Re: Looking ahead to @DET
 

Well, right now after the Buffalo game, MattFord and the offense are taking the heat for only scoring 7pts (the other 7 were on a Rashean Mathis interception). They're loaded with first and second round draft picks that just aren't living up to their billing. Golden Tate'll burn you, though, :).

The general consensus is Stafford is holding on to the ball too long and is lost without Megatron, despite having been given multiple offensive weapons this season. He did seem to be turning it around from a tough last season, but the Buffalo game showed he can still be rattled back there with some pressure.

Johnson has a lingering ankle injury that was aggravated vs the Bills. It's being bandied about that he should rest Wk #6 vs the Vikings so he'll be in better shape & available Wk #7 vs the Saints.

It's not looking too good for the Lions here on out ... just sayin', :neutral:.

Re: Looking ahead to @DET
 

Slo, you know if your next game wasn't against us -- I would wish you all the luck in the world.

What I will say is -- I think this is going to be an uphill battle for us -- especially without JG and MI. Somewhat tempered by possibility of no MegaTron. But, even so, you guys are loaded. And, you have been playing well -- unlike us. Should be a good game -- unfortunately in your house.

Re: Looking ahead to @DET
 

If you guys aren't gonna' have JG or MI, that does help the Lions out quite a bit ... I thought home field would be an advantage until now, since Buffalo came to town & beat 'em, :rolleyes:.

No Calvin, possibly no Reggie Bush/Joique Bell, no Graham/Ingram, Detroit's weak defensive backfield vs Brees, NO O-Line, DET O-Line ... it's almost gonna' be like a game of attrition/last man standing, :lol:.

I hope it's a whole game though, not like in past games where Detroit only shows up for one half.

Re: Looking ahead to @DET
 

It's all words till the Saints can take a road win.

Re: Looking ahead to @DET
 

Yep, and Wk #7 would be the opportune moment to right that ship for New Orleans.

I ain't kidding you guys, I'd like to see Detroit gut it out at home and beat a quality opponent for a change, but if the Saints come to town playing "Saints football", it may be a challenge for 'em with some of the improvements to the Lions game, but a road-win in the end.

What do they call this? A "trap-game"? If the Saints win, they beat "the Lions", no big deal ... but if they lose, they can't win on the road. If the Lions win, they beat the Saints, a quality opponent ... or did circumstances dictate that they only beat a Saints team in decline?

Injury reports prior to the game are gonna' say a lot about who does what in this game. If the Saints do not pull this one off, it won't be because the Lions are new & improved, but rather because the Saints are in a bit of disarray at the moment. JMO. It'll happen now & again, but I looked for the Saints to be the Lions first true gut check this season and I hope beating the Bucs and the Bye week allows them to reassemble somewhat.

In Detroit, we already know we're the King of the <.500 teams, we'd like the opportunity to match up vs some of the winning franchises (in form) & see how it goes ... as ugly as that's turned out in the past, :lol:.

I speak for myself, of course ... the rest of Lions Nation rarely agrees with me, ;).

Re: Looking ahead to @DET
 

Haven't been able to get good pressure on anyone yet. If they don't, megatron and stafford will have a throw and catch day, all day.

Re: Looking ahead to @DET
 

How we play after the bye will determine our future. We have to be aggressive again.........and perhaps even have an attitude.

Re: Looking ahead to @DET
 

Haven't been crunching the numbers as in seasons past, but as game day approaches, I will for this one ... want to see how the injury roster shapes up after DET/MIN this weekend ... it's only week five and half the league's out already ... did I just never pay attention to this before or are injuries getting worse earlier every season?

Two of the great matchups in NO/DET are going to be the offensive/defensive lines. Detroit's got a semi-retooled offensive line that's gotten mixed reviews so far (and was pretty much shredded by Buffalo) and while I'd love to say the Lions defensive front is playing to it's potential, it's really not. I see some improvement, but they're not dominating/taking over a game like they should be.

The New Orleans O-Line was always the unit I liked the best, :) ... and now you guys got my Michigan home-boy Tim Lelito on there, I like 'em even better. I'm looking forward to see how Goodwin/Grubbs/Evans fare vs Fairley/Suh ... there's some good viewing right there, ;).

(You guys could do me a favor, eh? You may or may/not know I always dispute the whole, "Suh is double-teamed on every play" theory ... let's take this opportunity to focus on those matchups and give me some expert, non-biased feedback ... maybe I'll start up a thread or something close to gameday, :))

Detroit's O-Line has it's detractors, but I've never been one of them and it seems like the Saints D-Line has always had one issue or another. If you can pressure Stafford, he'll make mistakes ... leave him alone & he'll shred you with Calvin alone, not too mention all the new toys (Bush, Tate, Ebron, et...) the front office got him to play with. I kinda' see the Lions' winning this matchup, but not convincingly. The right side of the line has been underperforming, might be a good day for Hicks.

Re: Looking ahead to @DET
 

Lots of analysis here... maybe too much. We have two 5000 yards passers on the same field. It'll come down to which defense does a better job and of course turnovers and special teams play.

Re: Looking ahead to @DET
 

Full health, this should be NFC game of the week.

Our offense should be fine. Ingram should return. Call me crazy but the loss of Jimmy Graham may help our offense, at least in the short term.

Our defense is streaky but improving. Breakdowns in the secondary will happen but I expect them to improve. Don't look now but Junya and Camouflage Jordan are #2 & #3 ranked in the NFL on QB hurries. They're getting closer!