Detroit Lions...are they for real?

[hoosier]

It was more a case of Bears losing this one than Lions winning it. Their OL (esp pass prot) and secondary are both awful. Don't see them being consistent winners on road. And I don't think they match up well against GB at all, assuming GB can generate some pressure with front four.

[Fritz]

Re: Detroit Lions...are they for real?

Is it just me...or is anyone else a little worried about the Lions?

The Eagles scored over 50 against them. That defense of theirs will take them out of football games this year.

I hope you're right. The Lions have a great D-line...but their secondary is horrible.

They do have a great d-line, as long as Shaun Rogers is playing hard. They also have Ernie Sims who (harumph) is playing better than a certain GB linebacker who was chosen four picks earlier...

Hard to say if the Lions are really good or okay or what. It's a long season. We'll see. When does the Pack play them first? Turkey Day?

[CaliforniaCheez]

If the Lions keep it maybe they will stop thinking of the good ol' days with Wayne Fontes.

[Deputy Nutz]

Re: Detroit Lions...are they for real?

I hope you're right. The Lions have a great D-line...but their secondary is horrible.

Sounds familar. Like the team we just got done playing today. You can't stop the Packers offense at this point, the offensive line is blocking well and the Packers are using the whole field for their passing attack. If you can't rush Favre in the pocket and stay on the receivers then you will lose. The Packers defense is dominant in the red zone, they need to shore up their knack of giving up big plays.

Right now I think the score of the Detroit V. Packers game could easily go over 60 points.

But, 1-0, folks, 1-0

[oregonpackfan]

well, Kitna promised 10 wins this season !

Hey, if Kitna promised 10 wins then it must be so!

I am delighted to see the Lions beat the Bears. Yes, the Lions have improved. Their collection of receivers is amazing.

It will be more challenging to beat the Lions this year.

[RashanGary]

The Vikings, Lions and Packers all got better. The Bears got worse. All in all, I think we have one of the NFC's strongest division which isn't saying a whole lot but it's a big change from what we are used to. I could see us losing two or three division games this year.

[Spaulding]

Lions honestly aren't that good. They are a decent team but not a complete team by any means. The Bears are currently a shadow of their former selves on both offense and defense.

Today they were minus their entire starting secondary (safeties and corners) as well as Briggs and Harris was limited with a sprained MCL. Their offense isn't much better with an overrated line, Benson looking like a bust and neither quarterback able to complete more passes to their own players than the opponent. They seriously miss Thomas Jones as well.

The Lions have a solid passing game with impressive receivers but so far little production in the running game (not much better than the Packers) and their defense is spotty. Hansen is solid as always at kicker but not sure of their punting or special teams for returns or coverage.

I'd give the Packers a wash in the offensive category and the better end on defense and special teams.

We're definitely the better overall team at this point in the season and should at least split with the Lions. Thank God the Silverdome is RIP as we almost always tanked there. Bring on "friendly" Ford Field.

If we ever generate a decent running game, with Favre and play action and Driver, Jennings and Jones able to get plenty of YAC, we could have a top five offense.

[FritzDontBlitz]

i saw this game. there's a reason detroit got blown out by philly: they suck.

the problem, at least for the bears, is chicago is even worse: crappy pass protection, receivers with a bad case of the dropsies, injuries decimating their defensive secondary and a sham of a running back that duped them into trading away their ownly dependable offensive weapon.

the look on lovie's face during the postgame press conference showed how frustrated he was.

i think the ownly happy bear in chicago right now IS rex grossman.

[Badgerinmaine]

Sure, the Lions are better, and sure, they have a nice corps at wide receiver (which they ought to, with all the first round picks Matt Millen has made for them there). And yes, they're 3-1 (2-0 in the North)and in 2nd place--not a bad start at all.

But let's take a closer look at how they got there:
1. Beat the Raiders in Oakland. Okay, nice road win, but the Black Hole just doens't seem so fearsome when you're playing the team that had the NFL's worst record last year.
2. Needed overtime to beat Minnesota at Ford Field in Detroit. Hey, a division win's a division win, but this was before the Vikings were starting Kelly Holcomb and looked bad.
3. Were blown off Lincoln Financial Field by the Eagles and their dazzling yellow and blue retro unis, who put 56 points on the board, mostly in the first half. This is the same Eagles team you saw last night not able to do much of anything on offense against the Giants.
4. Beat a banged-up Bears team trying out a new QB, at Ford Field. The Bears are looking like the embodiment of the Super Bowl Loser Hangover Jinx of the last decade. Still, this is a nice division win for the Motor City Kitties.
Not bad for a team whose last title came the last year Milwaukee had a World Series winner , but not totally earthshattering. They have a bye next week, then they get a much-improved Tampa Bay at Ford Field. That should be an interesting one. As for the schedule question: Yes, the Pack doesn't play Detroit until Thanksgiving. The Lions end the regular season at Lambeau Field (remember when the Packers never used to end the season at home?)

As a teacher, my Lions gade would be an Incomplete.

[chain_gang]

The Lions are better, I'll give them that. It's still early in the season. Mike Martz's offense always make a team put up points. They seem like a 1999 replica of the rams, but without two key things, an great oline, and a great running game. I believe that'll come back to bite them in the rear. Through 4 games the Lions have allowed 21 sacks. Eventually that will be a killer. The Defense is an issue too. Not much pressure on the QB, Defensive backs reminds me of the Packers a few years ago. I guess we'll see what happens.

[Partial]

The Lions are better, I'll give them that. It's still early in the season. Mike Martz's offense always make a team put up points. They seem like a 1999 replica of the rams, but without two key things, an great oline, and a great running game. I believe that'll come back to bite them in the rear. Through 4 games the Lions have allowed 21 sacks. Eventually that will be a killer. The Defense is an issue too. Not much pressure on the QB, Defensive backs reminds me of the Packers a few years ago. I guess we'll see what happens.

And a young Leonard Little. That Ram's defense was fast and mean.

[the_idle_threat]

My brother has inexplicably been a Lions fan for several years now. To the point where---when I was at the sportsbook in Vegas putting down a few bucks on the Packers to win the Super Bowl ---I put down a few bucks on the Lions on his behalf. I knew he would appreciate the thought, and in fact he did.

Of course, I had to put a few down on the Lions myself given the 40-to-1 odds, so now I'm happy to see them do well too.

[4and12to12and4]

Post Title: The Lions ... are they for real?


One word answer:

yep

[Partial]

I don't think they're for real. I think they're hot right now, just like the Pack.

They won't keep it up and nor will the Pack, but we'll fair better do to our defense.