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    • Detroit Lions are chameleons who change perspectives and break records
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    Detroit Lions are chameleons who change perspectives and break records

    Kathleen William Posted on

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    GREEN BAY, Wis. — Oh, make a challenge.

    You want the Detroit Lions to play in a wet, sloppy, muddy, windy game that looks like it's being played at a car wash?

    Yes, they can do that, even quite well, as they did on Sunday in a 24-14 victory over the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.

    Want to see the Lions face off in a dry, quick shootout? They can do that too – this team can score 40 points without batting an eyelid.

    You want them to win through the air?

    Yes, of course. Because they did it “YES-RED GOFF! YES-RED GOFF!” Sorry, the Lions fans' chants were still echoing in my ears as the Lions fans exited Lambeau Field, drowning out the suddenly silent Packers fans.

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    How about the floor?

    Be honest – have you seen the two-headed beast that is the Lions running attack? They have power and speed and an offensive line that simply dominates.

    They can win by coming from behind or maintaining a lead. Whatever you want. Whatever you need.

    “We’re chameleons and whatever it takes to win and whatever, that’s what we’re going to do,” Goff said.

    Indeed. They are able to change their appearance in different situations; It is this team's greatest strength.

    That's why they're 7-1 for the first time since 1956.

    That's why they're in first place in the NFC North – they've won six straight games in a season for the first time since 1995.

    That's why they're ranked No. 1 in the NFC – the first time they've won three straight games in the state of Wisconsin since 1986-88.

    And it's the kind of offense that's on the move – they've won four straight road games in a single season for the fifth time in franchise history, after 2011, 1956, 1951 and 1934.

    Let me pause here to put a few things into perspective: When you start digging up statistics going right back to the 1950s? Yes, we are in a special area.

    This team has become history-making and change-making chameleons.

    “They are absolutely the best team in the NFL,” former Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett said on NBC’s “Football Night in America” on Sunday night.

    Yes, the nation has taken notice.

    “They’re the best team in the NFL right now,” former NFL quarterback Chris Simms said on the same show. “The best NFC offense. … They can run, they can throw it. … They have a two-headed monster at running back. … (Jahmyr Gibbs) is as explosive as any running back in football.”

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    Praise this offensive line

    It all starts with the offensive line, which handles the Packers' aggressive, penetrating front.

    “I think our guys took on that challenge and handled it pretty well today,” Goff said. “Our O-line is the core of our team. The building block of our team and they allowed us to do all the things we did today on offense.”

    Yes, this offensive line is the starting point for everything, especially the rushing game.

    For the first time since 1936, the Lions have gained at least 100 yards and a touchdown on the ground in each of the first eight games of a season.

    Let's pause here to put this in perspective: 1936 was the year Charlie Chaplin released the silent film Modern Times.

    Oh, the irony of it all.

    That was also the year that Jesse Owens won the 100 sprint ahead of Adolf Hitler at the Berlin Olympics.

    So… some time ago.

    Speaking of ridiculously fast guys, let me say a word about Jahmyr Gibbs here.

    He set an NFL record by posting a rushing average of at least 5 yards per carry (on at least 10 attempts per game) in his seventh consecutive game.

    Yes, a damn one NFL record. Let that sink in. This gets crazy when you try to consider everything.

    Gibbs joined Barry Sanders (1993) as the only players in franchise history to rush for at least 70 yards from scrimmage in each of the first eight games of a season.

    These treats are also so fantastic that you have to say them out loud, think about them for a second and try to let them sink in.

    And he did so on a wet, windy day in Lambeau.

    “We were made for this man and it doesn’t matter just because we play inside,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said. “That doesn't matter. We can play anywhere. We can play in the snow. We can play in the rain. Play in the mud. That’s just us and we’re designed to win people.”

    Mr. Perfect again

    Now a word about Goff.

    He was perfect on his first 11 passes.

    And then he missed one and threw it away to avoid a sack.

    So I guess you could say he was perfect, even if he wasn't.

    “He played at such a high level and I know it’s not the same, but we practice outside,” Campbell said. “Thursday was just as windy as today. We haven't had any rain, so if we watch him in the elements for two days and throw him the way he did, we'll be fine. We just trust him completely and it worked out well for us.”

    Goff became the first player in NFL history to complete 72% of his passes, post a passer rating of 105 and throw a touchdown in six straight games.

    Now think about how he did it – on a wet, sloppy day with swirling winds and cold rain showers.

    Now let me say this slowly: In his last six games, Goff has the highest completion percentage (82.8%) in NFL history, not to mention the highest passer rating (140.1).

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    “Goff played some clean football, man,” Campbell said, in the understatement of the year. “He got us on the right play. He was very efficient. I just have a lot of confidence in him, in what he does and how he plays.”

    Oh, and Goff is the first player in NFL history to complete 80% of his passes in three consecutive games (with at least 15 attempts per game).

    In… NFL… History!

    “I’ve just grown so much mentally and physically,” Goff said. “As you get older, you start to learn when to take risks and when not to. I know I've said this before, but I just feel like I play pretty disciplined. We try to keep the ball and get it into the hands of our playmakers.”

    Then there's St. Brown, who has a touchdown catch in six straight games, tying Herman Moore's franchise record set in 1994.

    What is St. Brown's place in history? He is the fourth player in NFL history, joining Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb and Michael Thomas, to record at least 350 catches, 4,000 receiving yards and 25 touchdowns in his first four seasons.

    “The connection between these two is special,” Campbell said in the second biggest understatement of the year. “It’s special and they make each other better.”

    So, yes, it was historical too.

    It's fucking ridiculous trying to understand everything at once. It's basically crazy considering where this franchise was not too long ago.

    I mean, consider this: This team has a point differential of 110 points – the fourth-most through eight games in franchise history, behind 1934 (151), 1954 (144) and 1936 (121).

    I don't mean to disrespect the 1936 Lions, but I don't think I'm going too far to say: It just doesn't compare, does it?

    Not only is this team fun to watch, they are also making history. And it's fucking amazing.

    Every time they step on the field.

    In the rain. On the lawn. It doesn't matter.

    And if you wanted to challenge them to a headstand contest – I'm taking St. Brown with my first round pick – then I'm sure the Lions would win that too.

    Contact Jeff Seidel: [email protected]. Follow him on X @seideljeff. To read his latest columns, go to freep.com/sports/jeff-seidel

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    Kathleen William
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