Week 9 Preview

At 1 o'clock eastern time this sunday the Detroit Lions will play their most important game since their playoff game against the Redskins after the 1999 season. This week the New York Jets come into Ford Field looking to rebound after an ugly 9-0 loss at the hands of the Green Bay Packers. The Lions should be fired up after playing very well against the Redskins, and with another week of practice for Matthew Stafford confidence should be high. The Lions will need to play their best football in ten years to secure a win against a tough Jets team, but if they play well they certainly have a chance to take this one. A Lions win this week could potentially set up the Lions for a Wild Card run. With six very winnable games remaining on the schedule, a win could propel the Lions to a 9-7 or 10-6 record. The Vikings are in shambles and trying to deal with the Randy Moss debacle. The Bears are struggling since a hot start with, and the Packers are getting hammered with injures. This is the most important game for Lion's fans in a long time.

However, it is a tough matchup for the Lions. The strength of the Jets is in their offensive line and defense. They have probably the best line in football, and it will be tough for the Lion's defensive line to dominate as it has been. If Sanchez is given time to throw he could expose the weak back seven of the Lions. It is very important that the Lions get pressure on Sanchez, and we need another strong game from the likes of Suh, Vanden Bosch, and Corey Williams. On the offensive side of the ball, we need to establish the run game early. If the line can create enough space to get Best and Smith going, then Stafford might have a chance to get the ball to Calvin Johnson for some big plays. If the Jets can stop the run game with their base defense it could be a long game. Darrelle Revis is one of the top, if not the top, corner in the league and if he is allowed to have any help over the top it will be a long day for Calvin Johnson. However, if the Jets think they can put Revis on an island with Johnson, they are going to be in  for a surprise. It should be interesting to watch all these things.

Go Lions!