Win and in.
That's ultimately what over a decade of futility, desperation and frustration has come down to.
Every player knows the history of the franchise and the lack of playoff appearances. I only hope they understand the enormity of actually accomplishing the feat.
The Lions are talented enough to not only get into the playoffs, but actually go deep into them. When you have a player like Calvin Johnson and a defensive front that's as physical and overwhelming at times as theirs, you have a chance to beat anyone. Making the playoffs is nice. Making an actual playoff run is special.
San Diego is always dangerous and they come into this week exceptionally hot. However, examine their 3-game win streak a little closer and it's difficult to find anything too impressive about it. They did what they should have at home against lowly Jacksonville and Buffalo and they definitely took care of business against Baltimore. But Baltimore had already clinched a playoff spot and they almost certainly didn't take the Chargers as serious as they should have.
Nobody expects the Lions to rush for 150+ yards. However, they'll need to flirt with 100 to really play a clean game and come out with a victory. Their running backs are who they are. A crew of backups, most of whom were out of the league when the season started. The offensive line needs to have a greater commitment to run blocking and allow these serviceable-at-best backs to protect the pill and gain their 4 yards a carry. To exploit the San Diego rush defense may be too harsh a term, but they must be effective because San Diego has a top pass defense and Stafford will need help to loosen them up.
This is the Chargers' first and only game indoors all season. That makes the crowd noise all the more imperative. Their offense is communication intensive, meaning Rivers likes to talk to his linemen and maybe change a play all at the line of scrimmage. The Ford Field crowd can do much to hamper this. Of course, the game dictates what the crowd can do. People are only human and they can't get too amped up if the Lions are down big and early. A close game means a lot of banging ear drums.
San Diego has consistently been one of the most dynamic and best teams in the league since Drew Brees and Ladainian Tomlinson were in the backfield. They are strong in all phases and can compete with any team, any week. While the Lions have had their share of battles this season, they should relish the opportunity to get a playoff-type of contest before the playoffs actually start. Win, and you move on. They should look at it no other way.
Prediction: Lions 28 Chargers 26
Players to watch- Malcom Floyd, Chris Houston
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Week 15 NFL Picks: Detroit Lions and Oakland Raiders
Even in victory, the Lions have a tendency to look undisciplined. Despite its deficiencies, this team has a lot of talent. It's just up to the coaches to harness that talent and channel it into production on the field. All things considered, the approach from here on out should not be just to get into the playoffs, but to go deep into them. To do that, these players have to look at themselves and ask if they want to do something special.
Matthew Stafford is quietly playing his best football of the season over the last 2 weeks. I'd like to see him continue to spread the ball around. Nate Burleson is a guy who will have his moments but he's no longer someone Stafford can go to when the game is on the line. Two tight end sets and more Titus Young are what this team needs. Would be nice to see Maurice Stovall also get into the mix late this season.
Stopping the run may be a monumental task today. While the Lions have had some success against larger backs, Michael Bush will almost certainly have a day against a poor run stopping defense. He's a bruiser and quite frankly someone the Lions should be looking to sign this offseason.
Make no mistake about it, the Oakland Raiders can play ball. They have a play making defense that loves to force turnovers and their offense can shine at times.
It's not easy to win on the road. People look at the Raiders and see that they've lost their last two games in ugly fashion and assume the Lions should walk into Oakland and take an easy victory. As we've seen, the Lions don't like to do things the easy way. The Raiders have just enough talent to make this interesting. Maybe too interesting.
Prediction: Lions 31 Raiders 30
Players to watch: Chaz Schillens, Marcel Reece,
Matthew Stafford is quietly playing his best football of the season over the last 2 weeks. I'd like to see him continue to spread the ball around. Nate Burleson is a guy who will have his moments but he's no longer someone Stafford can go to when the game is on the line. Two tight end sets and more Titus Young are what this team needs. Would be nice to see Maurice Stovall also get into the mix late this season.
Stopping the run may be a monumental task today. While the Lions have had some success against larger backs, Michael Bush will almost certainly have a day against a poor run stopping defense. He's a bruiser and quite frankly someone the Lions should be looking to sign this offseason.
Make no mistake about it, the Oakland Raiders can play ball. They have a play making defense that loves to force turnovers and their offense can shine at times.
It's not easy to win on the road. People look at the Raiders and see that they've lost their last two games in ugly fashion and assume the Lions should walk into Oakland and take an easy victory. As we've seen, the Lions don't like to do things the easy way. The Raiders have just enough talent to make this interesting. Maybe too interesting.
Prediction: Lions 31 Raiders 30
Players to watch: Chaz Schillens, Marcel Reece,
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Week 14 NFL Picks: Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions
There's what should happen and then there's what could happen. We know what the Lions should do to a decimated Minnesota Vikings team. Potentially without their starting quarterback and running back, the Lions should walk out of Ford Field with a victory. After all, they have a lot to prove after the last 2 weeks, don't they? Well, we may think so but that doesn't mean the team realizes it. It begs the question, can players who are even capable of committing the kind of inexcusable acts the Lions have over the last two weeks, learn from those same mistakes? Believe the unbelievable when Jared Allen or another Viking tries to get under the skin of a Lion in hopes of getting a reaction. We'll find out what that reaction will be starting today and over the course of these next 3 weeks.
Just out of curiosity, is it worse to push a defenseless referee or to kick a guy's arm?
Despite an extreme lack of talent, the Vikings have played well at times this season. Like any team in the NFL, if you don't prepare for them or take them lightly, they can bite you. The Lions should be aware of this as it took a monumental comeback and overtime to beat them in week 3. There's nothing the Vikings would like more than to play spoiler and defeat their division rivals. Although, I'm not sure they would be spoiling anything.
There is so much that has to happen for this year's Lions to separate themselves from being just another mediocre football team. So far, they haven't done them. The kind of mental errors they've had just don't equate to success. The only thing this team has going for it is the hot start to the season. They're clinging to that as they've now lost 5 of 7 and have put themselves in a bad spot. If the playoffs started today, the Lions would be watching from home (and not because they'd have a first round bye.)
The Lions must not look past this team nor will a sloppy win suffice. There's a lot they need to accomplish today including stopping the run and establishing their own. Whether Adrian Peterson is healthy or not, the Vikings can run the ball. When a team can do that, it opens up everything else in terms of moving the ball down the field and before you know it, you've got a ball game on your hands.
The rest of the schedule is a bit of a gauntlet. In my opinion, the Lions need to win 3 out of their last 4 as well as get some help from other teams in order to get into the playoffs. The Lions have some injuries of their own and those guys who step in to play better be ready because when the 4th quarter comes around, the entire season may be on the line.
Let's assume this team has re-focused and will come ready to play.
Prediction: Lions 28, Vikings 23
Players to watch: Toby Gerhart, Percy Harvin
Just out of curiosity, is it worse to push a defenseless referee or to kick a guy's arm?
Despite an extreme lack of talent, the Vikings have played well at times this season. Like any team in the NFL, if you don't prepare for them or take them lightly, they can bite you. The Lions should be aware of this as it took a monumental comeback and overtime to beat them in week 3. There's nothing the Vikings would like more than to play spoiler and defeat their division rivals. Although, I'm not sure they would be spoiling anything.
There is so much that has to happen for this year's Lions to separate themselves from being just another mediocre football team. So far, they haven't done them. The kind of mental errors they've had just don't equate to success. The only thing this team has going for it is the hot start to the season. They're clinging to that as they've now lost 5 of 7 and have put themselves in a bad spot. If the playoffs started today, the Lions would be watching from home (and not because they'd have a first round bye.)
The Lions must not look past this team nor will a sloppy win suffice. There's a lot they need to accomplish today including stopping the run and establishing their own. Whether Adrian Peterson is healthy or not, the Vikings can run the ball. When a team can do that, it opens up everything else in terms of moving the ball down the field and before you know it, you've got a ball game on your hands.
The rest of the schedule is a bit of a gauntlet. In my opinion, the Lions need to win 3 out of their last 4 as well as get some help from other teams in order to get into the playoffs. The Lions have some injuries of their own and those guys who step in to play better be ready because when the 4th quarter comes around, the entire season may be on the line.
Let's assume this team has re-focused and will come ready to play.
Prediction: Lions 28, Vikings 23
Players to watch: Toby Gerhart, Percy Harvin
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Week 13 NFL Picks: Detroit Lions and New Orleans Saints
There’s a lot that has gone wrong for the Detroit Lions the last few weeks. Injuries, unfavorable calls and a little incident you may have heard of involving Ndamokong Suh have hampered the plans that the Lions have made for the playoffs. Perhaps, the biggest problem is that the Lions had plans to begin with, not realizing the difficult road that still lay ahead. Somewhere along the schedule, the Lions lost their focus and now find themselves in a suddenly tight playoff race.
Now, the Lions travel to New Orleans, where they’ll take on a Saints team with a quarterback who I consider to be the best in the league in Drew Brees. The game has become an afterthought across the country, with most experts giving the Saints a decisive victory. Offensively, the Saints present match up problems for even the very best defenses in the league. But that is the key term: match ups. The Lions have some advantages that they should look to exploit early and often.
Both defenses are weak. Yes, both defenses. I know the reputation that the Lions have but the fact of the matter is that they haven’t lived up to that reputation. When you’re ‘ok’ against the pass and can’t stop the run, you are weak. Add to the mix a poor special teams squad and you've got the makings of an underachieving, playoff-missing football team. With that said, there's a chance for some big plays and real offensive fireworks.
Calvin Johnson hasn't been mentioned much in this blog this season nor has he needed to be. I know he's great, you know he's great. However, if the Lions are to make the playoffs, tonight must be a night to look back on as a reason why. This team is slumping and it will be up to their best player to pull them out of it. Like a great starting pitcher in baseball, CJ has to be Justin Verlander and play the stopper for this team.
Of course, much of what CJ does depends on his quarterback. Matthew Stafford has been practicing without the glove that he's worn the last few weeks. That could be good news, meaning his finger has healed, or bad news that he's desperate to break out of the funk that he's seemingly been in. The Saints defense may be mediocre, but like the Lions, they can be opportunistic. They aren't shy to bring pressure on the quarterback nor jump a route for an interception. Stafford has to match Brees nearly throw for throw.
You'll see Saints receivers getting behind Lions defenders the whole game tonight. The Lions need someone to do the same for them. There hasn't been anyone besides Johnson that has been able to really stretch a defense. Titus Young has played well at times this season, managing to score a few touchdowns. However, he has lacked those game changing plays that he was known for out of college. Look for Stafford to try and hit him deep tonight.
A healthy Kevin Smith could be the difference in the game. Balance between the run and the pass gives Detroit its best chance. Smith has had a nice resurgence this season but expect to see major contributions from Keiland Williams and Maurice Morris as well.
This has to be the Nick Fairley game. This is why they drafted him. He started the season looking weak and out of shape with much of that being attributed to his injury. He’s now had 2 healthy months under his belt to play himself back into shape. Ideally, the defense shouldn't miss a beat without Suh. That's what was visualized when Fairley was drafted and he his supposed to be Suh's near-equal, even as a rookie.
This needs to be a team effort. Justin Durant was signed this off season to be an athletic, sideline to sidelines playmaker. His game is meant to excel in games like this where a quarterback spreads the ball around to guys like Darren Sproles and Jimmy Graham. The Lions could use a big defensive play from him today.
The dominoes have fallen nicely so far today for the Lions in terms of playoff positioning. Tonight, they can either take a giant leap towards the postseason or continue to watch the walls close in on them.
Prediction: Lions 30 Saints 35
Players to watch: New Orleans RB’s, Jonathan Vilma
Now, the Lions travel to New Orleans, where they’ll take on a Saints team with a quarterback who I consider to be the best in the league in Drew Brees. The game has become an afterthought across the country, with most experts giving the Saints a decisive victory. Offensively, the Saints present match up problems for even the very best defenses in the league. But that is the key term: match ups. The Lions have some advantages that they should look to exploit early and often.
Both defenses are weak. Yes, both defenses. I know the reputation that the Lions have but the fact of the matter is that they haven’t lived up to that reputation. When you’re ‘ok’ against the pass and can’t stop the run, you are weak. Add to the mix a poor special teams squad and you've got the makings of an underachieving, playoff-missing football team. With that said, there's a chance for some big plays and real offensive fireworks.
Calvin Johnson hasn't been mentioned much in this blog this season nor has he needed to be. I know he's great, you know he's great. However, if the Lions are to make the playoffs, tonight must be a night to look back on as a reason why. This team is slumping and it will be up to their best player to pull them out of it. Like a great starting pitcher in baseball, CJ has to be Justin Verlander and play the stopper for this team.
Of course, much of what CJ does depends on his quarterback. Matthew Stafford has been practicing without the glove that he's worn the last few weeks. That could be good news, meaning his finger has healed, or bad news that he's desperate to break out of the funk that he's seemingly been in. The Saints defense may be mediocre, but like the Lions, they can be opportunistic. They aren't shy to bring pressure on the quarterback nor jump a route for an interception. Stafford has to match Brees nearly throw for throw.
You'll see Saints receivers getting behind Lions defenders the whole game tonight. The Lions need someone to do the same for them. There hasn't been anyone besides Johnson that has been able to really stretch a defense. Titus Young has played well at times this season, managing to score a few touchdowns. However, he has lacked those game changing plays that he was known for out of college. Look for Stafford to try and hit him deep tonight.
A healthy Kevin Smith could be the difference in the game. Balance between the run and the pass gives Detroit its best chance. Smith has had a nice resurgence this season but expect to see major contributions from Keiland Williams and Maurice Morris as well.
This has to be the Nick Fairley game. This is why they drafted him. He started the season looking weak and out of shape with much of that being attributed to his injury. He’s now had 2 healthy months under his belt to play himself back into shape. Ideally, the defense shouldn't miss a beat without Suh. That's what was visualized when Fairley was drafted and he his supposed to be Suh's near-equal, even as a rookie.
This needs to be a team effort. Justin Durant was signed this off season to be an athletic, sideline to sidelines playmaker. His game is meant to excel in games like this where a quarterback spreads the ball around to guys like Darren Sproles and Jimmy Graham. The Lions could use a big defensive play from him today.
The dominoes have fallen nicely so far today for the Lions in terms of playoff positioning. Tonight, they can either take a giant leap towards the postseason or continue to watch the walls close in on them.
Prediction: Lions 30 Saints 35
Players to watch: New Orleans RB’s, Jonathan Vilma
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Week 12 NFL Picks: Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions
The Lions must play better than they did on Sunday against Carolina to win today. Falling behind by two scores, giving up special teams touchdowns and turning the ball over three times in three possessions are ways to get sent home to an early Thanksgiving dinner.
Push it to the limit
The Packers are a team that will score a lot of points and gain a lot of yards no matter the situation. To think that you can shut them down is unrealistic. The key is limiting those points and yardage. The Lions can do this in two ways: Keeping Aaron Rogers off of the field by playing consistent, ball control offense and by stopping them on third down. The Lions are the best in the league at the latter and this will prove crucial to having any success today.
Stark contrasts
The Lions have been brutal against the run. Two of their three losses are directly related to poor run-defense. I’m not sure this will be a problem today, though. James Starks is a nice back who came through in a huge way for the Packers last year. He’s good between the tackles and will get yards after contact. Nice features that you want in a running back, but likely won’t hurt the Lions.
The war at the front and civilian contributions
The Lions really got after Rodgers last season, so much so that they knocked him out of one game. There’s no reason why they can’t do that again. However, this will take some help from the defensive backs. There were throws last week that Cameron Newton missed to some open receivers. Aaron Rodgers won’t miss those. If they can tighten their coverage, the Lions defensive line has a chance to really take over this game. The crowd can do much to aid in this. This should be the same atmosphere as Monday night if not louder. A disruption of Rodgers communicating with his receivers would be huge.
Suh me, baby
It all starts with Suh. He doesn’t do all the things that show up on a stat sheet but he does a lot of what doesn’t and his peers respect him for this. Today, he needs to add to that and do a couple things that do show up on a stat sheet. Look for a sack or maybe something bigger from him.
This is a game the Lions can win. If they don’t shore up the kick coverage, they’ll lose. If they can eliminate the big plays like this, then everything else will fall into place
Prediction: Lions 37 Packers 33
Players to watch: Randall Cobb, Tramond Williams
Push it to the limit
The Packers are a team that will score a lot of points and gain a lot of yards no matter the situation. To think that you can shut them down is unrealistic. The key is limiting those points and yardage. The Lions can do this in two ways: Keeping Aaron Rogers off of the field by playing consistent, ball control offense and by stopping them on third down. The Lions are the best in the league at the latter and this will prove crucial to having any success today.
Stark contrasts
The Lions have been brutal against the run. Two of their three losses are directly related to poor run-defense. I’m not sure this will be a problem today, though. James Starks is a nice back who came through in a huge way for the Packers last year. He’s good between the tackles and will get yards after contact. Nice features that you want in a running back, but likely won’t hurt the Lions.
The war at the front and civilian contributions
The Lions really got after Rodgers last season, so much so that they knocked him out of one game. There’s no reason why they can’t do that again. However, this will take some help from the defensive backs. There were throws last week that Cameron Newton missed to some open receivers. Aaron Rodgers won’t miss those. If they can tighten their coverage, the Lions defensive line has a chance to really take over this game. The crowd can do much to aid in this. This should be the same atmosphere as Monday night if not louder. A disruption of Rodgers communicating with his receivers would be huge.
Suh me, baby
It all starts with Suh. He doesn’t do all the things that show up on a stat sheet but he does a lot of what doesn’t and his peers respect him for this. Today, he needs to add to that and do a couple things that do show up on a stat sheet. Look for a sack or maybe something bigger from him.
This is a game the Lions can win. If they don’t shore up the kick coverage, they’ll lose. If they can eliminate the big plays like this, then everything else will fall into place
Prediction: Lions 37 Packers 33
Players to watch: Randall Cobb, Tramond Williams
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Week 11 NFL Picks: Carolina Panthers and Detroit Lions
There is much the Lions can do to help themselves today. In a game against a floundering but dangerous football team, the Lions must be careful not to let the play makers of the Carolina Panthers hurt them. Led by rookie quarterback Cam Newton, the Panthers are a team that can score. If Detroit lets Newton roam outside of the pocket, he can find veteran wide receiver Steve Smith all day. This lack of containment will also lead to big running lanes for DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, something we know the Lions have struggled with this season.
It’s imperative that the Lions get off to a good start. Taking an early lead will allow them to rely more on the running game and less on a beat up Matthew Stafford and his struggling receivers. The last thing Detroit needs is an early deficit where it must play to its weakness and try to stop the running game of Carolina.
The Panthers are a desperate team and they will do whatever it takes to gain an advantage. This includes gadget plays offensively. Don’t be surprised to see a few in this game. They are generally not a blitzing team either, but they may try to dial a few up this week, hoping to spark a turnover.
The special teams have been bad all season for Detroit and I don’t expect that to change today. Carolina will likely make a big play in this phase and Detroit will have to find a way to overcome it. This will be a sloppy game.
History made last week’s game the most important of the season. The result may be a telling sign of how the rest of the second half of the schedule plays out, or it may been an aberration.
Emotional tides, moral victories and catching teams off guard are all out the window now. This is November in the NFL where playoff teams separate themselves from the rest. If the Lions are to take that huge next step, they must take care of business at home today.
Prediction: Lions 23 Panthers 20
Players to watch- Stephen Tulloch, Charles Johnson
It’s imperative that the Lions get off to a good start. Taking an early lead will allow them to rely more on the running game and less on a beat up Matthew Stafford and his struggling receivers. The last thing Detroit needs is an early deficit where it must play to its weakness and try to stop the running game of Carolina.
The Panthers are a desperate team and they will do whatever it takes to gain an advantage. This includes gadget plays offensively. Don’t be surprised to see a few in this game. They are generally not a blitzing team either, but they may try to dial a few up this week, hoping to spark a turnover.
The special teams have been bad all season for Detroit and I don’t expect that to change today. Carolina will likely make a big play in this phase and Detroit will have to find a way to overcome it. This will be a sloppy game.
History made last week’s game the most important of the season. The result may be a telling sign of how the rest of the second half of the schedule plays out, or it may been an aberration.
Emotional tides, moral victories and catching teams off guard are all out the window now. This is November in the NFL where playoff teams separate themselves from the rest. If the Lions are to take that huge next step, they must take care of business at home today.
Prediction: Lions 23 Panthers 20
Players to watch- Stephen Tulloch, Charles Johnson
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Week 10 Preview: Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears
Good news this week: the Lion’s aren’t playing the Cardinals.
In 1999 and 2007 the Lions had similar (different but same) starts to this season. Going 6-2 in their first 8 games both times, only to be followed by inexplicable and equally embarrassing finishes.
Remember: Vince Tobin
Following the abrupt retirement of Barry Sanders, the 1999 Lions started the season with a “we don’t need him” mentality. Well, turned out they needed him. After winning one of the most exciting games of the 1999 season against the eventual Super Bowl champ St. Louis Rams, the Lions traveled to Arizona to take on what was typically a bad Cardinals team. In a game marred by questionable coaching calls and broken plays, it would be a young Michael Pittman who stole the show, rushing for 145 yards including a 56 yard, game-breaking touchdown run to go along with a 46 yard catch. The Lions would lose 23-19 and finish the season 8-8. There was a botched 2 point conversion called by then-Lions coach Bobby Ross which would turn the tide of that game and eventually the season. While this was the last season that the Lions actually made the playoffs, it was on a 4 game losing streak and they would eventually lose in the NFC wild card to the Washington Redskins.
Pounding, Digging and Drive-Thru’s
Flash forward 8 years: the Lions are in their second season under head coach Rod Marinelli. It seems as though they’ve turned a corner and have started out the season 6-2. Enter: Arizona Cardinals. Matt Leinart has flamed out and a seemingly washed up Kurt Warner has stepped in. Playing mostly inconsistent ball to that point, it would be this game that Warner showed flashes of his old self, throwing 2 touchdowns to Larry Fitzgerald and 2 more to tight end Leonard Pope. The Lions would lose 31-21 and win only once more, finishing the season 7-9 and missing the playoffs.
Wrappin' Forte and the challenge of a rival
The Chicago Bears are an improved team the last few weeks and perhaps nobody is more responsible for that than the Lions. The bears are 3-0 since the Monday night game and have more than doubled their rushing output in those games - bad news for a Lions rush defense that has struggled even in victory.
There’s a misconception about the Monday night match up that Detroit dominated the game. The fact of the matter is that they were down at halftime and that’s despite most of the infamous false start penalties against Chicago coming in the first half. This game is at Soldier Field today and the man who broke that game wide open, Jahvid Best, will be in street clothes again. Chicago is likely to strike some big plays of their own and Detroit must match each one. Somebody on offense other than Calvin Johnson must step up today.
The Bears are a team without an identity. Sitting 23rd in defense and 17th in offense, they have still managed to win 5 games and are in a position to compete for the NFC North crown. However, this disparity makes them hard to game plan for. Matt Forte hurt the Lions last time and hasn’t slowed down since. He will get his yards and do what he does, but they have to prevent him from hitting the huge plays (20+ yards).
Don’t let Cutty do it
The Bears offensive line is much improved and without the advantage of a home crowd, Detroit’s play at the line of scrimmage will be more crucial than it has been all season. The defensive line is going to need help and that must come from the defensive backs. If they plan on knocking quarterback Jay Cutler around like they did last time, it will be because of the coverage. Despite his critics, Cutler can sling it and will hurt you if you let him.
Restoring the Roaring
Some say this year’s team is different. Some of those same people probably said that in 1999 and 2007 as well. We won’t know until this entire season plays out (hopefully not before then) what this team is made of. What we do know is that this game is equally as important as those previous 9th game match ups and present many of the same challenges. It may be obvious to those who have watched this team for a while that they have definitive strengths and weaknesses while the previous 6-2 teams sort of fell into their records, failing to clearly define who they were. 2011 and beyond is built upon solid defense and score when you have to offense. Sure, they would like to run the ball more effectively, but that will come with more work and better health.
A road game against a capable, hungry and talented football team usually would result in a loss. With Chicago playing on a short week and Detroit coming off a bye, the difference could be rest and preparation.
Prediction: Lions 28 Bears 24
Players to watch- Titus Young, Earl Bennett
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Week 8 Review: Detroit Lions and Denver Broncos
This game played out exactly how it should. As I mentioned before, the Lions' problems lie only with themselves. They narrowed the running lanes, brought pressure on passing downs and gave Tim Tebow haters a reason to smile again.
The Lions blew the Broncos out of their own stadium because they were the superior team. My only question was if they were going to play like it. Reeling after consecutive home losses, the Lions were back on the road playing with a hobbled quarterback and toting around even more off the field controversy. They handled it well and can go into their bye week on a positive note.
Scott Linehan put Stafford in good spots early, calling for quick throws mixed in with some gadget plays to get him in a comfort zone and keep the Bronco defenders off balance.
Best defensively called game all season for Detroit. Louis Delmas was around the line of scrimmage for most of the second half- something we need to see more of. Linebackers blitzed and the corners jammed their receivers. Good job, Gunther.
Maurice Morris looked very good. He and Keiland Williams seem more than capable of pacing the run game while Jahvid Best is out. Even when Best comes back their shouldn't be a significant decrease in carries for Morris and Williams. It's obvious that while Best can be a game breaker, he's better suited in a situational role.
Titus Young had his breakout game. They went to him early and his touchdown may have been on a broken play by the defense, but it was a touchdown nonetheless. It's time to see what he can do in the punt return game.
Detroit can't be shy to bring that kind of pressure on quarterbacks every week. They've been giving too much respect as of late to guys like Alex Smith and Matt Ryan, worried that they might get exploited. This team is good enough to take those chances and not get burned. It's time to unleash the potential of this team.
The Lions blew the Broncos out of their own stadium because they were the superior team. My only question was if they were going to play like it. Reeling after consecutive home losses, the Lions were back on the road playing with a hobbled quarterback and toting around even more off the field controversy. They handled it well and can go into their bye week on a positive note.
Scott Linehan put Stafford in good spots early, calling for quick throws mixed in with some gadget plays to get him in a comfort zone and keep the Bronco defenders off balance.
Best defensively called game all season for Detroit. Louis Delmas was around the line of scrimmage for most of the second half- something we need to see more of. Linebackers blitzed and the corners jammed their receivers. Good job, Gunther.
Maurice Morris looked very good. He and Keiland Williams seem more than capable of pacing the run game while Jahvid Best is out. Even when Best comes back their shouldn't be a significant decrease in carries for Morris and Williams. It's obvious that while Best can be a game breaker, he's better suited in a situational role.
Titus Young had his breakout game. They went to him early and his touchdown may have been on a broken play by the defense, but it was a touchdown nonetheless. It's time to see what he can do in the punt return game.
Detroit can't be shy to bring that kind of pressure on quarterbacks every week. They've been giving too much respect as of late to guys like Alex Smith and Matt Ryan, worried that they might get exploited. This team is good enough to take those chances and not get burned. It's time to unleash the potential of this team.
Week 8 NFL Picks: Detroit Lions and Denver Broncos
Stopping the run, kick coverage, protecting the quarterback; 3 aspects to the 3 phases of the game that the Lions continue to struggle with. Perhaps the Lions players and staff have read too many press clippings. Maybe they think they're good enough to win despite these flaws. Whatever the case may be, they will have their hands full on Sunday with a team strong in countering all of the above.
Coming into the season, the Lions had top talent across their starting 22. The defense was young, fresh and mean. The offensive line was battle tested and they had a quarterback who was healthy and had a lot to prove. As the season has worn on, injuries, opponents and reality have proven to be great equalizers. Their problems are correctable, but will they correct them?
Old school or just old?
Sometimes personnel, opponents and most unfortunate, egos, get in the way of producing victories. Gunther Cunningham is old school. I’ve said that before and their aren’t a lot of positives to it. Old school often leads to old habits. Just because fans, analysts, players, and grandmas passing by a TV in a storefront all see that the Lions defense has problems, doesn’t mean the coordinator does. In the 90's, Cunningham coached some of the best defense this league has ever seen. In the 2000's, he coached some of the worst. Has the game passed him by? This game will do much to answer that question. Let’s be real, the Lions defense has been productive and have allowed the fewest points in their division, but they’ve given up big plays both through the air and on the ground and it has cost them.
God's Quarterback
Everyone has an opinion of Tim Tebow. While he is known more for what he can do with his legs, he has had big games throwing the ball, including a 300 yard performance last season. The Lions have racked up a lot of sacks this season but they’ve also missed out on some. If they fail to wrap Tebow up on passing downs, he will hurt them. If the Lions take him lightly, they could lose this game.
Staying relevant
Last season, I called Stefan Logan the most irrelevant player in the NFL and he responded the next week with a 105 yard kick-off return touchdown. That was last season. Stefan Logan is the most irrelevant player in the NFL.
Finding Titus
Where is Titus Young? I’m not sure he even knows. He looks lost and the rookie seems to be falling further out of the game plan each week. Is it crazy to give Young a few shots at fielding punts? Rebuilding teams can’t survive a season with zero production from their first, second and third round draft choices. Young needs to be involved and this would be the game to do it. In fact, all the receivers not named Calvin Johnson, Jr. need to step it up.
Leaving Elvis' building, with a win.
A lot of what happens in this game relies on the health of Matthew Stafford. In turn, a lot of what happens to Matthew Stafford relies on defensive end Elvis Dumervil. Banged up for most of the season, this could be a bit of a 'get right' game for Dumervil. Jeff Backus has not played well as of late and if Stafford is limited by his injured ankle, Dumervil could go off.
The Lions need to prepare for the other team's 'A' game each and every week. They've been getting a lot of attention and are on the radar of every team in the NFL. Denver is no different. They are coming off a big win last week and would like nothing more than to get a signature win in front of their home crowd. This game will be closer than many think.
Prediction: Lions 20 Broncos 19
Players to watch: Demaryius Thomas, Lance Ball
Coming into the season, the Lions had top talent across their starting 22. The defense was young, fresh and mean. The offensive line was battle tested and they had a quarterback who was healthy and had a lot to prove. As the season has worn on, injuries, opponents and reality have proven to be great equalizers. Their problems are correctable, but will they correct them?
Old school or just old?
Sometimes personnel, opponents and most unfortunate, egos, get in the way of producing victories. Gunther Cunningham is old school. I’ve said that before and their aren’t a lot of positives to it. Old school often leads to old habits. Just because fans, analysts, players, and grandmas passing by a TV in a storefront all see that the Lions defense has problems, doesn’t mean the coordinator does. In the 90's, Cunningham coached some of the best defense this league has ever seen. In the 2000's, he coached some of the worst. Has the game passed him by? This game will do much to answer that question. Let’s be real, the Lions defense has been productive and have allowed the fewest points in their division, but they’ve given up big plays both through the air and on the ground and it has cost them.
God's Quarterback
Everyone has an opinion of Tim Tebow. While he is known more for what he can do with his legs, he has had big games throwing the ball, including a 300 yard performance last season. The Lions have racked up a lot of sacks this season but they’ve also missed out on some. If they fail to wrap Tebow up on passing downs, he will hurt them. If the Lions take him lightly, they could lose this game.
Staying relevant
Last season, I called Stefan Logan the most irrelevant player in the NFL and he responded the next week with a 105 yard kick-off return touchdown. That was last season. Stefan Logan is the most irrelevant player in the NFL.
Finding Titus
Where is Titus Young? I’m not sure he even knows. He looks lost and the rookie seems to be falling further out of the game plan each week. Is it crazy to give Young a few shots at fielding punts? Rebuilding teams can’t survive a season with zero production from their first, second and third round draft choices. Young needs to be involved and this would be the game to do it. In fact, all the receivers not named Calvin Johnson, Jr. need to step it up.
Leaving Elvis' building, with a win.
A lot of what happens in this game relies on the health of Matthew Stafford. In turn, a lot of what happens to Matthew Stafford relies on defensive end Elvis Dumervil. Banged up for most of the season, this could be a bit of a 'get right' game for Dumervil. Jeff Backus has not played well as of late and if Stafford is limited by his injured ankle, Dumervil could go off.
The Lions need to prepare for the other team's 'A' game each and every week. They've been getting a lot of attention and are on the radar of every team in the NFL. Denver is no different. They are coming off a big win last week and would like nothing more than to get a signature win in front of their home crowd. This game will be closer than many think.
Prediction: Lions 20 Broncos 19
Players to watch: Demaryius Thomas, Lance Ball
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Week 7 NFL Picks: Atlanta Falcons and Detroit Lions
We all knew it was going to happen, we just didn’t know when. With as well as the Detroit Lions had been playing, it was difficult to say when (or even if) they would lose their first game. Well, it happened last week against San Francisco and if the Lions organization has come as far as myself and others think it has, then they will be a better team for it.
Weaknesses that may have been somewhat prevelant before, were blown wide open. Stopping the run and special teams have been issues for this team all season and San Francisco exposed that. The return game has been irrelevant and the coverage, suspect. Stefan Logan missed some lanes that had he taken advantage of, could have changed the course of the game. Special teams can be the best friend to both your offense and defense. When they were needed the most last week, the Lions special teams dodged the call.
The two major questions I had about this team coming into this season were roster depth and coaching and how these components would play out as the season wears on. You can’t fault Martin Mayhew for the sudden pinch the Lions are in at running back. He spent a third round pick in last April’s draft on a more than capable running back in Mikel LeShoure, who subsequently was lost to injury for the season. I’m not sure why Aaron Brown hasn’t been brought back, but seemingly they are confident in Maurice Morris and Keiland Williams to shoulder the load until Jahvid Best returns. I can’t help but wonder what Peyton Hillis would have looked like in a Lions uniform.
As for coaching, the old school methods of Gunther Cunningham worried me when they hired him and he hasn’t done much to quell those fears since. This is an extremely talented defense all across the field but that fact alone doesn’t guarantee success. The Lions have put pressure on opposing quarterbacks, no doubt. But their sack numbers are not where they should be. The ‘Wide 9’ or as I like to call it ‘Why 9?‘ defense is an overall solid plan and can be counted on to not give up the big play. However, if you don’t have linebackers and defensive backs who are willing and capable of stepping up to stop the run, you will be in for a long day. The defensive line can’t be counted on every single play, for 4 quarters, every week. Cunningham will need to get creative this week.
Atlanta has finally come to their senses and are handing the ball to Michael Turner again -bad news for one of the worst rush defenses in the league. Matt Ryan has shown that he isn't quite elite, but he's in a group of the top 15 passers in the league. Atlanta is a good team but this is a home game for the Lions with a newly emerged 12th man that will be revved up. This is a game for the Detroit offensive line. They must create room to run against a top run stopping team and also protect Stafford. If Detroit doesn't get overcome in any one phase of the game, then the matchups will take care of the rest.
Prediction: Detroit 29 Atlanta 21
Players to watch: Brent Grimes, Ray Edwards, Keiland Williams
Weaknesses that may have been somewhat prevelant before, were blown wide open. Stopping the run and special teams have been issues for this team all season and San Francisco exposed that. The return game has been irrelevant and the coverage, suspect. Stefan Logan missed some lanes that had he taken advantage of, could have changed the course of the game. Special teams can be the best friend to both your offense and defense. When they were needed the most last week, the Lions special teams dodged the call.
The two major questions I had about this team coming into this season were roster depth and coaching and how these components would play out as the season wears on. You can’t fault Martin Mayhew for the sudden pinch the Lions are in at running back. He spent a third round pick in last April’s draft on a more than capable running back in Mikel LeShoure, who subsequently was lost to injury for the season. I’m not sure why Aaron Brown hasn’t been brought back, but seemingly they are confident in Maurice Morris and Keiland Williams to shoulder the load until Jahvid Best returns. I can’t help but wonder what Peyton Hillis would have looked like in a Lions uniform.
As for coaching, the old school methods of Gunther Cunningham worried me when they hired him and he hasn’t done much to quell those fears since. This is an extremely talented defense all across the field but that fact alone doesn’t guarantee success. The Lions have put pressure on opposing quarterbacks, no doubt. But their sack numbers are not where they should be. The ‘Wide 9’ or as I like to call it ‘Why 9?‘ defense is an overall solid plan and can be counted on to not give up the big play. However, if you don’t have linebackers and defensive backs who are willing and capable of stepping up to stop the run, you will be in for a long day. The defensive line can’t be counted on every single play, for 4 quarters, every week. Cunningham will need to get creative this week.
Atlanta has finally come to their senses and are handing the ball to Michael Turner again -bad news for one of the worst rush defenses in the league. Matt Ryan has shown that he isn't quite elite, but he's in a group of the top 15 passers in the league. Atlanta is a good team but this is a home game for the Lions with a newly emerged 12th man that will be revved up. This is a game for the Detroit offensive line. They must create room to run against a top run stopping team and also protect Stafford. If Detroit doesn't get overcome in any one phase of the game, then the matchups will take care of the rest.
Prediction: Detroit 29 Atlanta 21
Players to watch: Brent Grimes, Ray Edwards, Keiland Williams
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Week 6 NFL Picks: San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions
Monday night football has come and gone; the Lions took care of business, the crowd did its part and Detroit once again played host to the world. In a league where your next game is always your biggest, the Lions have to do it all over again today in what will be one of the most physical games of the season.
Where the Lions made the most of their prime time opportunity, the 49ers defense has done the same all season. Leading the NFC in takeaways, the 49ers defense has been opportunistic to say the least. To go along with their 8 interceptions and 6 forced fumbles are 12 sacks that match the total of the Lions. Both teams will have an opportunity to further validate the praise they have received so far this season.
For the 49ers, it starts with Patrick Willis. A tackling machine, Willis presents a lot of problems for an offense. While Maurice Jones-Drew may be the bowling ball, Willis is the wrecking ball that can go sideline to sideline and never takes a bad angle. Matthew Stafford will know where this man is on every snap.
Offensively, the 49ers like to go big. They've used 3 tight end sets to not only throw the ball but to run it as well. This is a look the Lions haven't seen often and it remains to be seen how they'll react. Tight ends have two natural enemies: linebackers and safeties. The Lions are a little beat up at both positions and the 49ers know this. They will look to exploit those match ups early.
Gunther Cunningham could get a little more creative calling the defense. They've gone entire games without blitzing and that's asking too much from your defensive front. Even the best need help at times. While the linebackers may already have their hands full in this game, Cunningham needs to utilize the plays that San Francisco rests their tight ends and send an extra man after the quarterback.
While it may start with Patrick Willis, it could all end with Alex Smith. I'm not convinced that Smith has turned the corner nor am I sure his coaches are either. Rebuilding teams don't use 2nd round draft picks on a position that they are already happy with. Smith is a guy who can manage a game and not lose it if things are going well. He's incapable of winning it for you. The 29th ranked passing offense is probably not enough to beat this Lions team.
Last week was not an indication of how good the 49ers are but more of how overrated Tampa Bay coach Raheem Morris is. With that said, this was still one of the more difficult games to gauge because there are so many good match ups on both sides of the ball. However, if the Lions can once again run the ball effectively (75-80 yds) it will provide enough balance to offset the damage that the 49ers defense could inflict.
Prediction: Lions 23 Forty Niners 14
Players to watch: John Wendling, NaVorro Bowman
Where the Lions made the most of their prime time opportunity, the 49ers defense has done the same all season. Leading the NFC in takeaways, the 49ers defense has been opportunistic to say the least. To go along with their 8 interceptions and 6 forced fumbles are 12 sacks that match the total of the Lions. Both teams will have an opportunity to further validate the praise they have received so far this season.
For the 49ers, it starts with Patrick Willis. A tackling machine, Willis presents a lot of problems for an offense. While Maurice Jones-Drew may be the bowling ball, Willis is the wrecking ball that can go sideline to sideline and never takes a bad angle. Matthew Stafford will know where this man is on every snap.
Offensively, the 49ers like to go big. They've used 3 tight end sets to not only throw the ball but to run it as well. This is a look the Lions haven't seen often and it remains to be seen how they'll react. Tight ends have two natural enemies: linebackers and safeties. The Lions are a little beat up at both positions and the 49ers know this. They will look to exploit those match ups early.
Gunther Cunningham could get a little more creative calling the defense. They've gone entire games without blitzing and that's asking too much from your defensive front. Even the best need help at times. While the linebackers may already have their hands full in this game, Cunningham needs to utilize the plays that San Francisco rests their tight ends and send an extra man after the quarterback.
While it may start with Patrick Willis, it could all end with Alex Smith. I'm not convinced that Smith has turned the corner nor am I sure his coaches are either. Rebuilding teams don't use 2nd round draft picks on a position that they are already happy with. Smith is a guy who can manage a game and not lose it if things are going well. He's incapable of winning it for you. The 29th ranked passing offense is probably not enough to beat this Lions team.
Last week was not an indication of how good the 49ers are but more of how overrated Tampa Bay coach Raheem Morris is. With that said, this was still one of the more difficult games to gauge because there are so many good match ups on both sides of the ball. However, if the Lions can once again run the ball effectively (75-80 yds) it will provide enough balance to offset the damage that the 49ers defense could inflict.
Prediction: Lions 23 Forty Niners 14
Players to watch: John Wendling, NaVorro Bowman
Monday, October 10, 2011
Week 5 Monday Night Special: Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions
Football is back in Detroit. Not just good football but consistent, relevant and at times dominant football. For years, the Lions played the game 10 on 11, always falling short of fielding a complete team. Not since the late 90's when David Sloan was catching passes from Charlie Batch have the Lions had a threat at the Tight End position. The Lions knew this and that's why in 2009 they used the second of two first round picks on Brandon Pettigrew. Together with Tony Sheffler, the Lions have more depth at this position than perhaps they've ever had. These are only 2 of the many Detroit Lions that the Chicago Bears have to worry about tonight.
There is this misconception that the Bears are old and have had the same team since 2006. Sure, Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs are mainstays on the defense while Devin Hester is still one of the most dangerous men in the NFL. But there is a lot more to this team. There are some additions to that 2006 NFC champion squad that have paid big dividends early this season. Running back Matt Forte is doing things in Chicago that haven't been done since Walter Payton was in the back field. Coming off a historic 205 yards performance against the Carolina Panthers, Forte is running with a purpose. He can run inside and out and is deceptively fast. Matt Forte is a complete back that can take over a game if you're not ready for him.
Quarterback Jay Cutler can hurt the Lions, but only if they let him. He likes to take a deep, 7 step drop that's tailor-made for a defensive ends' appetite. Detroit must take advantage of this, not just by flushing him out of the pocket but by actually putting him on the ground. Cutler throws well on the run and is more than capable of making plays outside of the pocket. He may be erratic and a bit of a gunslinger, but he is not too prideful to dump the ball to Forte when he has to and Forte is more than happy to catch them.
The Bears are solid and were only a few plays away from a Super Bowl last season. They can rush the passer with the best defenses in the game. The importance of protection goes without saying every week but when Julius Peppers is on the field, it cant be emphasized enough. As a whole, their defense flies to the ball and can turn a bad play by an offense into a game changing one for themselves. Teams always think that Devin Hester won't hurt them until he actually does. By then, it's usually too late. Chicago may start the game or second half with short, quick strikes to neutralize the Detroit front 4 the way Dallas did last week. And just like Dallas, it will be only a matter of time before they revert back.
You can't talk about Jay Cutler without mentioning Matthew Stafford. Similar in style, Stafford has excelled this season in large part because of the stability of having the same head coach and coordinator for 3 seasons. Despite missing so much time, Stafford has become a disciplined player unlike Cutler who tends to shy away from his mechanics and will often get himself in trouble for it. Nonetheless, both still have cannons for arms and are naturals at their position.
People have made too much of the fact that the Lions have gotten behind early in games. That's what happens when you play on the road. The crowd is into it, you've traveled a long way to get there and you're in someone else's house. What's important is that they withstood all of that and now they will be the beneficiaries of home field advantage. Despite what people are saying about Tony Romo, the Lions earned that comeback victory last week as well as the one at Minnesota the week prior.
The emotions of a nationally televised game, on Monday night and in this city will be tremendous. The effect of which we may not fully understood until the end of the season. Their was a reason that Monday Night Football didn't come to Detroit for over 10 years. Their is also a reason they are here now. After tonight, we will all know why.
Prediction: Lions 31 Bears 21
Players to watch: Cliff Avril, Titus Young
There is this misconception that the Bears are old and have had the same team since 2006. Sure, Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs are mainstays on the defense while Devin Hester is still one of the most dangerous men in the NFL. But there is a lot more to this team. There are some additions to that 2006 NFC champion squad that have paid big dividends early this season. Running back Matt Forte is doing things in Chicago that haven't been done since Walter Payton was in the back field. Coming off a historic 205 yards performance against the Carolina Panthers, Forte is running with a purpose. He can run inside and out and is deceptively fast. Matt Forte is a complete back that can take over a game if you're not ready for him.
Quarterback Jay Cutler can hurt the Lions, but only if they let him. He likes to take a deep, 7 step drop that's tailor-made for a defensive ends' appetite. Detroit must take advantage of this, not just by flushing him out of the pocket but by actually putting him on the ground. Cutler throws well on the run and is more than capable of making plays outside of the pocket. He may be erratic and a bit of a gunslinger, but he is not too prideful to dump the ball to Forte when he has to and Forte is more than happy to catch them.
The Bears are solid and were only a few plays away from a Super Bowl last season. They can rush the passer with the best defenses in the game. The importance of protection goes without saying every week but when Julius Peppers is on the field, it cant be emphasized enough. As a whole, their defense flies to the ball and can turn a bad play by an offense into a game changing one for themselves. Teams always think that Devin Hester won't hurt them until he actually does. By then, it's usually too late. Chicago may start the game or second half with short, quick strikes to neutralize the Detroit front 4 the way Dallas did last week. And just like Dallas, it will be only a matter of time before they revert back.
You can't talk about Jay Cutler without mentioning Matthew Stafford. Similar in style, Stafford has excelled this season in large part because of the stability of having the same head coach and coordinator for 3 seasons. Despite missing so much time, Stafford has become a disciplined player unlike Cutler who tends to shy away from his mechanics and will often get himself in trouble for it. Nonetheless, both still have cannons for arms and are naturals at their position.
People have made too much of the fact that the Lions have gotten behind early in games. That's what happens when you play on the road. The crowd is into it, you've traveled a long way to get there and you're in someone else's house. What's important is that they withstood all of that and now they will be the beneficiaries of home field advantage. Despite what people are saying about Tony Romo, the Lions earned that comeback victory last week as well as the one at Minnesota the week prior.
The emotions of a nationally televised game, on Monday night and in this city will be tremendous. The effect of which we may not fully understood until the end of the season. Their was a reason that Monday Night Football didn't come to Detroit for over 10 years. Their is also a reason they are here now. After tonight, we will all know why.
Prediction: Lions 31 Bears 21
Players to watch: Cliff Avril, Titus Young
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Week 4 NFL Picks: Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys
Keyword: Resilience. That’s been the theme for both the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys this season. Whether it’s Tony Romo’s ribs or falling behind by 20 points on the road, both teams have shown a flare for dramatics.
Both teams are also nicked up. Miles Austin is out as is Justin Durant for the Lions. While I think Austin is a guy who could have given the Lions some big problems, the absence of Durant may have the biggest impact. The Lions might just have the best starting 11 on both sides of the ball in the entire league. But who are the guys behind them? Former Cowboy Bobby Carpenter will replace Durant today and Dallas won’t be shy to test him. He’ll share duties trying to stop Jason Witten and will have his hands full limiting Felix Jones. Dallas let Carpenter go because they didn’t think he could handle tasks like these. As we get deeper into the season and the injuries begin to add up, we’ll find out if the rest of the Lions backups are up to the task as well.
The play of the Detroit offensive line last week is reason enough to be concerned this week. They were overwhelmed at times by the Vikings and Dallas is just as dangerous in their pass rush, if not more. They’ll need to re-group today.
Another week, another huge NFC match up for the Lions. Each game is more telling than the next as the circumstances dictate what the outcome truly means. The Lions have to run the ball much more effectively. If they can do that, coupled with some old school harassment of Tony Romo, then they will take care of business.
Prediction: Lions 31 Cowboys 30
Players to watch: Lions Special Teams, Demarcus Ware
Both teams are also nicked up. Miles Austin is out as is Justin Durant for the Lions. While I think Austin is a guy who could have given the Lions some big problems, the absence of Durant may have the biggest impact. The Lions might just have the best starting 11 on both sides of the ball in the entire league. But who are the guys behind them? Former Cowboy Bobby Carpenter will replace Durant today and Dallas won’t be shy to test him. He’ll share duties trying to stop Jason Witten and will have his hands full limiting Felix Jones. Dallas let Carpenter go because they didn’t think he could handle tasks like these. As we get deeper into the season and the injuries begin to add up, we’ll find out if the rest of the Lions backups are up to the task as well.
The play of the Detroit offensive line last week is reason enough to be concerned this week. They were overwhelmed at times by the Vikings and Dallas is just as dangerous in their pass rush, if not more. They’ll need to re-group today.
Another week, another huge NFC match up for the Lions. Each game is more telling than the next as the circumstances dictate what the outcome truly means. The Lions have to run the ball much more effectively. If they can do that, coupled with some old school harassment of Tony Romo, then they will take care of business.
Prediction: Lions 31 Cowboys 30
Players to watch: Lions Special Teams, Demarcus Ware
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Week 3 NFL Picks: Lions and Vikings
In football, just like in life, things have a way of self-correcting. An economy might lose its way before inflation, innovation and a little hard work pave the way to recovery. Football teams take salary cap hits, withstand injury and languish through bad coaching hires before a lot of things come together for a season like this. The Lions were in a decade long recession, bordering on collapse. Some might say they have already recovered and are already on the road to prosperity. That may be true, but today’s game will tell us a lot about how far down the road they’ll travel.
Starting 2-0 is a nice thing. A solid road victory against a respected team and then a blowout victory against a team already considered to be this season’s biggest disappointers. To round off a 3-0 start on the road against a division rival like the Minnesota Vikings would be huge. Sure they’ve already had a string of road wins and have gotten over that proverbial hump. But this will be different. The Lions haven’t won in Minnesota in 13 years. Furthermore, the Vikings are 0-2 with a dominant running back meaning they are desperate and hungry.
The Lions are the better team. But on any given Sunday, the best team doesn’t always win. The Vikings had a chance to win both of their games this season going into the fourth quarter. This, coupled with the fact that Donovan McNabb had his worst start to a season ever mean that the Vikings are more than capable of making this a contest. Whether McNabb is over the hill or just needs to get warmed up is yet to be determined. I will say that a lot of his mistakes this season boil down to simple adjustments: timing with receivers, putting a little less on a pass and protecting the ball.
Winning on the road in the NFL is one of the toughest things to do in sports. While the Viking running attack poses the biggest threat to the Lions, it’s the early big plays that the Lions need to watch out for. Minnesota will look to strike quickly to get the crowd in the game, establish the run and offset the effectiveness of the Lions pass rush.
At the end of the day, like the first two games and those yet to be played this season, the defensive line of Detroit will be too much for Donovan McNabb to handle.
Prediction: Lions 28 Vikings 16
Players to watch: DT Pat Williams WR Nate Burleson
Starting 2-0 is a nice thing. A solid road victory against a respected team and then a blowout victory against a team already considered to be this season’s biggest disappointers. To round off a 3-0 start on the road against a division rival like the Minnesota Vikings would be huge. Sure they’ve already had a string of road wins and have gotten over that proverbial hump. But this will be different. The Lions haven’t won in Minnesota in 13 years. Furthermore, the Vikings are 0-2 with a dominant running back meaning they are desperate and hungry.
The Lions are the better team. But on any given Sunday, the best team doesn’t always win. The Vikings had a chance to win both of their games this season going into the fourth quarter. This, coupled with the fact that Donovan McNabb had his worst start to a season ever mean that the Vikings are more than capable of making this a contest. Whether McNabb is over the hill or just needs to get warmed up is yet to be determined. I will say that a lot of his mistakes this season boil down to simple adjustments: timing with receivers, putting a little less on a pass and protecting the ball.
Winning on the road in the NFL is one of the toughest things to do in sports. While the Viking running attack poses the biggest threat to the Lions, it’s the early big plays that the Lions need to watch out for. Minnesota will look to strike quickly to get the crowd in the game, establish the run and offset the effectiveness of the Lions pass rush.
At the end of the day, like the first two games and those yet to be played this season, the defensive line of Detroit will be too much for Donovan McNabb to handle.
Prediction: Lions 28 Vikings 16
Players to watch: DT Pat Williams WR Nate Burleson
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Week 2 NFL Picks: Chiefs and Lions
Welcome to the jungle. A lion's domain where nobody gets out alive without the pardon of the king. The Detroit Lions have been feasting at their domain, Ford Field, since it opened 10 years ago. Ok, maybe they’ve been feasted upon more than they’ve feasted but today is the home opener and this is definitely a different Lions team.
The Kansas City Chiefs are in town, fresh off of a 41-7 stampeding at the hooves of the Buffalo Bills. With the Lions winning last week in such impressive fashion, one would think that picking this game is a no-brainer. Not so fast. Generally, when a team has a bad loss they get mad. Well, the Chiefs lost badly last week and they are good enough to do something about it.
First thing that comes to mind is the absence of Chiefs Safety Eric Berry. Out for the season, Berry presents a lot of problems for an offense when on the field. Veteran Jon McGraw (former Lion) will take his place. He won’t make the spectacular play but likely won’t give one up either. First instinct for a team is to attack a player like this who is filling in and that usually is the right move. However, backups in all sports have the tendency to come up big, functioning mostly on adrenaline, when initially called upon. The Lions should be careful about testing him because he just might be up for the challenge.
On the other side of the ball, All-Pros Dwayne Bowe and Jamaal Charles are the type of guys that will do some damage no matter how much you game plan for them. It's just a matter of limiting that damage. Charles is dynamic in that he can catch the ball out of the backfield and is usually the quickest guy in the building, no matter which building he walks into. Bowe is big, fast and physical and can go off for big plays when his team needs it the most. His match up with the Lions corners, coupled with the necessity of those corners to step up in the run game will be important. The cornerbacks for both teams will have their hands full.
The Lions ran for 126 yards last week. Much of that was gained inside and between the tackles. These are the type of yards they’ll need again. This kind of a gameplan keeps defense’s honest and allows an offense to eventually break that big play outside or down the field. The ball security of Maurice Morris is a concern. Look for Jerome Harrison or new guy Keiland Williams to maybe make a case for that number two running back spot behind Jahvid Best.
Don’t be misled about who the Chiefs lost to last week and what that might mean. Sure, it was a bad loss but in my opinion, it was to a good team. Buffalo is poised to have an 8-8 season (4-12 in 2010) in what is one of the toughest divisions in football. With all of that said, the Lions will continue to reverse the historical trend and win another close game. They will run the ball effectively and Matt Cassell will be overwhelmed at times by the most dominant defensive line in football.
Prediction: Lions 28 Chiefs 24
Players to watch-
DET TE Brandon Pettigrew, KC CB Brandon Flowers
The Kansas City Chiefs are in town, fresh off of a 41-7 stampeding at the hooves of the Buffalo Bills. With the Lions winning last week in such impressive fashion, one would think that picking this game is a no-brainer. Not so fast. Generally, when a team has a bad loss they get mad. Well, the Chiefs lost badly last week and they are good enough to do something about it.
First thing that comes to mind is the absence of Chiefs Safety Eric Berry. Out for the season, Berry presents a lot of problems for an offense when on the field. Veteran Jon McGraw (former Lion) will take his place. He won’t make the spectacular play but likely won’t give one up either. First instinct for a team is to attack a player like this who is filling in and that usually is the right move. However, backups in all sports have the tendency to come up big, functioning mostly on adrenaline, when initially called upon. The Lions should be careful about testing him because he just might be up for the challenge.
On the other side of the ball, All-Pros Dwayne Bowe and Jamaal Charles are the type of guys that will do some damage no matter how much you game plan for them. It's just a matter of limiting that damage. Charles is dynamic in that he can catch the ball out of the backfield and is usually the quickest guy in the building, no matter which building he walks into. Bowe is big, fast and physical and can go off for big plays when his team needs it the most. His match up with the Lions corners, coupled with the necessity of those corners to step up in the run game will be important. The cornerbacks for both teams will have their hands full.
The Lions ran for 126 yards last week. Much of that was gained inside and between the tackles. These are the type of yards they’ll need again. This kind of a gameplan keeps defense’s honest and allows an offense to eventually break that big play outside or down the field. The ball security of Maurice Morris is a concern. Look for Jerome Harrison or new guy Keiland Williams to maybe make a case for that number two running back spot behind Jahvid Best.
Don’t be misled about who the Chiefs lost to last week and what that might mean. Sure, it was a bad loss but in my opinion, it was to a good team. Buffalo is poised to have an 8-8 season (4-12 in 2010) in what is one of the toughest divisions in football. With all of that said, the Lions will continue to reverse the historical trend and win another close game. They will run the ball effectively and Matt Cassell will be overwhelmed at times by the most dominant defensive line in football.
Prediction: Lions 28 Chiefs 24
Players to watch-
DET TE Brandon Pettigrew, KC CB Brandon Flowers
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Week 1 NFL picks: Lions and Bucs
In a league known for parity, using records of seasons past to gauge a team in the future just doesn’t work. The entry draft, free agency and the scheduling system play a large role in determining how a team will do in a given season. In the case of the Detroit Lions, all of these factors play a role. There is one X factor that I haven‘t mentioned and that is the return of their starting quarterback Matthew Stafford. The Lions beat the 10-win Bucs last year without Stafford. That is the first of many reasons why they will beat them again with him.
Not unlike the Lions, Tampa is a young team on the rise. Standouts at quarterback, running back and all over their defense have given the Bucs some much deserved attention. However, thinking that a running back like LeGarrette Blount may give the Lions defensive line a hard time is unfounded. Big backs give small teams trouble-Ndamukong Suh and his buddies aren‘t small. Could a fast, shifty running back who can catch the ball out of the back field and run off-tackle give the linebackers a problem? That’s a question for next week when Jamaal Charles comes to town. For now, Stephen Tulloch, DeAndre Levy and Justin Durant will have no problem backing their boys up front.
Josh Freeman is a talented football player but he’s not nearly polished enough to give the Lions defense any real trouble. Many will say that the Lions are an improved team that still have a lot of holes to fill. What people fail to realize is that Martin Mayhew has arrived and he knows more than all of us. Not signing a Jonathan Joseph or Antonio Cromartie doesn’t mean that they have a hole at the cornerback position. It means Mayhew doesn’t think he needs them and thus far, he’s given fans no reason to doubt him. If by some chance the Lions defensive line doesn’t finish something, their defensive backs will.
Where the Bucs may have an advantage is stopping the run. However, if the Lions can run just enough to give the passing game some breathing room, they will do just fine.
Prediction: Lions 23 Bucs 17
Not unlike the Lions, Tampa is a young team on the rise. Standouts at quarterback, running back and all over their defense have given the Bucs some much deserved attention. However, thinking that a running back like LeGarrette Blount may give the Lions defensive line a hard time is unfounded. Big backs give small teams trouble-Ndamukong Suh and his buddies aren‘t small. Could a fast, shifty running back who can catch the ball out of the back field and run off-tackle give the linebackers a problem? That’s a question for next week when Jamaal Charles comes to town. For now, Stephen Tulloch, DeAndre Levy and Justin Durant will have no problem backing their boys up front.
Josh Freeman is a talented football player but he’s not nearly polished enough to give the Lions defense any real trouble. Many will say that the Lions are an improved team that still have a lot of holes to fill. What people fail to realize is that Martin Mayhew has arrived and he knows more than all of us. Not signing a Jonathan Joseph or Antonio Cromartie doesn’t mean that they have a hole at the cornerback position. It means Mayhew doesn’t think he needs them and thus far, he’s given fans no reason to doubt him. If by some chance the Lions defensive line doesn’t finish something, their defensive backs will.
Where the Bucs may have an advantage is stopping the run. However, if the Lions can run just enough to give the passing game some breathing room, they will do just fine.
Prediction: Lions 23 Bucs 17
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