Lions and Packers and Bears oh my

The Lion vs. Packers match-up did not provide any spectacular insights into either team, they both performed to expectations. That said the Packers out passed, out rushed, and out hit the Lions thoroughly last Sunday. Aaron Rogers completed over 80% of his passes, but fans should still be cautious as this team is built to blow out bad teams and have not been able to produce anything but large numbers of sacks for their opponents, against quality teams. They did their job however and are back in the thick of things as far as the playoffs go.....especially with Cleveland and their one win lurking.

For the Lions to win games this season their defense is going to have to hold teams to under 20 points. They have gone through two quarterbacks (and are now onto Drew Stanton)and Kevin Smith and Calvin Johnson have been hurting for last few weeks. With their two best threats ailing or sidelined and the general atrocity that is their offensive line don't expect them to outscore many opponents this season. This loss does set up a clash with the 0-6 (likely to be 0-7 by week 8) Rams after their bye week. I have a feeling FOX will be going elsewhere for their ratings.

Finally we come to the Bears who ended their three game honeymoon with Jay Cutler with a 7 point loss to the Falcons. It is hard to stomach a loss where you moved the ball rather effectively out rushing and out passing your opponent, but any time you turn the ball over 3 times and go 1 for 4 in red zone (Cutler's red zone qb rating was a paltry 37) appearances you can not expect anything but a loss.

The good news for the Bears is you leave the game feeling you could beat that team if lined up against them in the playoffs, not just win but almost, be careful here, expect to win. I would be confident if I drew the Falcons for a round one playoff game, not likely with the surging Saints, but the problem is you have to get there first.

Also, the whole storyline of two of the next young gun talents facing off, really failed to develop. Both looked flashy and inconsistent with neither really developing a good rhythm during the game. Good things can be said for the defenses, but let's not knight these two as the next Brady and Manning....at least not yet.

Week 5 Pick'em

Minnesota 21 St. Louis 10- I think the Vikings offense will look sluggish, especially early. After back to back weeks of San Francisco and Green Bay the Rams provide a much needed break in the schedule for the Vikes. Expect them to act accordingly and have a letdown on offense.

Luckily the Rams offense is quickly becoming a mockery of the NFL, producing anemic numbers all season. Minnesota's defense is too stingy to allow any kind of offense explosion out of this group and expect the intensity to be less than last week, but the result to be the same...sacks and turnovers.

Detroit 21 Pittsburgh 31- The Steelers have outplayed and even dominated every team on their schedule this year for three quarters. The fourth quarter has become an exercise in self destruction for the defending champs and do not expect that to change. Pittsburgh will go ahead early and appear to be in control for the majority of the game. Lions fans should tune in around the beginning of the fourth quarter where they will pick apart the Steelers prevent d.

Do not expect a Bengals/Bears letdown however. The lead will be to substantial and Ben Roethlisberger will be able to make enough plays against a weak secondary to keep the lead at a safe distance.

Lions

The good news for the Detroit Lions is that someone has faith in their upcoming season. The bad news is it is Kevin Smith, who has quickly began to cover up his ability on the field with his Jon Kitnaish predictions and appears to be heading down the same path as his other former teammate Roy Williams and doing planned touchdown dances in 28 point drubbings against prevent defenses who have been checked out mentally for several quarters. (In fairness he does have useful information about living in Detroit, ex: "if you want to look fly go to the mall") The point being is Detroit has to go through two stages to become a winning team.

First they must win games, obviously, but the problem is many of the players with possible upside on this team have been unproven against an intense NFL defense. My point being is having a good game for many of their players last year was preying on defenses that had comfortable leads. They do have to start somewhere however, and they have several young position players with seemingly extraordinary talent including Calvin Johnson and Kevin Smith.

Secondly, they must become competitive in a league that takes them seriously and considers the Lions a threat each week. Until this begins to happen the wins they get will continue to be huge surprises over overconfident and unprepared foes and not hard fought battles with the Lions emerging on top. If they are only able to surprise teams in the upcoming season they might win a few games early but eventually someone will notice and trounce them with a scheme exposing their weaknesses and will likely lead to a season that ends up with them trading all their valuable veterans by week 9.

Matt Stafford has made some superb passes and shown flashes of brillance, but he looks slightly mechanical (in a bad way, not a Tom Brady/Peyton Manning way) and has 3 interceptions in 3 games......and he plays for the Lions.

(photo from ESPN.com)