Arizona Cardinals (1-2) – Detroit Lions (2-1): 13-20
Detroit didn't come to the desert to make up the numbers. Led by the dynamic duo of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, the Lions took the lead and never let it go.
The two opponents are very similar, in style, first by a significant ground work, but also in the match scenario. Nevertheless, Detroit has clearly more talent in its squad and the difference was made here.
The meeting, very dichotomous between the first offensive half and the second defensive, shows promise for both teams. Work is still necessary to combine the best of the two periods and not fall into caricature.
David Montgomery, top of the class
Lions and Cardinals came prepared and applied in their game plan. It took 26 minutes to see the first incomplete pass of the game. But if the two teams delivered a great battle it was the Lions who roared first and throughout the period.
Goff, far from his performance of last week, was perfect. He took advantage of a two-headed ground attack to exploit the short spaces with his tight ends Sam Laporta and Brock Wright. David Montgomery (23 carries, 106 yards, 1 touchdown) finished the job with power near the end zone. (7-0)
Not to be outdone, Kyler Murray answered him almost alone. Run, pass, run… the little quarterback was once again hellish for the opponents (21/34, 205 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception, 45 yards on the ground). And his new best friend, Marvin Harrison Jr. (5 receptions, 64 yards, 1 touchdown) took advantage of it to also go to the promised land at the end of the first quarter (7-7).
After another perfect series from the Goff-St. Brown duo. The unstoppable Amon-Ra St. Brown (7 receptions, 74 yards, 1 touchdown) finished in the end zone with a superb complex route, at the start of the second quarter (7-13). The defenses then raised the level to make this match total. Stopped twice very close to a new series of plays, the Cardinals preferred the punt to aggression. The Lions, just before halftime, were not afraid by scoring a touchdown on a brilliant design. Goff passes to St. Brown who passes to Jahmyr Gibbs with a rugby player pass. Touchdown and 10-20 at the break.
Defense? Present!
The third quarter is one of irrationality. Kerby Joseph (CB) intercepts a long pass in the end zone. Dennis Gardeck (LB) returns the favor by catching a pass from Goff in the middle of the field. The Cardinals do nothing by not converting a fourth attempt. The Lions, very kind, do the same with a failure on the run.
The two teams continue to exchange punts and turnovers on fourth downs without remorse. If the defenses have taken over the offenses, the latter also make many more mistakes. Once again in this little game, Detroit is far superior to its opponent of the day. Ahead, the Michigan franchise can count down the time on the run. Montgomery is once again valuable in this exercise.
Matt Prater (K, Cardinals) frees the point lovers with a field goal 4 minutes from the end (13-20). For the rest, Jared Goff kills all suspense by winning a new first attempt by running. The score will not change again.
The Lions took an early lead and managed to control the game from start to finish. The Lions defense was very focused against the run and prevented the Cardinals' game from developing. It was a win for Detroit, which left a lot of sweat and tears with a good handful of injuries.
