The Detroit Lions' Week 1 win over the New Orleans Saints didn't leave fans feeling overly enthusiastic. Dan Campbell's squad was just one play away from losing in dramatic fashion after holding a 21-0 lead in the third quarter.
Any Week 1 game, but especially one with such dramatic swings, is bound to produce some instant takes that dip into overreaction territory. This one is no different.
We're on board with a few of those from-the-hip reactions, but there's one that we can't help but ignore.
Buy: Jahmyr Gibbs is on an OPOY path
Overtime games inflate stats, but there's no understating what Gibbs did on Sunday afternoon. The superstar running back took his 34 touches for 186 yards and two touchdowns on the day. Despite the increased workload, he looked as explosive as ever.
Gibbs was a popular pick to win the Offensive Player of the Year award before the start of the season, and that hype train isn't slowing down after Week 1.
With Isaiah Pacheco set to miss significant time, Gibbs will likely see 20 or more touches in every game for the near future. The only question here is whether he can hold up physically with such a heavy workload.
Buy: Drew Petzing is the man to restore Lions' offense
Petzing's job is simple, but he understood it completely. With this many talented players on offense, all he has to do is set them up to make game-changing plays.
He did exactly that, as Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta, and Jameson Williams combined for 68 touches in this game. Outside of a couple of Jared Goff runs, the rest of the offensive players totaled just four touches.
Petzing will likely get role players more involeved in the future, but his determination to put the ball in the hands of his best players should give Lions fans confidence that he's the man for the job.
Buy: Detroit's secondary is a problem
As exciting as Detroit's offense was, the defense was alarming in the second half. Once Saints quarterback Tyler Shough got his feet under him, he tore the Lions' secondary apart. The second-year QB finished with 410 passing yards and three touchdowns.
To make matters worse, he wasn't exactly throwing to a cast of superstars. Outside of Chris Olave, who torched the Lions, Shough's top targets were Devaughn Vele, Juwan Johnson, and Noah Fant. Detroit is going to face much more dangerous groups of pass catchers this season.
READ MORE: Lions secondary looks as bad as expected following Tyler Shough masterclass
When Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph return, things should look significantly better. But for the time being, this secondary is capable of losing any game on the Lions' schedule.
Ignore: Isaac Teslaa is a non-factor
In the first game of a potential breakout season, Teslaa recorded zero catches. He only had one target on the day. Teslaa had a shaky preseason, leading to doubts about his role in Petzing's offense.
But instead of focusing on his lack of catches, let's take a look at his snap count. Teslaa was on the field for 32 of Detroit's 41 passing plays. Petzing rarely called a pass without having the second-year wideout on the field.
Teslaa might not be stepping into a major role in the Lions' offense, but he's clearly the No. 3 receiver. When Detroit is in 11 personnel, he's on the field. Expect his targets to increase moving forward, especially in the red zone.
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