Will Burchfield

The former All-Pro safety is here to help, “wherever they ask me to play. His baptism in Aaron Glenn’s defense was fitting, “one of those blitz calls” out of the slot.

Their goals will depend largely on a depleted defense dusting itself off, with the knowledge that Allen and the Bills might be waiting at the end of the road.

The rushing attack sets up the Lions’ high-powered offense, in particular the play-action pass. Jared Goff is not the same quarterback without it.

Robertson has the experience and the swagger to shift from the slot to the outside across from rookie Terrion Arnold. He also has the proven ability.

Gibbs has galloped in this spot in the past. When Montgomery was sidelined against the Raiders last year, Gibbs turned a career-high 26 carries into 152 yards and a touchdown.

The defense will have a large say in where they go from here. The only starter nearing a return is linebacker Alex Anzalone, who could be back by Week 18.

Johnson was asked Thursday if Caleb Williams has a skillset that a new coach would find appealing. The first overall pick has had a rocky rookie season.

For all their losses on defense, the Lions still have legitimate Super Bowl aspirations with Johnson in charge of the top scoring offense in the NFL.

He leaned on his faith, family and friends to navigate some dark days, and ran back into the light Sunday in Chicago. And then the coaches showed their faith in him.

Gibbs has galloped in this spot in the past. When Montgomery was sidelined against the Raiders last year, Gibbs turned a career-high 26 carries into 152 yards and a touchdown.