Week 10 Preview

LIONS @ Bills

Sky may well end up regretting not showing this seemingly meaningless matchup as the first game of their Sunday night double-header. The Bills will be looking at the Lions as an opponent that perhaps represents their best opportunity to get their first win of the season while the Lions will be looking at the Bills as the perfect opponent to finally end their road losing streak against. Despite the number of losses both teams have piled up this season they have both been competitive in many, if not most, of those games. It would be a mistake to underestimate either team and despite seeing each other as very beatable I would guess that both are equally aware of the threat they pose.

The Lions will have Shaun Hill back at QB and, after seeing how poorly Drew Stanton performed against the Jets when coming in late for Matthew Stafford, I would imagine this a relief for most Lions fans. Hill proved in the first half of the season to be capable, if not spectacular, and that should be enough against the Bills. The poor Bills run defense represents an opportunity for the Lions ground game to finally get going and we may see a fair bit of the Smith/Best combo both early and late in the game (assuming the Lions have a lead to defend going into the 4th quarter). The Bills have also been giving up a lot of passing yards so the Detroit receiving corps will no doubt be licking their chops at the prospect of a big day. The cold and rain may prove to be more of a hazard for the Lions than the Bills defense.

The Bills offense can point to a reasonable run game and a not too shabby passing game to offer up some food for thought for Schwartz and the Lions D. After being reasonably well contained by the Jets though the Lions D-Line will be looking to feast upon a fairly weak Bills O-Line. I think it is safe to assume that Vanden Bosch will have his guys fired up for this and there is a strong possibility that it is the Lions defense that once again proves to be the catalyst for victory. With DeAndre Levy now back and healthy the run should be better defended so look for Alphonso Smith to add to his growing collection of interceptions.

It could be argued that it was Special Teams that cost us the victory against the Jets as the missed Extra Point saw the game go to overtime. It would be a harsh reflection though and if there is blame for Suh's missed kick then it should lay with Schwartz for initially not calling timeout to then allow either Suh to get some practice in or a two-point try to be talked through. Hopefully lessons will have been learned and Hanson's injury is not too serious.

I'm hoping that I have not underestimated just how well the Bills have been performing recently or how much of an advantage home field is but I'm predicting the Lions bounce back from the heart breaking loss to the Jets and snap their road losing streak while the Bills continue with their search for that first elusive victory of the season.

Prediction: LIONS 35 Bills 24