After the clinic Stafford and Co. put on today, they could not be any hotter going into next week. They’ll be a tough out, and even if we were playing at our best, that is a game most of us would understandably resign as a likely ‘L.’
And, thankfully, the playoff picture agrees with us. In most scenarios, 3-1 gets us in. That one loss, obviously, being to the LA Rams. In other words, there’s no reason to meltdown (yes, I’m talking to myself) if Sunday goes poorly for our Lions.
With that out of the way, let’s dream a bit …
If the Lions can protect Goff, it’s unlikely the Rams can run away with it. And if the Lions can get to Stafford, then all bets are off. As we’re all aware, the moment Matt gets rattled, he’s critical-mistake prone. It’s always been his achilles heal. And Jared? He’s had some big games in LA.
So in the scenario where the Lions beat LA, the conversation changes around the entire NFC.
We would be 9-5, and on the fast track to the No. 2 seed, likely hosting the Bears or Packers.
It’s interesting. If things shake out following a common path, and we beat LA, it’s possible that the winner of the week 18 tilt between Chicago and Detroit plays host to the same team the following week. In other words, if our only loss is to Chicago at the end of the year, we’d go right back to Soldier Field the following week.
Unless you know something I don’t, the only game that could doom us if we finish 11-6 (only loss @ LA) is CHI @ SF. If Bears beat SF, and a bunch of other weird shit happens, then yeah, we’d be on the outside looking in. But if that happens, and I don’t think it will, then Chicago is for real and deserves to be in.
There are a lot of teams this season with winning records. Even the Panthers have a winning record.
The Rams might be too good. Stafford, Puka, Adams is hard to stop especially with our beat up secondary. To be fair, no team has been able to stop them. Kyren Williams is good and now Corum has come into his own giving them a good 1-2 combo. Their TE’s are consistant.
The Rams defense is also very good and they get after the QB.
The key to beating the Rams IMO is by running the ball. This OL is good at running, but bad at pass protect. Feed Gibbs and Montgomery all day. When they throw, design quick throws to ARSB, TE’s and take a few shots to Jamo.
On defense they’re not going to stop those recievers, but they can blitz like crazy and rattle Stafford. And stop the run which is something they’re usually very good at.
Despite the up andf down season, the Lions can beat anyone.
As I said in the other thread The AZ defense played like it was an NBA all-star game. No contact and congratulating them for making nice plays, just lots of laughing and having fun. I hope they get a real rude awakening this week.
I didnt think we could contain Ceedee and Pickens with our banged up secondary and Dak’s playing at a legit MVP level but doesn’t have the wins. So why not?
