The Detroit Lions were humbled in their Week 1 matchup against the Green Bay Packers, losing 27-13 at Lambeau Field. Naturally, the hot takes rolled in. From doubts about the new coordinators to knee-jerk concerns about Detroit’s ability to defend its NFC North crown, fans and pundits alike wasted no time sounding alarms.
But linebacker Alex Anzalone isn’t having it.
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“Not Highly Intelligent”
Speaking with reporters on Monday, Anzalone didn’t mince words when addressing the overreactions.
“After Week 1? Well, whoever’s saying that is not highly intelligent,” Anzalone said, per Will Burchfield of 97.1 The Ticket. “This isn’t a situation where anyone’s panicking. It’s just, we’re on the road, we got our ass beat and we gotta move on.”
In other words: relax.
The veteran linebacker knows the score. One loss, even a bad one, doesn’t define a season. And for Detroit, which went 15-2 just last year, there’s plenty of reason to believe the Week 1 stumble is more of a wake-up call than a warning sign.
Backing Up His Words
Anzalone wasn’t just talking the talk, he played one of the best games of any Lions defender against Green Bay. He finished with strong marks in run defense and coverage, proving why he remains a cornerstone of Kelvin Sheppard’s defense.
Meanwhile, the coordinator criticism feels misplaced. John Morton, the new offensive coordinator, didn’t have his best day calling plays, but it’s Week 1 of a brand-new system. Kelvin Sheppard, in his first game as defensive coordinator, is also adjusting on the fly. Anzalone’s point is simple: you can’t judge them off one performance against a division rival in a hostile environment.
The Big Picture
Yes, the Packers looked like the better team in Week 1. Yes, Detroit’s offense sputtered in the red zone, and the defense struggled to generate pressure. But it’s also September. Teams evolve, coordinators settle in, and players adjust.
Anzalone’s message is clear: don’t overreact to one bad afternoon. The Lions still have the talent, leadership, and foundation to bounce back quickly.
Detroit hosts the Chicago Bears in Week 2 at Ford Field, and you can bet Anzalone and his teammates will be looking to remind everyone why they entered 2025 as the division favorite.