9/13/15. Lions at Chargers. Week 1.

[Shinma 37]

Can the Lions repeat last years playoff run?

Presents the following thread:

AT

(0-0) @ (0-0)

Your Detroit Lions

AT

The San Diego Chargers

NFC Conference

Week 1

Location: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, Calif.

Date: September 13th, 2015

Time: 4:05pm EST

This game is a presentation of:

Television Broadcast Provided by:

FOX

Radio Broadcast Provided by:

MLive staff discuss roster cut down:

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Fox Sports 2015 Lions Season Preview

2014 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 RIGHT

The 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 WRONG

Trading 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 Ebron

Too 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 place

The 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) .000

Green Bay (0-0) .000

Minnesota (0-0) .000

Chicago (0-0) .000

Lions Injury News:

No Injuries Reported

Chargers Injury News:

No Injuries Reported

Edited September 8, 2015 by Shinma

[Mr. Bigglesworth 2,973]

Win.

[drownwithyou 184]

I'll be there!

[DukeCityRadical 10]

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!!!

[Mr. Bigglesworth 2,973]

I'll be there!

Loss.

[Buddha 747]

San diego 28

Detroit 24

Go lions!

[drownwithyou 184]

Loss.

Sad but true.

[Buddha 747]

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?

[drownwithyou 184]

That's big if they spliced Gabe Wright and George Webster into one person.

[John_Brian_K 252]

Win....and a pretty easy one considering it will be on the road. 35-24

[pfife 2,094]

Lions: 23042384732

SD: 1

[number20 75]

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

[Who is the Drizzle? 588]

SD 27 DET 20

[drownwithyou 184]

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

[EchO 32]

31-24 Chargers. Lions make it interesting late.

[number20 75]

Aaron Rodgers hasn't done it since 2012:

Team Game Finder Query Results | Pro-Football-Reference.com

At least he's done it

[Yoda 651]

Aaron Rodgers hasn't done it since 2012:

Team Game Finder Query Results | Pro-Football-Reference.com

So you're saying a QB can't magically win road games on his own? Stunned.

[Stormin' Norman 10]

35-17 Lions

Eric Ebron is the headline.

[DukeCityRadical 10]

35-17 Lions

Eric Ebron is the headline.

I'll have some of what he's smoking.

[Mr.TaterSalad 340]

35-17 Lions

Eric 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!

[Mr.TaterSalad 340]

Lions: 23042384732

SD: 1

Do the Lions have Ditka?

[T&P_Fan 333]

Haters out early!

Lions will not lose Sunday, the afternoon of September 13th, quote me.

[Buddha 747]

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?

[John_Brian_K 252]

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.

[Buddha 747]

The internet is no place for an optimist.

History is no place for a Lions optimist.