"Pride of Detroit" - A Detroit Lions dynasty (M25 CFM)

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Detroit Lions: What You Need to Know Heading into Week 7

DETROIT, MI -- The Detroit Lions head home with a 2-4 record after losing to the Cleveland Browns 28-21 in Week 6.

After trailing 17-3 at halftime, the Lions fought back to lead the Browns late in the second half, but the home team came back to seize the elusive victory.

It's deja vu all over again in Week 7 as, for the second game in a row, the Lions an AFC North team from Ohio which wears orange as its primary color. The 4-2 Cincinnati Bengals make the trip up I-75 to Ford Field this Sunday.

NFC North Division Standings

NFC North Standings - Updated: Oct 17, 2013
NFC NORTH	W	L	T	PCT	DIV
Chicago Bears	4	2	0	0.660	1-1
Minnesota Vikings	3	2	0	0.600	1-1
Green Bay Packers	3	2	0	0.600	1-0
Detroit Lions	2	4	0	0.330	1-2

Chicago, Green Bay and Minnesota all won over the weekend, keeping the NFC North standings tightly packed at the top. Chicago beat up the New York Giants, while the Packers utterly obliterated Ravens in Baltimore. The Vikings squeaked past the Panthers in Minneapolis.

The Bears travel to Washington in Week 7 to face the 2-2-1 Redskins, while the Packers host the same Browns team that beat the Lions on Sunday. Minnesota visit the Giants on Monday night.

Cincinnati represents a stern test for the Lions. In fact, they might be the NFL team which is most similar to the Lions in terms of strengths and schemes.

Both teams feature strong, disruptive defensive lines that can really bring the pressure. Just as the Lions have an elite receiver in Calvin Johnson, the Bengals have one in A.J. Green. Both offensive lines are physical and do a strong job in pass protection.

Injury Update

The Lions escaped Cleveland in pretty good shape, with just two new injury additions to the list. However, one addition is a huge loss to the offense.

Detroit Lions Injury Report
Pos	Player	Injury Note
OLB	Ashlee Palmer	Shoulder Tear - Probable
QB	Shaun Hill	Turf Toe - Probable
CB	Darius Slay	Abdominal Strain - Questionable
QB	Matthew Stafford	Shoulder Tear - Out

Quarterback Matthew Stafford took quite a beating on Sunday in Cleveland, tearing his right shoulder labrum in the process. He will spend three weeks on the sideline for Detroit.

Outside Linebacker Ashlee Palmer is expected to return for the Lions this week after returning to practice after his own shoulder issue. He should replace Tahir Whitehead in the starting lineup, who has performed well in Palmer's absence.

Quarterback Shaun Hill was inactive through turf toe on Sunday. Kellen Moore took over for the injured Stafford and head coach Jim Schwartz confirmed that Moore has been handed the starting role against the Bengals. Hill should return to take the backup role.

Rookie Cornerback Darius Slay left the game against Cleveland through injury. He picked up an abdominal strain after over-exerting himself performing a tackle. He is listed as questionable for Sunday but he is expected to play. If not, veteran Rashean Mathis will play as the nickel cornerback instead.

What Needs to Improve

The running game could be a huge weapon for the Lions. However, it is incredibly ineffective. Reggie Bush can be a huge weapon in the passing game but he hasn't showed up in the 3 games he's played this season. He was benched in Cleveland and he needs to perform well to take the pressure off of quarterback Moore, who is making his 1st career start under center.

Mikel Leshoure was also incredibly ineffective in Cleveland, carrying the ball 4 times for 5 yards. He performed well in Bush's absence but he lacks the explosiveness Bush possesses despite Reggie's lack of explosiveness shown this season. Leshoure also needs to step-up his game when he gets touches, as he's seen as the bruiser at tailback in this offense.

Dropped passes are another problem. Jeremy Ross dropped 1 last week, with Brandon Pettigrew dropping 2. The Lions noticed, sending a message this past week. The aforementioned receivers recovered from their mistakes playing pretty well. But no. 4 receiver, rookie Corey Fuller, who dropped both passes thrown his way Sunday, will fall down the depth chart in favor of 2nd round pick last year Ryan Broyles.

Due to Stafford's absence, the passing offense may not be as great as it has been in recent weeks. Therefore, it's vital that they get out to a quicker start versus the Bengals. Having a healthier Bush should help.

Cincinnati will not be an easy opponent, but the Lions certainly have the ability to notch the home victory.

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Matchup Preview *|* October 20, 2013
	@
Cincinnati Bengals (4-2, 3-0 Away)		Detroit Lions (2-4, 1-1 Home)
Offensive Stats Comparison 2569 Total Yards 2416 1910 Total Offensive Yards 1776 1260 Passing Yards 1364 650 Rushing Yards 412 24.7 Points Per Game 24.2 6 Passing TD 8 5 Rushing TD 3 95 First Downs 83 Defensive Stats Comparison 1801 Total Yards Allowed 1949 1195 Passing Yards Allowed 1204 606 Rushing Yards Allowed 745 105 Points Allowed 127 6 Sacks 29 6 Fumble Recoveries 4 6 Interceptions 12 Injury Report Carlos Dunlap/Broken Ribs 2 Weeks Matthew Stafford/Shoulder Tear 3 Weeks Trevor Robinson/Pulled Groin 2 Weeks Christo Bilukidi/Hamstring Tear 7 Weeks Game Notes Where: Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan Date: October 20 Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium) Referee: Scott Green TV announcers (CBS): Marv Albert and Rich Gannon LAST MEETING — Bengals beat Lions 23-13, Dec. 6, 2009 LAST WEEK — Bengals beat Bills 29-6; Lions lost to Browns 28-21. NFL POWER RANKING — Bengals No.2; Lions No. 28. BENGALS OFFENSE — OVERALL (17), RUSH (17), PASS (20) BENGALS DEFENSE — OVERALL (12), RUSH (12), PASS (9) LIONS OFFENSE — OVERALL (26), RUSH (32), PASS (12) LIONS DEFENSE — OVERALL (16), RUSH (26), PASS (10) Prediction: Bengals 27, Lions 17

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LIONS DROP 3RD STRAIGHT GAME IN 24-13 LOSS TO CINCINNATI



ROOKIE RUNNING BACK GIO BERNARD TALLIES 2 TD'S FOR BENGALS IN WIN

DETROIT, MI -- The losses are piling up for the Lions. With the 24-13 loss at home to the Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit fall to 2-5, dropping their 3rd consecutive game. The Lions also have more injury issues at quarterback, as Kellen Moore left the game towards the end of the 3rd quarter with a knee injury. It is feared that Moore has torn his MCL. He will have an MRI tomorrow morning.

Moore's play at quarterback was very good considering the fact that it was his first career NFL start. He completed 17 of his 24 passes for 137 yards, a touchdown (to Jeremy Ross) and an interception. Reserve QB Shaun Hill also played well, as he completed 9 of his 13 passes for 99 yards, only seeing playing time in the 4th quarter after Moore went down.

It was Moore's 4 yard touchdown pass to Jeremy Ross that opened the scoring for Detroit. It was a 9-play drive that saw Moore complete 6 of 6 pass attempts.

The Bengals took control however in the 2nd quarter. Rookie running back Gio Bernard and fullback Orson Charles ran in from short distances either side of a Mike Nugent field goal to give the Bengals a 17-7 lead at halftime.

Bernard added his 2nd rushing touchdown on the day in the 3rd quarter from 8 yards before Dustin Hopkins kicked 2 field goals in the 4th quarter for the Lions as their comeback attempts were thwarted.

The running game was slightly better for Detroit. Reggie Bush still struggled, racking up just 30 yards on 12 carries. Mikel Leshoure played much better, racking up 21 yards on 7 carries.

This game saw Detroit experiment with a lot of two-tight-end formations. Brandon Pettigrew once again led the Lions in receptions with 8 for 65 yards but rookie Joseph Fauria saw his playing time increase, resulting in more receptions than usual, catching 4 passes for 29 yards.

On defense it was more of the same. Willie Young got another sack, as did Ezekiel Ansah, Nick Fairley and DeAndre Levy.

The Lions know that they cannot afford to slip-up at home against the Cowboys next week. It looks as though Hill will be deputizing at quarterback in that game, so expect the Lions to make a move for a QB this week to give Hill an insurance policy.

Meanwhile, the Bengals head back home to face the New York Jets in Cincinnati.

Cincinnati Bengals at Detroit Lions
Oct 20, 2013	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
Cincinnati Bengals (5-2)	0	17	7	0	24
Detroit Lions (2-5)	7	0	0	6	13

Team Stats Comparison
	CIN	DET
Total Offense	273	269
Rushing Yards	36	49
Passing Yards	237	220
First Downs	15	11
Punt Return Yards	4	38
Kick Return Yards	28	79
Total Yards	305	386
Turnovers	0 (+2)	2 (-2)
3rd Down Converstion	3-10 (30%)	2-13 (15%)
4th Down Conversion	0-0 (0%)	1-2 (50%)
2-Point Conversion	0-0 (0%)	0-0 (0%)
Red Zone Touchdowns/Field Goals	3/1	1/2
Penalties	4-30	3-31
Posession Time	27:14	28:46

Cincinnati Bengals PASSING C/A YDS TD INT Andy Dalton 26/36 263 0 0 Josh Johnson 2/2 10 0 0 RUSHING ATT YDS AVG TD Giovani Bernard 13 40 3.0 2 Andy Dalton 2 -4 -2.0 0 Orson Charles 1 0 0.0 1 RECEIVING REC YDS AVG TD A.J. Green 7 92 13.1 0 Mohamed Sanu 6 54 9.0 0 Tyler Eifert 3 11 3.6 0 Andrew Hawkins 3 47 15.6 0 Marvin Jones 3 37 12.3 0 Giovani Bernard 3 15 5.0 0 Orson Charles 2 11 5.5 0 BenJarvus Green-Ellis 1 6 6.0 0 DEFENSE TACK SACK INT TD Taylor Mays 10 1.0 1 0 Rey Maualuga 7 0.0 0 0 Vontaze Burfict 6 0.0 0 0 Reggie Nelson 5 0.0 0 0 Leon Hall 3 0.0 0 0 Adam Jones 3 0.0 0 0 Terence Newman 3 0.0 0 0 Shawn Williams 2 0.0 0 0 Robert Geathers 2 0.0 0 0 Devon Still 2 1.0 0 0 Geno Atkins 2 0.0 0 0 James Harrison 2 0.0 0 0 Dre Kirkpatrick 2 0.0 0 0 Michael Johnson 1 0.0 0 0 Wallace Gilberry 1 0.0 0 0 KICKING FG XP PTS LONG Mike Nugent 1/1 3/3 6 30 PUNTING NO YDS AVG IN20 Kevin Huber 6 265 44.1 1 KICK RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Andrew Hawkins 1 28 28.0 0 PUNT RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Giovani Bernard 1 4 4.0 0

Detroit Lions PASSING C/A YDS TD INT Kellen Moore 17/24 137 1 1 Shaun Hill 9/13 99 0 0 RUSHING ATT YDS AVG TD Reggie Bush 12 30 2.5 0 Mikel Leshoure 7 21 3.0 0 Kellen Moore 1 -2 -2.0 0 RECEIVING REC YDS AVG TD Brandon Pettigrew 8 65 8.1 0 Calvin Johnson Jr. 5 69 13.8 0 Nate Burleson 4 39 9.7 0 Joseph Fauria 4 29 7.2 0 Jeremy Ross 2 22 11.0 1 Reggie Bush 2 12 6.0 0 Joique Bell 1 0 0.0 0 DEFENSE TACK SACK INT TD Glover Quin 7 0.0 0 0 Stephen Tulloch 6 0.0 0 0 Darius Slay 4 0.0 0 0 Ezekiel Ansah 4 1.0 0 0 DeAndre Levy 4 1.0 0 0 Willie Young 3 1.0 0 0 Chris Houston 3 0.0 0 0 Louis Delmas 3 0.0 0 0 Ashlee Palmer 2 0.0 0 0 Bill Bentley 2 0.0 0 0 Rashean Mathis 2 0.0 0 0 Nick Fairley 2 1.0 0 0 Don Carey 1 0.0 0 0 KICKING FG XP PTS LONG Dustin Hopkins 2/2 1/1 7 35 PUNTING NO YDS AVG IN20 Sam Martin 3 134 44.6 0 KICK RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Theo Riddick 3 79 26.3 0 PUNT RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Theo Riddick 5 38 7.6 0

[NewscasterNews4]

Wow , you're doing worse than the real Lions lol.

At least you probably can't have an end of season collapse. And Following.

[JG80]

Well the jets shouldn't be hard.


Sent from Nawlins.

[zzuBuzz]

Quote: Originally Posted by JG80

Well the jets shouldn't be hard. Sent from Nawlins.

I'm not playing the Jets. The Bengals are. I face the Cowboys at home. Another tough game.

Quote: Originally Posted by NewscasterNews4

Wow , you're doing worse than the real Lions lol. At least you probably can't have an end of season collapse. And Following.

Appreciate the follow. The way this team is playing, we will still probably find a way to have an end of season collapse.

[zzuBuzz]

NFL NEWSWIRE - 2013 WEEK #7

That's Shady - UCF WR Shady Monroe suspended after telling team he had to attend funeral, but online video shows him drinking at Rucker Park.

'The Boot' Gets Chance to Be 'The Arm' - Eastern Michigan K Doug Bloot named starting QB.

Rewriting The Record Books - Tom Brady has made critics into believers, and turned haters in to fans. He's now 8th all-time on the passing yards list.

Matt Miller @MattMillerEA: Here's my question for Shady Monroe: why play in a streetball tourney when leading the NCAA in receiving TDs?

Todd McShay @ToddMcShayEA: Talk about a rise to the top. Doug Bloot's rise from kicker to QB is like going from flank steak to filet.

Mike Hill @MikeHillEA: Tom Brady won't end his career at 8th on the all-time passing yards list, he'll keep rising.

NFL Injury Report
Pos	Player	Injury Note
DE	Julius Peppers (CHI)	Pulled Groin - 3 Weeks
WR	T.J. Graham (BUF)	Shoulder Tear - 4 Weeks
DT	Phil Taylor (CLE)	Hamstring Tear - 6 Weeks
DE	Mike DeVito (KC)	Dislocated Hip - 5 Weeks
DT	Paul Soliai (MIA)	Upper Arm Fracture - 3 Weeks
WR	Jeremy Maclin (PHI)	Broken Thumb - 3 Weeks
HB	Frank Gore (SF)	Fractured Shoulder Blade - Out For Season
TE	Greg Olsen (CAR)	Torn Tricep - Out For Season
WR	Emmanuel Sanders (PIT)	Achilles Tear - Out For Season
QB	Jake Locker (TEN)	Pulled Groin - 3 Weeks

FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week
Award	Player	Pos	Stats
NFC Offensive Player of the Week	Jordy Nelson (GB)	WR	8 REC, 108 YDS, 2 TD
NFC Defensive Player of the Week	Mike Mitchell (CAR)	FS	12 TKL, 2 INT, 1 TD
AFC Offensive Player of the Week	Julian Edelman (NE)	WR	16 REC, 187 YDS, 2 TD
AFC Defensive Player of the Week	Wesley Woodyard (DEN)	MLB	15 TKL, 1 INT, 1 FF

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NFL Weekly Scoreboard - Week 7

Thursday's Games

Seahawks 10, Cardinals 17

Sunday's Games

Buccaneers 13, Falcons 19

Bears 16, Redskins 10

Cowboys 14, Eagles 35

Patriots 26, Jets 23

Bills 34, Dolphins 0

Rams 27, Panthers 45

Bengals 24, Lions 13

Chargers 30, Jaguars 10

Texans 17, Chiefs 22

49ers 13, Titans 31

Browns 24, Packers 22

Ravens 24, Steelers 19

Broncos 16, Colts 20

Monday's Games

Vikings 22, Giants 10

BYE WEEKS: Oakland Raiders | New Orleans Saints

NFL Standings - Updated: Oct 24, 2013
NFC EAST	W	L	T	PF	PA
Philadelphia Eagles	4	2	1	171	146
Dallas Cowboys	4	3	0	171	157
Washington Redskins	2	3	1	126	147
New York Giants	2	5	0	114	147
NFC NORTH	W	L	T	PF	PA
Chicago Bears	5	2	0	133	159
Minnesota Vikings	4	2	0	109	88
Green Bay Packers	3	3	0	211	135
Detroit Lions	2	5	0	158	151
NFC SOUTH	W	L	T	PF	PA
New Orleans Saints	4	2	0	213	118
Atlanta Falcons	4	2	0	157	137
Carolina Panthers	3	3	0	154	141
Tampa Bay Buccaneers	1	5	0	93	166
NFC WEST	W	L	T	PF	PA
San Francisco 49ers	5	2	0	203	148
Arizona Cardinals	4	3	0	133	153
Seattle Seahawks	4	3	0	193	149
St. Louis Rams	1	6	0	106	202
AFC EAST	W	L	T	PF	PA
Buffalo Bills	5	2	0	198	122
New England Patriots	4	3	0	158	161
New York Jets	2	5	0	132	171
Miami Dolphins	1	5	0	86	153
AFC NORTH	W	L	T	PF	PA
Cincinnati Bengals	5	2	0	172	118
Cleveland Browns	4	3	0	101	128
Pittsburgh Steelers	3	3	0	141	97
Baltimore Ravens	3	4	0	108	225
AFC SOUTH	W	L	T	PF	PA
Indianapolis Colts	4	3	0	178	145
Tennessee Titans	4	3	0	97	106
Jacksonville Jaguars	3	4	0	123	143
Houston Texans	3	4	0	127	174
AFC WEST	W	L	T	PF	PA
San Diego Chargers	4	3	0	187	130
Denver Broncos	4	3	0	147	130
Oakland Raiders	3	3	0	97	127
Kansas City Chiefs	2	5	0	105	128

NFL League Leaders - Updated: Oct 24, 2013
Passing Yards		YDS	Passing Touchdowns		TD
	1. Aaron Rodgers (GB)	1,754		1. Drew Brees (NO)	16
	2. Drew Brees (NO)	1,734		2. Colin Kaepernick (SF)	14
	3. Tom Brady (NE)	1,705		3. Russell Wilson (SEA)	13
	4. Colin Kaepernick (SF)	1,685		4. Tony Romo (DAL)	12
	5. Eli Manning (NYG)	1,678		5. Aaron Rodgers (GB)	11
Rushing Yards		YDS	Rushing Touchdowns		TD
	1. C.J. Spiller (BUF)	824		1. LeSean McCoy (PHI)	6
	2. Jamaal Charles (KC)	792		2. Stevan Ridley (NE)	5
	3. Danny Woodhead (SD)	783		3. Le'Veon Bell (PIT)	5
	4. Frank Gore (SF)	743		4. Matt Forte (CHI)	5
	5. Matt Forte (CHI)	737		5. C.J. Spiller (BUF)	5
Receiving Yards		YDS	Receiving Touchdowns		TD
	1. Calvin Johnson Jr. (DET)	719		1. Dez Bryant (DAL)	7
	2. Anquan Boldin (SF)	681		2. Jordy Nelson (GB)	7
	3. Wes Welker (DEN)	639		3. Julian Edelman (NE)	6
	4. Victor Cruz (NYG)	632		4. Michael Crabtree (SF)	5
	5. Jordy Nelson (GB)	599		5. Calvin Johnson Jr. (DET)	5
Sacks		SACK	Interceptions		INT
	1. Melvin Ingram (SD)	12		1. Stephon Gilmore (BUF)	4
	2. Willie Young (DET)	11		2. Asante Samuel (ATL)	4
	3. Jason Pierre-Paul (NYG)	9		3. Terence Newman (CIN)	3
	4. Aldon Smith (SF)	9		4. Brandon Boykin (PHI)	3
	5. Justin Houston (KC)	9		5. Brandon Browner (SEA)	3