The Detroit Lions' Week 2 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was frustrating on multiple levels, least of which is how much they out-gained the Buccaneers and lost the game in some very narrow margins.
Week 3 brings the Lions' first road game of the season, and a matchup against the also 1-1 Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals are coming off a blowout win over the Los Angeles Rams in Week 2, and they gave the Buffalo Bills all they could handle in an close Week 1 loss.
It's easy to put the Lions in an ideal bounce back spot this week, even on the road. But the Cardinals are no pushover, as they look to take a notable step in their reset/rebuild like the Lions did.
If the Lions are going to leave Arizona with a win on Sunday, these five players performing well will be vital.
5 Lions players who must shine in Week 3 vs. Cardinals
5. CB Amik Robertson
Pro Football Focus pointed to Robertson as a very exploitable matchup for Cardinals' slot receiver Greg Dortch this week. The merit of that can be called into question, since Robertson played just 18 snaps last week, but PFF did point out a big difference in slot snap deployment for the Lions (43.2 percent of slot coverage snaps for Robertson through two games).
Dortch is also questionable for Sunday after suffering a hamstring injury during Friday's practice. But it's fair to assume the Cardinals will do what it takes to exploit that matchup advantage with whoever is available to them, and place a bullseye on Robertson when possible.
The Lions have not deployed a lot of nickel defense so far this season, which has limited Robertson's involvement. But however much he is on the field Sunday, he cannot be a notable detriment to the pass defense.
Update: Dortch is expected to play on Sunday.
Cardinals WR Greg Dortch, listed as questionable for Sunday due to a hamstring, is expected to play vs. the Lions, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 22, 2024