It’s another big weekend for the Detroit Lions as they travel west to Oakland to take on the Raiders Sunday afternoon from the O.co Coliseum.
Just like last weekend against the Vikings, the Lions in a sense are playing for their postseason lives as a win today would greatly improve their chances at a playoff berth. A loss on the other hand would not mean certain doom however would make things more bleak as the Chicago Bears are still nipping at their heels despite a load of injuries.
It should be a very interesting game today filled with plenty of penalties as both the Raiders and Lions are two of the most penalized teams in the league. It should also be close game as Oakland like Detroit is also playing for a playoff spot in the AFC.
Let’s take a look at some of the keys to the game for the Lions today…
Oakland Raiders Player to Watch: Carson Palmer, QB
In a typical Raiders move, Oakland gave up way too much to acquire QB Carson Palmer from the Cincinnati Bengals and at this point they’re probably great regretting it.
Within the past seven games Palmer has 13 INTs and a 70.9 QB rating. He’s looked awful under pressure and if the Lions can generate any against him, he’s surely to make more devastating mistakes this weekend.
Detroit Lions Player to Watch: Ndamukong Suh, DT
Fresh off a two game (or two-week) suspension and plenty of controversy surrounding him both on and off the field, Suh enters today’s game with plenty to prove.
His three sacks this season are way down from last season in which he had ten but he is still drawing plenty of double and triple teams on the line. This has enabled other players like Cliff Avril to jump in and make big plays on the opposing QBs. However, with that double and triple teams can Suh keep his composure and not let a Raiders offensive line get under his skin?
Can the Lions run the ball?
The Raiders have one of the worst run defenses in the NFL however the Lions are hurting at the running back position. Jahvid Best and Mikel Leshoure are both out for the season and Kevin Smith who was brought back and had some big games upon his return is also ailing from a sprained ankle.
Smith is thought to be healthy enough to give it a go today in Oakland and if he can be sustainable throughout the entire game look for him to put together some decent numbers against that poor Raiders run defense.
Limit the big plays though the air
The Lions secondary is hurting with the loss of Delmas this week and other mainstays like Chris Houston, Aaron Berry and Eric Wright being questionable.
The Lions have to figure that Carson Palmer and the Raiders offense are going to be well aware of the thin Lions secondary and take advantage of that.
Keep an eye though on Lions CB Alphonso Smith who had a big game last weekend against the Vikings to continue that strong play this week against a Raiders QB in Carson Palmer who’s struggled under pressure this season.
No stupid penalties… please.
Both teams entering today’s game are notorious for taking stupid penalties at some worst possible times during a game. Both teams should know that if they can limit their penalties it will be give them a tremendous advantage over their opponent given the track records.
The Lions did a better job last weekend limiting their penalties against Minnesota however they still took way too many.
Injuries
Detroit Lions
Out: Louis Delmas (knee)
Doubtful: Aaron Berry (shoulder), Lawrence Jackson (thigh)
Questionable: Nick Fairley (foot), Corey Williams (hip), Justin Durant (hamstring), Kevin Smith (ankle), Eric Wright (hamstring)
Probable: Willie Young (ankle), Chris Houston (knee), Amari Spievey (knee), Rob Sims (shoulder)
Oakland Raiders
Out: Jason Campbell (collarbone), Jacoby Ford (foot), Chris Johnson (not injury related), Darren McFadden (foot)
Doubtful: None
Questionable: John Henderson (knee), Michael Huff (ankle), Taiwan Jones (hamstring), Denarius Moore (foot)
Probable: Tommy Kelly (toe), Jarvis Moss (shoulder), Samson Satele (shoulder), Chaz Schilens (foot), Darrius Heyward-Bey
Predictions
It’s going to be a close game than what many might think. Expect a physical game chalked full penalties and turnovers. However the Lions are the better team and they should be the ones to take advantage of Carson Palmer interceptions and Oakland penalties. Lions win 24-17
Ref: Detroit News, NFL.com, Getty (image)