Just a few weeks ago this match-up was looking tough. The Texans were 5-1 and looking like a strong playoff caliber team. The they lost two of their last 3. At 6-3 the cracks in their armor are showing.
Some key injuries have mounted Will Anderson, Dereck Barnet, Dylan Horton, Damien Pierce, Kenyon Green and Foley Fatukasi all did not practice today.
Patterson was in the concussion protocol but he’s back this week.
Okudah is also expected back this week.
Nico Collins is also expected back this week but they’ve lost Diggs.
Christian Harris, Azeez and Ward are all expected to be back as well.
This is a team that’s suffered a bunch of injuries lately and still been playing pretty tough football. Unfortunately for the Lions they’re getting a bunch back this week. But unfortunately for Houston the Lions are getting Jamo back and just traded for Smith.
Houston’s OL has been pretty suspect but teams just pinned their ears back with their injuries at WR.
The Lions need to have a pass rush this game. Put some pressure on Houston and get to Stroud. Which I think we can do.
The key against Stroud is to get creative with the ways you generate pressure. That’s how Macdonald and Minter were successful against him, and why Kirby/Schumann weren’t.
Stroud is one of the best at processing your defense and getting himself in position to make the throw he needs to make, and can then do so with pinpoint accuracy. It’s why he’s been so successful at both the college and NFL levels.
But, since this is the NFL, no player in the league can win games by himself. The injuries that Houston has dealt with prove this.
AG is going to need to dial up some pressures we haven’t shown on film, especially if Smith isn’t going to play for us yet.
If anyone is listening to 97.1 this week, Tirico might pop up. He usually does this week (that they have SNF). I’m actually a little surprised he hasn’t been on yet.
Our run defense has to be better as well. Hasn’t been great lately and stopping Mixon is the first priority.
I’m not sure about their Tackles, but the Jets were getting home with a lot of inside pressure which is currently where we’re best at right now. We need McNeil and Levi to consistently push the pocket back against their interior.
This half healed squad is a wild card. I am not sure how this game goes but at this point I am not concerned. I was planning on being 7-2 at this point and a road loss to either Minny or GB. So we are in such good shape it is hard to get concerned.
I do think no Anderson means Lions likely win but it will be close if Houston’s O gets its groove again.
Looking at PFF rankings and “Field Vision” scores here is the matchups. (Assuming no injuries, ie paschal, rodrego, and Z Smith are in for the lions, and Anderson and collins are in for texans)
DET Offense VS HOU Defense
DET QB - Top 5
DET Oline - Top 5
DET RBs - #1
DET TEs - Top 10
DET WRs - Above Average
HOU DTs, Below Average
HOU DEs, Top 10.
HOU LBs. Top 5.
HOU CBs Below Average
HOU Ss - Average.
Obviously the Lions offense is top 5 in the NFL. If not #1.
HOU defense however is average except that Edge and LB position group. Its going to be hard to seal the edge for outside runs. However i think the passing game will be a big deal this game.
Now the more interesting side.
HOU Offense vs DET Defense
HOU QB - Above Average
HOU Rbs - Average
HOU OL - HORRIBLE
HOU TEs - Average
HOU WRs - Above average with Collins, Below average without.
DET DTs - Above Average
DET DEs - Below Average (With Z Smith)
DET LBs - Above Average
DET CBs - Average
DET Ss - #1!
The fact that Houstons OL in one of the worst in the NFL will help the Lions greatly.
I say Bracket coverage Collins. Make sure he doesn’t get going and the lions will be ok.
Having Paschal and Smith (if he plays) will help us a ton. Alim and Reader both have had to up their pressure responsibilities and it’s hurt them a little in the run game, plus teams are more or less running outside anyway. They can’t do that nearly as well against Paschal and Smith.
