Week 9 Preview

Jets @ LIONS

This was the game I was hoping would be featured at Wembley this year when we were predicting, this time last year, the likely 2010 matchup(s). It features the top two drafted QB's from the 2009 Draft in our own Matthew Stafford and the Jets Mark Sanchez. Going in to the game it is Sanchez who has received the greater publicity due to the success of the Jets in reaching last years AFC Championship game and the start they have made this season. Stafford, on the other hand, has spent much of his first two years on the sidelines injured while the Lions struggled to a 2-14 record last season and managed to win just one game while he was out injured this season. It'd be great if today's game came down to the performance of the QB's because on a level playing field I suspect Stafford wins hands down. The trouble for Stafford and the Lions is that Sanchez is perhaps one of the weakest links in a very strong Jets side that epitomises it's head coach.

With Stafford back behind center last week against the Redskins we finally got to see the Calvin Johnson we've all been hoping to see. The chemistry between the two is scary good and will continue to develop, which is even scarier for the opposition. Despite their fearsome reputation I have a feeling that the Jets secondary will not be looking forward to facing up to the Lions receiving corps. The lack of a credible ground game still frustrates Lions coaching staff and fans alike but may not be so noticeable as this weeks opponents manage to shut down most teams rushing attacks. The array of receiving options for Stafford could well see the passing game opening up the run game as there is every chance that the Jets risk overloading to stop the pass in the belief they will still stop the run. It may take a while to get going but I do think the Lions will be putting up points on the Jets.

It was the defense though that was the real star of the win against the Redskins and the D-Line in particular. Suh, Avril and Vanden Bosch each picked up a pair of sacks while the fourth member of the group Williams picked up a pair of blockers as he found himself double teamed. Much like on the offensive side of the ball where defensive co-ordinators are left to ponder which poison they'll find most palatable so now opposing offensive co-ordinators and their QB's must decide how to target their resources to prevent the Lions D-Line breaking through. With CB Alphonso Smith proving to be the steal of the season (as well as proving the old adage about round holes and square pegs) interception prone Sanchez better make sure he's not just tossing them up in the hope they'll find their target because Smith is more than capable of both picking and returning for TD's less than perfect passes. The Jets offense strength though lies on the ground and the Lions will need to limit the gains made by the Jets rushers LT and Greene. We may well see what Bobby Carpenter is capable of in this game and we can only hope he has a Smith like impact.

Special Teams will need to get back on track this week after the relatively poor show against the Redskins and find a way of making up for the loss to injury of both Follett and Ekejiuba. Logan has brought some consistency to the return game and Hanson still provides belief when facing Field Goals up to 50 yards at Ford Field.

This should be a win for the Jets and represents, perhaps the first real benchmark test of how far the Lions have come, given the inconsistency of the NFC this year. Maybe I'm still suffering from the virus that I picked up Wembley weekend or maybe I shouldn't mix beer and medicine but I'm going to go for a Lions win. I think the belief of the team at home, along with the support, is starting to become a real advantage and I also think that with each passing game the team is getting noticeably better. The Jets are likely to be in the Super Bowl  mix at the end of the season but this week it'll be the Lions looking like the better long term prospect for success.

Prediction: Jets 20 LIONS 24