Shinma 37 Posted September 8, 2015 (edited) Can the Lions repeat last years playoff run?Presents the following thread:AT(0-0) @ (0-0)Your Detroit LionsATThe San Diego ChargersNFC ConferenceWeek 1Location: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, Calif.Date: September 13th, 2015Time: 4:05pm ESTThis game is a presentation of:Television Broadcast Provided by:FOXRadio Broadcast Provided by:MLive staff discuss roster cut down:kne2ROj6X_Q Fox Sports 2015 Lions Season Preview2014 record: 11-5 (lost in wild-card game to Cowboys)Head coach: Jim Caldwell (second year, 37-27 overall coaching record, 5-2 in playoffs)Key arrivals: Tyrunn Walker (defensive tackle), Haloti Ngata (defensive tackle), *Alex Carter (cornerback), *Gabe Wright (defensive tackle), Corey Wootton (defensive tackle), Manuel Ramirez (center), Lance Moore (wide receiver), *Laken Tomlinson (guard), *Ameer Abdullah (running back)(*denotes rookie)Key departures: Ndamukong Suh (defensive tackle), Nick Fairley (defensive tackle), Reggie Bush (running back), Garrett Reynolds (offensive lineman)TRAINING CAMP QUESTION: Are the kids along the offensive line ready to become men?The Lions appear set to field what may very well be the NFL's youngest offensive line. None of the projected five starters -- left tackle Riley Reiff, left guard Laken Tomlinson, center Travis Swanson, right guard Larry Warford and right tackle LaAdrian Waddle -- is over age 26. Along with protecting quarterback Matthew Stafford, the Lions must field a better running attack after averaging an anemic 88.9 yards a game in 2014. Fortunately, rookie running back Ameer Abdullah has shown promise in the preseason.IF EVERYTHING GOES RIGHTThe Lions made it to the playoffs last season for the first time since 2011 and only the second time since 1999. But a Week 17 loss to Green Bay cost Detroit the division title and proved there's still a gap between it and the North's top dog. That can change if Stafford can take the step from awfully good to great. If receiver Calvin Johnson can stay healthy and everything clicks, this team is good enough even without free-agent departure Ndamukong Suh to again be a threat to win the division.IF EVERYTHING GOES WRONGTrading for five-time Pro Bowl selection Haloti Ngata was a nice backup plan to offset the loss of Suh, but Suh is a one-of-a-kind defensive anchor and fellow defensive tackle Nick Fairley's departure will not help either. If Detroit's defense goes from allowing a league second-best 17.6 points per game to something far more average, it's unlikely Stafford and the offense will be able to offset the backslide. In reality, Detroit could be closer to third place in this division than first.BREAKOUT PLAYER: Tight End Eric EbronToo much was expected from Ebron too soon in what became a 25-catch rookie season in 2014. He is now much more comfortable in Detroit's offense after a full offseason working with Stafford. Ebron also should benefit from the extra attention that opposing defenses give to Lions wide receivers Johnson and Golden Tate.CIRCLE THE DATE GAME: Week 10, at Green Bay (1 p.m. ET/Nov. 15)The Lions have lost 24 consecutive games to the Packers in the state of Wisconsin. Ending that futility could help Detroit knock Green Bay off the NFC North throne after winning four straight division crowns.ALEX MARVEZ'S PREDICTION: 9-7, third placeThe positive momentum built by last year's 11-5 season came to an abrupt halt when the Lions were unable to keep Suh from leaving via free agency to Miami. Suh was the lynchpin to the NFL's second-ranked defense because of his disruptive interior play and the constant double-teaming he received creating opportunities for others. The defensive departures didn't end with Suh with three other linemen (Fairley, C.J. Mosley and George Johnson) splitting via free agency. The Lions traded with Baltimore for Ngata and are betting that some of their youngsters like George Webster, Caraun Reid and rookie George Wright can help fill the void created by the mass exodus. The defense will receive a boost if Detroit's offense improves upon its No. 19 overall ranking from 2014. The Lions focused this offseason on bettering a weak rushing game by using their first two draft picks on Duke guard Laken Tomlinson and the versatile Abdullah. The Stafford-led passing game should be fine, especially if Johnson stays healthy enough to play an entire season for the first time since 2012 and Ebron improves after a disappointing rookie campaign. Worth noting: The Lions haven't won a postseason game since 1991 or made the playoffs in back-to-back seasons since the Barry Sanders era from 1993 to 1995.Notes:Kellen Moore is out of a job after the Detroit Lions gave him an opportunity to unseat Dan Orlovsky for the backup quarterback spot.Moore and tight end Joseph Fauria were among the Lions' cuts on Saturday, the team confirmed. Moore completed 29 of 47 passes (61.7 percent) for 254 yards (5.4 YPA), one touchdown, one interception and a 74.2 passer rating in four preseason games. One of the most successful quarterbacks in NCAA history, he simply doesn't have the size and arm strength to consistently squeeze NFL throws into tight windows. Fauria had ongoing issues with a nagging ankle injury this offseason after the 6-foot-7 red-zone threat slipped while chasing his puppy -- Lil' Rufio -- down the stairs of his house last September. His fate was sealed when the Lions traded for former Buccaneers and Patriots tight end Tim Wright early in the week.Detroit also cut running back George Winn, which likely locks Zach Zenner into a roster spot after the impressive undrafted free-agent rookie led the league in preseason rushing yards.The Chargers are making a change at place kicker. Josh Lambo, an undrafted rookie, will assume kicking duties after the team chose to release veteran Nick Novak on Saturday.NFC North Standings:Detroit (0-0) .000Green Bay (0-0) .000Minnesota (0-0) .000Chicago (0-0) .000Lions Injury News:No Injuries ReportedChargers Injury News:No Injuries Reported Edited September 8, 2015 by Shinma Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr. Bigglesworth 3,688 Posted September 8, 2015 Win. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
drownwithyou 206 Posted September 8, 2015 I'll be there! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DukeCityRadical 10 Posted September 8, 2015 Thanks as always, Shinma, for getting these threads off on the right foot. The season isn't here until I see the first game thread from you. I believe we win, I hope it looks like the first game of last season when we smacked the Giants all around Ford Field.GO LIONS!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr. Bigglesworth 3,688 Posted September 8, 2015 I'll be there!Loss. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Buddha 1,123 Posted September 8, 2015 San diego 28Detroit 24Go lions! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
drownwithyou 206 Posted September 8, 2015 Loss.Sad but true. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Buddha 1,123 Posted September 8, 2015 By the way, read that preview and tell me if that guy did a lot of research on the lions. Who are george wright and george webster that the lions will supposedly be relying upon this year? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
drownwithyou 206 Posted September 8, 2015 That's big if they spliced Gabe Wright and George Webster into one person. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
John_Brian_K 282 Posted September 8, 2015 Win....and a pretty easy one considering it will be on the road. 35-24 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfife 2,784 Posted September 8, 2015 Lions: 23042384732SD: 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
number20 83 Posted September 8, 2015 Let’s see… This is a road game. And San Diego doesn’t have a losing record. Stafford doesn’t win these games. Ever. Chargers 31, Lions 13 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Who is the Drizzle? 588 Posted September 8, 2015 SD 27 DET 20 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
drownwithyou 206 Posted September 8, 2015 Let’s see… This is a road game. And San Diego doesn’t have a losing record. Stafford doesn’t win these games. Ever. Aaron Rodgers hasn't done it since 2012:Team Game Finder Query Results | Pro-Football-Reference.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EchO 32 Posted September 8, 2015 31-24 Chargers. Lions make it interesting late. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
number20 83 Posted September 8, 2015 Aaron Rodgers hasn't done it since 2012:Team Game Finder Query Results | Pro-Football-Reference.comAt least he's done it Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yoda 891 Posted September 8, 2015 Aaron Rodgers hasn't done it since 2012:Team Game Finder Query Results | Pro-Football-Reference.comSo you're saying a QB can't magically win road games on his own? Stunned. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormin' Norman 10 Posted September 8, 2015 35-17 LionsEric Ebron is the headline. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DukeCityRadical 10 Posted September 9, 2015 35-17 LionsEric Ebron is the headline.I'll have some of what he's smoking. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr.TaterSalad 451 Posted September 9, 2015 35-17 LionsEric Ebron is the headline.If you reverse the score, add in two-three dropped passes in the cover story and talk ill of his route running, then yeah, he's the headline. Seriously though, I want Ebron to succeed, prove us all wrong and come out looking like a pure stud! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr.TaterSalad 451 Posted September 9, 2015 Lions: 23042384732SD: 1Do the Lions have Ditka? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
T&P_Fan 406 Posted September 9, 2015 Haters out early! Lions will not lose Sunday, the afternoon of September 13th, quote me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Buddha 1,123 Posted September 9, 2015 Haters out early! Lions will not lose Sunday, the afternoon of September 13th, quote me.Just like you said michigan was going to blowout utah and you couldnt understand how anyone would think otherwise? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
John_Brian_K 282 Posted September 9, 2015 Just like you said michigan was going to blowout utah and you couldnt understand how anyone would think otherwise?The internet is no place for an optimist. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Buddha 1,123 Posted September 9, 2015 The internet is no place for an optimist.History is no place for a Lions optimist. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
