Behind Enemy Lines: Detroit Lions
By Josh McSwain
4. The Lions have struggled to stop the run all season. How will they go about stopping Lamar Miller?
I am sure Miller will pop a couple big runs because they just don’t have the talent upfront that they have had in years past on that Detroit defensive line. Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin has been good at making adjustments to at least slow down opposing run games. Showing varying looks and blitzing out of different formations, including a good amount of zone blitzes, has helped Detroit mask and some of their deficiencies stopping the run. Still, I can’t see them holding Lamar Miller under 100 yards.
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5. With just three interceptions on the season, the Lions have one of the lowest marks in the league in that category. Against the erratic Brock Osweiler, will they be more aggressive trying to force turnovers?
I absolutely think they will be more aggressive trying to get after Osweiler and force some mistakes. However, if you look at some of the quarterbacks who have torched the Lions’ secondary- Case Keenum, Brian Hoyer and Carson Wentz- you can see it doesn’t take Aaron Rodgers to expose Detroit’s rather weak pass defense.
6. Who is a lesser known Lion that might make a big impact on the game?
Linebacker Tahir Whitehead is becoming a more popular name around Detroit but I don’t think nationally he is on the map yet. He had an outstanding game last week against the Redskins with 12 tackles at middle linebacker and I think he’s going to be a very good player down the line. Also, Punter Sam Martin has been extraordinary, if anybody cares..
7. What is your final score?
I think the Texans are a better team than Detroit, but when you have a great quarterback like Matthew Stafford, you can mask a lot of things. If Detroit can hold the Texans to field goals instead of touchdowns, I like the Lions.
Detroit-21, Houston-20.