The only presumable reason to believe the Lions will lose the prestige of their 9-4 start is the remaining NFC East teams on their season schedule.
The Lions have already defeated the Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles this season. However, these teams aren’t the powerhouses in the NFC East. What makes things more exclamatory is the fact that their Week 15 match-up with the New York Giants and Week 16 match-up against the Dallas Cowboys will take place on the road. It’s not that the Lions are incapable of beating these teams, but rather how vital rendering wins against these teams will be regarding their team morale heading into the post-season. We’ll take time here to explain how this possibility can come to fruition.
Week 15 @ New York Giants – Met Life Stadium
- Minimize turnovers
- Pressure Eli Manning
- Red Zone Defense
- Control T.O.P
So how exactly will the New York Giants and Detroit Lions match-up play out? What are the factors that will most determine the outcome? Since the Lions rank 29th in rushing and the Giants rank 31st, Detroit’s decision to bring back power back HB Joique Bell may have much to do with sowing up the possible deficiencies within the Lions offense. Nevertheless, this match-up will come down to the Lions ability to play man coverage against WR Odell Beckham Jr. and the Giants passing attack. The Lions will have to pressure Eli Manning with there front 4, and keep him in 3rd & Long to prevent the Giants from chunk yardage plays. The Giants defense does seem quite fiesty, especially after the way they stuffed the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football holding them to the season low 7 points. With that said, QB Matthew Stafford is a tad bit more seasoned than QB Dak Prescott and has a plethora of outside weaponry to dissimulate screen plays and quick throws. This may be an opportunity for the Lions to gain league prestige and set home home field favor heading into the ladder part of the season.
Week 16 @ Dallas Cowboys – AT&T Stadium
- Produce Interceptions
- Sack Production
- Prevent short passing game
- Control T.O.P
Ok, Let’s begin with this proclamation, the Detroit Lions will be susceptible to a rushing onslaught from the Dallas Cowboys offensive line and HB Ezekiel Elliot. However, that particular stat is not one that will play the most pivotal in their Week 16 match-up. QB Dak Prescott likes tossing the pigskin to two safe targets (WR Cole Beasley and TE Jason Witten) and one sure handed target (WR Dez Bryant).
DB Slay is not capable of out muscling Bryant but may be able to squeeze him against the sideline during Gap A blitzing.
Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin should draw up a few Safety blitz and Safety Cover 1 Robber plays with SS Rafael Bush & Tavon Wilson to keep Dak off his spot.
These scenarios will leave Prescott’s two safe targets in 1 on 1 match-ups over the middle of the field. Responsible for Witten will be LB Tahir Whitehead. Drags and hitch routes will require disguised jams unless the Lions plan on having a long night. Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin should draw up a few Safety blitz and Safety Cover 1 Robber plays with SS Rafael Bush & Tavon Wilson to keep Dak off his spot. These are the most important factors that will grant the Lions a chance at finishing with a record that sustains their prestige in the NFC.