The Detroit Lions are rolling right now. They've won three in a row headed into a Week 9 game against the hard-fighting, but ultimately tanking, Miami Dolphins. They're dealing with several key injuries, with Jack Campbell being the most notable and concerning, and they'll be leaning on their depth being an aggregate force for the time being.
Despite this win streak, though, the Lions are in 3rd place in the NFC North. The 6-1 Minnesota Vikings and the 6-2 Chicago Bears have leapt over the Lions, but of course, Detroit currently has an edge with a 2-0 win record against the division. Upcoming bye weeks for the Bears and Green Bay Packers could also help the Lions with catching up in the win column.
Two big reasons for the Bears' success, and specifically their soaring win against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 8? Kalif Raymond and D'Andre Swift. We'll touch on these two former Lions, plus one other beginning to contribute in a big way for their new team, in our latest former Lions check-in.
- D'Andre Swift and Kalif Raymond came alive for Bears in Week 8
- Alex Anzalone's 2 INT outing against Atlanta Falcons
D'Andre Swift and Kalif Raymond came alive for Bears in Week 8
We all know that Bears head coach Ben Johnson is constantly in the lab, cooking up new ways to make Chicago's potent defense look even scarier. He was really cooking with Swift and Raymond in Week 8 against the Seahawks, having Raymond take one attempt on the ground for 39 yards, and with Swift going off for a hat trick in addition to 69 yards on the ground.
While it was an inefficient night for Swift, his impact was felt in the red zone, which is kind of all that matters. The Lions might've found something in their Jahmyr Gibbs-Sione Vaki backfield combination, which would lessen the blow of this sort of performance within their own division. But, it's hard not to miss Raymond, when he was such a big piece to their special teams unit and a solid WR3.
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Of course, Detroit's been managing just fine with Isaac TeSlaa in that WR3 role (and he's been a heck of a blocker, too), and Vaki's work in Week 8 was just as impactful as Swift's.
Alex Anzalone's 2 INT outing against Atlanta Falcons
Anzalone has had a very quiet season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, looking like a failed free agency signing at times. However, he lit up the Falcons with two interceptions and two stuffs in Week 8, coming alive for the Bucs' defense. It was likely a welcome sight for Tampa Bay fans who still have hopes of winning a very, very weak NFC South.
Anzalone has been a bit missed by the Lions, as well. Prior to the plethora of injuries that befell the room in Week 8, it seemed like Detroit could use an injection of new talent at linebacker. Now, with Jimmy Rolder out for the year and Jack Campbell likely out for some time, Anzalone's absence is felt even more. It was still a good move to let him walk, but you miss his veteran leadership right now in Detroit.
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