Lions receivers will be the key to victory over the Colts
By Matt Urben
In this Sunday’s season opener in Indianapolis, Detroit must take advantage of the Colts’ undermanned secondary.
With wide receivers Golden Tate, Marvin Jones and Anquan Boldin, the Lions have the pieces to exploit a somewhat questionable Colts defense. Indy’s number-one defensive back, Vontae Davis, is likely out for the first month of the season. The team even signed recently released Antonio Cromartie as a desperation move in the wake of Davis’ absence.
The Lions obviously don’t have Calvin Johnson anymore, but the team still has a very talented group of receivers from top to bottom. They, like the Colts, will be counting on their former 1st-overall pick quarterback to lead them to victory. Both teams have some decent weapons on the offensive side of the ball but have questionable secondaries. Long story short – Sunday’s game will be a shootout.
The Colts have two solid receivers in T.Y. Hilton and Donte Moncrief. As I wrote yesterday in my opponent breakdown, those two will also have favorable match-ups against a Detroit secondary that features a new starting corner and safety. Nevin Lawson is starting opposite Darius Slay at corner and Tavon Wilson appears to be the starting strong safety entering week one.
“Without a pass rush and missing your only Pro Bowl caliber corner, your defense is going to be up against it in today’s NFL,” Franks writes.
The difference between these two match-ups is the fact that Detroit has a much stronger front seven. Detroit’s defensive line can help neutralize Andrew Luck by taking away his time in the pocket. Indianapolis doesn’t have nearly as much talent on their defensive front, which means Matthew Stafford should have a chance to have a big day.
As Vincent Frank explains in his column for Sportsnaut.com, the Colts are in big trouble if they’re unable to create pressure.
“Without a pass rush and missing your only Pro Bowl caliber corner, your defense is going to be up against it in today’s NFL,” Franks writes.
It will be on the receivers to make the most of what are some pretty big holes in that Colts defense. Marvin Jones has looked like he could potentially be in for a big year after making some unbelievable catches in the preseason. Boldin proved he has a lot left in the tank and Tate may be the best all-around receiver on the team. This group, along with tight end Eric Ebron likely being ready for the season, should give Stafford every chance to torch the Colts’ secondary.
If they struggle against the Colts, the Lions could be in trouble when they play some of the better defenses on their schedule, such as the Vikings, Texans, and Jaguars. While it is hard to pick against Andrew Luck in a home-opener, Matthew Stafford should have the advantage when it comes to overall team talent.
Neither squad has much of a running game or even an undisputed lead back. Both have rookies playing important positions on below-average offensive lines. Whoever wins this game, will be the team that finds the most success through the air. Jones, Tate, and Boldin need to have big days for the Lions to win a tough road game this weekend.
Folow Matt Urben on Twitter @MattUrben88