Week nine preview: Detroit Lions v. Seattle Seahawks

November 6, 2:08 PMDetroit Lions ExaminerChris Morgan

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Don't expect another win, Coach Schwartz. (AP Photo)

How quickly a week can change things in the NFL. Last week I, along with many other fans, were hoping for a Lions win, perhaps even expecting it. After all, they were at home against the St. Louis Rams. Of course, they didn't win. With that in mind, I see no way the Lions win against the Seahawks in Seattle this week.

Sure, the Seahawks aren't a good team. They've been ravaged by injuries. Julius Jones is their starting running back. They are 2-5 on the season, but both of those wins came at home. Meanwhile, when was the last time the Lions won on the road? No, seriously, I don't remember. I know it wasn't last season. Did they win any road games in 2007? Regardless, Detroit isn't the kind of team that has the talent to win on the road yet. If you can't beat the Rams at home, how can you be expected to beat anybody on the road?

I think Seattle's rushing offense will have a decent game against the Lions, mostly because of the Lions' defense. However, I think it is the passing game where Detroit's biggest concern is. The Seahawks have pretty good wide receivers, and Matt Hasselbeck is a good quarterback. The Lions have trouble stopping the pass regardless of the competition. You could make an argument that with Seattle's offensive line issues (Walter Jones is out for the season) and Hasselbeck's immobility the Lions could get a good pass rush and maybe cause problems for Seattle's passing game. However, last week the Lions managed zero sacks against the Rams, so I don't expect things to be much better this week.

When the Lions have the ball they should be able to score. It remains to be seen if they will, though. They only managed 10 points last week, and two of those came on a safety. Kevin Smith and Calvin Johnson are both question marks. If either of them can't play I expect the offense to struggle mightily. If they both can't play I expect a shutout.

If they can both play, however, the passing game might be decent, but I have no faith in the Lions' running game anymore. No matter how you slice it, while the Seahawks are bad, the Lions are worse. Unless they are extremely fortunate, I see no way Detroit wins. Never bet on extreme good fortune. My prediction: Seahawks 35, Lions 17