NOAH TRISTER
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) tries in vain to pull in a pass over New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore in the end zone in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Friday, Dec. 25, 2020. The Saints won 52-33. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)
Lions, Vikings both stumbling to the finish

By Noah Trister Dec. 31, 2020 05:19 PM EST
DETROIT (AP) — This season will end like so many others for Matthew Stafford:

Detroit Lions head coach Darrell Bevell carries a game ball as he leaves the field following a 34-30 win over the Chicago Bears in an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Lions feeling good about themselves after big win for Bevell

By Noah Trister Dec. 07, 2020 07:22 PM EST
DETROIT (AP) — No matter what happens for the rest of his tenure as Detroit's

Michigan State quarterback Rocky Lombardi throws a pass against Northwestern during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in East Lansing, Mich. Michigan State won 29-20. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Spartans tough in underdog role and here comes No. 3 Ohio St

By Noah Trister Dec. 01, 2020 05:38 PM EST
One thing is still true at Michigan State under new coach Mel Tucker.

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford looks downfield during the second half of an NFL football game, against the Houston Texans Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Bevell takes over after Lions clean house

By Noah Trister Nov. 30, 2020 08:25 PM EST
Darrell Bevell is pumped about the opportunity to coach the Detroit Lions, and

Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia adjusts his face mask during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Early turnovers just the start of dismal loss for Lions

By Noah Trister Nov. 26, 2020 05:38 PM EST
DETROIT (AP) — The latest debacle for the Detroit Lions began early in their

Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia watches during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Lions stumble into Thanksgiving game after abysmal defeat

By Noah Trister Nov. 23, 2020 07:52 PM EST
DETROIT (AP) — As poorly as the Detroit Lions have played this season, this

Detroit Lions running back D'Andre Swift (32) avoids a tackle by Washington Football Team cornerback Jimmy Moreland (20) and inside linebacker Jon Bostic (53) before falling into the end zone for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Even during shaky season, Prater has been big for Lions

By Noah Trister Nov. 16, 2020 07:21 PM EST
DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Lions have won four games this season, and three of

Washington Football Team quarterback Alex Smith looks to throw during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Tony Ding)
Smith strong in 1st start since '18, but it comes in a loss

By Noah Trister Nov. 15, 2020 06:41 PM EST
DETROIT (AP) — Alex Smith took another big step in his personal comeback.

Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (33) scores on a touchdown run during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020 in Minneapolis. (Jerry Holt/Star Tribune via AP)
Lions stumble to midway point at 3-5 after loss to Vikings

By Noah Trister Nov. 09, 2020 08:11 PM EST
There's a certain repetitiveness right now to Matt Patricia's news conferences.

FILE- In this Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, file photo, Dallas Cowboys defensive end Everson Griffen (97) celebrates after winning an NFL football game against the New York Giants in Arlington, Texas. Griffen's debut with the Detroit Lions will come against a former team the Minnesota Vikings. Griffen played 10 seasons with the Vikings from 2010-19. He was with Dallas this season before the Lions acquired the defensive end in a trade last week. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins, File)
Griffen sounds off on Zimmer's 'good player' comment

By Noah Trister Nov. 05, 2020 07:01 PM EST
DETROIT (AP) — Everson Griffen's debut with the Detroit Lions will come against

Indianapolis Colts cornerback T.J. Carrie (38) deflects a pass intended for Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones (11) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Lions took step backward in listless loss to Colts

By Noah Trister Nov. 02, 2020 07:11 PM EST
DETROIT (AP) — Two wins brought Matt Patricia and the Detroit Lions a bit of a

Detroit Lions running back Adrian Peterson, right, rushes during the second half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Colts stuff Detroit running game in 41-21 win over Lions

By Noah Trister Nov. 01, 2020 06:24 PM EST
DETROIT (AP) — The postgame stats stuck out in glaring fashion after the latest

Chicago Bears running back Tarik Cohen (29) tries to break the tackle of Detroit Lions strong safety Duron Harmon (26) in the first half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Few positive signs lately for Patricia's defense in Detroit

By Noah Trister Oct. 09, 2020 12:39 PM EDT
DETROIT (AP) — Defense was supposed to be Matt Patricia's calling card when he

Chicago Bears wide receiver Anthony Miller catches a 27-yard touchdown pass as Detroit Lions cornerback Tony McRae (34) defends in the second half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020. Chicago won 27-23. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Dull 'Dagger': Another collapse costs Lions their opener

By Noah Trister Sep. 13, 2020 06:28 PM EDT
DETROIT (AP) — If the Detroit Lions' first game was any indication, their

FILE - This is a 2020 file photo showing Adrian Peterson of the Washington NFL football team. Washington released veteran running back Adrian Peterson on Friday, Sept. 4, 2020, a stunning move by first-year coach Ron Rivera in the name of getting younger. Rivera called Peterson early in the morning asking him to come to the practice facility, then delivered the news the team was moving on from the 35-year-old star. The move came less than 36 hours before NFL rosters must be trimmed to the 53-man limit and nine days before the start of the regular season. (AP Photo/File)
AP source: Peterson agrees to 1-year deal with Detroit

By Noah Trister Sep. 06, 2020 10:33 AM EDT
DETROIT (AP) — Adrian Peterson has agreed to a one-year contract with the

Detroit Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker (68) finishes stretching before drills at the Lions NFL football practice, Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
With new contract, Decker now focused on future

By Noah Trister Sep. 02, 2020 07:27 PM EDT
DETROIT (AP) — Taylor Decker has his big new contract with the Detroit Lions.

Decker agrees to new deal with Lions, agent confirms

By Noah Trister Sep. 01, 2020 05:08 PM EDT
DETROIT (AP) — Taylor Decker has agreed to a six-year, $85 million deal with

FILE - In this Oct. 26, 2019, file photo, Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo watches batting practice for Game 4 against the Houston Astros in the baseball World Series in Washington. “The challenges have been that they stopped playing baseball about six weeks into the spring season,” Rizzo said, talking about the draft. “So that’s been the biggest hurdle that we had to face. Fortunately, we dive into this draft thing very, very seriously. We got a lot done early on, especially the higher-round type of premier prospects. We have a really good feel of what’s out there in the country.” (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)
MLB teams adjusting as pandemic affects draft preparation

By Noah Trister Apr. 28, 2020 01:49 AM EDT
The Detroit Tigers can feel certain about one thing: They have the No. 1 pick

FLE - In this Jan. 12, 2020, file photo, Kansas City Chiefs inside linebacker Reggie Ragland (59) plays against the Houston Texans during the second half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo. The Detroit Lions have agreed to a contract with linebacker Reggie Ragland, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. The person spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press on Friday, March 27, 2020, because the deal had not been announced. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann, File)
Lions reach deals with LBs Reggie Ragland, Elijah Lee

By Noah Trister Mar. 27, 2020 01:35 PM EDT
DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Lions have agreed to contracts with linebackers

FILE - In this Nov. 28, 2019, file photo, Detroit Lions cornerback Darius Slay (23) celebrates an interception against the Chicago Bears during an NFL football game in Detroit. The Lions agreed to trade cornerback Darius Slay to the Philadelphia Eagles, ending the standout defensive back's seven-year stint in Detroit. Agent Drew Rosenhaus confirmed the trade Thursday, March 19, 2020, and that Slay has agreed to a three-year, $50 million extension with Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski, File)
Lions agree to trade CB Darius Slay to Philadelphia

By Noah Trister Mar. 19, 2020 04:42 PM EDT
DETROIT (AP) — Darius Slay got what he was waiting for — a trade out of Detroit