I am still reeling from last Sunday's performance by the Lions. Can you imagine the excitement if the team were 6-2 or 5-3 at this point? At any rate, the Lions must prove again on Sunday why they continuously have defined the meaning of mediocrity for all of professional sports. To say this is a must win for the Lions, on the road, facing a young team's #2 QB, is an understatement.

On offense, we are yet again being fed the notion that this is the week that the team will attempt to establish the run. Mariucci stated in press conferences last week that maybe the team would "bring in some double-tight (2 tight ends) or attempt to spread teams out(widening the formation with multiple receivers, spreading the defense acrossed the field), then try to run. Kevin Jones also has indicated that the practice "scripts" have utilized him in some more plays and it appears he might have more opportunities this week after he has openly displayed frustration with the constantly changing personnel packages according to down and distance that have shuffled him on and off the field. The Lions will be well served to develop their running game this season. That being said, they are facing a young defense that features two very good defensive tackles and decent MLB who have not allowed teams to the run the ball all that successfully. Marcus Stroud and John Henderson will pose quite a challenge for C Dom Raiola and Guards Damien Woody, David Loverne/Matt Joyce. The Jags have also allowed very few rushing TD's this year. It will be interesting to see if Jacksonville will utilize a similar game plan to what other teams have against the Lions in recent weeks by bringing up the safeties and bringing pressure to Harrington. The Jaguars are not to great against the pass and due to injuries at Defensive End they are playing a LB and Defensive Tackle out of position their. They have not been very successful in pressuring the passer so Harrington should have time to find receivers. The Lions injury difficulties at wide out, make it unclear whom Harrington will be throwing to, but the emergence of Reggie Swinton as a target is a cause for hope. This is the third game in a row where the Lions have been provided with a winnable game, they must take advantage of what opportunities they have and capitalize. Harrington, will need to rebound from recent poor performances and establish his leadership and performance levels consistently. Harrington must decide whether he will ever be comparable to players of the caliber of a Steve Young or Jeff Garcia or more than likely to players like Gio Carmazzi, Rick Mirer, or Jim Druckenmiller. His time is drawing short.

The Lions Defense, has been serviceable, if not good. Yet, they have been prone to allowing big plays and of late have been less stout versus the run. A lot of that could be due to the fact that their offense is not controlling the ball well, adding more and more playing time for the defense. Also, in recent weeks the poor special teams performance, has in large part placed the Lions offense in negligible field position scenarios that have a direct impact on the defenses ability to perform. With inexperienced but promising David Garrard at the helm, the Jags have a few decent offensive weapons but possess little flash. Jimmy Smith is an excellent veteran receiver, who is entering the end of his career. Reggie Williams and Troy Edwards are young talents with potential, but are unproven, and you are never sure about their performance week-to-week. The Lions secondary, will have to prevent the big play. The Jags have two decent running backs in Fred Taylor and LaBrandon Toefield. The Jags are suffering from a similar inability to run the ball and it's essential that the Lions do not allow the Jaguars to get comfortable in their running game with an inexperienced Quarterback at the helm. I think this is the game factor where the outcome of the game will be decided. The Lions must hold Fred Taylor under 100 yards in order to have an opportunity to win this road game. I have a strange feeling that last week's performance may be indicative of how the remainder of this season will play out. Prove Me Wrong, Lions! Jags 21 Lions 7