New Orleans Saints Forums - blackandgold.com - Hey SLO MO! How We Gonna Do vs Tha Lions?

Ok, I guess I'll accept my responsibility to the board and "stick-up" for the Lions, but I just want you guys to know my heart may not really be in it given the Lions current state of affairs for the last 50yrs or so, :lol:.

Vegas line is -3 Saints ... that's the home team line, so it's pretty even. Saints hold the all-time series record 12-10-1 (their first meeting in '68 wound up a tie), have won 4 outta' the last 5 and dropping a few 40-burgers on Detroit in the process. The Lions averaged an incredible 20.6 ppg during this stretch to New Orleans' 37.2 ppg. Remember 2011/12? Lions Cinderella story? Stafford 's breakout season? Passing for 5038yds or so? First playoff appearance in how long? Who crashed the party and went home with the crown and the playoff win? Drew ... that magnificent bastard, :neutral:.

It ain't all doom & gloom in Motown, I guess. Injuries and departures have decimated the defense, but they surprisingly have been able to maintain pressure on the QB without Suh/Fairley. Ziggy Ansah remains in JJ Watt's rearview mirror for QB sacks and Devon Taylor has had some big games. Hali Ngata fills the gaps nicely. The losses of DeAndre Levy (leading tackler) and Rasheen Mathis probably hurt this team most and the Lions secondary (like the rest of the team) is inconsistent. There's a veteran presence with Ihedigbo, Quin, but they've lost a step or two. Linebacker corps is at best, spotty.

The 23rd ranked offense has continued to be a disappointment. After seven years in the league, I'm done sticking up for Stafford and relegating him to "2nd" tier QB indefinitely. I keep hearing the Lions can't run the ball, can't block anyone, blah, blah, blah ... and for the most part, their record would indicate that it's true, but I watch every game. There's just too many Superbowl rings on that team to suck so bad, IMO. Megatron, Golden Tate, Eric Ebron, Theo Riddick (from the backfield) ... you'd think they'd have a better ppg average, #shrug. Ameer Abdullah has some flash, protecting the ball is his issue. Joique Bell is solid, IMO ... why can't they run the ball? The O/L just isn't that bad either ... young maybe, but not that bad, #scratchhead.

Lets not forget the H/C variable either, fellas. Yeah, Sean's been in a funk and all, but Caldwell cannot make adjustments like Payton. Our new OC, Jim-Bob Cooter, has simplified the offense and made it move, but nobody make adjustments like "the Sean". Also and for some reason, nobody on the Lions sidelines can count & they have had only 10 players on the field for Special Teams on occasion ... take advantage of that & block a few kicks.

All that being said, a lot of their games, win or lose, have been one score games and if they play like they did vs Seattle, Green Bay, Denver and Chicago, they could pull it off ...

IDK, it has the potential to be one of the worst games of the MNF season, a Saints blowout or a Lions upset ... it harkens back to the day when both teams were pretty equally sucky so the games were actually pretty entertaining. I think I'm getting an ulcer, :neutral:.

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Originally Posted by Mardigras9 (Post 685780)

There is just no telling who shows up. Saints in a prime time game in the Dome? Another Megatron thanksgiving display of awesomeness? Maybe it's who makes the least mistakes. I agree with RC83, don't look for a defensive match-up.
But Slo-Mo, appreciate you on the board!

That's the key right 'chere, ;) ... which team(s) are gonna' show up? Both teams have looked like world beaters this season and both teams coulda' been mopped up by the expansion Tampa Bay Bucs of the '70s.

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Originally Posted by neugey (Post 685789)

SloMo for what it's worth I feel for Detroit because they are arguably the most screwed-over team in the NFL. Hope it's a fun game, but probably not much at stake for either team given this year.

Yeah, the Lions have had two, maybe three games this year decided by the officials, #sigh. We've all said it, "don't put yourself in the position for the refs to decide the game", but come on! "Good teams get the calls", we've said that one also on here. Part of the problem is the Lions will let you punch them in the face, tackle their QB out of bounds, et ... without a whimper. It's part of the "sheep" mentality Caldwell brings to a team, :neutral:. Look for #39 Brandon Browner (NO) to have a big game in that aspect.

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Originally Posted by Seer1 (Post 685798)

Hahaha! I was telling my fiancee about Caldwell one night while we were watching the Lions beating the crap out of someone or another only to get beat at the end (Personally, I think it has to do with how close Detroit is to Cleveland) and this is this greatest description of that man ever!

I think Caldwell's in line to be the next James Bond. He has about the same range of expression as the current 007. -Just a little side jab at Sphinctre. :D

The guy has demotivated the entire team ... you see it in interviews, they all have that deadpan, deer-in-the-headlights, Caldwell expression/demeanor. It's depressing. Schwartz (Caldwell's predecessor) was not the right H/C either, but at least the team was fired up to play on Sundays.

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Originally Posted by skymike (Post 685805)

Im glad I asked you this, SloMo. Your answer was most entertaining, and pretty real also.

I dont know how the lineup works, but it would be interesting to see Megatron vs. Breaux, and vs. Browner. I cannot remember ever disliking a Saints player, but Browner comes close for me.

If the Saints do not pressure Stafford, he will torch us, and he will have a career day.

If the Lions D still has the rush I remember, this is definitely a trap game for us, not that we should expect to be favored vs. anyone this year.

After Carolina, I swore I was done with football this year, but I am most intrigued by this game.

I wish the Lions better fortune in the future. Anyone who wear their colors, much like the Saints Faithful believers, deserves some victory, and has my admiration.

Pressure on Stafford is key because without it, he has too many targets. Pettigrew (TE) is out for the season and that hurts the Lions blocking schemes more than anything ... Staffy's been holding the ball too long lately & there are questions concerning the Lions O/L. Go get 'em boys, ;).

The matchups on Megatron are gonna' be interesting. A couple teams have been able to contain him and the Lions haven't gone to him as much as they should, but he's still the ultimate redzone monster, IMO. It's a good game for Browner because the refs let everyone mug the Lions, for some reason. Yeah, I'm blaming the refs, :lol:. They've finally started getting the ball to Mr. YAC, Golden Tate and Ebron'll burn you for one, maybe two big catches, but he'll drop the ball when it counts.

I think the key to the game is gonna' be the Saints O/L and the Lions D/L. Believe it or not, the Lions have managed to maintain a decent pass rush even after losing their two big "stars" from last season. They have a bigger problem in coverage than on the D/L, IMO. With "Cool-Hand" Drew back there and a weak(er) Saints O/L, that's where the game is decided.

May the best team win, :neutral:.