The Detroit Lions are hoping a cutdown in turnovers will help turn things around.
Detroit has given the ball away more than it has taken the ball away from an opponent this season. The club is minus five on the season in that department, but the in good company considering the team is tied for 24th in that stat in the NFL along with Kansas City and Miami.
Goff has been responsible for six of those seven turnovers in the past two games and the Lions spent time this week doing drills that focus on ball security.
“Good to do drills like that always, and yeah, I feel great about it,” Goff said. “I mean, we’ve done it in the past. Certainly an emphasis on it, right, you have a fumble you’re going to work on it in practice. So, it’s something we’re doing.”
Sunday’s game marks a homecoming for many Lions including head coach Dan Campbell, who is looking to replicate with the Lions the success he had while coaching with the Saints from 2016-20 before being hired by Detroit.
“Had good years down there,” Campbell said. “Myself, AG (Lions defensive co-ordinator Aaron Glenn, (Lions linebacker) Alex Anzalone was there (backup quarterback) Teddy Bridgewater was there a little bit.
“We won a lot of games under (now Denver head) coach (Sean) Payton and there’s still a number of them that are there that were part of that. It was a winning organization, still is, but my time there, things were run right, they were done right and there was a winning attitude, winning atmosphere and that’s that it was all about. It’s just special and that’s why it will always be special. To be able to go back and play there makes it special.”
New Orleans is tied with Atlanta for top spot in the NFC’s South Division and the Lions will try to slow the Saints without Anzalone, who is the team’s leading tackler, but is expected miss the game with a hand injury. Rookie Jack Campbell is expected to step into his role and call the defensive plays.
“He’s a true Mike linebacker and he has to be the one that makes those checks and he’s capable of doing that,” Glenn said of Campbell. “Smart, heady guy that’s tough. He’s built for these moments. I’m looking forward for him to be the actual mouthpiece of the defence going into this game.”
While the team has struggled the past two games, the Lions have a chance to open a three-game lead in the NFC North Division with a win against the Saints.
“It’s that time of year,” Goff said. “We’re hitting the homestretch here and it starts this week with New Orleans and how do we come together and get a W in whatever way that me be and, yeah, it’s fun being on the road, in hostile environments and trying to find a way to win.”