Vin+ 3,121 Posted October 12, 2012 (edited) Sitting at the bottom of the NFC North, the Detroit Lions know they need to come out of their bye week with a much-improved effort going forward. While the Philadelphia Eagles share the NFC East lead, Michael Vick knows he must get better at holding on to the football. The visiting Lions try to avoid a fourth consecutive loss Sunday and beat the Eagles for the first time in a quarter-century. After going 10-6 and snapping an 11-year postseason drought in 2011, Detroit (1-3) was widely expected to take a big step forward this year. That, however, has yet to happen, with the Lions dropping three in a row since a season-opening 27-23 win over St. Louis. "That's our challenge right now to dig our way out of this," coach Jim Schwartz said. "There have been a lot of things that have happened that are not indicative of where this team will be after 16 games and like I said, we need to get those corrected." The Lions saw their woes continue in a 20-13 home loss to Minnesota on Sept. 30, allowing touchdowns on kickoff and punt returns for the second consecutive game. Matthew Stafford, though, is hoping a week off makes all the difference. "Obviously, you want to head into a bye week with a win," he told the team's official website, "but it's a good time for us to kind of get away from it a little bit, refocus and get ready for a 12-game stretch." Stafford has been limited to three touchdown passes - he had 41 last season - and his four interceptions equal his total through eight games in 2011. He has yet to find Calvin Johnson in the end zone, though the star wideout ranks second in the league with 105.8 receiving yards per game. "I'm not real surprised," said Johnson, who had 16 TD catches last year but whose only one this season came from backup Shaun Hill. "We know teams aren't going to let you do what you did last year. We have to find a different way." The Eagles (3-2) also are in search of better play from their quarterback. Vick's eight fumbles are three more than any other player and his five lost fumbles also lead the league. He put the ball on the ground three times last Sunday in a last-second 16-14 defeat at Pittsburgh, and lost one fumble at the Steelers' 1. "I wish I could take back the fumble on the goal line, but I can't," he said. "Ultimately, we put ourselves in a position to win this game, but we didn't win. That's how it goes in the NFL. You wish you could have some things back, and there are plenty of things I wish I could have back through the course of this season, but you can't get them. I will do a better job of protecting the football." While Vick threw six interceptions in his first two games, he hasn't been picked off in his last three - a trend coach Andy Reid hopes to see with his fumbles. "We've got to go back and work on ball security and he knows that and he's gonna get it right just like he did with the interceptions," Reid said. "We're gonna get it fixed. It won't be the last time he carries the football. He just has to secure it away, keep it high and tight. When he's in traffic, get that thing covered up with the off hand." Vick could be in for another long day against a Detroit defense that has nine sacks and has allowed five passing TDs. The Lions are surrendering an average of 213.0 yards through the air to rank 10th in the league. Besides defensive end Cliff Avril (back) possibly returning, Detroit could receive a boost from safety Louis Delmas, who has a chance to make his season debut Sunday following left knee surgery. "He's a big-time playmaker," defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch said of Delmas. "And, he brings an attitude and energy to our team that really picks everyone up." The Lions could surely use Delmas as they try to snap a six-game losing streak to the Eagles, including playoffs, dating to a win in Philadelphia on Nov. 16, 1986. Philadelphia took the most recent matchup 35-32 at Detroit on Sept. 19, 2010, behind 120 rushing yards and a career best-tying three touchdowns from LeSean McCoy. Vick threw for 284 yards and two TDs but fumbled twice. The Eagles, 3-0 when McCoy rushes for at least 80 yards, are looking to open 3-0 at home for the first time since 2005. Detroit has lost six of seven on the road, including a playoff loss, while allowing averages of 36.6 points and 441.9 yards. Copyright 2012 by STATS LLC and The Associated Press. Edited October 15, 2012 by Vin Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted October 13, 2012 Mike Vick has been carrying a football around all week, his fumble problems are clearly behind him. Seriously though, Lions just aren't very good. Even with the problems Philly has faced offensively, they still find a way to win, and their defense is going to torture Stafford. Eagles - 31 Lions - 10 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bay 2,003 Posted October 13, 2012 Aye. Eagles in a convincing fashion. 14 28 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SteVo+ 3,702 Posted October 13, 2012 Big game for the Eagles. We're facing a defense we should put up good numbers against if we limit turnovers, and our secondary faces a true test with Calvin Johnson. In terms of the big picture, this is a pretty important game, as the Eagles are in MUCH better shape heading into their bye at 4-2 than 3-3 considering the tough schedule they've got coming up. I'm really hoping Andy Reid leans on Shady the way he did last week. If he does, I think we can wear Detroit's defense down. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted October 14, 2012 (edited) If the Eagles actually run the ball with McCoy, he could very well go for over 200 yards. Our inability to tackle and his shiftyness could cause for a nightmare of a game. Hopefully our special team at the very least doesn't cost us the game, and we've solved our redzone issues... even a little bit. Edited October 14, 2012 by DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BradyFan81 404 Posted October 14, 2012 I think the Lions will pull it out, they're due for a win. 30 20 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted October 14, 2012 Eagles declared WR Damaris Johnson, QB Trent Edwards, OG Nate Menkin, RB Dion Lewis, DE Vinny Curry, LB Jamar Chaney and C Steve Vallas inactive for Week 6 versus the Lions. DeSean Jackson and Mardy Gilyard are candidates to take over on punt returns, as Riley Cooper is active for the first time this year over Johnson. Lewis is a healthy scratch after making his 2012 debut last week. Chaney heads back to the bench after starting at WLB in Week 5. Lions FS Louis Delmas (knee) is active for Week 6 versus the Eagles. Delmas will make his 2012 debut as the Lions shake up their defense. Amari Spievey takes over for Erik Coleman at strong safety while Jacob Lacey displaces RCB Bill Bentley. Nick Fairly will fill in for DT Corey Williams (knee). Kevin Smith is a healthy scratch since he doesn't contribute on special teams and hasn't carried the ball in two games. Other inactives: S Ricardo Silva, LB Tahir Whitehead, OT Jason Fox, OT Corey Hilliard, QB Kellen Moore. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch 874 Posted October 14, 2012 (edited) 31 17 Edited October 14, 2012 by dutchff7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted October 14, 2012 (edited) lets do something with the ball please. Spoke too soon... Edited October 14, 2012 by DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted October 14, 2012 (edited) Good shit Avril! defense. Edited October 14, 2012 by DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted October 14, 2012 Stafford is fucking up! holy shit Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch 874 Posted October 14, 2012 Tight man to man coverage on past two drives. We can't take a 14 yard loss next drive. Nice play by Avril. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted October 14, 2012 If Danny Crossman doesn't get the boot after this year... I'm gonna rage. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted October 14, 2012 Our defense came ready to play early... I like it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted October 14, 2012 MEGATRON! Good throw and catch. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted October 14, 2012 Already with the millions of penalties. Great. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bay 2,003 Posted October 14, 2012 You need TD's Detroit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted October 14, 2012 The Eagles are big plays waiting to happen... If we don't score a TD soon its gonna bite us in the ass. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted October 14, 2012 Thank God Louis Delmas is back... McCoy almost broke off a big one. And these penalties are getting ridiculous. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch 874 Posted October 14, 2012 Lions defense is playing pretty good. They are helping us out with penalties though lol. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted October 14, 2012 Keep applying pressure on the center and see if we can get them to lose some mor. Our offense NEEDS to capitalize. holy shit Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted October 14, 2012 Awful throw. Stafford is playing so bad right now. OMG Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch 874 Posted October 14, 2012 (edited) Nnamdi picks Megatron! Overthrown tho but so what!! What does our offense do with the turnover? Have a 3 and out in about 60 secs. Edited October 14, 2012 by dutchff7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted October 14, 2012 Louis Delmas is being back is such a huge asset. Our offense HAS to capitalise. holy shit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
