very dangerous there with how he understands defensive football and his ability to deliver the football to all his weapons quickly.
8. Morton has liked the communication between quarterback Jared Goff and the offensive line of late. It's a big reason why Goff's been sacked just twice the last two games combined. Goff has made more throws down the field the last couple weeks too, and that takes more time to develop. Morton also mentioned Goff's decisiveness with the football and getting the ball out of his hands as other reasons why the sack numbers are down.
9. "These guys are good, man," Fipp said of Pittsburgh's special teams units.
The Steelers are one of the few teams who use their top two running backs on kickoff return. Fipp also said Pittsburgh kickoff coverage is one of the best in the league. Detroit will certainly be tested from a special teams perspective on Sunday.
10. Sheppard talked about some technique changes on the outside with their cornerbacks. They will be subtle to the naked eye, but what might not be as subtle is how Sheppard deploys his safeties this week. He didn't say it, but I wouldn't be surprised if there's more safety help over the top than we've seen from their usual single-high man looks.
