Week 8 Preview Detroit Lions versus the Denver Broncos: Tim Tebow’s Oppurtunity to Prove Doubters Wrong
By Editorial Staff
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.
What’s at stake?
Both teams need this win. If the Broncos win, they go to 3-4 and are in the race for the AFC West. Also, Tim Tebow would be 2-0 as a starter. I think he would get the rest of the year to convince Elway he can be a winner in the NFL. If the Lions win, they go into the bye with a 6-2 record and put an end to their 2 game skid. If the Lions want to be in the Wild Card hunt they need to win this game….otherwise at 5-3 they have a ton of doubts going into a more difficult schedule.
Matchups to watch for.
- Jeff Backus vs. Von Miller: I know Von Miller will line up everywhere but Backus will get the meat of the matchups. Backus has been very inconsistent this season. He has battled Ware, Peppers, and Abraham solidly while losing to Aldon Smith and Jared Allen. My thoughts are while Backus will win the run game battle, he will lose this matchup. Miller is simply too fast and can line up and do too many things. Sorry Matt Stafford. Advantage: Von Miller
- Broncos Run Game vs. Lions’ Back Seven: Let’s face it….Tim Tebow is not going to win this game with his arm…he will hurt them most with his feet. Lions back seven has been horrendous stopping the run. Improper angles and over aggression have killed them. If the Lions defense is to keep the Broncos off the field they will need to maintain gap responsibility versus the Broncos. Teams that have gashed the Lions had a power run game…something the Broncos do not have. Advantage: Lions Back Seven
- Calvin Johnson vs. Champ Bailey: Champ Bailey is still one of the top cover CB’s in the league. Problem is, he is the only force in the secondary. I think CJ can win but I think the Lions will go with the other mismatches. Pettigrew, Burleson, and Young will be factors because of the focus CJ gets in this game. Advantage: Tie
- Lions run game versus the Broncos Run Defense: The injury to Jahvid Best is not as important in the run game as the pass game. Williams and Morris are serviceable. The main problem the Broncos were to have this season was versus the run….they are not as bad as previously thought. They are a middle of the road run defense. Due to the fact that the Broncos will be forced to honor the Lions passing game, the Lions will run for over 100 yards and perform adequate in short yardage situations. That should be enough. Advantage: Lions Run Game
Lions’ DL versus the Broncos’ OL: Tebow is smiling now, he won’t be soon. The Broncos OL is very average and lacks the size and physicality to overwhelm the Lions DL. Suh and Vanden Bosch know how important this game is and will respond with an improved effort. While Tebow will get himself out of a lot of trouble…the Broncos OL is going to be destroyed. Advantage: Lions DL
Prediction.
This will be a close contest. Stafford is injured and demoralized. I think the defense will dominate and this game will be decided by ST’s. Now good teams facing the Bye Week typically do well. Their focus and effort go up knowing they have a week off. With that in mind and the fact the Lions are 3-0 on the road….I see a 20-14 Lions victory. I know I called the last two games but the Lions are 5-2 and the Broncos are 2-4 with one victory a comeback versus the 0-6 Dolphins.
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