Philly looks really good right now. Saquan is a cheat code and the D has started to come around. Them and San Fran have probably had the best rosters in football for years now.
How do you think we match up with them? Hopefully we have homefield if we meet in the playoffs.
The only thing that worries me about them is Saquon Barkley. If we could shut him down, I think we could shut the Eagles down.
Was thinking the same thing watching them the other night. With AJ Brown back they are a different team. Saquan is real trouble. Can’t believe the Giants couldn’t figure out how to use him. As for their D: Quinyon Mitchell is really talented at CB, Jalen Carter is rapidly emerging at DT and they’ve got young talent everywhere else. Now the question is, can they execute and play as a unit. If so the Lions will have to be at their best when/if they meet.
I think the thing to watch is how Pascal, Smith, and possible Houston impact the run defense and pass rush going forward.
If it improves to average that will make an impact with the way the LB and DB’s are playing. If it is above average then that improves the back six or seven even more.
If the above happens then I will take our chances against anyone in the league, tbh, I feel that way now before Smith/Houston/Pascal.
The offense will continue to stress opponents defense which will in turn stress opponents offense to keep up.
They’re not beating us in Detroit.
I think they should be a slight favorite in Philly.
With Philly, I’m going with the assumption we’ll be able to bottle up Saquon. Assuming no major injuries, we finally have the pieces in the secondary (especially true if Moseley/Iffy can stay on the field and return to their old forms) to match up with potent passing attacks.
Bottom line - if the Lions play their brand of ball on defense (i.e. everyone doing their jobs, no hero ball, etc.), I don’t see anybody in the NFC beating us in Detroit. But if we have a bad game defensively or the offense craps the bed for a game, then just about any playoff team could upset us.
Can’t let it come down to the 4th quarter where Saquon and that Oline take over. Washington got tired on defense because their offense did nothing the whole game. A couple a big runs by Saquon in the 4th and it was over.
Philly is good
Honestly SF looks to have roster issues and I just do not think this is their year.
The only game that worries me is Philly and honestly the Rams with Stafford.
But the Lions are clearly the class of the NFC. And I know I may sound like an idiot but I do not feel like they have really played a complete 3 phase A game yet. The offense the last 2 games has been C level for them at best.
The reality that I have watched most years is that it is all about peaking at the end of the season. The Lions have shown this trait since MCDC has gotten here so I am struggling to realize that the Lions are likely going to be playing better by the end of the season and in the playoffs.
I thought Philly was being overlooked but the pendulum has swung too far in the other direction. The difference in our resumes is stark IMO.
Their best wins are GB in Sao Paolo on opening night on a field designed by the makers of Crocodile Mile.
Their other quality win is was on Thursday against a WAS team that is IMO to some extent a smoke and mirrors construct.
There other six wins are against opponents with a .287 winning percentage.
Their true road wins: @4-6 CIN w/o Higgins, @NO, @NYG and @DAL with Cooper Rush at QB.
We’ve won @GB, @MIN, @AZ and @HOU.
We’re +113 against a SOS of .512 and 4-0 against playoff teams as today with all four of those being true road wins.
They are +80 against a SOS of .434 and 2-1 against playoff teams as of today with zero true road wins.
Just going off of resumes we’re A LOT better.
I think that would be my current order. Rams certainly don’t scare me LOL. That’s not to say they couldn’t beat us, anyone can win a single elimination game, but they’re mid as hell.
Very true. They’ve beat up on crap teams while we’ve run the gauntlet, no doubt.
But we’ve had continuity for years now whereas they are putting in new schemes on both sides of the ball. It makes sense it would take time for them to work out the kinks. Defensively at least, it is really starting to show. They are improving very quickly.
I still think we beat them of course, I’m just saying by the time we play them, they’ll be very different from the team that lost at home to Atlanta.
I’m not counting Minnesota out either. Another game against them and until Darnold falls off a cliff, they’re still close in the division.
If I had to put a #5 and #6 in there, I’m going 49ers and Rams. Rams are a team Lions have beat twice. Three times is hard to do. And the 9ers seem to be getting their shit together and they know better than Detroit does what it takes to go deep in the playoffs.
GB can also be easily inserted in there.
Over the Packers?
I think it’s
1:) GB
2:) PHI
3:) SF if they get their bearings
Maybe LAR if they’re fully healthy and can get in.
Not worried about anyone else in the playoffs.
I really thought the rams were going to make a run…but that Miami loss was brutal. Hard time seeing them in the playoffs this year.
Yea I think the Packers are a team to watch. So glad we got that win in lambeau.
Commanders are so overrated. They’re a lucky hail mary against Chicago from being 6-5 and their other six wins are:
NYG 2x
Cincy
Arizona before they got going
Cleveland
Carolina
They’re 0-4 against TB, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Philly (aka any decent team).
Biggest pretender of the year. Daniels is a nice story though.
Let me clarify
The only roster IMO that has the fire power in the NFL to beat the Lions A game would be Philly.
I don’t fear anyone else’s A game verses the Lions A game in the NFC.
KC is a gonna be a tough out due to their tough Defense and timely O.
Have not watched a single snap of Buffalo this season who seems to be the only other team playing at that high level.
The Lions are clearly a top 3 squad in the NFL
The Packers have potential to be good, but so far this year they’ve fallen short. The rankings will likely change by playoff time. But as of today, I would stick with my list.
The Commanders are mid defensively but Daniels has given them a top 10 offense.
I think SF’s A game with their roster healthy will be a handful as well.
With that said, a big FU to Philly and their fan base, as well as immature jackass Siriani. I hope they lose a few coming up so he can go back to pouting and jawing with the fan base.
SF is blah to me. I don’t mind their players, but I’m not a fan of Shanahan and their fanbase is too cocky.