Joe Soriano
O.J. Lewis2011 Week 1 Preview: Lions and Chiefs
September 9th 2011 15:36
While the best game on Sunday is between the Ravens and Steelers, there are still some other noteworthy matchups coming up. One of these games that you should tune into involves the Bucs and Lions.
Both of these teams were once regarded as two of the worst teams in the NFL, but they have both made remarkable turnarounds and have become solid teams. The Bucs were last year's feel-good story, and many people have tabbed the Lions to make the playoffs. While I think the Lions are overrated and there are far too many people saying that they are a sleeper team for them to actually be a sleeper team, they are much-improved.
I think Calvin Johnson is going to have a fun day against a Bucs secondary that doesn't have a cornerback who can keep up with him. Aqib Talib isn't a bad player by any means, but coverage isn't exactly his forte. He's more of a big-play corner, and those are the kinds of guys that Johnson can beat. I think the play of the Bucs safeties will be key, but the secondary won't get much help from an awful pass rush.
Honestly, I don't have high hopes for Jahvid Best as a starting running back. Best is an extremely inefficient rusher who only provides tangible value as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. Jerome Harrison should be their starter, with Keiland Williams getting some carries here and there. Harrison is a pretty good back overall, and the Lions need to take advantage of a very weak opposing run defense.
This is going to be fun. Like, for real. The Lions defensive line is going to just bash an offensive line that downright sucks. Detroit possess one of the best defensive lines in the game, while the Bucs O-Line is on the opposite end of the spectrum. Even if Nick Fairley doesn't play, the Lions have six legit defensive lineman who are all capable playing at a more than adequate level.
On the bright side for Tampa, this passing game could really do some damage if Freeman doesn't led the pressure affect him too much. The Lions linebackers are all superb against the run, but none of those guys can cover anybody. Kellen Winslow and Mike Williams could potentially have monstrous days against one of the worst secondaries in the NFL. Eric Wright is the only cornerback on their roster worth starting, and I could also see Arrelious Benn beginning a potential breakout season with a nice game on Sunday.
To me, it is amazing how great LeGarrette Blount was last season with such a great line. However, I think he has a down week against a top run-stopping unit, even though he has tons of talent and moves. Blount is already one of the better backs in the league, but this is going to be a passing game.
This is going to be another tightly contested game, but I have the Lions taking this game 27-20 with Cliff Avril having a huge game against a far inferior opponent in Jeremy Trueblood.
Both of these teams were once regarded as two of the worst teams in the NFL, but they have both made remarkable turnarounds and have become solid teams. The Bucs were last year's feel-good story, and many people have tabbed the Lions to make the playoffs. While I think the Lions are overrated and there are far too many people saying that they are a sleeper team for them to actually be a sleeper team, they are much-improved.
I think Calvin Johnson is going to have a fun day against a Bucs secondary that doesn't have a cornerback who can keep up with him. Aqib Talib isn't a bad player by any means, but coverage isn't exactly his forte. He's more of a big-play corner, and those are the kinds of guys that Johnson can beat. I think the play of the Bucs safeties will be key, but the secondary won't get much help from an awful pass rush.
Honestly, I don't have high hopes for Jahvid Best as a starting running back. Best is an extremely inefficient rusher who only provides tangible value as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. Jerome Harrison should be their starter, with Keiland Williams getting some carries here and there. Harrison is a pretty good back overall, and the Lions need to take advantage of a very weak opposing run defense.
This is going to be fun. Like, for real. The Lions defensive line is going to just bash an offensive line that downright sucks. Detroit possess one of the best defensive lines in the game, while the Bucs O-Line is on the opposite end of the spectrum. Even if Nick Fairley doesn't play, the Lions have six legit defensive lineman who are all capable playing at a more than adequate level.
On the bright side for Tampa, this passing game could really do some damage if Freeman doesn't led the pressure affect him too much. The Lions linebackers are all superb against the run, but none of those guys can cover anybody. Kellen Winslow and Mike Williams could potentially have monstrous days against one of the worst secondaries in the NFL. Eric Wright is the only cornerback on their roster worth starting, and I could also see Arrelious Benn beginning a potential breakout season with a nice game on Sunday.
To me, it is amazing how great LeGarrette Blount was last season with such a great line. However, I think he has a down week against a top run-stopping unit, even though he has tons of talent and moves. Blount is already one of the better backs in the league, but this is going to be a passing game.
This is going to be another tightly contested game, but I have the Lions taking this game 27-20 with Cliff Avril having a huge game against a far inferior opponent in Jeremy Trueblood.
Facing the Bucs
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