With the Detroit Lions set to meet the New York Jets in NFL week 4 action on Sunday, here is what the SideLion Report staff sees for the game ahead.
Braden Shackelford – I think the Jets have played well enough to win each of their last two games after blowing opportunities against the Packers and Bears, but good teams are able to close games out. To this point the Jets haven’t done that and the Lions have, despite both teams looking like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. For that reason alone I have to give the Lions the edge. Lions win 27-20.
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Kent Platte – In what should be a cake matchup from a receivers v corners standpoint, the Lions should set the Jets secondary on fire in a blowout. Reggie Bush and Joique Bell do not fare as well against the Jets number one rush defense, but both make plays in the passing game against a weak Jets centerfield. The Fauria injury, along with Jets porous pass defense, allows Eric Ebron to have a breakout game. Darius Slay gets his first interception against Geno Smith. Lions 37, Jets 9
Alex Reno – I really believe this is a perfect matchup for the Lions. They’ve been playing out of their minds defensively, and if they can put Geno Smith under duress then I don’t see how we can lose this game. Stafford will have to show up big if they want to get anything going offensively, because the Jets are too good at stuffing the run (1st in total rushing defense). Mark me down for the Lions getting their first road win, defeating the Jets by a score of 24-10.
Zac Snyder – Home field advantage probably minimizes the Lions’ talent advantage but not enough to totally erase the fact that the Lions have players like Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johsnon on offense while the Jets simply do not. In a matchup of two of the NFL’s top defenses through the first three weeks of the season, the Lions are better equipped to break through against the defense on the other side and get the win, 20-17.
Max DeMara – The Lions are playing some of their most sound defensive football of the year, and that will help them most against the Jets, a team that can pound the football and throw good enough to win. Detroit grinds out a tough win behind a few explosive offensive plays courtesy of Matthew Stafford and his receivers and moves to an impressive 3-1 on the year. Lions 27, Jets 14