On Sunday, the 0-1 Seahawks will look to bounce back on the road against the 1-0 Detroit Lions. In Week 4 of the 2022 season, Seattle defeated the Lions 48-45 on the road. Now, they'll look to repeat their success in the Motor City on Sunday. Here are six things to know about the Lions ahead of Week 2
Aidan Hutchinson: Hot Start in the Motor City
In 2022, Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson earned All-Rookie honors from the Pro Football Writers Association for his 9.5-sack campaign. The Michigan alum delivered on being selected No. 2 overall in last April's draft, and is continuing that effort in Year 2. In Detroit's 21-20 Week 1 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, Hutchinson accounted for seven pressures (five on third/fourth downs). Now, Seattle will look to neutralize the 23-year-old with tackles Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas dealing with injuries.
Amon-Ra St. Brown: The Sun God
Third-year Lions wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown has caught 196 receptions in his first two seasons in Detroit, including 11 touchdown receptions. The USC alum will look to be a difference maker for the Lions after missing last year's matchup with Seattle due to an ankle injury. St. Brown recorded four 100-yard games in 2022, and he notched six receptions for 71 yards and a score against the Chiefs to help Detroit win on the road. After being outgained through the air by the Rams in Week 1, Seattle will look to neutralize Detroit's primary target.
Brian Branch: Making a Way
Alabama alum and rookie defensive back Brian Branch was selected 45th overall in April's draft, sliding to the Lions in Round 2. In his debut against the Chiefs, Branch picked off quarterback Patrick Mahomes for a 50-yard touchdown return. In college, Branch lined up all over the Crimson Tide's defense, and is playing nickel corner for the Lions. Seattle will have to keep an eye on the rangy defensive back on Sunday, after he allowed a 56.3 passer rating when targeted against the Chiefs.
Earning*His Keep: James Houston IV *
On the opposite end of the defensive line from Hutchinson is Lions defensive end James Houston IV, Detroit's 2022 sixth-round gem by way of Jackson State. After transferring from the University of Florida to the Historically Black College in Mississippi, Houston earned a trip to the Senior Bowl in Mobile and eventually heard his name called on Day 3 of last year's draft. After starting the season on the practice squad, Houston IV nabbed 8.0 sacks and a forced fumble in just seven games in 2022. After Houston IV recorded two quarterback pressures and a hit on Mahomes in Week 1, Seattle will look to keep him out of the backfield.
Jared Goff: Old Western Shootout
In 2022's Week 4 matchup, the Seahawks and Lions combined for 93 points, with Seattle squeaking out a 48-45 win on the road. Detroit quarterback Jared Goff recorded a season-high 378 passing yards, along with four touchdowns through the air in a duel with Seattle quarterback Geno Smith. Now, coming off a 21-20 victory over the Chiefs in which Goff completed 22-35 passes for 253 yards and a score, Goff looks to get revenge on Seattle. The Seahawks will look to slow down the 28-year-old California University alum, and will also look to break Goff's streak of 359 passes without throwing an interception, trailing just Tom Brady (399) and Aaron Rodgers (402) for the longest stretch in league history.
Double Trouble: David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs
The 2022 offseason saw plenty of turnover for the Lions roster, including signing running back David Montgomery via free agency and drafting back Jahmyr Gibbs No. 12 overall in April. In Week 1, the duo combined for 116 rushing yards and a score, with Montgomery gaining 74 yards on 21 carries, and with Gibbs making the most of his seven carries, gaining 42 yards. Despite Seattle holding the Los Angeles Rams to 92 yards on the ground and a 2.3 yards-per-carry average, the Rams did manage three short rushing scores. Keeping Gibbs and Montgomery from moving the chains will be key for Seattle on Sunday, after the pair combined for six first downs last week against the Chiefs.
Seahawks practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Sept. 14, 2023.
Seahawks tackle Raiqwon O'neal (79) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Sept. 14, 2023.
Seahawks safety Jamal Adams (33) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Sept. 14, 2023.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Sept. 14, 2023.
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Sept. 14, 2023.
Seahawks running back DeeJay Dallas (31) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Sept. 14, 2023.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Sept. 14, 2023.
Seahawks at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Sept. 14, 2023.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Sept. 14, 2023.
Seahawks at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Sept. 14, 2023.
Seahawks center Olu Oluwatimi (51) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Sept. 14, 2023.
Seahawks nose tackle Jarran Reed (90) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Sept. 14, 2023.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Sept. 14, 2023.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (10) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Sept. 14, 2023.
Seahawks linebacker Darrell Taylor (52) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Sept. 14, 2023.
Seahawks defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. (97) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Sept. 14, 2023.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Sept. 14, 2023.
Seahawks linebacker Tyreke Smith (92) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Sept. 14, 2023.
Seahawks defensive end Myles Adams (95) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Sept. 14, 2023.
Seahawks at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Sept. 14, 2023.
Seahawks nose tackle Cameron Young (93) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Sept. 14, 2023.
Seahawks linebacker Darrell Taylor (52) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Sept. 14, 2023.
Seahawks defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (55) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Sept. 14, 2023.
Seahawks defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. (97) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Sept. 14, 2023.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Sept. 14, 2023.
Seahawks cornerback Tre Brown (22) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Sept. 14, 2023.
Seahawks at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Sept. 14, 2023.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Sept. 14, 2023.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Sept. 14, 2023.
Seahawks cornerback Kyu Kelly (28) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Sept. 14, 2023.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Sept. 14, 2023.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Sept. 14, 2023.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Sept. 14, 2023.
