In 2018, the Detroit Lions opened up their season at Ford Field against rookie quarterback Sam Darnold and the New York Jets in a game that seemed like a sure win for the home team.
Unfortunately, Darnold and the Jets did not get the memo as they absolutely annihilated the Lions 48-17 in what was one of the most embarrassing losses in team history.
Well, the 2019 season is upon us and it seems like Groundhog Day as the Lions open up their campaign against rookie QB Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals.
A season ago, the Lions traveled to the desert in December and came away with a 17-3 win against the lowly Cardinals and the hope is the outcome will be the same this time around.
Las Vegas currently has the Lions listed as a 2.5 point favorite over the Cardinals but I am here to tell you the game will not be remotely close.
Here are 3 reasons why the Detroit Lions will BLOW OUT the Arizona Cardinals
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Matt Patricia vs. Kliff Kingsbury
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Whether or not you are sold on Matt Patricia as a good NFL head coach, you cannot argue that he is a defensive guru.
In Week 1, Patricia’s counterpart will be rookie head coach Kilff Kingsbury, who is considered by the ‘experts’ to be an offensive genius.
That being said, this matchup between head coaches will be extremely one-sided as Kingsbury makes his debut with an offense that just does not have the weapons to compete against what Patricia’s defense will bring to the table.
Personally, I laughed at the Kingsbury hire and I doubt he lasts long in the NFL.
Lions defensive line vs. Cardinals offensive line
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In my opinion, this will be the key to the game. The Lions defensive line will be one of the best in the league in 2019 and the Cardinals offensive line could be one of the worst.
For the Cardinals to stand even a small chance, their offensive line will have to protect rookie QB Kyler Murray so he has time to make plays.
Damon Harrison, Trey Flowers, and the rest of the Lions defensive line will stuff the run first and if the defense can set the edges so Murray cannot scramble outside, this one will get ugly.
Lions weapons vs. Cardinals weapons
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In 2018, the Cardinals managed to put up just 3 points on the Lions and though they have more weapons (Kyler Murray) than they did a season ago, Detroit still has more.
Give me Matthew Stafford, Kerryon Johnson, Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones Jr., Danny Amendola, and T.J. Hockenson over Kyler Murray, David Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald (36 years old), Michael Crabtree, Christian Kirk/Andy Isabella, and Charles Clay.
The Lions offense, who is under a new offensive coordinator (Darrell Bevell), could take some time to get going, but they will do enough in Week 1 to easily outscore the Cardinals offense.
PREDICTION: Detroit Lions 27 Arizona Cardinals 13
What do you think, Nation? Will the Lions blowout he Cardinals?
