Detroit Lions Weblog

Weak 10; Eminent Disaster Awaits: Lions vs. Cardinals

All of the cosmic forces are lining up against the Lions. They are at home, facing a team who is equally pathetic, and with their backs against the wall, the Lions should have all the necessary motivation to eke out a narrow victory. With that accounted for, the C. Rog inactivation last week, Roy vs. Mooch He Said/She Said debacle over whether Roy was ready to play last week or not, and the continually disintegrating status of this team all lead me to strongly believe that the Lions are going to lose this Sunday in a game that is an absolute must win for them.

The Lions defense was a major disappointment last week. They have been routinely called upon to carry the day for the Lions just to keep the team competitive. The Lions defense came up very short in their efforts against the Vikings last Sunday. I firmly believe that even with a healthy return of “Big Baby” Shaun Rogers, the Cards will find a way to spring RB’s Marcel Shipp, J. J. Arrington or James Jackson for big yards judging by the way the Lions reinvigorated the dormant Vikings ground attack last Sunday. If the Cards are able to run successfully, this game could be an ugly blowout. Without the services of Dre Bly, the Lions secondary is getting too overexposed. I fully expect the immobile Cards QB Kurt Warner to have all the time necessary to pick apart the Lions secondary. The Cards have allowed their share of sacks, but the Lions were unable to pressure the “Living Statue” Brad Johnson, so it only remains obvious they will be unable to disrupt the “Immobile Evangelist”, Warner. I think that even if CB McQuarters does a respectable job limiting the Cards WR Fitzgerald (highly unlikely), the Cards will be able to attack CB Andre Goodman with WR Bryant Johnson. The Lions have lost 4 games to backup QB’s this year (QB Chris Weinke, QB Brad Johnson, QB Kyle Orton (twice)) and be it McCown or Warner, the Lions will lose to 5 disreputable QB’s and counting after this game.

The Lions Offense has been so unproductive that whether Joey or Jeff starts, Kevin Jones is healthy, and whether the “Ones” can play or not are all inconsequential factors in this game’s outcome. The Cards will walk up their safeties, blitz effectively with their backs in close proximity to the line of scrimmage, shut out the Lions “ground” attack, and dare either QB to throw for more than 3-4 yards (which they’ll steadfastly refuse to do), and in response the Lions will continue to play right into their opponents hands. End of story. The personnel matchups are of no consequence here, sadly. W.C. Ford fired former Lions Head Coach Darryl (No Relation) Rogers for his offense being “Boring and Awful” nearly 20 years ago, bringing the “Big Buck”, Wayne Fontes to the fore as the team’s Head Coach. In a move that would be sadly reminiscent, I hope Dick Jauron has the nerve to replace his good friend and Packers/Niners protege, Mariucci. A sputtering offensive performance against the lowly Cards could easily set the wheels in motion for the removal of Mariucci. It has to be nearing that stage, dreadfully.

The Lions use to be able to count upon Jason Hanson like the Cards have been able to count on their journeymen Kicker, Neil Rackers. Rackers is the Cards best offensive weapon when they reach the Red Zone, much like Hanson has been in years past. Especially, with the likelihood that this will be a close game, this game could eventaully become a kicker’s duel. That oughta keep the Ford Field faithful riveted to their seats, eh.

Quite obviously, this has been the most damning preview to a Lions game I have given since this Blog has been established. But last week’s loss has completely removed any faith or certainty I have held for the future of this team. At this point, It will be a mortal struggle for this team to win two more games in their last eight. How can you believe otherwise? Will the Orlowsky era be upon us after this game?

Fat Denny Green 15 Steve “Fox Football Tv Analyst” Mariucci 12