By: Jeremy T. Ballreich
We all know the Cinderella story of last year was the Detroit Lions making a deep playoff run with one of the worst passing defenses in the league. Beating the Los Angeles Rams by one point, to advance to the divisional round. This Detroit Lions team is constructed way different from last season on Defense.
Kindle Vildor was our number one cornerback in that game. He now is CB number five or six on the depth chart. Additions via trade and free agency of Carlton Davis III and Amik Robertson, plus drafting rookies Terrion Arnold, and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. in the first and second round respectively, have immensely improved the talent in the secondary for Detroit.
Most Pundits rank the Lions Offensive Line as the best in the NFL. The RB room with the one-two punch of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs is ranked as one of the best RB duos in the league. Lead by signal caller Jared Goff who has put together back to back top 5 QB statistics in the NFL.
The WR room is lead by none other than Amon-Ra St. Brown with plenty of others in tow. The WR room may rank last within the NFC North compared to the others. But is ranked seventh overall in the NFL. Pretty insane when Amon-Ra St. Brown was 3rd overall statistically last year.
On the Dline there was 2 key additions to bolster the roster through Free Agency. Marcus Davenport a pressure and sack monster when on the field amassing 11.5 sacks in his last 16 games played (over 3 seasons due to injuries). And the 5th best Defensive Tackle in the league in DJ Reader, who’s paired with Alim McNeil (who was ranked 7th in the league last season). That makes for the best interior defensive linemen duo in the NFL (according to PFF ranking system)
The Los Angeles Rams are dealing with a plethora of problems with their Offensive Line. Starting Left Tackle is out 2 games due to a suspension. LG Jinah Jackson who just returned to play after rehabbing a training camp injury has to play at Center for the first time since his freshman year at Rutgers University. So a back up at both left oline positions. RG Haverstain has an injury concern which may not be able to play. And their RT is missing the first 4 weeks due to an injury as well. It’s a MASH Unit put together for Matthew Stafford, who’s also just recovered from a Hamstring Strain.
Puka Nucua, rookie standout last year, just recovered to return to practice as a full participant Wednesday. He suffered a Bursa Sac (Bursitis layer in his knee) rupture during the off-season. He’s also questionable.
Cannot be understated that the Rams lost to the Lions in the WC game with Aaron Donald. The best defensive tackle in the league last year.
Synapses:
I expect new Dline coach Tyrell Williams to get this defensive line to do some amazing things this year. With the Rams Oline issues. It might be a long day for the Rams signal caller. He may just get reacquainted with the rivets in the dome of Ford Field.
The Lions despite their defensive struggles last year was the 3rd best rushing defense. I don’t expect that to be any different.
If everything goes right:
Rams 17
Lions 31
If it falls apart
Rams 21
Lions 24
I don’t see a way the Rams come out of this with a win!
#OnePride #GoLions
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