Lions Last Chance: The Saints (1 Viewer)

[Cheesedawg]

The Lions haven't won in GB, where they play Week 17, since 1991. Considering they are division rivals and play there EVERY year, it is extremely unlikely they could get their first win of the season on the tundra.

However the Week 16 matchup with New Orleans is intriguing. The Saints are depressed and disappointed after losing another close game in Chicago to officially be eliminated from the playoffs. Reggie Bush is hurt so NO is down to one back, Pierre Thomas. The matchup of Calvin Johnson against the Saints secondary is favorable. Dan Orlovsky actually played very well against the Colts defense last week and the team seems to believe in him somewhat. The Lions gave the Colts all they wanted last week, signaling that they will play as hard as possible as they try to avoid dubious history.

Personally, I don't care about the Lions or history. I am thinking of taking New Orleans with my survivor pick this week but am worried about this matchup now for the reasons listed above. My alternative is taking SF over STL or trying to pick a winner in Cin-Cle. Regardless of motivation, this game deserves a shark attack because it really is the Lions' last shot at a win, in my opinion.

Thoughts? Vegas is liking NO so far. The line opened at 6.5 and is now 7 to 7.5. The Lions did lose three more defensive starters in the last week, including captain DT Cory Redding, S Dwight Smith, and CB Kevin Smith. The Det D is kinda like a practice squad at this point, isn't it?

 

[Balance]

this had to be a new thread instead of in the thread we've used for like 10 weeks?

 

[Holland Freeze]

Detroit could win both of their last 2 games - it would be a typical ending if it cost them the #1 pick in a year where there is no clear #1 pick.

Both NO and GB have been struggling this year so I do not put much weight in the losing streak in the frozen tundra.

 

[PatrickT]

I think people are dramatically underestimating NO's ability to score. In a dome game, my money will be on Brees and that offense, I don't think Detroit will keep up.

 

[Chunky Soup]

I don't think Detroit will keep up.

Way to go on a limb here.

 

[Wyld Stallyns]

I think people are dramatically underestimating NO's ability to score. In a dome game, my money will be on Brees and that offense, I don't think Detroit will keep up.

I also think people are dramatically underestimating JUST how putrid the Detroit Lions really are. The notion that they could actually beat a professional football team is crazy-talk.

 

[PatrickT]

I don't think Detroit will keep up.

Way to go on a limb here.

Not sure what that's supposed to mean, but I'm not trying to go out on a limb. With three threads claiming the Lions have a really good shot against the Saints, I'm just trying to talk people off the limb.

 

[puckalicious]

Looking forward to the thread next week "Lions Last Chance: The Packers" after NO destroys them on sunday.

 

[gman74]

I think people are dramatically underestimating NO's ability to score. In a dome game, my money will be on Brees and that offense, I don't think Detroit will keep up.

I also think people are dramatically underestimating JUST how putrid the Detroit Lions really are. The notion that they could actually beat a professional football team is crazy-talk.

I think they would destroy Oakland and Cleveland And probably Cincinnati.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

I think people are dramatically underestimating NO's ability to score. In a dome game, my money will be on Brees and that offense, I don't think Detroit will keep up.

I also think people are dramatically underestimating JUST how putrid the Detroit Lions really are. The notion that they could actually beat a professional football team is crazy-talk.

I think they would destroy Oakland and Cleveland And probably Cincinnati.

what about the Rams and Chiefs?

 

[gman74]

I think people are dramatically underestimating NO's ability to score. In a dome game, my money will be on Brees and that offense, I don't think Detroit will keep up.

I also think people are dramatically underestimating JUST how putrid the Detroit Lions really are. The notion that they could actually beat a professional football team is crazy-talk.

I think they would destroy Oakland and Cleveland And probably Cincinnati.

what about the Rams and Chiefs?

Rams yes Chiefs close game Seahawks probably

 

[SeniorVBDStudent]

Green Bay in Week 17 will have even less to play for than New Orleans in Week 16.

Mark it down.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

I think people are dramatically underestimating NO's ability to score. In a dome game, my money will be on Brees and that offense, I don't think Detroit will keep up.

I also think people are dramatically underestimating JUST how putrid the Detroit Lions really are. The notion that they could actually beat a professional football team is crazy-talk.

I think they would destroy Oakland and Cleveland And probably Cincinnati.

what about the Rams and Chiefs?

Rams yes Chiefs close game Seahawks probably

Jim Rome made the points yesterday that the LyDowns would probably beat a few of these teams. But really the 0-16 to me is gonna be SWEET!

 

[gman74]

I think people are dramatically underestimating NO's ability to score. In a dome game, my money will be on Brees and that offense, I don't think Detroit will keep up.

I also think people are dramatically underestimating JUST how putrid the Detroit Lions really are. The notion that they could actually beat a professional football team is crazy-talk.

I think they would destroy Oakland and Cleveland And probably Cincinnati.

what about the Rams and Chiefs?

Rams yes Chiefs close game Seahawks probably

Jim Rome made the points yesterday that the LyDowns would probably beat a few of these teams. But really the 0-16 to me is gonna be SWEET!

I don't know where you get LyDowns from they have not quit this season. The D is bad but when you have 4 different QB's playing and trade you second best WR you can't expect much.

 

[puckalicious]

I think people are dramatically underestimating NO's ability to score. In a dome game, my money will be on Brees and that offense, I don't think Detroit will keep up.

I also think people are dramatically underestimating JUST how putrid the Detroit Lions really are. The notion that they could actually beat a professional football team is crazy-talk.

I think they would destroy Oakland and Cleveland And probably Cincinnati.

what about the Rams and Chiefs?

Have you watched any Lions games this year? They have an uncanny ability to find ways to lose. I would give them a chance (only a chance) against CLE or STL but not the rest.CIN - they beat WAS who beat DET.OAK - they beat NYJ & DEN, and played MIA close. DET could not do that.KC - they beat DEN, and played NYJ, TB close, and lost to SD by 1 point TWO times. Again, DET could not match this and they lost to TB.ETA: DET would have a good chance against SEA.

 

[gman74]

I think people are dramatically underestimating NO's ability to score. In a dome game, my money will be on Brees and that offense, I don't think Detroit will keep up.

I also think people are dramatically underestimating JUST how putrid the Detroit Lions really are. The notion that they could actually beat a professional football team is crazy-talk.

I think they would destroy Oakland and Cleveland And probably Cincinnati.

what about the Rams and Chiefs?

Have you watched any Lions games this year? They have an uncanny ability to find ways to lose. I would give them a chance (only a chance) against CLE or STL but not the rest.CIN - they beat WAS who beat DET.OAK - they beat NYJ & DEN, and played MIA close. DET could not do that.KC - they beat DEN, and played NYJ, TB close, and lost to SD by 1 point TWO times. Again, DET could not match this and they lost to TB.ETA: DET would have a good chance against SEA.

Have you watched Oakland they got destroyed by SD they only scored on a kickoff return. KC would be tough only because of Thigpen. Cin and Was as of late are Pathetic.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

I think people are dramatically underestimating NO's ability to score. In a dome game, my money will be on Brees and that offense, I don't think Detroit will keep up.

I also think people are dramatically underestimating JUST how putrid the Detroit Lions really are. The notion that they could actually beat a professional football team is crazy-talk.

I think they would destroy Oakland and Cleveland And probably Cincinnati.

what about the Rams and Chiefs?

Have you watched any Lions games this year? They have an uncanny ability to find ways to lose. I would give them a chance (only a chance) against CLE or STL but not the rest.CIN - they beat WAS who beat DET.OAK - they beat NYJ & DEN, and played MIA close. DET could not do that.KC - they beat DEN, and played NYJ, TB close, and lost to SD by 1 point TWO times. Again, DET could not match this and they lost to TB.ETA: DET would have a good chance against SEA.

apparently you missed that I am from detroit.I have been on the 0-16 bandwagon all year.

 

[puckalicious]

apparently you missed that I am from detroit.I have been on the 0-16 bandwagon all year.

Hey I missed that. 'burbs or city proper? I hail from Troy, before that RO.The Lions only chance really is at GB since they have been sucking and they have nothing left to play for. Well except for NOT to lose to the worst team in history.... 0-16.

 

[thatguythere]

The Saints are going to absolutely kill the Lions this weekend. Playing indoors is just what the Saints need to their offense rolling....the Lions don't stand a chance.

If you are still alive get your Saints in your lineup.....all of them.

 

[The_Wolfman]

I think people are dramatically underestimating NO's ability to score. In a dome game, my money will be on Brees and that offense, I don't think Detroit will keep up.

I also think people are dramatically underestimating JUST how putrid the Detroit Lions really are. The notion that they could actually beat a professional football team is crazy-talk.

I think they would destroy Oakland and Cleveland And probably Cincinnati.

what about the Rams and Chiefs?

Rams yes Chiefs close game Seahawks probably

Jim Rome made the points yesterday that the LyDowns would probably beat a few of these teams. But really the 0-16 to me is gonna be SWEET!

I don't know where you get LyDowns from they have not quit this season. The D is bad but when you have 4 different QB's playing and trade you second best WR you can't expect much.

They do seem to give a good effort every game. In fact, they are one of the most competetive 0-14 teams I have ever seen.

 

[Jeff Haseley]

Yahoo! Sportswriter Michael Silver agrees - Lions will beat the Saints - Nov 25th article

Last Dec. 9, as I drove from Gillette Stadium to my hotel in Boston’s Copley Place on a cool Sunday night, I called my editor to talk about the following week’s assignment. Unlike that day’s compelling showdown between the undefeated Patriots and playoff-bound Steelers, there was no obvious must-see game on the upcoming Sunday’s schedule, and we tossed around a couple of options.

Finally, I suggested, “What about Ravens at Dolphins?” To my editor’s credit, he didn’t burst out laughing. Baltimore had lost seven games in a row to drop out of contention, while Miami was 0-13. “I know it’s a little different, but it’ll be a cool story,” I told him. “Because the Dolphins are going to win.”

Sure enough, Miami prevailed on a dramatic overtime touchdown, and we got the column we’d anticipated. The moral of the story? When it comes to figuring out when a winless team will finally achieve victory, no one is more psychic than yours truly.

All of which brings us to the Lions, now five defeats away from becoming the first NFL team to go 0-16.

Could imperfection become a reality? Normally, I’d say no, but the Lions are a special breed of awful. They fired their team president, Matt Millen, after their third defeat in September. They signed their starting quarterback, Daunte Culpepper, off the street in early November.

On Sunday at Ford Field, Detroit managed to take a 17-0 first-quarter lead over the Buccaneers – and trail at halftime en route to a 38-20 defeat. That is hard to do, but these guys made it happen.

Making matters more complicated, each of the Lions’ remaining opponents is currently in the playoff hunt. Next up are the Titans on Thursday at Ford Field, a matchup for which exactly zero football fans outside of Tennessee are giving thanks. Any notion that a perfect-storm, Turkey Day upset over the Titans was possible disappeared on Sunday when the Jets handed Jeff Fisher’s team its first defeat.

Tennessee’s proud players will be quite angry Thanksgiving, and they’ll take it out on the Lions.

On Dec. 7, Detroit completes its three-game homestand against the Vikings, currently tied for the NFC North lead and playing well. Can you say “0-13”? Then they travel to Indy, for a game the Colts will likely need to win to remain in the wild-card chase. As long as Peyton Manning doesn’t get done in by some spoiled stuffing between now and then, it’s a blowout waiting to happen.

That’s right, gang, the Lions will officially match the 1976 Buccaneers as architects of an 0-14 monstrosity.

In the end, however, those bumbling Bucs will stand alone. No, by in the end I don’t mean the Lions’ Dec. 28 season finale against the Packers at Lambeau Field, a game in which the Detroit players’ focus will be on two things: a hot postgame shower and a New Year’s Eve celebration on some pristine Caribbean beach. As ugly as Green Bay looked in New Orleans on Monday night, this game will be even uglier, with the home team possibly battling for a division title.

No, the Lions’ victory will have come the week before that, in a Dec. 21 home game against the Saints.

Yes, I realize I’m predicting the Lions to beat a team with a prolific offense; the Saints just put up 51 points against the Packers, moving two games behind the Bucs and Panthers (and a game behind Atlanta) in the competitive NFC South.

But New Orleans, which until Monday hadn’t won consecutive games all season, is maddeningly inconsistent. The Saints’ next three games are against Tampa Bay, Atlanta and Chicago, and they could easily lose twice and be eliminated from playoff contention. Surely, they’d be able to put up points on Detroit, but New Orleans’ defense is lousy enough – dare we say Lionsesque – to keep an 0-14 team desperate to avoid everlasting ignominy in the game.

So mark it down: Detroit will somehow pull out a victory over Drew Brees and company. The only remaining question is whether I’ll be there to witness it.

 

[Gadabout]

This thread is funny.

 

[FavreCo]

Looking forward to the thread next week "Lions Last Chance: The Packers" after NO destroys them on sunday.

The NFL needs to make that game the Sunday night game. Last regular season game, all eys on the Lions. Lions beat Favreless Packers. Ted Thompson calls security....make that the National Guard.

 

[FavreCo]

Yahoo! Sportswriter Michael Silver agrees - Lions will beat the Saints - Nov 25th article

Last Dec. 9, as I drove from Gillette Stadium to my hotel in Boston’s Copley Place on a cool Sunday night, I called my editor to talk about the following week’s assignment. Unlike that day’s compelling showdown between the undefeated Patriots and playoff-bound Steelers, there was no obvious must-see game on the upcoming Sunday’s schedule, and we tossed around a couple of options.

So mark it down: Detroit will somehow pull out a victory over Drew Brees and company. The only remaining question is whether I’ll be there to witness it.

If the Lions beat the Saints, Megatron will need to have 3 TD's. I'm all for that.

 

[Cheesedawg]

I guess it says something that there is only one person apparently in the world who thinks the Lions will win a game.

Admittedly, it is hard to see how NO scores less than 30 points. Brees has good WR's, Shockey has an excellent matchup, and PThomas is trying to prove he's worth good money. I can see Calvin having a good game and the Lions putting up 20 points, but I am having a hard time seeing how they can get north of 30.

The over/under is 50.5. 30-20 sounds about right.

 

[Team]

I guess it says something that there is only one person apparently in the world who thinks the Lions will win a game.

Admittedly, it is hard to see how NO scores less than 30 points. Brees has good WR's, Shockey has an excellent matchup, and PThomas is trying to prove he's worth good money. I can see Calvin having a good game and the Lions putting up 20 points, but I am having a hard time seeing how they can get north of 30.

The over/under is 50.5. 30-20 sounds about right.

Ever watch Jason David play?

 

[SuperJohn96]

Looking forward to the thread next week "Lions Last Chance: The Packers" after NO destroys them on sunday.

The NFL needs to make that game the Sunday night game. Last regular season game, all eys on the Lions. Lions beat Favreless Packers. Ted Thompson calls security....make that the National Guard.

I don't care about either team, and I would definitely watch this one.

 

[iSnitch]

As a Brees/Pierre Thomas/Megatron owner, I'm hoping this game combines for 100+ points.

 

[Chicago Hooligan]

The Lions are like quantum bad. They could win either of these games if they get turnovers and big plays but no, they do not have a "good chance" to avoid 0-16.

 

[Cheesedawg]

As a Brees/Pierre Thomas/Megatron owner, I'm hoping this game combines for 100+ points.

I do think the over is looking solid in this game.