Opponent Profile: Lions Face Another Tough Challenge In Patriots
By Chris Morgan
The Detroit Lions are not going to have any time to lick their proverbial wounds after their loss to the Arizona Cardinals. After losing a road game against the top team in the NFC, the Lions have to travel across country to visit the New England Patriots, perhaps the best team in the AFC. The Patriots are fresh off a trouncing of the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday Night Football to move their record to 8-2, tops in their conference.
While the Lions won four games in a row before their 14-6 loss to the Cardinals, a hard fought, defensive game that saw Detroit's offense struggle, the Patriots have won six in a row. Their last three have been huge wins, and their last two are over the Denver Broncos and the aforementioned Colts. There were some questions about New England earlier in the season, but those questions have all been answered by Bill Belichick, Tom Brady, and company.
At least this shouldn't be as difficult of a game for the Lions' offense. The Patriots are middling on defense, and they've had some issues in terms of injuries. However, they also have Darrelle Revis, perhaps the best defensive back in the NFL. He will likely match up with Calvin Johnson, and he could shut him down, at least to some degree. That would leave Golden Tate available, though, and he will need to bounce back after a bad game against the Cardinals. A healthy Reggie Bush would help, but Joique Bell ran well against Arizona. Then, of course, there are the questions about Matthew Stafford, as always. The health of the offensive line is a concern too.
This game may come down to strength versus strength in New England's offense versus Detroit's defense. The Patriots have had issues rushing the ball this year, but now they are coming off a game where the little known Jonas Gray rushed 38 times for 199 yards and four touchdowns. He won't do that against the Lions. Their defense is too tough. However, any running game for the Patriots would help them. Regardless, they still have Brady, who has been great since a slow start, and they still have Rob Gronkowski, perhaps the best tight end in the league. Detroit had no sacks against the Cardinals. They will need to get better pressure on the quarterback this week. They can't let Brady have time in the backfield.
This is another matchup the Lions aren't likely to win. They are on the road, and they are playing one of the best teams in the league. The Lions are good, but are they on this level? It seems unlikely. The offense will either need to really pick up their play, or the defense will have to shutdown Brady and the offense entirely. Both are going to be difficult. Detroit fans may not want to hear it, but if they weather this game, the schedule gets much easier, and the wins should pick up once again.
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Chris Morgan has been a diehard Detroit Lions fan through the good (Barry Sanders) and the bad (Matt Millen) and that love has led him to take jobs writing about sports, including as a fantasy sports "expert." His work can be found on Examiner.com. .
