Detroit Lions Weblog

Week 2 Preview: Lions Vs. Packers, Does Lions Season Hang in the Balance, Already?

To say that the Lions need to eradicate the bad taste that they put into our mouth’s with their putrid, inexcusable week one performance is a given.  There should be no further comment upon their disastrous performance in Atlanta.

Entering week 2, it is really quite simple.  Can the Lions effectively run with the ball, and conversely, can they effectively stop the Packers rushing attack?  If the answer is “no” to both questions, then Sunday’s game could become another embarrassing, abysmal bloodbath.

Apparently, T Gosder Cherilus will see more playing time, and G Stephen Peterman has staved off G Manny Ramirez, for the time being.   The Lions offensive line is far from settled, and the positional battles are important, as long as they are not won by default, as a result of poor in-game performances by their respective incumbents.

I have begin to wonder, especially given the Packers propensity for man-to-man coverage, should the Lions attack the Packers secondary with multi-receiver sets and a heavy dose of passes?  Al Harris has admittedly owned Roy Williams in their previous meetings, but Calvin Johnson is the great equalizer, here.

Johnson, along with the dual slot combo of Shaun McDonald and Mike Furrey, could put the Packers on their heels, and eventually loosen up the running game for the Lions.  The rub here is, can the Lions slow the pass rush of Aaron Kampman and Kbeer Gbaja-Biamila long enough, to effect the Packers defensive game plan?

I am not suggesting the Lions completely abandon the run.  However, I am not thoroughly convinced that the Lions will establish the run successfully without first relying upon their successful passing attack.

Defensively, it would also appear that LB Jordan Dizon will see increased playing time.  CB Leigh Bodden will replace CB Travis Fisher and FS Daniel Bullocks will usurp FS Gerald Alexander as a starter.  The Lions need to tackle effectively, have the right personnel and play packages installed, and generate a more effective, consistent pass rush.

The Packers will try to pound the ball with their own version of the zone rushing attack.   RB Ryan Grant may be limited, or unavailable, but RB’s Brandon Jackson and Kregg Lumpkin are salivating at the opportunity to put a “Burner” Turner-styled performance on the board, as long as the Lions cooperate.

Lions defensive coordinator Joe Barry is mystified by last week’s awful performance.   Barry’s days could be numbered if last week’s performance is repeated, or nearly repeated, for that matter.

The Lions need to benefit from a stronger, more impeding performance from their defensive line.  Routinely, in last week’s game, the Falcons running backs made it to the second and third level of the Lions defense unscathed.   That is not winning football, as we witnessed.
I do believe, given week’s one lackluster performance, we will see a more spirited home debut from the Lions. Ultimately, talent deficits, poor execution, and an apparently, eternal damnation from the football gods will lead to the Lions eventual loss.  Favre-Less Packers 31-23