Detroit Lions @ New Orlean Saints 8pm NBC NFC Playoffs

[Skulley]

Well sports fans, this angler never would have thought the Lions would have made it to 10 and 6 and a wild card playoff.  I have eaten a lot of crow this year concerning these Detroit Lions.  Never thought they would be better than 8 and 8.  Never thought they would have made the playoffs this year.  I thought it was a stretch.................and I was wrong.  When I am wrong, I don't need anyone to tell me, I can certainly do that myself especially where it concerns the Detroit Lions.  And sports fans, I was wrong.  But what I would really like to know is how you guys knew.  It couldn't have been faith........unless God is a Lions fan.  I always thought he was more of a Saints fan.         

I have been waiting a long time for this, however, I believe they will not get past the 1st round.  Again as I have said in many posts, I hope I am wrong.  Actually what I have been waiting for all my life as a life long Lions fan is a trip to the "big dance" aka The Super Bowl.  Unfortunately sports fans, we'll be waiting another year because the Lions are going back to New Orleans and will get another beating.  I hope I am wrong...........but the Lions get spanked 38 to 3.  It's over by halftime and the Lions get their only score on their only time they get in the "red zone".  Then they have to settle for a field goal because they can't punch it in.  To win games like this, they need a balanced attack.  They got no running game.  The Saints will play them for the pass and Smith may break a run or two just because of that, but it won't get the Lions in the "red zone".  The Saints will capitalize on every mistake the Lions make whether it's the usual penalties or turnovers or 1, 2, 3, punt.  This will validate for me every reason why the Lions played way above themselves this year.  Don't disappoint yourselves guys.  The Saints are a solid team.  They have Brees.  The best quarterback in the NFL and they know how to protect him.  Something the Lions couldn't do for Stafford as well as they could have, however, there were times Stafford had more time than I could have ever imagined.  It didn't happen enough and you need a good running game to keep a team like the Saints on their heels.


Therefore:  New Orleans 38    Detroit Lions 3



BD                               

 


   

[Durand Dan]

I picked Detroit to finsih 10-6. New Orleans won't have running back Mark Ingram this week. I'd like to say Lions but:
New Orleans 34 Lions 31

[djkimmel]

Lions 41, Saints 35

[Durand Dan]

Lions 41, Saints 35

That would make my day!!

[blakstr1]

31-21 Lions...... amazingly enough i see a lot of ways they can win, but if the penalties happen then we are toast! Glad they made the playoffs but I want more....MUCH MORE!

[t-bone]

I picked the Lions to go 10-6. Too me it was largely dependent on have a healthy QB for the entire year and a much improved D Line and LB crew. Granted we had to come from behind in way too many games and our Secondary & RBs have been injured and inconsistent.
I'm not picking the Lions to win this week. I think it will be a better game then in the regular season with couple guys returning from injury and one not on suspension.
Saints 31 - Lions 27
I hope they prove me wrong...

[Jay-MadWags]

I don't think the Lions' defense will show up. . .
SAINTS 42    LIONS 28

[bassinman#1]

34-32 Lions win.

[Mojo]

You guys arent giving Stafford more credit. He's a phenom, and Schwartz was smart enough to institute a full offense around his skills, and the O lines deficiencies. I mean, these guys execute an empty back sets, 3 and 4 man stacks, 2 tight end set ups... I mean this ofense is becomeing more and more complex. Why ? Because a good coach will only give what his players can handle.

See John Fox at Denver - completely adjusted the offense for Tebows strengths, and they went on a 7 game tear.  So I commend Schwartz, the GM, and praise Matt Stafford for the talent he is. That being said, Philip Rivers, Jay Cutler, and even Tom Brady were held in check this season by the D. You guys arent giving Detroit a chance.

I say this is a last second field goal that NO squeaks with 0:04 second on the clock to win 30-27. I say the Lions show up and fight a good fight and make us proud.

[Redbone]

Lions 41-31

[detroit1]

Forward down the field! A Lions team the will not yield! And when the blue & silver wave, stand and cheer the brave...it,s been a fun year for fans and i hope the Lions are not done tonight. Prove all the talking heads wrong and go out and take this game. GO LIONS!!!  (the new " Americas Team")

[Frank]

Come watch the game with me.  I have former player lomas brown coming up to airway lounge to watch the game with us tonight

[djkimmel]

That should be worth a touchdown right there!!

[Mojo]

14-7 !!!!! Lions  ? Into the 2nd qtr ? The Lions ??

I've been on 15 websites, and all 15 predicted a NO blow out !! But look at Matt Stafford and his Detroit Lions ! Im telling you, youre watching the next Tom Brady !! Matt is on his game.. GO  BLUE !

[bigjc]

I don't think the Lions' defense will show up. . .
SAINTS 42    LIONS 28

The Lions defense was in the house, but the Saints offence is SPOT ON!!  Heck of a running game, great passing game, and a bullet-proof offensive line.

No shame in loosing this one, just too bad we couldn't have beat GB so we didn't have to plaly the saints in the first game of the post season.

[Mojo]

I thought the same. darn, still it was a super successful season. So long as Matt is healthy. I'll take a 10 win season folks.

[Jay-MadWags]

I don't think the Lions' defense will show up. . .
SAINTS 42    LIONS 28

The Lions defense was in the house, but the Saints offence is SPOT ON!!  Heck of a running game, great passing game, and a bullet-proof offensive line.

No shame in loosing this one, just too bad we couldn't have beat GB so we didn't have to plaly the saints in the first game of the post season.

What house was the Lions' defense in?  Seriously, anytime a team puts up 45 points in one game NO DEFENSE is involved.

[Skulley]

45 to 28 is a blow out.  Anytime you allow an offense to put up 45 points, that's a blow out with no defense.  So I agree with Jay-MadWags.  It was a successful season for the Lions at 10 and 6.  You can not take away any of the accomplishments.  Next year I now expect an 11 win season or better.  The team has to do better.  Now they have to win the division.  A lot can happen in the off season with trades, the draft, injuries in training camp and the preseason leading up to the 2012 regular season. 

The Saints scored on every possession in the 2nd half.  If the Lions expect to win, they are going to have to stop turning over the ball for starters and not let the other team score every time they possess the ball.  I will not rag on the Lions about penalties because last night they were better........a lot better.  Bad calls happened both ways so the referee factor was at a minimum.  And as far as who you play based on whether you won or lost to Green Bay at the end should never matter.  You want to say they would have advanced if they would have played a lesser team.  I would rather see them play a better team like a New Orleans because the team (Lions) has to move forward.  Playing a lesser team is not moving forward and doesn't make you better.  Playing and beating a higher caliber team like a New Orleans will prepare you for the even better teams.......going forward. 

I am glad it's over so I can now concentrate on a winning team like the Wings.  It's hockey time sports fans and we live in HOCKEYTOWN!!!!  Good job this year Lions.  I have higher expectations for you next season in 2012.  I hope you can live up to them.  And yes I am going to keep my Lions tickets yet another year.  I may even go to more than just 2 or 3 games.


BD                            

[djkimmel]

So... it's too late to yell DEFENSE DEFENSE?!?

[Skulley]

So... it's too late to yell DEFENSE DEFENSE?!?

What defense are you talking about???  I didn't see any defense.  At least not from the Lions.


BD