My Take on the Lions v.2010

I have not posted on here in a while.  It's time to get some things off my chest. 

I will try not to do too much repeating of the themes that have been discussed thoroughly on this blog.  My main goal is to access where we are as a team realistically and apply that to the upcoming schedule we face. 

Offensively, I feel we are as strong as we've been in years.  We have a very promising and confident sophomore (and mostly healthy) QB in Matthew Stafford; Our strongest backup QB that I can remember is with us in Shaun Hill; Our running back options are promising but remain to be proven (though I have big hopes for Jahvid Best and Kevin Smith as a tandem)...not to mention the veteran presence of Maurice Morris; Our WR core is excellent....I think the addition of Nate Burleson alone is the best thing that could've happened to Megatron.  Plus, we have other decent receivers in Bryant Johnson and Derrick Williams (whom I feel should not be released yet).  Having the likes of Burleson and CJ as your top receivers can automatically make the other receivers better; Our TE position is also as tough as its been in years.  If Pettigrew can get healthy, we have three impressive options.   Our offensive line still needs a decent amount of work if you ask me, but I loved the fact that they brought in Rob Sims.  I feel he helps out Backus on Stafford's blindside a lot.  I also trust in Linehan and feel he will be able to be a bit more coordinated this year than last.  He did a good job in his first year with a questionable offense, so it should improve from there.

Defensively, it's a bit of a different story.  Our defensive line is the great honolulu blue hope for the D.  Let's face it...Kyle Vanden Bosch is still very skilled, brings a lot of leadership and attitude to the locker room, and can still get the job done.  But he's older.  He's not a long term fix, but I feel like he has a new start...a new outlook and is ready to lead a team that needs his type of leadership.  Corey Williams is a guy who I feel can be big for us, especially considering he is returning to his old scheme that he is more comfortable with.   I really feel good about him, especially on a line of hungry linemen like we have.  Ndamukong Suh is going to be a beast.  Period.  He seems smarter than most rookies.  He's got a good, balanced head on his shoulders.  He's not afraid.  Though he is a rookie and will likely experience some growing pains, I feel he will have an immediate impact.  The fact that our D-line is more improved should allow for other players to flourish in the defense.  The linebacker situation, though questionable, is promising.  DeAndre Levy and Julian Peterson should provide versatility behind the line.  I am really hoping Zack Follett comes out strong and ready to go, but if he doesn't, we have other options as well.  He's a passionate player so I think he will do fine with some time to learn.  Louis Delmas is going to have a huge year, I can just  feel it.  And veterans Chris Houston and Dre Bly should provide intelligent play in the backfield.   Though our defense is improved, it still has holes.  Bly is not an ideal CB...we have a considerable hole opposite of Delmas as strong safety as we all know...our secondary has been known to give up huge plays fairly consistently.   All of this hopefully can be mostly solved with reasonably solid defensive line play.   But that is yet to be proven. And if we can't stop the TE option any better than we have the past couple of years, we are in for another bad season defensively.

As a realist, I know that with all of the new players, it takes time to gel everything together.  These are talented guys, but the likelihood of everyone being able to become one unit in a matter of weeks is lower than we'd like to admit.  With that said, on paper, we are improved.  There's no question about it.  We have more firepower on offense...defenses have to be more honest with our weapons...and QBs (hopefully) will be more rushed to make decisions faster against us.  However, we also face a very tough schedule...so much so that I worry that our record will not reflect how improved we are as a team.  But, there's no excuses in all reality...if you are going to be better, you have to beat better teams. Sadly, it will be another season of our offense having to outrun our defensive errors, especially in the secondary.  The continuity of having Gunther in there for the second straight year will be a dire advantage.

My Predictions for 2010

Week 1 @ Chicago --  The Bears had a semi-quiet offseason, though they did sign Julius Peppers and Chester Taylor.  I am not so sure that Peppers is the acquisition they are hoping for, however.  He's a great player, but not necessarily a game-changer.  Jay Cutler makes bad decisions under pressure, and Martz will have him throwing a lot more....which could be good or bad for us depending on our defensive line's debut performance.  Also, being the first game of the year, anything can happen as teams shake off their rust a little more.  I feel like the Lions can surprise in Week 1 and defeat Chicago at Soldier Field....by a field goal.     
Lions 20   Bears 17;    Record 1-0

Week 2 vs. Philadelphia -- The Eagles are clearly a better team than Chicago, even with the departure of McNabb.  I am pretty positive that Kolb won't be a total flop with all the tools around him...he'll be Sanchez-like, in my opinion.  Not that great, not that bad.  Ernie Sims will return to Detroit hoping to beat us.  He'll be hungry for a win.  Also, Asante Samuel is obviously something to worry about for Stafford if he's under pressure.  DeSean Jackson is a major threat to our secondary, and I feel he and Brent Celek will make the difference for Philly.  
Eagles 28  Lions 17;  Record  1-1

Week 3 @ Minnesota -- The return of Brett Favre will be dubious for us once again.  He's good at finding ways to beat us.  However, Suh would LOVE to sack him...as would KVB.  They can't overcommit with the presence of Adrian Peterson in the backfield, and the Vikings crowd is a tough one to play in front of....so I feel like this is a lost game for us.  I feel like our offense can hang with their defense reasonably, but Favre will find a way to beat our D.  
Vikings 24  Lions 17;  Record 1-2

Week 4 @ Green Bay -- Good.  We get all three away games in our division out of the way early.  The last time the Lions won at Lambeau was December 15, 1991 when they defeated the Packers 21-17 (hence my point with Favre).  That's ANCIENT history.   Aaron Rodgers is proving to be just as tough as Favre at times, and definitely against the Lions.  He obviously doesn't respect the Lions (based on his comments), and has a lot of confidence against them.  The losing streak in Wisconsin will continue.  Packers are a strong Super Bowl contender.  We are not....yet. 
Packers 31  Lions 24;  Record 1-3

Week 5 vs. St. Louis  --  Let's not overlook this game.  The Rams' only win last year was against none other than Detroit....thanks in large part to Steven Jackson.  However, the Lions will be facing another putrid Rams team most likely.   IF the Lions come out and play their best, they should win this game.  They will be the favorites.  They need to play like they are the favorites.  Stafford can have a field day with the right type of focus...and Suh can have his best game of the year thus far against Bradford.   I predict a Lions team coming out hungry for a win after a tough start to the season against very good teams.
Lions 38  Rams 17;  Record 2-3

Week 6 @ NY Giants --  Another tough, tough game.  Though they lost, the Lions hung with the Giants well the year they won the Super Bowl against the undefeated Pats.  Antonio Pierce recently retired...their offense is not as strong as in years past (though still very respectable).   I think Jahvid Best could have a big game against the Giants, which will help Stafford and the passing game.  Also, I think it's possible the Giants could be overlooking the Lions at this point being that they play @ Dallas in their next game.  It will be a good game.  One of the more respectable ones for the Lions up to this point maybe.   I will go ahead with my gut...Lions upset the Giants barely.
Lions 21   Giants 20;  Record 3-3

Week 7   BYE  --- Okay...so not bad....it could go either way with the difficulty of the schedule.  They could just as easily be 1-5 at this point and still be worthy of a 3-3 record.  So we'll see how it truly unfolds, but I'll be optimistic while still being realistic. 

Week 8  vs. Washington -- This is not the same team we faced in Week 3 of 2009.  McNabb brings a winning ability that Jason Campbell just did not have.  Granted, his weapons are not AS plentiful as they were for years in Philly.  And their defense could still use some work.  McNabb has burned us in the past, and I feel like he could do the same in this game.  However, Stafford, Best, CJ, and Burleson will be able to pick apart the Redskins D all the same.  I predict a scorcher....coming out in the Lions' favor because of homefield advantage.  Keep in mind, I am fully aware that the Redskins could win this game too.  But I feel the Lions can pull it off simply due to being in Detroit.  
Lions 41  Redskins 35;  Record 4-3


Week 9 vs. NY Jets -- Let me say this first.  Mark Sanchez could be the most overrated QB in the league.  He strikes me as being in a very fortunate situation, and that only got better in this offseason.  Santonio Holmes, LaDanian Tomlinson, the return of Braylon Edwards and Shonn Greene, a SOLID defense.  He's being given the keys to a car that drives itself.   Matthew Stafford is a far more talented QB.  With that said, the Lions will have their hands absolutely full against the Jets.  And I hate it for Stafford's image because I know he's better.  Hopefully the NFL world will still be able to see through that fog too.  And BTW, I can't stand Rex Ryan.
Jets 28  Lions 13; Record 4-4

Week 10 @ Buffalo  --  In my opinion, the Bills are going to be another putrid team and a perfect opportunity for us to get a win.  The key is to not overlook them....and to not let the weather and atmosphere in Buffalo take over our ability to play.   We SHOULD win this game.  Hands down.  I will give it to us for that reason.  But I know perfectly well that this doesn't constitute a win.   (see above mention of Rams game from 2009). 
Lions 27  Bills 14;  Record 5-4

Week 11 @ Dallas  ---  We've had a tendency to play well against the Cowboys in recent years.   Facing two former Lions will be kind of interesting if they are still with the team (Kitna and R. Williams).  I actually feel like we can compete in this game, but Dallas will be the victors. 
Cowboys 24  Lions 17; Record 5-5

Week 12 @ New England --  Thanksgiving Day against one of the more seasoned teams in the league.  Honestly, I don't think we stand a chance.  Brady and company will be looking to make a statement.  The Lions should be too, but we'll see how it goes. 
Patriots 27  Lions 13;  Record 5-6

Week 13 vs. Chicago -- They will look for revenge and may be searching for positioning for the playoffs.  A win against us this late in the season would be a great thing for them.  However, Cutler and Martz try too hard and screw it up for them.  Delmas has a career day.
Lions 21  Bears 20; Record 6-6

Week 14 vs. Green Bay -- The Packers will still be playing their starters at this point in the season so we can't hope for that.  I think they will be the hands down division winners this year, and possible Super Bowl champions.  With this kind of respect for them, I say Packers win soundly.
Packers 42  Lions 24;  Record 6-7

Week 15 @ Tampa Bay -- Josh Freeman's performance as starting QB will be completely dependent on the development of this team's confidence through the season.  They are ranked dead last by many power ranking lists, but that doesn't mean too terribly much about their talent.  In the NFL, it's all about confidence and cohesion.  Still, the Lions should win if they are on top of their game.  
Lions 28  Buccaneers 20;  Record 7-7

Week 16 @ Miami  --  Tough game to have this late in the year.  Miami is a strong team and confident as well.  I think they will be legitimate contenders for their division, even with the Jets and Patriots being strong as well.  Our defense will have its hands full...and the offense may struggle a bit.  
Dolphins 31  Lions 20;  Record 7-8

Week 17 vs. Minnesota -- We can only hope that the Vikings have packed it in at this point as the division winners.  However, I feel like they will still be fighting for a position in the playoffs and therefore will be going all out assault on both sides of the ball. 
Vikings 30 Lions 20;  Record 7-9

7-9 would be a HUGE improvement.   So huge that I think I was a bit optimistic in my predictions.  However, IF things are flowing this year, we have every opportunity to be this and more.  However, it is also likely that we could easily be 4-12.   If we are, I can chalk it up to a tough schedule.   I think this team is wanting to win and win now.  That is why I am hoping for a different Lions team on the field.  Once they get rolling, watch out.   It's hard to stop a locomotive when it's got momentum.   The Lions just need to find some early on.

Here's to restoring the roar....one step at a time!