Week 11 Lions Preview: The Cam Newton Experience
By Editorial Staff
Detroit Lions (6-3) vs. Carolina Panthers (2-7)
This will be an exciting game between two of the better young quarterbacks in the league. I finally get to sit down and view the Cam Newton experience. That being said he will be facing a team that loves to bring the pain game to Quarterbacks. I also expect the Lions to be extremely pissed off from last week’s debacle. I feel sorry for the Panthers…wrong place, wrong time.
What’s at stake?
For the Panthers not much, a win against a playoff caliber team would give them confidence going into next year. For the Lions this is a must win. With two wild card spots it is a four team race between the Chicago Bears (6-3), Detroit Lions (6-3), Atlanta Falcons (5-4), and Dallas Cowboys (5-4). Now the Lions have split with the Bears and beat the Cowboys, but lost to the Falcons. With the Lions next two games beingGreen Bayand than the Saints…it is imperative the Lions win this game. If they lose it is almost impossible for them to reach the playoffs. A win might create some distance from the Falcons and Cowboys.
Matchups to watch for.
- Jeff Backus vs. Charles Johnson: Panthers have 17 sacks through 9 games. This is a modest amount. Of those 17 Charles Johnson has 7 of them. The Lions have given up 18 sacks through 9 games. Backus has given up 6 of the 18. That means the man who has almost half of the Panthers sacks is going against the man giving up 1/3 of the Lions. Good thing is the Panthers lack a second pass rusher and the Lions can overcompensate on Backus’ side. Advantage: Backus and help.
- Panthers Rush Offense vs. the Lions’ Run Defense: Panthers are rushing for 128 yards per game. DeAngelo Williams, Jonathon Stewart, and Cam Newton pretty much have the same rushing stats. Each RB has different skills sets and Cam Newton is always dangerous. The Lions run defense has allowed 134 yards per game. Running a wide 9 defense has the DE outside of the tackles outside shoulder. This makes the inside run susceptible. I believe the Panthers will have the ability to exploit this mismatch. I expect a sound day rushing the ball. Advantage: Panthers Rush Offense
- Calvin Johnson vs. Chris Gamble: Panthers pass defense has been horrible this season. Neither starting CB has done well and both safeties have been mediocre. Gamble will get the task of guarding CJ since Munnerlynn is about 5”7. Calvin Johnson is going to rock Gamble’s world and since the Panthers do not have great safety play I can see this getting out of hand if Stafford’s ring finger is healed up. Advantage: Calvin Johnson
- Lions Run Offense vs. Panthers Run Defense: Panthers have moved to the 3-4 defense and that transition has not gone smoothly. Panthers run defense has given up about 130 yards on the ground each week. The Lions offense has been grounded since Best went down with a concussion. They have run the ball for about 99 yards per game since Best’s injury. Morris and Kevin Smith will see time in this game. I do expect them to be effective with the safeties playing the deep ball. Lions usually cannot exploit this but the Panthers run defense has been decimated with injuries and bad play. Advantage: Lions Run Offense
5. Lions Defensive Line vs. Panthers Offensive Line: Panthers have allowed 24 sacks through 9 games. Most of this has happened after Otah’s injury at RT. The guard play has been spotty as well. This does not bode well for the Panthers. Cliff Avril and the Lions DT will destroy the Panthers OL. Advantage: Lions DL
Outcome
With the Lions playing at home and being in a must win game I think the Lions will destroy the Panthers this week. With the Lions being able to put pressure on Newton, the Panthers not being able to exploit the Lions weak special teams, and the Panthers weak run defense I can see the Lions winning 31-17.