Detroit Lions Weblog

Week 16 Preview: Lions Vs. San Francisco, It’s A Drew-Ish Christmas

I hate to “punish” you with such a ridiculous title to this entry, but I couldn’t resist. Even with this game being Drew Stanton’s inaugural start as a Lion, the bigger story is the fact that the Lions have lost 19 straight road games and are 3-35, in their last 38 games. What else is their to talk about? Hey, the draft is in April…

Lions Fans Hope to Have a Happy Holiday, Despite Their Team

At any rate, put your egg nog down, or else you might spit it out in exasperation, even though the Lions will likely lose, they might actually have a puncher’s chance against the Niners Sunday.

The Lions fatalist in us all, with a lustful glint directed towards this April’s draft, can see the unfortunate nightmare scenario playing out in such a manner that the Lions will improbably muster the performance necessary to defeat the Niners, and move the team further down the draft board, and futher away from, an eventual selection of a much-needed starting defensive linemen. Sorry, I am not subscribing to the ridiculous notion that wins in either of the two Lions remaining games could be the template for building momentum entering next season. To Quote Chad Ochocinco:

Child Please!

A win in either of the last two games would be the equivalent of putting lipstick on a pig, the Lions would still be a terrible team with 3 or 4 victories, instead of 2. What’s the difference? There are signs of improvement, I’ll concede, but not enough to get carried away.

Lions Fans Wouldn't Be Overjoyed By the Lions Adding Victories at This Juncture

The Lions will be facing a formidable defense in the Niners, who will utilize it’s front seven to pressure Drew Stanton, and force the newbie Qb into mistakes and poor decisions, with their blitzing 3-4 defense. Stanton, and the Lions will need another substantially productive performance from RB Maurice Morris to take the pressure off Stanton, and tax the safeties who will be bracketing Calvin Johnson all day.

Dre Bly Looks Forward to Facing Stanton's Lions

Ex-Lion Dre Bly is a Niners corner now, it will be exciting to see whether he is particularly motivated facing his former teammates. I expect that he will rather talkative, especially if the game devolves into a blow out, or he makes a play that could eventually impact the game’s final outcome.

I believe that the Lions defense will likely be their undoing in this game. The Niners offense, which is beginning show the promise necessary for them to become a viable playoff contender in the future, could really go off against an undermanned Lions defense.

I expect that Alex Smith will enjoy a Brady Quinn-like statistical boost from the defense who has allowed their opponents the most points scored of any team in the NFL. Michael Crabtree, Vernon Davis and Josh Morgan comprise the makings of a devastating tandem of receivers, whom the Lions will likely have no answer for.

The mere thought of it reminds me of one of my favorite Christmas presents ever:

The Niners Could Enjoy A High Scoring Game Against the Lions Sunday

As I mentioned earlier, the Niners are not entirely formidable as opponents. There is still a possibility that the Lions could make similarly opportunistic plays to those that they made in last week’s game against the Cardinals so improbably close.

In the end, I expect that the Lions will lose by a score of 24-14, and Drew Stanton will not have an outstanding game, but will adhere to Scott Linehan’s game plan and acquit himself in the hearts of Lions fans with a mediocre, but game performance.