By: Jeremy T. Ballreich
The Detroit Lions are headed to Arizona to face the Cardinals late Sunday afternoon, with a 4:25 Eastern start time. Both teams are enjoying top ten scoring defenses after two weeks of play. The Lions are tied for 4th with 20 points given up per game and the Cardinals are tied for 7th with 21 points per game, meaning both defenses are pretty good.
The major difference is scoring offenses. The Cardinals steamrolled an injury riddled Rams team, and the Lions struggled versus the bend don’t break Bucs Defense. They only allowed the Lions to score 16 points. Which they are averaging 21 points per game.
Kyler Murray and the Cardinals have an 0-2-1 record against the Lions, since he has been a starter. Including a loss in 2021 to the Lions with Dan Campbell at the helm.
Keys to the game:
Offensively, I say this a lot! Personally, I hope they do it this week! Use the run more to set up the pass than the other way around. Jared Goff is a smart QB when he has time. And one of the best play action passers in the league (Career Comp Percentage of 79.8% in play action). Thus setting teams to put more men in the box to keeps them honest on passing downs.
Defensively, maintain the leagues highest pressure rate. The return of Marcus Davenport, with the league leading sack guy in Aiden Hutchinson (5.5, more than 18 teams in the leagues sack totals). Should spell trouble for Kyler Murray. Reader and McNeil will keep both pressure monsters in one on one blocking situations (pick your double team poison).
Injuries:
Iffeatu Melifonwu (ankle) out
Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (Hamstring) out
If everything goes well, I expect a very close game. As both defenses are stingy in the Redzone (Lions are 2-9 vs RZ offenses, Cardinals are 4-9).
Let’s see if this is Detroit’s get right week on offense to match up with their stellar defensive play.
If it all goes right:
LIONS 21
CARDS 17
If it all falls apart:
LIONS 17
CARDS 21
#OnePride
#DefendTheDen
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