Next 5 Notes Week 8: Look ahead to the Detroit Lions’ next five opponents

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The Lions’ 3-1 start is fading in the rear-view mirror after dropping their third straight game on Sunday in that odd 20-15 loss to the Steelers. Now the team will try to get back to the break-even mark against these teams over the next five weeks. Here are the biggest stories coming out of their locker rooms.

WEEK 9 – at Green Bay Packers (4-3), Lambeau Field, Monday Night Football

The Packers got a week off to lick their wounds, just like the Lions did last week.  Of course, Green Bay’s biggest loss is quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and a week off is not nearly enough to get him back on the field. Brett Hundley has been underwhelming since taking over the reigns, and the Pack lost their last two games. What is worrisome for Detroiters is that the team has had additional time to groom Hundley, and figure out how his skills can best attack the Lions on the field. We saw what a week off did for Matthew Stafford (not counting the red zone). We’ll find out Monday night if anything close to that can happen for Hundley, or if the pressure of a prime-time game will overwhelm him.

WEEK 10 – vs. Cleveland Browns (0-8), Ford Field

The Browns have a real opportunity to give the 2008 Lions a run for their 0-16 money! Their path is very similar so far as well – undefeated in the pre-season; winless in the regular season. At least the Lions didn’t have to travel around the globe to get beaten that year, which is what the Browns had to endure with their 33-16 loss in London to the Vikings. To add insult to injury, Cleveland botched a trade on Tuesday with Cincinnati for quarterback A.J. McCarron when they missed the deadline to call the deal into the NFL offices. Talk about ineptitude. That should be a fireable offense for someone in that organization. The only bright spot is that they get a bye this week to figure out SOMETHING that might end their skid. If you are scoring at home, that means Detroit will face back-to-back opponents coming off their bye week with extra preparation time. Not that it should matter much with the Browns.

WEEK 11 – at Chicago Bears (3-5), Soldier Field

The biggest story out of this weekend’s 20-12 Bears loss at New Orleans was the horrific injury to tight end Zach Miller. If you haven’t seen it yet, I advise against watching it. If you are tempted to ignore my advice, at least ask the children to leave the room first.

Miller was rushed to the hospital and there was talk of him possibly losing his leg. Yikes. However, the vascular surgery was successful, and thankfully Miller is expected to make a full recovery. Speaking of injured Bears, Jerrell Freeman is on the Injured Reserve, but also tested for a banned PED, and has been suspended 10 games. That is the last eight games of this year, plus two next games year, which likely ends his stay in Chicago. The Bears are home to lick their wounds with a bye this weekend.

WEEK 12 – vs. Minnesota Vikings (6-2), Ford Field, Thanksgiving

The Vikings expanded their lead in the NFC North with that 33-16 win over Cleveland in London on Sunday. The Browns actually stuck close for a while and led the Vikings 16-15 in the third quarter. Then the Vikings defense shut Cleveland down the rest of the way, and even scored a safety, to lead the team to a fourth straight victory since losing to Detroit. Case Keenum is settling in behind center and is expanding from a game manager to a guy that is making plays. He ended the game with 288 yards and a pair of touchdown passes. Week off for Minnesota this weekend, too.

WEEK 13 – at Baltimore Ravens (4-4), M & T Bank Stadium

The Ravens got back to .500 by crushing the Dolphins 40-0 on Thursday night, ending a two-game losing streak. The biggest thing everyone was talking about from the game was the hit Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco took from Miami linebacker Kiko Alonzo in the second quarter. Flacco was bleeding and dazed as he was led to the locker room to be placed under the NFL’s concussion protocol. The rest of the team stepped up in Flacco’s absence, with the defense returning a pair of interceptions for scores, and running back Alex Collins rushing for a career-best 113 yards on 18 carries. Ryan Mallet played the second half at QB, but only had to throw seven passes with the rout on.  Flacco is surprisingly not showing concussion symptoms according to coach John Harbaugh, and might actually play this Sunday at Tennessee.

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