Detroit Lions (6-2) vs. Chicago Bears (5-3)

Revenge game!!! The Lions took care of business back in week 5 defeating the Bears at home on Monday Night.  Can they get up the same way?  That is asking a lot since that game was at home and the Bears were not playing at this level back then.  This game has a lot more riding on it than the last one.  Any football fan would love to see this kind of game against hated rivals.

What’s at stake?

Wild Card positioning will certainly come into play in this game.  I know there are 7 more games after this one, but let me explain.  If the Bears win they are tied with the Lions at 6-3.  Getting to 10 wins should be easy and 11 certainly possible.  If they lose and go to 5-4 and lose both games versus the Lions…they would almost have to win out to pass them and would need at least get to 11 wins to get the last spot from the Saints/Falcons.  If the Lions lose this game they are still 6-3 but have lost to the Falcons and might lose the tie breaker to the Bears and Saints.  If the Lions win they are 7-2 and in full control of their destiny.  

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Week 10 Preview Detroit Lions versus the Chicago Bears: Should you Start Matthew Stafford Vs Bears Defense - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Detroit Lions (5-2) vs. Denver Broncos (2-4)

This game is pivotal for the direction of both teams.  We will get into the ramifications of the game in the next paragraph.  This game will focus on each teams QB.  The Lions are unsure if Matthew Stafford will play, and honestly I am slightly worried about how his body language has looked the past 1.5 games. Shaun Hill is talented enough to win a game like this if he needs to.  Tim Tebow would quiet a lot of detractors by beating a playoff type team instead of the 0-6 Dolphins. 

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Week 8 Preview Detroit Lions versus the Denver Broncos: Tim Tebow’s Oppurtunity to Prove Doubters Wrong - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Lions Analysis:  Lions 20 (5-1)     49ers 26 (5-1)

What Happened:

We got beat by a team that deeply resembles last year’s Chicago Bears team.  A team that runs the ball well, is dynamic on Special Teams, plays tough defense, and waits for the other team to beat itself.  That is what happened on Sunday.  The 49ers offense scored because of a couple long runs by Frank Gore and some long returns by Ted Gin Jr.  Defensively the 49ers stopped the Lions offense and harassed Stafford all game long.  Lions were bad at all levels: coaching, offense, defense, and special teams.  Still, the Lions are 5-1 and shouldn’t get too down on themselves.

Matchup outcomes:

1. 1.       Jeff Backus vs. Aldon Smith: Advantage Aldon Smith: Good luck people trying to block him.  He is an athletic freak who can beat you with speed and power.  It should be noted Backus was destroyed when he blocked Justin Smith as well.  Backus had one of the worse games of his career. 
2. 2.       Frank Gore vs. Lions back seven: Advantage: Gore.  Though he was bottled up most of the day: he did what Forte didn’t.  He broke long runs that led to the few scores the 49ers had.  The 49ers knew they couldn’t drive against the Lions so they were dependent upon these huge runs.  Running for more than 200 yards while carrying the ball less than 20 is a huge feat.  Lions need to improve versus the run…that falls on the back seven.

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Lions Week 6 Recap: 49ers are this year’s Chicago Bears - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Detroit Lions (5-0) vs. San Francisco 49ers (4-1)

Doubt the schedule makers thought this game would be this exciting when they drew it up.  As a Lions fan, I have a special place for Jim Harbaugh and what he is doing in the Bay Area.  Jim Harbaugh is loved inMichigan anyways, but I like the aggressive defensive attitude he has instilledwith the 49ers.  Reminds me very much of what Jim Schwartz has done inDetroit.  I love some of the 49ers players as well; such as Justin Smith, Aldon Smith (who I wanted the Lions to draft), Patrick Willis, Vernon Davis, andMike Iupati.  I believe this game will go down to the wire.  I would not want to be either QB in this contest.    

 What’s at stake?

This early in the season it is hard to say there is too much.  For the 49ers it would be the chance to go 5-1 and clinch the division…not really but it’s unlikely anyone in the division could catch them.  For the Lions they would go 6-0 and keep up with Green Bay for the N.F.C. North crown.  The Packers are playing the Rams so I would assume they would be 6-0 as well. 

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Detroit Lions vs. San Francisco 49ers Preview: Welcome back to Michigan Harbaugh. - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Will it Last?

How many times do we see a team or a player exceed expectations in a football game and we think there is no way that can last.  That player is either too young or not that good.  That team had an easy week or the ball just bounced their way.  Most times it does not last, but every so often those early signs are premonitions of what is to come.  In this weekly column we will look at 3 players and 3 teams who  stood out and ponder their longevity.

Players

1. Fred Jackson:            Fred Jackson, before the 2011 season, was a solid player.  A player coaches believed could rush in tandem with CJ Spiller who would eventually replace him.  Well, it is CJ’s second year and there is no way Fred Jackson is giving up his spot.  Through five games Fred Jackson has rushed for 480 yards and 5 touchdowns.  He also is a big part in the passing game.  In fantasy terms he is a weekly starter.  Do I believe Jackson will rush for over 1400 yards?  Absolutely.  Will last all season.

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Fantasy Football: Will it Last Fred Jackson, Eagles, Dolphins - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Lions Analysis:  Lions 24 (5-0)     Bears 13 (2-3)

What Happened:

The start of the game was ugly on both sides.  The Bears were over matched and it showed and the Lions were over-amped.  However, in the second half the Lions offense settled down and its defense smothered the Bears.  This game was one of the best games I have seen from the Lions offensive line who only allowed one sack, and opened some holes in the run game.  Once again, Calvin Johnson looked amazing and the Defensive Line did whatever they wanted.  Cutler should be commended for the job he did.  I think the Chicago fans owe him some apologies about questioning his toughness because he is a gutsy performer.

Matchup outcomes:

1. 1.       Jeff Backus vs. Julius Peppers: Advantage Backus…wow.  Peppers had three tackles, one for a loss, and one quarterback hit.  You could not ask for more than that.  Backus played sound all game long and had tons of help from TE’s and the run game. 
2. 2.       Matt Forte vs. Lions back seven: Advantage: Lions back seven.  I told you Forte was going to get his.   He ran for over 100 yards rushing, but he was a non-factor in the passing game, did not get into the end zone, and did not take over the game.  Lions slowed him down enough. 
3. 3.       Calvin Johnson vs. Charles Tillman: Advantage: Calvin Johnson.  Last season he was held in check by Tillman but it just goes to show you how much better of a player Calvin Johnson is and how much better Stafford is than Shaun Hill.  Calvin had 5 receptions, 130 yards, and 1 TD.  His long touchdown in the first half was instrumental since our offense could not sustain drives at that time.

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Lions Recap from Week 5: All Hail Megatron - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Detroit Lions (4-0) vs. Chicago Bears (2-2)

Tonight the Detroit Lions will host the Chicago Bears.  This will be a heated match up given last year’s “Calvin Rule” that prevented the Detroit Lions from winning the game.  It was also the Bears who knocked Matthew Stafford out for much of the season.  The Bears and the Lions do not need any added incentive to hate each other, it  one of the best division rivalries in the league.  This will be the first Monday Night football game for the Detroit Lions in this millennium.

What’s at stake?

This early in the season it is hard to say there is too much…however, in a division game every game counts.  If the Bears win they can go to 3-2 and stay in the NFC North race.  If not, they are in danger of falling out of the race before the halfway point.  For the Lions a 5-0 start would keep them tied with the Packers.  A loss would simply make them 4-1 and still in the heart of the playoff race.

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Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears Preview: Calvin Johnson’s Payback - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

See what Mr. Freakin' Fantasy has predicted for Ray Rice and others for the 2011 Fantasy Football Season. (Picture source: ffspin.com)

It’s time to start getting very excited because the Fantasy Football season is about to start. Three preseason games have been completed, and we now have a pretty clear picture on how things will shake out for 2011.  Each year I like to try and “predict” the future so to speak, because most fantasy ”experts” always say they can’t, or won’t try.

I will Predict the futrue by giving  you my take on players for the 2011 season.

I have my last Fantasy draft on September 6th. If you still have your fantasy draft use this information to your advantage. If you have drafted already, use this information to target trades.

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2011 Fantasy Football: Mr. Freakin’ Fantasy Tries To Predict The Futrue - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Calvin Johnson will be the number one Fantasy Football WR this year. (Picture source: sportsrantz.com)

Wide Receivers are becoming a huge part of Fantasy Football. The NFL has turned into a throwing league. You Really need to draft a WR with in the first three rounds of your draft, or be left out in the cold looking for the scraps. Making sure you don’t swing and miss with your first WR pick is very important, but rest assure I’m working very hard to make sure this won’t happen to you.

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2011 Fantasy Football: Updated Top 10 WR Rankings - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football