Detroit Lions Weblog

Lions vs. Vikes

In a week of turmoil, after rampant speculation that the Lions were going to make a Quarterback change as the season approaches it denouement, this is a big opportunity for Matt Millen, Steve Mariucci and lastly, free-falling Joey Harrington to establish that this franchise has a perceptible direction and that the interminable “rebuilding process” this franchise has been engaged in can be termed at least, a mild success. As a lifelong Lions fan, my expectations for this week’s game are understandably quite low. Other than the emergence of a real, live, breathing rushing attack, there has been little to celebrate about the performance of this team over the last three-fourths of this season. That being said, this is still a winnable game against an intra-divisional foe, so at the very least the Lions have something to play for.

On Offense, the Lions have to have their best game in about 10 weeks. The offenses ability to score points (preferably touchdowns), reduce turnovers, and control the ball and time of posession not only provides them with command over the outcome of the game against a not-so-good defense, it also keeps one of the league’s finest offenses off the field. It has not become unreasonable to expect that Kevin Jones will easily rush for one hundred yards or more, especially against the not-so-stout Vikings rushing defense, yet, one has to wonder if the Lions will finally be able to utilize his prowess for the course of an entire game as opposed to just one half. Joey Harrington is walking into a firestorm on Sunday. If during the first couple of posessions, Lion fans see Harrington making the same throws he has been throwing over the last few weeks, he will be booed mercilessly and it would not be unreasonable to hear chants for the summoning of Mike McMahon. Harrington will be throwing against a secondary which has been severely hampered by the injury of it’s best player, Antoine Winfield, and will have it’s depth questioned with the loss of backup defensive back, Ralph Brown. The Lions should attack this secondary and attack often with multi-receiver sets, so that the Vikes understaffed secondary is exposed. Most importantly, the Lions butterfingered receivers need to catch the ball and exhibit a reckless abandon that is not often seen from them. I think a good performance in the passing game, could establish the Ford Field denizens as a major factor in the outcome of the game as well as break the spirit of the slumping Vikings and increase the likelihood that the team will continue to fail/fold down the stretch. Steve Mariucci, with all playoff hopes nearly snuffed out, must call plays with the same aggression and lust for the kill that it has lacked for nearly the entire season. Quite honestly, except for the importance of future evaluation, these games mean very little. What would this team have to lose by opening up it’s offense and going for the jugular? I would rather see the Lions offense lose, and yet be exciting and imaginative, than watch it continue it’s labored, calculated march of “dink-and-dunk” passes that inspires little of either confidence or excitement.

The Lions defense faces a great challenge. With little to play for, the woes of the offense, and continually being placed in positions in which it must perform at high levels to keep games remotely close, it’s performance has faltered a bit down the stretch. In a winnable game, the front seven must pressure all-pro Daunte Culpepper and hope they can generate some turnovers. They also must prevent him from having the opportunity to get comfortable in the pocket. Otherwise, the Lions “Bend, Don’t Break” philosophy on defense gets transformed in a terminal “Prevent defense”, where offenses can pick them apart like a pack of vultures picking over carrion. Those vultures, salivating over the Lion’s defenses tasty morsels have also been able to utilize big plays to defeat them. The Lions secondary must have it’s best performance of the year to prevent the trio of Marcus Robinson, Randy Moss, and Nate Burleson from embarassing them in front of the home faithful. The linebackers and safeties will also need to tighten up their “red zone” coverage so that Viking’s Tight End, Jermaine Wiggins, is unable to be a factor in the game’s outcome.

Reiterating what I said earlier, it is hard to imagine a good performance from the Lions, even with many factors in this game pointing in their favor. With the franchise again appeared headed towards some off-season crossroads, this game has taken on an increased importance. That increased importance usually translates into disappointment for Lion fans and I say it is quite likely that the Lions will provide their end of the bargain yet again.

Vikings 27 Lions 21