Lions Fold Cards

The Detroit Lions strayed too far from their identity in last week’s loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It didn’t take long for them to re-establish it Sunday.

The Lions leaned heavily on David Montgomery, Jahmyr Gibbs and their offensive line to beat the Arizona Cardinals in a slugfest at State Farm Stadium, 20-13 in Week 3 of the NFL season.

Montgomery ran for 106 yards on 23 carries and Gibbs added 83 yards rushing on 16 carries as the Lions outphysicalled the Cardinals at the line of scrimmage.

The Lions opened the game in a big-personnel package with Dan Skipper on the field as a sixth lineman and two tight ends, and outmuscled the Cardinals all day.

Montgomery scored on a 1-yard touchdown run on the opening drive, Gibbs shouldered most of the work on the Lions’ ensuing touchdown drive, and when the Lions needed to ice the game late in the fourth quarter, they did it with an 8-yard run by Jared Goff for a first down.

The Lions (2-1) haven’t dominated on offense through three games like they did last year. They’ve scored just 56 points in regulation in three games. But they rediscovered their identity in rushing for 187 yards Sunday, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.

It came at price: Tight end Sam LaPorta was one of four Lions starters injured, including defensive back Brian Branch, who exited with a neck injury in the fourth quarter after a scary collision. Defensive tackle Alim McNeill and linebacker Derrick Barnes were ruled out in the first half with injuries.

The Lions host the Seattle Seahawks (3-0) on Monday Night Football in Week 4.