Week eight preview: Detroit Lions v. St. Louis Rams

October 30, 11:50 AMDetroit Lions ExaminerChris Morgan

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Detroit Lions Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Smith should (and needs to) run all over the Rams. (US Presswire)

This week's game provides an odd feeling. Not because the game will be blacked out. No, we Lions fans in the Detroit area got used to that last season. The reason this game against the St. Louis Rams feels different is because for the first time in a long time the Lions have a very good chance of winning. They are in fact favored to win. I don't know if I would go as far as to say they are expected to win, but I think it is fair to say if the Lions lose to the Rams it would be a disappointment.

As such, this is an important game for the Lions to win, and they got some good news as both Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson practiced on Thursday. I think it is safe to say that Stafford, barring a setback, will play on Sunday. Johnson is up in the air, but hopefully he'll be able to give it a go. The Rams are a truly terrible team, so they could both be in for a huge game.

On a per game basis, the Rams defense has let up about as many points as the Lions. Detroit should be able to score, and they will have to score to win this game. I think this contest has the makings of a shootout. The Lions will not only need the passing game firing on all cylinders, which will require Calvin Johnson, but Kevin Smith needs to get going. If he's going to turn it around this season, this would be the likely game for it to happen.

Fortunately for the Lions' defense, the Rams are the worst offense in the league thus far. They've only scored 8.6 points per game. They have Stephen Jackson, but he has yet to find the endzone. Of course, that seems like it is only a matter of time, and that time could very well come against Detroit. However, their passing game isn't likely to pick it up anytime soon. Marc Bulger is a mediocre quarterback at best, their wide receivers are lousy, and the offensive line has issues. The Lions don't have a particularly good secondary, especially at cornerback, so something has to give there. Detroit's best option? Blitz like crazy and try and pressure Bulger. That would probably work.

If Johnson can play, the passing game should do fine. If the running game can step it up, and the defense can get pressure and get St. Louis to turn the ball over a few times, then I can easily see the Lions winning. Unfortunately, we won't be seeing them win on television, if is does happen, and I think it will happen. The Lions are at home against a terrible team, and I think they take this opportunity and run with it. My prediction: Lions 31, Rams 21

Lastly, while I am not a fan of Halloween, it does give me a tangential reason to post the following video. It's not Lions related, or football related, but it is in the spirit of the season and I hope you enjoy it.