Detroit Lions Weblog

Week 15 Preview: Cardinals Vs. Lions

The Arizona Cardinals are coming off of a very poor performance against the Niners on Monday night and, if anything, they have been inconsistent performers this season.

That being said, this week’s match-up likely represents a perfect storm for a team who desperately needs a punching bag, in this case the Lions, that they can tune themselves up with. The injury-depleted Lions, coming off of one of their worst all-time performances in a brutal road loss to the Ravens, seemingly are running out of bullets to slide into the chamber, and pose little or no threat to their opponents.

Culpepper Will Not Be Remembered Among Lions All-Time Greats

The Lions intend on starting Daunte Culpepper, who is 0-8 as a Lions starter. Even if Kevin Smith was no star, the Lions rushing attack will be impotent without him. The Lions have no receiving threats with which to compliment Calvin Johnson, which generally renders their best player ineffective.

The Lions offensive line still struggles mightily, and this week will be no different, especially with the number of different players that the Cardinals utilize to pressure the passer. The Lions will desperately try to get the ball out of Culpepper’s hands quickly, in order to stem the tide of the Cardinals blitz pressure.

With shifty backs Maurice Morris and Aaron Brown, the Lions might utilize more screens and swing passes, and will likely utilize Jerome Felton in short-yardage situations. If the Lions can get the ball on the perimeter with Brown and Morris, they could each break for big plays.

Aaron Brown Will Get a Chance to Show His Worth Sunday

Defensively, this is the worst match-up of the season for the Lions. If the Cardinals Kurt Warner and his receivers are unable to throw for at least 400 yards (they might throw for 400 in the first half!) against the Lions defense, then the Cardinals should be very disappointed. The Lions defense has been historically bad for two straight seasons, and last week’s exhibition of poor tackling and a general lack of will, against the Ravens, may hold ominous portent for a truly awful Lions defense.

The Lions Secondary Will Have A Similar Expression,
After the Cardinals Passing Barrage

The only hope for the Lions is that Larry Fitzgerald is either unable to play or is limited. Even if Fitzgerald is slowed, Anquan Boldin, Steve Breaston, and Jerheme Urban can do plenty of damage, especially with the revolving cast of misfits that the Lions are fielding in their secondary.

At this point, it is difficult to expect anything but the worst from a Lions team who is clearly limping to the finish line, decimating any sort of optimistically perceived sense of progress along the way. In a season of struggle, I can’t help but sense this will be a brutal blow out that has the few fans in attendance heading to their cars, or the Greektown bars and casinos, for a respite from a truly awful franchise.

Greektown, Please Save Us From the Lions

Cardinals 41 Lions 7