At 2-4 and three games behind the 5-1 Chicago Bears, there is little hope for the Detroit Lions.
The season began with high expectations and goals of a playoff run, but it appears it will end with yet another high draft pick.
This Sunday at 1:05, the Lions face the Seattle Seahawks, who have played very good football at times this season. The game airs on Fox.
Despite their 2-4 record, the Lions are still favored in this game, showing that bettors and oddsmakers still believe in Detroit’s talent.
With Names like Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson, Ndamukong Suh, and Cliff Avril, many still look at this team on paper and say they should win. I look at them on the field and say they shouldn’t, and won’t.
Detroit hasn’t blocked well, hasn’t cashed in on enough red zone trips, has turned the ball over, and has suffered from dropped passes. These things add up to 2-4.
Russell Wilson has struggled on the road this year (7INT, 2TD), giving Detroit an advantage
Had you told me that Detroit would rank 8th in defense after six games, I’d have predicted a much better record than 2-4. But after watching this offense sputter and stall with regularity, I don’t believe that this Lions team is much better than their record.
Forget the X’s and O’s, forget this guy and that guy, forget the coaches, forget the expectations. The Detroit Lions need to walk out of the tunnel on Sunday and play football.
Last year, I had a lot of fun covering a team that had some excitement and swagger. This year, I feel like I’ve found the wrong game somehow and I’m instead watching the Buffalo Bills. The Lions seem to be in a daze, watching from the sidelines as their opponent controls the game.
The defense has done their job for the most part. They have to force more turnovers and the pass-rush has to improve, but I like what I see from the defense. The defense has made enough plays to win games, the offense has not. When big situations arise, it seems that the defense elevates their game while the offense floors it in reverse.
I still believe that this team can win games, but a lot has to change for that to happen. On Sunday against Seattle, Detroit has to play loose, energized football in order to win.
Play to win, don’t play not to lose.
Follow me on twitter @ScottPeceny
About Scott Peceny