Matthew Stafford and the Lions have a Tought Matchup in New Orleans

The playoffs are now upon us in what has turned out to be a crazy season. I ended up with a winning record picking all the games in the league through the first 15 weeks (with weeks 16 and 17 during the holidays I wasn’t able to find the time to get those done). So I look forward to seeing if I can continue that through the playoffs.

This year is another year in which there is a large turnover in the playoff teams. Newcomers this year are aplenty. The Texans, Bengals, Lions, Giants, and Broncos are all in the playoffs for the first time since at least 2008 (Giants) or much longer (like the Lions). The 49ers are also a new addition, but won’t play this weekend.

Here are the opening lines for this weeks games.

Date & Time Favorite Spread Underdog
1/7 4:30 ET At Houston -3 Cincinnati
1/7 8:00 ET At New Orleans -10.5 Detroit
1/8 1:00 ET At NY Giants -3 Atlanta
1/8 4:30 ET Pittsburgh -8 At Denver

Bengals (+3) at Houston

The Houston Texans have managed to cling on for dear life to get into the playoffs after they lost their quarterback for the season, and their second string quarterback for the season as well. They came out and played a good game against the Titans on Sunday, in a loss. The Bengals on the other hand have had a bit of an up and down season, but made it to the playoffs on the last day. Both teams will be starting rookie quarterbacks this weekend.

Right now the Bengals are 3 point underdogs, but I think they can win this game outright. I’ll have to watch the injury reports, but the Texans have been banged up lately. I think any other team I might take the other team, but both of these teams have rookie quarterbacks, except the Bengals rookie QB is slightly better. Should be a close game. I’ll take the Bengals to cover the spread of 3 as of Monday

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NFL Playoff Picks Wild Card Round - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Nick Fairley Left the Game with an injury and the Lions couldn't pressure Brees after that

The Detroit Lions are seeing their playoffs hopes slip, but are saved by the fact that the Falcons, Bears, Cowboys, and Giants all lost on Sunday. The Lions don’t have an easy schedule down the stretch and must play smarter football if they want to make the playoffs. The Colts showed some life late against the Patriots once the game was way out of control and I continue to petition Peyton Manning for M.V.P. The Colts are terrible.

The Dolphins and Eagles are both 4-8, but couldn’t be any different right now. The Giants have lost four straight games, but showed some life that was missing the last two weeks and the Titans are making a late push for the playoffs. The playoff race in the A.F.C. East is fun too as the Bengals, Titans, Raiders and Jets are duking it out for the last playoff spot.

Read onto see where I rank the teams as it stands now.

#32. Indianapolis Colts-
The Colts are so bad that I’m not even going to give them the time to finish a senten…

#31 St. Louis Rams

I wonder if Steve Spagolou will last through the season at their current pace. Spags is supposed to be a defensive wizard and while they don’t have great personnel their defense has gotten abused through the ground and through the air.

I really thought the Rams would put up a fight against the 49ers, but boy was I wrong.

#30 Jacksonville Jaguars

I’m assuming the Jaguars lose to the Chargers, which might not be fair, but I think likely. I also think that without ahead coach I’m not sure what kind of effort to expect. Interim head coaches never seem to work out.

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NFL Power Rankings Week 14: Saints Streaking, Lions Playoff Hopes Dimming - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Will they get In?

The 2012 NFL season is winding down and the playoff picture is becoming clearer every week.  Last week I discussed the AFC/NFC East picture.  This week we will discuss the dominate AFC/NFC North conference playoff picture.  We will go into remaining schedules and predictions.

AFC North

Cleveland Browns:     The Browns have been out of the playoff race for a long time now.  They have a 4-7 record.  The Browns are a pesky team but lack the quarterback and playmakers to get over the 5-6 win hump.  This offseason the Browns will have 3 picks in the top 50 more than likely and will have to decide what to do at Quarterback and Running back.  Defensively the Browns are very stout and are only a couple players from being dominant.

Cincinnati Bengals:    The Bengals are 7-4 right now.  I do not think many people predicted this. Dalton has been efficient, the young playmakers have stepped up, and the defense has taken over many games.  Currently, the Bengals would be in the playoffs as the last Wild Card team.  Their schedule, however, is not favorable.  The Bengals play atPittsburgh,Houston at home, andBaltimore at home.  They do get a break with the Cardinals at home and atSt. Louis.  Bengals must win one of their hard games to get to 10-6.  This might be enough to get in.  It is between the Jets and Bengals for the last spot in the playoffs.

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Playoff Picture: Who’s in, Who’s Out? AFC/NFC North Edition - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

This isn’t good news for the Detroit Lions who for the first time this season look to be in danger of slipping out of … [visit site to read more]

Detroit Lions Ndamukong Suh to be Suspended Two Games - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

The Detroit Lions are an ever improving team.  They have legitimate strengths but also have a few holes that need to be fixed.  This draft should focus on the OL as well as adding depth to the roster.  Let me know what you think in the comments.

Be sure to follow us on twitter @NFLMocks

And also check out our updated scouting report page (more than 80 scouting reports)

1st round Michael Brewster, C, Ohio State

Peter Konz is one of the most dominant run blocking centers I have ever scouted.  It’s too bad he is either staying in school or will be long gone when the Lions pick.  It is not all bad though Lions fans, we get a great consolation prize in Michael Brewster.  Brewster has been productive since taking over the center position his freshmen season at Ohio State.  He is a great leader and is a complete center.  He has good size and power; and is balanced out with great agility and quick feet.  He is the perfect candidate to replace Raiola and will immediately take control of a mediocre offensive line.

2nd round Nate Potter, OT, Boise State

Nate Potter has been the blind side protector of Kellen Moore since he took over the position.  The Offensive Line has averaged less than one sack per game in that time period.  Nate Potter is an elite pass protector that lacks the physical strength to go into Round 1.  He is a great fit on the Lions due to their pass first mentality.  Potter should get one year on the bench and be able to take over for Backus afterwards.  Lions replace Raiola and Backus in one offseason!!!!

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2012 7 Round Mock Draft: Detroit Lions - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Run Vick Run...for your life

Time  for the weekly power rankings. Some shocking (to me wins) have changed up the power rankings. The Miami Dolphins finally get on the board, does it move them up any?

Looking for more to read? We have now updated our scouting report page to include more than 75 scouting reports. Check it out.

32.  Indianapolis Colts (Previously Colts)

The biggest question now should be, does Jim Caldwell get to keep his job when the Colts draft Andrew Luck first overall next year. We’ll actually they might win a few late season games if the Colts let Peyton Manning back onto the field. Anyone who ever questioned anything about Peyton Manning looks just silly.

31.  St. Louis Rams (previously Dolphins)

The  lost to the Cardinals with John Skeleton. The Rams are not very good. Their schedule in the second half of the season is pretty ”easy” so they should be able to pull out a few victories

30. Miami Dolphins (Previously Cardinals)

I’m beginning to think that Matt Moore isn’t a bad option as a backup quarterback, really good game vs the Chiefs up in Kansas City, which is not an easy place to win. The Dolphins have played a few good games in a row and I’m going to move them up one spot because of their victory and the Rams bad loss to the Cardinals.

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NFL Power Rankings Week 9: Lions, Bengals, and Eagles, (and Bears) Oh My - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Nick Fairley was hurt early in the season, how does he look now?

I decided to ask around to the experts how the young players were progressing from different teams. I couldn’t think of a better subject than Zac Synder of the Side Lion Report, One of the fastest growing Lions blogs on the web. Here’s what he had to say.

1) They say it takes three years to truly evaluate a draft class. How is the 2009 Draft class looking?

This is a draft class that can be pinpointed as the most important step in rebuilding the Lions into a respectable team. Matthew Stafford is the most important piece of that draft as the number one pick overall and he has shown flashes of franchise quarterback potential. The Lions also hit on Brandon Pettigrew later in the first round thanks to the fleecing of Jerry Jones in the trade that sent Roy Williams to the Cowboys. Louis Delmas and DeAndre Levy have emerged as starting calibers players from the team’s second and third round picks. Sammie Hill is a solid rotational defensive lineman out of the fourth round and is unfairly overshadowed because of the other names along the Lions defensive front. The Lions got some value out of their seventh round choices too. Zack Follett was a budding special teams ace before a neck injury derailed his career and forced him into retirement and tight end Dan Gronkowski was traded for Alphonso Smith to provide depth in the Lions secondary.

2). Martin Mayhew seems to be aggressive in the draft, he has 11 picks the last two drafts combined. Do you think that eventually this policy of trading future picks to move and grab particular players could come back to bite the Lions?

Everything the Lions do in the draft is based on value. If they feel there is value in making a particular move, they will make it. They take a long-term perspective in all their decisions so they aren’t likely to mortgage the future for any get rich quick scheme but they aren’t going to hoard draft picks for the sake of having them. Mayhew and the organization value the draft but they make it clear that it is not the finish line. Improving the roster is a continual process. That focus will keep them from having any one decision come back to bite them.

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Detroit Lions Rookie Review - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

]]> http://nflmocks.com/2011/10/27/detroit-lions-rookie-review/feed/ 1 http://nflmocks.com/2011/10/17/lions-week-6-recap-49ers-are-this-years-chicago-bears/ http://nflmocks.com/2011/10/17/lions-week-6-recap-49ers-are-this-years-chicago-bears/#comments Tue, 18 Oct 2011 01:29:36 +0000 Reggie McColgan http://nflmocks.com/?p=18113 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.  [...]

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

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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

]]> http://nflmocks.com/2011/10/17/lions-week-6-recap-49ers-are-this-years-chicago-bears/feed/ 0 http://nflmocks.com/2011/10/17/jim-harbaughs-49ers-play-inspired-defeat-lions-in-detroit/ http://nflmocks.com/2011/10/17/jim-harbaughs-49ers-play-inspired-defeat-lions-in-detroit/#comments Mon, 17 Oct 2011 11:01:37 +0000 Jesse Bartolis http://nflmocks.com/?p=18110 Habraugh feuded with Schwartz because of a handshake, but what was loss was how good the 49ers are this year Lost behind all of the talk of the handshake, was how good the 49ers defense played on Sunday, and how much better of a team the 49ers are this year. San Francisco traveled East to Detroit to take on the undefeated Lions and their potent offense, and offense that a weak earlier had absolutely shredded the Chicago Bears defense on the ground and through the air. On Sunday though the 49ers displayed a mental toughness that was often missing last [...]

Jim Harbaugh’s 49ers Play Inspired, Defeat Lions in Detroit - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

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Habraugh feuded with Schwartz because of a handshake, but what was loss was how good the 49ers are this year

Lost behind all of the talk of the handshake, was how good the 49ers defense played on Sunday, and how much better of a team the 49ers are this year.

San Francisco traveled East to Detroit to take on the undefeated Lions and their potent offense, and offense that a weak earlier had absolutely shredded the Chicago Bears defense on the ground and through the air. On Sunday though the 49ers displayed a mental toughness that was often missing last year despite having a passionate coach in Mike Singletary. The difference this year though is paltable. This is a good 49ers team that is filled with future stars on the defense.

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Jim Harbaugh’s 49ers Play Inspired, Defeat Lions in Detroit - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

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