Game 8: Lions vs Seahawks

[Danny Darko]

VS.



Suh Suh Suhdio Ohhh Ohhh





Superman where are you now? East coast game vs a good team with a bad record?



Injury update:



Seahawks-

Moffit (G) may be back, but Doug Baldwin (WR) is out with a sprained ankle. Returning to our nickel D is Walter Thurmond, though.


Lions

DE Cliff Avril Back NP
WR Calvin Johnson Knee NP
CB Jacob Lacey Concussion NP
LB DeAndre Levy Hamstring NP
DE Ronnell Lewis Not Injury Related NP
S Amari Spievey Concussion NP

Things to Watch:

1. Offensive conservatism
It could be said we weren't all that conservative vs SF if you consider we had drops galore, but how many times are we going to run on 2nd and 1 or on 3rd and long? I'd rather take a few more strikes on those plays and it seems Bevel would rather run lynch on 3rd and 14 and concede a punt.

2. Russ vs Suh
Don't dirty Hulk smash our QB into oblivion or tear Okung's pectoral in half please.

3. Secondary vs Harbaugh's snarky comments
Anyone want to bet we get some extra defensive holdings or pi this week?

4. Hands
I expect much better receiving this week.

5. Pass Rush
Seems like we take every other week off, so perhaps Bruce and Clem will show up this week.


Predictions-
Detroit 21 Seattle 17

[Sweezo]

Speaking of matchups, we get to watch arguably the best WR [Johnson] go against arguably the best CB [Sherman] right now. I keep wondering if we will see a week where Sherman is humbled a bit at some point. He has no problem talking trash to Tom Brady before/during/after a game, or calling himself "Optimus Prime" on Twitter prior to his matchup against "Megatron." But I hope it never happens. I know he puts a target on himself, and the media loves to take him, but he backs up it each time.

[Danny Darko]

wow getting gouched by them on some long pass plays... wish i could see the game to point fingers heheh

[Sweezo]

The long pass play to Titus Young saw him streak past Sherman and Chancellor coming up a little shorter when he came over to help.

Well, it's nice to have a lead at the half but it feels like it should be a bigger lead. The offense missed a chance at the end of the half to get a makeable FG attempt. Why they would call a run there in a :45 second offense is beyond me...the passing game underneath was working just fine.

The pass rush seems a step slow once again. Stafford has time and he's been able to make plays.

[Sweezo]

This has been a shameful display by the defense. Stafford carved up the middle of the field in the second half.

[Sweezo]

Well, that was a hell of a loss. We're 4-4, and we can't buy a road win. Defense still can't get off the field on third downs.

I'm really starting to hate Golden Tate. I don't care what his stats look like. Whether he's pinwheeling around and losing a first down, or lateraling from some unknown reason when there's time on the clock and timeouts to spare, far too often he seems horribly unaware of the situation on the field. The #1 priority in the offseason should be finding a #1 WR, pushing Rice to #2, and keeping Baldwin in the slot. The team can do better.

[nuke the whales]

This was a game we needed. I know the schedule gets easier, but if we think we're serious about the playoffs, 10-6 is what it will take to make sure. Anyone think we have a 6-2 2nd half in us? I hate to say it, but we might have to start thinking about topics like how many wins will it take for Pete to keep his job and what receivers will be available in the draft.

[jenn_gp]

^I think Pete will be safe, but it may be time to find a new Offensive Coordinator...

[Sweezo]

This was a game we needed. I know the schedule gets easier, but if we think we're serious about the playoffs, 10-6 is what it will take to make sure. Anyone think we have a 6-2 2nd half in us?

It's all kind of a jumble in my head. Emotionally, I am irritated and disappointed in what I believed was a playoff team. Pragmatically, Carroll's teams seem to finish the season better than they start it, and the second half schedule is highly favorable to us.

The rest of the NFC is wide open right now. We're currently one win back of a playoff spot right now. Green Bay is slotted at #6, but I do not think Minnesota emerges as the division champion. If Green Bay takes their division and the Vikings fall, I think we have a very solid shot at a playoff spot. If we look at Arizona and Minnesota as our main competition for a playoff spot, I'll take out strengths/weaknesses over theirs any day.

We've been in every game this season, and have always had a legit chance to win in every fourth quarter so far. Here's how I would predict the rest of our schedule:

vs. MIN: W [I do not think the Vikings are as good as their record, especially on the road]
vs. NYJ: W [that team is a mess]
@ MIA: L [that Dolphins team is playing better and we've done nothing on the road]
@ CHI: L [same]
vs. ARI: W
@ BUF: W [game's being played in Toronto, and I do not think the Bills are all that good...]
vs. SF: W
vs. STL: W

I hate to say it, but we might have to start thinking about topics like how many wins will it take for Pete to keep his job and what receivers will be available in the draft.

I think Pete's safe. That said, why the challenge flag on a clear completion where, if the play is overturned, the Lions THEN accept the penalty on the Seahawks for a first down anyway? Pete says it was him being "hormonal," which is a poor excuse for a head coach to make.

Then again, if we lose to the Vikings and Jets...we're probably staring another 7-9 season in the face, and I think people would be well within their rights to question what the heck is going on.