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

Mr. Freakin' Fantasy thinks Ryan Torain will come up big this week. See what else he thinks for Fantasy Football this week. (Picture souce: trial.com)

Week six is here, hope I was able to help you to a big win last week. I had some hits, but also had some misses. In Fantasy Football (just like in real life) you can have all the information in front of you and still have it blow up in your face. (OUCH!)Well, lets not have that happen again. My goal is to be perfect as crazy as that sounds. I put to much time and effort into Fantasy Football not to be.

For those of you that don’t know. I don’t tell you to start your studs. I give you players to start/sit that aren’t so obvious. Anyone can tell you to start AP or Foster. Ok, on to my week 6 start/sit list … [visit site to read more]

2011 Fantasy Football: Mr. Freakin’ Fantasy’s Week 6 Start/Sit - 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

Mr. Freakin' Fantasy thinks Stevan Ridley is in for a big week. See what else he thinks for Fantasy Football in week 5. (Picture source: musketfire.com)

Yep, the bye weeks are here, but have no fear because Mr. Freakin’ Fantasy is here! Funny?? I thought that was a good one. Anyways, the bye weeks are here and you may have some trouble filling your lineups. With six teams on bye, this is where we separate the men from the boys…. so to speak. Matchups start to come into play more, and  if you are 0-4, or 1-3 you may be trying to sweat out a big win this week. Don’t worry, because I will get you where you need to be. If you have been keeping up with my start/sit lists you know I have been doing ok. Also, I hope that you traded for Ryan Mathews last week. The Chargers are looking to get Ryan about 25 carries a game moving forward.

I will point out again I won’t be telling you to start your studs, but giving you other players to start/sit that will, or won’t have good weeks. Ok, lets get started.

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2011 Fantasy Football: Mr. Freakin’ Fantasy’s Week 5 Start/Sit - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Lions Analysis:  Lions 48 (2-0)     Chiefs 3 (0-2)

What Happened:

The start of the game was actually a close battle.  Lions scored first making it 7-0.  The beginning drive for the Lions set up how the day would go: Chiefs defeating themselves.  It took the Chiefs fumbling their interception as well as two 15 yard penalties for the Lions to score.  Chiefs drove the ball down and settled for a FG.  Chiefs just did not want this game.  Turnovers, penalties, and botched assignments plagued the Chiefs today.  As a Lifelong Lions fan I know how this feels.  Things are different now for the Lions.  Offense, defense, and coaching are all on borderline elite levels.  Matthew Stafford makes the difference.  I feel like this is the start of something special.

What We Learned:

1.       Matthew Stafford can take a hit.  Even though the Chiefs did not register a sack…Stafford took quite a few big hits.  It was nice to see since Stafford ability has never been questioned…only his ability to stay healthy has been questioned.

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Detroit Lions Week 2 Analysis - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Mr. Freakin' Fantasy think's Jahvid Best is a great start this week. See what else he think's for week two. (Picture source: zimbo.com)

Hi all, hope all is going well for your fantasy teams. There have been a ton of injuries so far, but this is what happens when players show up out of shape. I hope you started off the season with a win……. Ok, for my start/sit addition I’m not going to tell you to start AP, Foster, AJ or Megatron. I will be addressing the fantasy players that are not clear cut starters in other people’s mind. You don’t need me to tell you to start your studs. Alright, lets get started.

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2011 Fantasy Football: Mr. Freakin’ Fantasy’s Week 2 Start/Sit - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

The future is looking bright for the Detroit Lions. Mlive.com

Again the Detroit Lions draft talent over need, which some people are actually critical on? And I do not get why?  It’s a great strategy considering they are still a losing team. When your a losing team you should have open holes every where at every position, not just one certain position you have to put your sights on. That’s just not the right way to go. Going with talent over need you are more likely to get a boom rather than a bust, which the Lions have had their fair share of bust in the past. Lions will address needs via free agency and trade, but for the Draft its going to be strictly talent over need till further notice.

This draft brought a special opportunity for the Detroit Lions. Going into the draft there was a possibility that quarterbacks may have been taken early in each of the two round rounds, which could lead the Detroit Lions to a special player. Sure enough that happened with the selection of Nick Fairley, Titus Young, and Mikel LeShoure (who the Lions traded up for)

If this draft is another solid one then the Detroit Lions could be on the brink of making the playoffs. Sky is the limit for this team. Let’s see how they did in the 2011 NFL Draft as a I grade them on each selection.

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2011 NFL Draft Grades for the Detroit Lions - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Could Prince Amukamara join his former Nebraska teammate Ndamukong Suh on the Lions? Thehasbeenssports.com

If you’re a Lions fan you should be happy with the production that the Lions had last season. 6-10 may not look good on paper, but the heart that they showed each and every single game can not be shown on paper. This years draft is very important because with another solid draft the Lions could be on the brink of making the playoffs this year.

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Detroit Lions 2011 NFL Mock Draft: Next stop playoffs? - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football