Is this the week the Rams finally find the win column? Is this the week the Lions win their second game of the season? It is not exactly the type of game that NFL Films will be chronicling as one of the greatest games of the century but it is important to both franchises. A win by the Rams this week is a positive and any positive you can find about this team right now is huge. In Detroit, a win shows that the Lions are truly making progress, even if it is a win against the lowly Rams. It is
a game that the Lions should win and that is why it might be even more important to the Lions organization then the Rams. Here is a preview of this Sunday's Rams/Lions game.
When the Rams have the ball
This game is set up for Steven Jackson to have a big afternoon. The Lions are 20th against the run and have everyone in their front four carrying some sort of injury into Sunday's game. Even though the Rams will be without Richie Incognito and have Jason Smith starting at right tackle they need to be able to get the run going this week and get Steven Jackson into the endzone for the first time this season. The Lions are also awful against the pass. They rank 30th in the NFL and have only forced 4 interceptions in their first 6 games. If the Rams had a competent receiving corps they would certainly exploit the likes of Philip Buchanon and William James. What the Rams will do remains to be seen. The Rams have not been able to pass the ball at all this year but it would seem like Sunday would be a great opportunity. If the Rams can't score 3 touchdowns this week, offensively, then it will never happen in 2009.
When the Lions have the ball
It appears that Matthew Stafford will get the start against the Rams on Sunday. Stafford has gone through the usual rookie learning period and is coming off an injury. One would hope that Steve Spagnuolo would be able to disguise enough defenses and come up with enough blitzes to make it a difficult afternoon. When Stafford has time the Lions like to go to Calvin Johnson and Bryant Johnson.
Out of the backfield the Lions have Kevin Smith who is a nice running back but struggles behind a mediocre offensive line gaining only 3.2 yards per carry. The Lions offense is headed up by former Rams Head Coach Scott Linehan so there is some extra incentive on both sides to make sure that the Lions do or don't have a big day offensively depending on which side of the fence you are on.
Special Teams
The Lions have Derrick Williams returning kicks and Dennis Northcutt returning punts. Neither one has been much of a threat this season. Jason Hanson is a very solid reliable kicker in the dome and Nick Harris is a below average punter. This is a portion of the game where I believe the Rams have a significant advantage. It would not surprise me this week if Danny Amendola breaks one all the way.
Prediction
This is an ugly game no matter which way you look at it. The Rams have to win and they of course face one of the worst teams in the league on the road after a bye week. If the Rams don't win this one I am not sure they will win one in 2009. It would be the ultimate kick in the gut if the unimaginative Scott Linehan is able to roll up a win. Expect the kick in the gut. Lions 20 Rams 10.
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