Detroit Lions Weblog

Lions vs. Redskins

Thus far the Lions have not enjoyed the benefit of home field advantage. They have actually played quite poorly in two out of their three home games. Many fans and pundits hold different theories in regards to this deficiency. Ford Field is a Xanadu-like monument to football excess. Yet, it has none of the aura (or stench) of the indoor biker rally-atmosphere that defined the Pontiac Silverdome. The fans who attend, are generally, of a higher class than the more blue collar denizens of the “Dome”, too. I think the higher prices, 20,000 less seats, and garish luxury boxes have all altered the demographic of game attendees. All of these factors combined with the poor quality of play, lack of star-quality personnel and poor management over recent years have made Ford Field friendly confines for away teams instead of the hostile hell-hole that was the Silverdome.

It is important this week that the Lions get off to a good start in this game and bring the fans the type of game that might help to generate the atmosphere that often provided the Lions with an advantage while playing in Pontiac. Lion fans are ravenous for a good team and the Lions are teetering on the brink. This is the week that the Lions need to run well and consistently against the top rated defense in the league (2nd in rushing). The Washington front seven is stalwart even without the presence of Pro Bowler LaVar (Don’t call me Jordie) Arrington. The Lions obviously are going to have continue with their trend of not turning the ball over. The Lions have not lost a fumble yet this year, to the credit of Tom Rathman and the rest of the Lions staff. Washington is also a very good secondary even with the trade of Champ Bailey. Shawn Springs is finally starting to blossom into the player he was expected to be several years ago and Fred Smoot seems to be more focused this season. Free Safety Sean Taylor has been a valuable addition but with his DUI arrest it is questionable what factor he may have in the game against the Lions. Harrington is going to have to be efficient and continue to complete a high percentage of his passes. The availability of Roy Williams to play will have a major factor upon how the Redskins play the Lions offense. His ability to make big plays forces defenses to have to game plan specifically for him. The Lions offensive execution will have to attain a high watermark if it expects to be effective against this defense.

On defense, Mark Brunell has been terrible this season. The Lions defense can’t allow him to get out early and successfully start to make plays. The Redskins offense has been very ineffective and the Lions will have to effectively pressure Brunell to keep him off balance. Brunell still has some scrambling ability so the Lions will have to be careful as he leaves the pocket. They certainly were embarassed last week when Testaverde had to successful runs against them. Shaun Rogers and Dan Wilkinson will have to continue to be immovable forces in the center of the Lions defense so that they force Clinton Portis to have to run laterally. The Lions linebackers will have to be quick to the edge of the defense to prevent Portis from making big plays. The Lions secondary will have a major challenge this week with tough posession receivers like Rod Gardner, Laveranues Coles and James Thrash. A healthy Dre Bly and Fernando Bryant can’t afford to give up big plays to the Skins receivers. Even with the Skins’ poor performances of late the Lions really have to execute much better than they did last week. Special Teams and Penalties were in particular factors in the Lions undoing last week. I don’t like this game one bit, this is the type of game we have come to see the Lions lose through the years. Facing an ailing team, rather than giving an A effort with excellence of execution we often see a C- effort and continually costly blunders. That factored with the Lions coaching staff’s continuing conservatism I think the Lions will yet again disappoint it’s loyal fans with a 17-14 loss.