As the Detroit Lions get ready for their home opener against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2, they'll do so with respect for the opposition's offense.
The Seahawks did not have their best offensive showing against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 1. But Dan Campbell is impressed, and as he told the media on Monday, many things stand out:
"Certainly their run game is going to show up. Just the manner at which they like to use that. This Kenneth Walker's pretty good. He certainly has ability, but they're a lot like us in they have a lot of different schemes, the gaps and inside the gaps. There's five different ways to run it with pullers. They have the fast motion blocks. They have the read run and the RPO with Geno (Smith) certainly. Then they've got weapons. They've got (Jaxon) Smith-Njigba. He just got his feet wet, this is his first round of it. Then you've got (DK Metcalf) out there who's a heck of a player and (Tyler) Lockett, so they've got plenty of weapons."Dan Campbell
The Seahawks lost both their starting offensive tackles (Abraham Lucas and Charles Cross) during the game against the Rams. But until shown otherwise, Campbell is working under the assumption both will play on Sunday.
"I don't know how significant that is. We're assuming they're both going to play. Hopefully we'll know (Monday), (Tuesday). Maybe the day after."Dan Campbell
Regardless, Detroit's new-look defense will have their hands full with a diverse and dangerous offense. It's a group that has dominated the Lions before.
Dan Campbell: Lions not forgetting 2022 loss to Seahawks
No matter their early problems, Campbell knows Seattle is a team that always presents a challenge.
In 2021, Detroit was blown out in Seattle 51-29. Last season, the Lions were upended at Ford Field 48-45. Regardless of venue, the Lions have struggled against the Seahawks. Campbell hasn't forgotten those losses.
"This team always presents problems. It's been a thorn in our side for two years, soDan Campbell
we know what's going to be coming in here. We're going to assume the best out of them. They got after us pretty good last year, so that's something we won't forget."
The Lions will be looking for revenge, fully aware of what the Seahawks present on offense after their defense has been thoroughly whipped by them in each of the last two seasons.