Detroit Lions
Re-Focused: Chargers @ Lions, Week 16
They had it all to play for here. With a win they remained in contention and possibly kept their head coach around for 2012. Either that wasn’t enough motivation for the San Diego Chargers or they just simply were not good enough. Are they now a franchise who has seen ‘it’s time’ pass them by without the Super Bowl they craved?
While San Diego appears to be heading in the wrong direction, you can’t say the same thing about the Detroit Lions. The main reason for the Chargers poor showing here was that they were simply overpowered by a Lions outfit that seemed to remember just how explosive they can be when they’re geared up.
Their reward is a long overdue playoff appearance where we’ll really get to see them tested. If they can play like this though, then ask yourself; who couldn’t they keep pace with?
Three to Focus on: Chargers @ Lions, Week 16
This AFC West/NFC North matchup finds both teams who still have hopes for the postseason. However, those dreams are much more realistic for the 9-5 Detroit Lions, who control their own fate in terms of earning a wildcard spot. The 7-7 San Diego Chargers have looked good the last two weeks, especially last week against the Baltimore Ravens, considered by many to be one of the best teams at least in the AFC, if not the NFL. It may be too late for their usual late-season rally, however, since their division has grown more competitive recently.
The Lions have also been inconsistent, looking dominating at times (their 45-10 beat down of Tim Tebow and the Broncos in Denver comes to mind), while amateurish at other moments, plagued with self-inflicted penalties (like the infamous Ndamukong Suh stomp or Nate Burleson’s three PI-flag performance against the Saints). They’ve also had a couple of close comeback wins, like their 28-27 win over the Raiders in Oakland last week. Regardless of which versions of these two squads shows up on Christmas Eve, it should be an entertaining contest.
Re-Focused: Lions @ Raiders: Week 15
With both teams in the thick of the playoff hunt it was a must win for each side. The Raiders were trying to keep pace with Tim Tebow and the Broncos while the Lions were fighting to keep a tight grasp on their wild-card lead.
Oakland’s offense seemed to be back on track after going through a slump, while their defense had no answer for “Megatron” late in the game. The Raiders’ losing streak needs to end if they are to have any shot at taking the AFC West crown, which is as wide open, as it was when the season started.
As for Detroit, another comeback victory was just what the doctor ordered. With little help from the defense despite the return of Ndamukong Suh and Chris Houston it’s safe to say the Lions will go as Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson go. Is there a better duo in the NFL right now?
Three to Focus On: Lions @ Raiders, Week 15
It’s “must win” time for the Detroit Lions and Oakland Raiders. At 8-5, The Lions are in line for the final Wild Card spot in the NFC while the Raiders just lost their grasp on the AFC West and currently sit one game out of the Wild Card race in the AFC.
It was a close call for the Lions as they nearly blew a 28-7 lead last week against the Vikings, but linebacker DeAndre Levy’s sack and forced fumble on the goal line ended the rally. They’ll welcome the return of defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh from his two-game suspension.
The Raiders have been downright awful the last two weeks. Quarterback Carson Palmer continues to turn the ball over and their defensive line has been handled fairly easily. Both Palmer and the line will need to improve to give the Raiders a chance to get back in the playoff hunt. With so many teams battling for the last Wild Card spot in the AFC, their best chance may be through winning the division, but they better hope that Denver Broncos’ opponents figure out a way to stop their fourth-quarter magic. Read the rest of this entry »
Re-Focused: Vikings @ Lions, Week 14
When it comes to divisional games, especially in the NFC North, records rarely matter. A great example occured this weekend with Minnesota travelling to Detroit. Despite a terrible start, the Vikings had a chance to snatch an upset win in the dying moments of the game. It was a night to forget for Christian Ponder whose replacement, the electric Joe Webb, almost engineered an amazing comeback. It wasn’t at all pretty as he remains a less than a polished passer but he made enough plays to give the Vikings a chance.
It was a surprisingly good day for a Detroit secondary that went into the game without Chris Houston and Louis Delmas due to knee injuries. The Lions also saw both Aaron Berry and Eric Wright miss significant time during the game. Webb’s ability to keep plays alive was what really hurt them late in the game but their lead eventually proved insurmountable leaving the Lions’ playoff hopes very much alive.
Three to Focus On: Vikings @ Lions, Week 14
Perhaps the yellow in their opponents’ uniforms will remind the Lions to avoid forcing the flags to rain down on the field. At the least, they need to make sure they don’t add to the four post-play penalties they’ve committed in the past two games. Head Coach Jim Schwartz has promised that offending players will lose playing time if those continue.
It’s not hard to figure out why the Lions have been whistled for a penalty 22 times in the last two games or why their frustration has brought them on. They’re a young team with few players having playoff experience. After starting 5-0 and becoming media darlings, a 2-5 stretch has made them less relevant and seems to have had an effect. If they’re going to make the postseason this year, Detroit needs to focus on getting the wins, not venting their frustration with undisciplined play. An experienced team doesn’t dwell on a bad stretch and allow it to affect their performance for the rest of the year. They simply move on and play their best football in December. Read the rest of this entry »
Re-Focused: Lions @ Saints, Week 13
With the nations’ glare on them, the New Orleans Saints took another step towards reclaiming bragging rights in the NFC South with a win over the Detroit Lions. Drew Brees was again on fine form as he continues his record setting pace, while his defense stifled a dangerous Detroit offense, and the Saints were able to claim a victory in rather comfortable fashion.
For the Lions it was another loss in a second half of the season that has seen far too many of them, leaving their winning start to the season a distant memory. Despite one of Matt Stafford’s better displays in 2011, they were unable to go toe to toe with a potent Saints offense and overcome a poor display by Gunther Cunningham’s defense. With Ndamukong Suh suspended and Nick Fairley getting his first career start after being hampered by his broken foot, the Saints interior took advantage both through the air and on the ground. Let’s look at those issues and more in our three performances of note.
Three to Focus on: Lions @ Saints, Week 13
Everyone loves a good offensive battle and when you have Drew Brees and Calvin Johnson in the same game you know you’ll get just that. And, to add substance to the expected fireworks, we have two teams that are fighting for playoff position.
After an embarrassing loss to the Rams a month ago, the Saints have put things back together by defeating two NFC playoff contenders and a division rival. They became just the 12th team to log 500 yards total offense in a Monday Night Football game since 1989 when they beat the Giants.
Detroit started the season strong, flashing on everyone’s radar. They have recently shown, however, that they are not quite ready to compete with the best that the NFC has to offer. In recent weeks they’ve lost to San Francisco, Atlanta, Chicago, and Green Bay. In order for the Lions to make the playoffs they’ll need to string some wins together and, in order for New Orleans to have a shot for a first round bye (the 49ers own the No. 2 seed right now), they need the wins too. Ready or not, it’s playoff scenario season. Read the rest of this entry »
Re-Focused: Packers @ Lions, Week 12
Wasn’t this meant to be the Turkey Day where Detroit held their own? Showed the world they were no pushovers?
Instead, they ended up as the 11th victim for the Green Bay Packers in 2011, with the headlines ‘earned’ by Ndamukong Suh for his antics, as opposed to an encouraging defensive display that kept the Packers in check for large portions of the game. It’s something of a shame that won’t be mentioned more, but an inept offensive display meant the Lions never capitalized on a golden opportunity to pick up a Thanksgiving win.
The Packers secured the win, but at what cost? By the end of the game they were down three starters, losing both inside linebackers and star right guard Josh Sitton. The severity of the injuries are unknown, but any long lasting damage to any of the three, especially Sitton and Desmond Bishop, could have huge implications down the road. Let’s look at some of their replacements and more in our performances of note.
Three to Focus on: Packers @ Lions, Week 12
For weeks, fans have been looking forward to the Thanksgiving matchup between the Packers and Lions as the potential matchup where Green Bay could get their first loss. While Detroit has lost three of their last five (to the 49ers, Falcons, and Bears), this is the first Thanksgiving in ages where they have been relevant in their national spotlight game. This is also the third time in six years the Packers have faced Detroit on Thanksgiving and head coach Mike McCarthy noted that they had a developed a much better grasp of the logistics for a game like this.
While everything the Packers have been doing on offense points to them ending up 11-0 at the end of the day, the last time Aaron Rodgers lost was actually to the Lions. Read the rest of this entry »
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