SLR Predictions: Detroit Lions at Buffalo Bills

Matt: I wasn’t going to pick the Lions when it was thought that Drew Stanton was going to quarterback the team, but now that Hill’s the guy I think I can take them. Hill was able to get the offense moving his first time around, and barring a re-injury, I don’t see why that should change now. The Bills defense is not good.

The Detroit defense has also shown that they’re not just bottom feeders any more. There are playmakers there for the first time in a long time. The defense should be able to get off the field enough to allow the offense time to work. As always, success begins with Suh and the big boys up front. Lions 24, Bills 17

Latif: Obviously, this weeks matchup is far easier than last weeks and probably the only game where the Lions will have to beat themselves.

On offense, the Bills defense is clearly overmatched. Four of the Lions eight opponents thus far in the season employed a 3-4 defense so they are very familiar with it. It will be interesting to see what Shaun Hill can do against a defense without any real pass rush threats and what Jahvid Best can do against a Bills run defense that surrenders 4.8 yards per carry.

On defense, the Lions will have some trouble with the Bills offense but if the offensive line of the Bills prove to be as weak as they are thought to be then the Lions front four should have a field day out there. The importance will be to make sure big play guys like CJ Spiller, Steve Johnson,and Lee Evans are kept in check. The best way to do that would be to get constant pressure on Ryan Fitzpatrick, who has surprisingly been good.

Overall, I expect this to be a win. The worst thing that can happen in Buffalo is that the game turns into a shootout and the Lions still should be able to win a shootout with the Bills. Final score: Lions 38, Bills 21

Zac: The team that can’t win on the road visits the team that simply can’t win. Someone has to break through, perhaps the Lions will get the break they deserve.

Shaun Hill’s ability to play in this game completely changes the outlook. While Hill has only lead the Lions to one win, he was not the reason the Lions lost the other games in which he played. This will be Hill’s first crack at an inferior opponent and I expect him to play well enough to get the job done, even with a wrapped non-throwing arm. There are enough quality players around him that he won’t have to do it alone.

Assuming the injury ravaged secondary can play near a level we have seen recently, the Lions defense is enough to hold the Bills down. Cliff Avril’s questionable status is somewhat concerning but Gunther Cunningham has shown enough creativity that they may find some ways to compensate if Avril can’t play.

Lions send the Bills to 0-9. Lions 24, Bills 13

You’ve heard what we are thinking, what do you say?

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