Here is a collection of quotes from Lions and Cardinals players and coaches following Detroit’s 20-13 win on Sunday.
Detroit Lions
Head Coach Dan Campbell
On how the early run helped the team win:
“I thought that was going to be a big deal for us, but also that we were going to get this team playing in a place that they haven’t necessarily been in their first two games. They really controlled both games, Buffalo and the Rams, they got out to an early lead and were really able to do what they wanted to do. If we could pressure them early and establish the running game, the physical fight, the defense and do what we needed to do, that would have been our best chance to be successful, and it worked out.”
Quarterback Jared Goff
On Ben Johnson’s moves in Sunday’s game:
“I thought he was creative. I thought the touchdown was funny, we had been working on it for a while. I thought it was a good time to score it. When we faltered in the second half, he was focused on the run and that paid off for us in the end.”
RB David Montgomery
What it means for the offense to set the right tone in the running game:
“We have the best offensive line in the league, so it’s good that we have those guys up front that we can trust. When you have the best offensive line in the league, I would play them if I were anyone else. We took advantage of those guys up front. Like I said, without those guys up front, the train doesn’t move. So we were able to start that way and finish that way.”
WR Amon-Ra St. Brown
On his first touchdown of the season:
“I read that as a second reader. Worked on it in practice. I made it this week and Jared (Goff) told me if the first read isn’t there, I’m coming to you. I think the first read may have been there, I’m not sure. I had to check the tape, but it came back to me. I was ready for it. Made the catch and finally scored my first touchdown of the year.”
C Frank Ragnow
This is what it felt like to establish the run after 55 throws last week:
“I think we really believe we’re going to do whatever it takes to win. That’s a credit to all the guys on offense that are going to do that. We’re going to adjust our identity. I think we’re always going to be the tough, downhill team, but we’re going to adapt to whatever it takes to win. I think that’s what’s going to make us good in the long run.”
EN Aidan Hutchinson
How he successfully put pressure on Kyler Murray:
“I thought it was a pretty weird game. I think we stopped the run, so they switched to more of a three-step, shots, shots, shots, because they weren’t really getting much done on offense. So in the second half, the game turned quickly and we had three-and-out after three-and-out. I think that was a credit to everyone doing their job.”
CB Carlton Davis
On his key play when he stopped Kyler Murray on the fourth attempt:
“I just had to be disciplined. I knew we had a crowded box and if they ran the ball they probably wouldn’t gain much space. So I just tried to be disciplined. I saw him take the ball and run and I thought, ‘I know he’s not going to do that.’ I just saw the game. And I knew he was really fast, so I knew I had to beat him to the end. And that’s what I did.”
Arizona Cardinals
Head Coach Jonathan Gannon
This is how he assesses his team’s performance compared to the Lions:
“I don’t think we took anybody’s lead. We just play a certain way. But they’re a very physical football team. I think Dan (Campbell) does a heck of a job with those guys, their style of play, their technique, their fundamentals and their effort. I really thought we were able to compete. I really do. I saw our power show through. We tried hard. That’s not why we lost the game. The reason we lost the game is mine. We need to set up all three game plans better.”
Quarterback Kyler Murray
On Detroit’s defensive line:
“That’s a good defense. They’re strong up front. It was hard for us to get the running game going. We’ll have to go back and look at the film and see how we can improve from that. They just beat us today. You have to give them credit for that.”
