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Week 15 Detroit Lions Analysis: Is Matthew Stafford the best Young Quarterback in the NFL?

By Editorial Staff

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Lions Analysis:  Lions 28 (9-5)     Raiders 27 (7-7)

Summary:

The Lions might have turned the corner on Sunday from a young, up and coming team to a playoff ready team.  When Matthew Stafford fumbled and the Raiders went up 13 points with less than 7 minutes in the game all was considered over.  Yet Stafford led the Lions on a quick touchdown drive to narrow the lead to 6.  When the Raiders decided to throw the ball on 3rd down instead of another run to run the clock to the 2 minute warning…they made a costly mistake.  Stafford led the Lions on another touchdown drive…this one 98 yards with no timeouts in about 2 minutes.  Raiders had one last chance in the form of a 65 yard field goal that was blocked by Suh.  There is nothing more to say than Stafford is transforming into a franchise QB in front of our eyes.

Matchup outcomes:

  1. 1.       Lions Interior OL vs. Seymour and Kelly:               Advantage: Raiders Interior DL.  The Raiders DT duo stopped the Lions on a 4th and 1 as well as stripped Stafford and scored a touchdown.  Seymour and Kelly owned the Lions interior OL on Sunday and were a big reason the Lions Offense was stuck in neautral for most of the game. 

 

  1. 2.       Oakland Run Offense vs. Lions Run Defense:     Advantage: Lions Run Defense.  Lions run defense allowed 132 yards rushing and 6 yards per attempt but did not allow any big runs or allow the Raiders to run the clock out towards the end of the game.  The Lions run defense is never going to be dominant this season but they did not allow the Raiders to dominate this game.

 

 

  1. 3.       Lions Run Offense vs. Raiders Run Defense:       Advantage: Raiders Run Defense.  I thought Kevin Smith would make a difference but Smith was far from 100 percent.  It seemed he could not make cuts in his normal fashion.  Lions ran for 57 yards and averaged 3 yards per carry.  It should be noted Smith and company ran much more effectively in the second half.  Still the Lions put way too much pressure on Stafford with this kind of run performance. 

 

  1. 4.       Calvin Johnson vs. Raiders Defensive Backs:       Advantage: Calvin Johnson.  CJ had been bottled up in the second half of the season.  He busted out on Sunday.  When the Lions needed their best player the most…he put forth a Superman like effort.  He went for 9 receptions, 214 yards, and 2 Touchdowns.  Megatron could not be stopped and Linehan did a great job finding formations that would keep Calvin from being smothered.
  1. 5.       Who will Defeat Themselves:   Advantage: Lions.  I wanted to say both since they both turned the ball over at crucial points, had a bevy of penalties, and failed to take over the game.  I gave it to the Lions because the Raiders defensive alignment in the 4th quarter.  Going to a prevent type defense…prevented them from winning.  Stafford took advantage of this and made the Raiders look like “The Same Old Raiders.”

Questions Arisen:

  1. 1.       Can Matthew Stafford keep carrying the Lions when the Run Offense and the Defense are playing under average?  This is a lot to ask for a 23 year old quarterback who is under steady pressure all game long. 

 

  1. 2.       Are the returning injured players even close to 100 percent?  Kevin Smith, Chris Houston, and Nick Fairley came back from injury but all of them looked far from 100 percent.  It was their first week back and maybe they make strides this week but I am worried that too many important players are limited for the Lions.

 

 

  1. 3.       Will Suh get back to dominant form?  Suh is playing well above average and has been effective this season.  That said he is not playing at an elite level.  I think this is more on teams’ game planning for him more this season than his performance.  His presence is opening things up for Avril and KVB.  That said Suh needs to step it up if the Lions are to make the playoffs and get past the 1st round. 

What’s Next?

Lions play the Chargers at home on Christmas Day.  This game has playoff implications for both teams.  A Lions victory or tie and they are in the playoffs.  The Lions will also get in with a loss to the Bears, Cardinals, and Seahawks.  Currently the Chargers are one game back from the Broncos.  If they win and the Broncos lose than the Chargers will be even for the AFC West title.  Both the Chargers and Lions seem to be on a hot streak that only one will be able to continue.

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