Week Four

Vikings @ LIONS

Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on your point of view) illness prevented me from posting a preview for the Titans game so this Vikings preview will begin with reflections on the two road defeats that have preceded this second home game of the season.

It would not be unfair to reflect that the Lions could have won both the games, rather than lose them as they did, as the chances were definitely there for them to win, make no mistake about that. The truth was though that despite there being more than a decent opportunity to win both of these games the Lions never looked like doing so. They failed to take advantage of a fairly lacklustre display from the 9ers, who having established their dominance early on chose to play out the game without really stretching themselves, and having given themselves an undeserved chance to steal the Titans game in OT with Young's fortuitous Hail Mary catch they then conspired to make a mess of a supposed attempt to drag the Titans offside. For me there were worrying signs with each element of the team that I believe the coaching staff would be unwise not to address. A 1-2 record is not cause for panic but a defeat to the Vikings would leave the Lions 1-3 going into an early bye week with road games at the Eagles and Bears when they resume playing meaning a 1-5 start is a distinct possibility. Victory today is essential if this Lions season is not to quickly derail and start undoing all the progress that has been made over the last few years.

Week Two

LIONS @ 49ers

Focussing on the spat between the coaches of these teams does, I believe, do the matchup a disservice. The hand shake at the end of last years game overshadowed what was, essentially, an upset win by the dogged 9ers over the flashy young Lions. It could be argued that it was the game that gave the 9ers team the belief that took them all the way to the NFC Championship game while it exposed a character flaw within the Lions that would be exploited again by others as the Lions eventually fell short of that early season promise. This season's meeting comes a little earlier than last years but is now a contest between two up and coming playoff teams which rightly has the prominence of national TV as it features as the NBC Sunday Night Football game. For those of us on this side of the pond that means free to air TV courtesy of Channel 4 and the game finishing just as the world around us is beginning to awake at the start of a new working week. The game should be gripping enough to ensure that fighting off the desire to sleep is not as difficult as it could otherwise be.

Week One

Rams @ LIONS

Football is back and after last year's winning season and playoff appearance the Lions will be looking to use that as a basis for a sustained period of success. Remarkably if this season ends with at least 10 wins it will be the first time in Lions history that they will have posted back to back double digit winning seasons. I mention that by way of caution and also to put some perspective into justifiably high expectations for the coming months. This opening fixture sees Coach Schwartz pitting his wits against his long time boss at the Titans new Rams Head Coach Jeff Fisher. But whilst it may well be a meeting of minds the Lions should have a definite edge with the on field talent.