NFL Preview - Detroit (3-1) at Washington (2-1)
The Detroit Lions proved last week they are a team capable of accomplishing unprecedented feats. This Sunday, the franchise will do something that has yet to be achieved in its long history when it meets the rested Washington Redskins at FedEx Field.
The nation's capital hasn't provided the Lions the pursuit of happiness over the years. Detroit has dropped all 20 lifetime meetings with the Redskins in Washington, which includes three defeats in the playoffs. In addition, the Redskins have never lost to the Lions under Joe Gibbs. The Hall of Fame head coach is a perfect 11-0 against Detroit, although all but one of those victories came during his first tenure with the club from 1981-92.
This Lions squad is one that hasn't succumbed to trends during the early portion of this season, however. Fueled by an exciting high-powered offense and an opportunistic defense, Detroit has already matched its meager three-win total of a year ago with an unexpected 3-1 start.
Detroit has demonstrated the ability to score points in bunches through the first four weeks. Never was that more evident then last Sunday's key divisional matchup with Chicago, as the Lions set an NFL record with 34 fourth-quarter points to rally for a thrilling 37-27 victory over the defending NFC champion Bears.
Quarterback Jon Kitna threw a pair of touchdown passes in the final period, while the Lions picked off Chicago's Brian Griese three times, one of which was returned 64 yards for a touchdown by reserve cornerback Keith Smith.
The Lions will also be attempting to start a season 4-1 for the first time since 1991, a year in which they won 12 games and a division title before bowing out to the Redskins in the NFC Championship Game.
Washington has looked like a team primed for a turnaround as well, as last year's NFC East cellar-dwellers were just one yard short of heading into this game with a perfect 3-0 record. However, a goal-line stand by the New York Giants in the final seconds preserved a 24-17 Week 3 triumph that ended the Redskins' season-opening win streak at two.
The Redskins' inability to score in three chances from the New York one-yard line capped a forgettable second half in which Gibbs' troops failed to hold a 17-3 lead. Washington has had a week off to regroup from that disappointing defeat and enable a number of key contributors to rest nagging injuries.
SERIES HISTORY
Washington has a 25-10 advantage in the all-time regular season series, which dates back to 1932, and was a 17-10 road winner when the teams last met, in 2004. The Lions won the previous meeting, a 15-10 home triumph in 2000.
In addition to the regular season series, the clubs have met three times in the postseason, with Washington winning all three. The Redskins prevailed in NFC First-Round Playoff games in 1982 and 1999, and also defeated the Lions for the 1991 NFC Championship.
As previously mentioned, the Lions are 0-20 all-time in Washington between the regular season and playoffs. Detroit hasn't won a road game in the series since 1935, when they defeated the then-Boston Redskins, 17-7.
Gibbs is a perfect 9-0 against Detroit in the regular season and owns playoff victories over the Lions in 1982 and 1991. Detroit's Rod Marinelli will be meeting both Gibbs and the Redskins for the first time as a head coach,
WHEN THE LIONS HAVE THE BALL
Detroit will attack the Redskins with a potent passing offense that is averaging a NFL-best 312.8 yards per game and boasts arguably the deepest group of receivers in the league. Roy Williams (26 receptions, 3 TD) leads the Lions' star-studded wideout contingent that also includes rookie phenom Calvin Johnson (10 receptions, 2 TD), who is expected to be back in the lineup after sitting out the Chicago game with a back bruise. Shaun McDonald (21 receptions) and Mike Furrey (20 receptions) have also been highly-productive in offensive coordinator Mike Martz's wide-open scheme, with McDonald having scored three touchdowns in the first four games. Kitna (1,227 passing yards, 8 TD, 4 TD) has done an excellent job running the show, as the hard-nosed veteran is completing 71 percent of his passes so far this year.
The Lions do have a few issues on offense, though. A shaky line has yielded a league-high 22 sacks through the first four week, while Martz often ignores the running game in his pass-happy system. The team's best back, Kevin Jones (43 rushing yards, 2 TD), has scored twice in two games since returning from a Lisfranc sprain in his left foot, but he's also carried the ball just 13 times in that span. Jones will continue to split time with the speedy but fumble- prone Tatum Bell (167 rushing yards, 1 TD, 14 receptions) in the backfield.
Kitna and his receivers will be taking shots at a Washington defense that is considerably upgraded from the group that ranked next-to-last in the NFL in yards allowed during 2006. Tackling machine London Fletcher (28 tackles, 1 INT) has been a playmaking and stabilizing presence at middle linebacker, while second-year man Rocky McIntosh (25 tackles, 2 sacks) is quickly making an impact in his first year starting on the weak side. The Redskins enter the game ranked eighth in scoring defense (16.3 ppg) and ninth in rushing yards allowed (92.3 ypg).
Washington's depth in the secondary should help when going up against the Lions' stable of receivers. Nickel back Fred Smoot (6 tackles, 1 PD) and fellow reserve David Macklin (3 tackles) are both skilled veterans with plenty of starting experience, while 2006 Pro Bowler Sean Taylor (14 tackles, 2 PD) and rookie sensation LaRon Landry (22 tackles, 0.5 sacks) are a pair of extremely athletic safeties capable of matching up in the slot. The Redskins have shown a solid pass rush in the early going, led by end Andre Carter (9 tackles, 2 sacks).
WHEN THE REDSKINS HAVE THE BALL
The Redskins offer a stark contrast to Detroit's offensive philosophy, as Gibbs loves to pound away with a ground attack that features a pair of former 1,000-yard rushers in Clinton Portis (227 rushing yards, 3 TD) and Ladell Betts (82 rushing yards). Portis has been the more used and effective of the two backs this year, but the brittle 26-year-old is dealing with a slight sprain of his right knee and could have a reduced role on Sunday. Washington's 10th-ranked rushing offense (134.3 ypg) has remained productive despite missing the entire right side of the line, where both guard Randy Thomas (torn triceps) and tackle Jon Jansen (broken ankle) are out with long-term injuries.
Washington has been less dependable throwing the ball, as young quarterback Jason Campbell (621 passing yards, 2 TD, 3 INT) has experienced the up-and- down performances characteristic of a signal-caller with only 10 career starts under his belt. Campbell hasn't had much help either from an erratic receiving corps that will likely be without top wideout Santana Moss (12 receptions) on Sunday due to a groin strain. Recent signees Reche Caldwell and Keenan McCardell could be worked into the mix this week opposite the dangerous Antwaan Randle El (11 receptions), who's averaging better than 21 yards per catch.
Campbell's modest numbers could improve going up against a Detroit defense that was torched for 536 total yards and 56 points at Philadelphia two weeks ago and is surrendering nearly 270 yards through the air. The Lions have compensated somewhat for those gaudy numbers by forcing a league-leading 13 turnovers, including nine interceptions, and compiling an impressive 14 sacks. Detroit got to Griese six times in last Sunday's win, with reserve end Jared DeVries (6 tackles) recording three sacks and two forced fumbles in the fourth quarter. The pass rush should get a further boost this week with the expected return of end Kalimba Edwards (4 tackles, 2 sacks), who has sat out the last two games with an ankle problem.
The Lions rank a mediocre 17th against the run (114.3 ypg) but did hold the Bears' Cedric Benson to only 50 yards on 15 attempts last week. Weakside linebacker Ernie Sims had 11 tackles along with an interception against Chicago and leads the team with 36 stops this season, while Paris Lenon (33 tackles, 2 sacks) has been very active as well in the middle.
FANTASY FOCUS
Kitna and Williams have been fantasy gold so far this season and both are worthy of starting status again this week. Expect good but not huge numbers out of the duo, as this game doesn't figure to be a shootout. Calvin Johnson's back ailment and Kitna's ability to spread the ball around makes any other Lions receiver a more riskier play. Neither Detroit running back has warranted anything more than a bench spot at this point.
Washington's reliance on the run and the Lions' shaky defense should provide ample point opportunities for both Portis and Betts, who could receive a heavier workload due to his partner's nagging injuries. The probable absence of Moss makes Randle El a good option as a No. 2 receiver this week, while Chris Cooley's (6 receptions, 2 TD) ability to get open in the red zone makes the Redskins tight end a solid starting choice as well.
OVERALL ANALYSIS
Detroit's history of futility playing in Washington shouldn't apply to this particular Lions team, one that has displayed lots of firepower on offense and plenty of resolve as well. Detroit's strong start and wealth of talent at the skill positions has masked the team's shoddy play on defense, however. Many have been quick to forget what happened two weeks ago, when the Lions were completely powerless in stopping a Philadelphia squad that has struggled scoring points in its other three games. Detroit may be the more exciting of these two teams, but the Redskins are more fundamentally sound, better on the defensive side, and have the advantages of a week off and the home crowd. Washington's ground game should be able to keep the Lions' potent offense off the field long enough to keep its dominance in this series intact.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Redskins 24, Lions 20
See more at www.newsobserver.com
|
