Lions Do Not Feel Need to Prove Themselves Again

The Lions are looking forward, after a subpar performance Saturday against Carolina.

The Detroit Lions do not feel they need to prove themselves again to fans, even though the last time they took the field the result did not go their way. 

Following a 14-point defeat to the Carolina Panthers, the Lions are regrouping and looking to put the subpar performance behind them. 

Detroit quarterback Jared Goff was asked after practice Wednesday if the team felt it needed to prove itself to fans, as the team was outmatched on the road. 

"No, we had a tough game," said Goff. "We didn’t play well. We lost, they played better than us, and it’s the National Football League. That’s going to happen. Now, that doesn’t mean we don’t go back and look at it and see what we need to get better at and fix and improve, and get coached on it and hold ourselves accountable. But, we know every game’s tough, and we’ve won six of eight, and need to find a way to win eight of 10, and feel good about it.”

More: Jerry Jacobs Says Aaron Glenn 'Brought the Anger Out'

© Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

After poor performances earlier this year, the team has been able to rebound and correct obvious mistakes. 

As a result, the coaching staff has built up a level of trust that the team will rebound and play at a much higher level the final two weeks of the season.  

"Just there again, we talked about the issues, the things that we saw and what we needed to correct," Lions head man Dan Campbell said. "And, it was as simple as that, and now we’re going to put in the work.”

Tight ends nearing franchise record

This season, the tight ends on the Lions' roster have accounted for 10 total touchdown receptions. 

The franchise record of 11 touchdowns was set back in 2011, when Tony Scheffler and Brandon Pettigrew established themselves as reliable red-zone targets. 

“I’m really proud of that group and the way they’ve bonded as a collective unit, and really trying to help the team win as much as we possibly can. Shoot, I think there’s a stat there’s been 10 touchdowns within the tight end group," position coach Tanner Engstrand said. “I think the Lions’ record is 11. So, who knows, maybe we’ll have to dial up something else here in the red zone the next couple weeks and see if we can’t get to 12.”