The Lions are coming off a tough home loss to Carolina on Sunday, where the defense and offense both had bad performances. They will try to correct their issues, and here are the next five teams they will attempt to do that against, as well as the biggest stories coming out of their locker rooms.
WEEK 6 – at New Orleans Saints (2-2), Mercedes-Benz Superdome
The Saints could be a dangerous foe for the Lions this weekend. They are coming off a Bye week, and are riding a two-game winning streak. Despite shutting out the Dolphins in London in their last game, New Orleans is still the fourth worst defense in the NFL, allowing 375 yards per game. In their three games prior to Miami, they gave up an average of 26 points per game. This should be an opportunity for the Lions anemic offense to get healthy. The Saints also went through ab it of an upheaval this week, trading Adrian Peterson to Arizona. However, that might end up being addition by subtraction, since Peterson was not happy with his limited role. If Detroit wants to avoid the Same Old Lions moniker, they have to go to the Big Easy and win on Sunday.
WEEK 7 – Bye
WEEK 8 – vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2), Ford Field, Sunday Night Football
The Steelers were bad on Sunday in their 30-9 loss to the Jaguars. At home. Ben Roethlisberger threw five interceptions, a career high, and the most by a Pittsburgh quarterback in 30 years. Two of the picks were brought back for touchdowns, so subtract those 14 points, and you can see that the Steeler defense only gave up 16 points. In terms of points per game, they are the sixth best D in the League. The Steelers now have to hit the road to face an unbeaten Chiefs team in Kansas City in a rematch of last year’s AFC Divisional Playoff game.
WEEK 9 – at Green Bay Packers (4-1), Lambeau Field, Monday Night Football
Aaron Rodgers did it again on Sunday, leading a last-minute touchdown drive to get the Packers a 35-31 win over the Cowboys. Rodgers had three touchdowns but only passed for 221 yards. The real star of the game was a newfound Green Bay ground game behind the OTHER Aaron. Rookie Aaron Jones exploded for 125 yards on the ground on 19 carries filling in for the dinged up Ty Montgomery. If Rodgers has a balanced offensive attack, he and the Packers are going to be hard to beat. The Packers travel to Minnesota on Sunday.
WEEK 10 – vs. Cleveland Browns (0-5), Ford Field
The Browns actually led during their game over the Jets! It was their first time leading in a game all season. Not surprisingly, it didn’t last, and they fell 17-14. Rookie DeShone Kizer was benched, and Kevin Hogan actually looked good in relief. He went 16-for-19 for 194 yards and a pair of touchdowns. First overall pick Myles Garrett played in his first NFL game after missing a month with an ankle injury and scored a sack on the first snap of his career. The defensive end added a second one later in the game. Cleveland continues to look for that elusive first win when they travel to Houston this weekend.
WEEK 11 – at Chicago Bears (1-4), Soldier Field
The Bears only managed a field goal in the first half of the Monday Night football game against the Vikings, and still only trailed by a point. The second pick of the NFL Draft, Mitchell Trubisky, got his first career start. He only managed 128 passing yards on 12-of-25 passing but did throw his first touchdown pass to Zach Miller. He also scored a late 2-point conversion on a crazy double-reverse option play. Watch the TD and conversion here:
Unfortunately, the rookie signal-caller also threw a late interception that turned into the game-winning Minnesota field goal in the 20-17 loss. The Bears are at Baltimore on Sunday.
