Takeaways from Lions' 42-17 Victory against Broncos

Lions improve their record to 10-4.

In a contest that was billed as a mentor taking on his protege, the Detroit Lions returned home to face off against a surging Denver Broncos team, after playing on the road for the past two weeks. 

Dan Campbell has modeled his coaching philosophy in a manner he believes will produce similar results to the Sean Payton-led New Orleans Saints teams that were able to have postseason success and eventually win a Super Bowl. 

Now in Denver, Payton has seen his team turn its fortunes around, while Detroit's third-year head coach has been navigating slight turbulence due to sloppy play the past few weeks. 

After 60:00 of action, the NFC North leaders showcased their potent offense, led by a running back drafted in the first round of this past year's draft (Jahmyr Gibbs).  

Here are several takeaways from the Lions' dominant 42-17 victory against the Broncos.  

Lions' defense halts Broncos' first drive 

After Detroit won the opening coin toss and elected to receive, the Broncos were able to stall the Lions' first offensive drive. 

Interestingly, Ben Johnson called five passing plays, instead of testing out Denver's rush defense, which has struggled all season. 

Denver's first offensive play from scrimmage was a 40-yard completion to wideout Jerry Jeudy. 

With early momentum, safety Ifeatu Melifonwu, who has earned a starter's role at safety next to Kerby Joseph, was able to deliver a hit to Russell Wilson that jarred the football loose. 

Isaiah Buggs scooped up the football, and was able to rumble to Denver's 37-yard line after a 33-yard return. 

Denver was not able to score its first points of the game until its first offensive possession of the third quarter. 

Wonder who will tell Buggs he needs to be faster this week! Great play pic.twitter.com/l5EAEDbZkc

— DetroitSportsPodcast (@DetroitPodcast) December 17, 2023

Jameson Williams targeted more early 

In Detroit's first three possessions, Williams was targeted on four occasions. In the first quarter, the former No. 12 overall pick recorded one reception for 15 yards. 

Williams was able to get open on a few occasions, but Goff could not successfully connect with the speedy wideout. 

Safety Justin Simmons was able to break up an early pass intended for Williams, while Detroit's 29-year-old signal-caller could not connect on a deep-out on third down which ended Detroit's third offensive series. 

On a couple of occasions on third down, Goff could not connect with clearly open receivers, as pressure from the Broncos derailed what could have been successful conversions. 

Goff did connect with Williams, however, on the Lions' second scoring drive of the night. The second-year wideout proceeded to juke out a defender, en route to gaining 18 yards.

Sam LaPorta gives Goff confidence

With Goff struggling early in the game with holding onto the football slightly too long, Detroit's talented tight end was just the security blanket that the veteran quarterback could have asked for. 

LaPorta was targeted heavily on Detroit's fourth offensive possession of the game. 

After Goff completed a 21-yard toss to Josh Reynolds to put Detroit into the red zone, LaPorta found the end zone to give Detroit a 7-0 lead, early in the second quarter. 

LaPorta, the No. 34 overall pick in the 2023 draft, showcased his elusiveness as he was able to skirt past Broncos defenders on his way into the end zone for his seventh touchdown of the season. 

Goff led the team on an eight-play, 80-yard drive, and went four-for-four on Detroit's first scoring drive. 

LaPorta capped off Detroit's opening offensive drive of the second half with a 3-yard touchdown grab, extending the Lions' lead to 28-7. 

A late touchdown gave LaPorta three touchdowns on the evening, and extended Detroit's lead to 42-17. 

Detroit's veteran signal-caller settled in as the first half progressed, and was able to toss five touchdowns within the comfy confines of Ford Field. 

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's @Samlaporta for 6⃣#DENvsDET on NFL Network | #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/vfnX2or3Dv

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 17, 2023

Lions decide to try new defensive back opposite of Cam Sutton

One area of emphasis for Detroit's coaching staff this year has been if a player struggles over a period of time, new members of the roster will earn an opportunity. 

After Jerry Jacobs struggled against the Bears, Kahlil Dorsey and Kindle Vildor saw increased action opposite of Cam Sutton. 

Dorsey got the start, and broke up a screen pass on Denver's first drive. Vildor also had a pressure in the first quarter.

Jacobs has seen his role limited in the past, and likely will have competition for playing time the remainder of the season. With Dorsey starting on defense, running back Craig Reynolds took over as the team's kick returner.

Melifonwu making case to be permanent starter

Melifonwu made his second start of the season, and made an immediate impact. 

The 2021 third-round pick has been given his opportunity over veteran Tracy Walker. Melifonwu's size and physicality make him an ideal safety in Glenn's system. 

In the first half, the talented defensive back was flying all over the field, making it quite challenging for Wilson and Denver's offense. 

Detroit tends to thrive when the defense forces turnovers, and Melifonwu's early hit on Wilson set the tone for Glenn's squad. 

Melifonwu also forced Brandon Johnson out of bounds in the red zone, on Denver's opening drive of the second half. 

Dan Campbell outclasses Sean Payton

All week, Detroit's third-year head coach expressed if his team did not play a clean game and get back to playing its style of football, the Broncos had the potential of embarrassing his team. 

On Saturday, a focused and confident Lions team played loose, and made several key plays on both sides of the football. 

Despite many thinking Detroit did not need a running back taken in the first round, Gibbs has now proven his worth. In the Week 15 contest, the talented rookie provided Detroit's offense with the explosive plays it needed, to find its way into the end zone on numerous occasions. 

Detroit was able to halt Denver's momentum with a convincing victory. 

Clearly, the lessons learned from Campbell's mentor will be used in the future to aid Detroit in achieving significant goals. 

But, on this December evening in Detroit, it was Campbell who looked like the teacher, securing a double-digit victory in front of the home crowd.