What are you chumps thinking?

Vegas says 7.5 wins.


REGULAR SEASON
DATE OPPONENT NETWORK TIME (ET)
Sunday, September 11 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers FOX 1:00 p.m.
Sunday, September 18 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS CBS 1:00 p.m.
Sunday, September 25 at Minnesota Vikings FOX 1:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 2 at Dallas Cowboys FOX 1:00 p.m.
Monday, October 10 CHICAGO BEARS FOX # 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, October 16 SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS FOX 1:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 23 ATLANTA FALCONS FOX 1:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 30 at Denver Broncos FOX 4:05 p.m.
Sunday, November 6 *** BYE WEEK ***
Sunday, November 13 at Chicago Bears FOX 1:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 20 CAROLINA PANTHERS FOX 1:00 p.m.
Thursday, November 24 GREEN BAY PACKERS FOX # 12:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 4 at New Orleans Saints FOX 1:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 11 MINNESOTA VIKINGS FOX 1:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 18 at Oakland Raiders FOX 4:05 p.m.
Saturday, December 24 SAN DIEGO CHARGERS CBS 4:05 p.m.
Sunday, January 1 at Green Bay Packers FOX 1:00 p.m.

I'm undecided on that first game against TB.

I think it's probably 8-8, but I'll go 7-9.

Somewhere between 8-12 wins, final decision to come.

I think it's probably 8-8, but I'll go 7-9.

Looking at the schedule my gut says the same record(s). I feel like they'll win 1-2 that I didn't expect though based on the defense having a dominant performance. I went 9-7.

Stafford looks really really good. Trust me, I'm used to Lionitis setting in but he looks .......really really good. Just sayin'.

5-11. Lots of 3rd and 2 shotgun formation for us, lots of 3rd and long screens for 1st down for our opponents.

:cogent: analysis.

I say 8-8. They'll win a couple games they shouldn't and lose a couple too but moer importantly they will start to win the close games. The defense is starting to come together and there are fewer holes elsewhere.

REGULAR SEASON
DATE OPPONENT NETWORK TIME (ET)
Sunday, September 11 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers FOX 1:00 p.m. W
Sunday, September 18 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS CBS 1:00 p.m. W
Sunday, September 25 at Minnesota Vikings FOX 1:00 p.m. W
Sunday, October 2 at Dallas Cowboys FOX 1:00 p.m. L
Monday, October 10 CHICAGO BEARS FOX # 8:30 p.m. W
Sunday, October 16 SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS FOX 1:00 p.m. W
Sunday, October 23 ATLANTA FALCONS FOX 1:00 p.m. L
Sunday, October 30 at Denver Broncos FOX 4:05 p.m. W
Sunday, November 6 *** BYE WEEK ***
Sunday, November 13 at Chicago Bears FOX 1:00 p.m. W
Sunday, November 20 CAROLINA PANTHERS FOX 1:00 p.m. W
Thursday, November 24 GREEN BAY PACKERS FOX # 12:30 p.m. L
Sunday, December 4 at New Orleans Saints FOX 1:00 p.m. L
Sunday, December 11 MINNESOTA VIKINGS FOX 1:00 p.m. W
Sunday, December 18 at Oakland Raiders FOX 4:05 p.m. W
Saturday, December 24 SAN DIEGO CHARGERS CBS 4:05 p.m. W
Sunday, January 1 at Green Bay Packers FOX 1:00 p.m. L

Czaban went through all of the league over/unders this morning and he's LOVING the Lions over the 7.5 wins, lol.

Also likes Arizona over (6.0) and under on the Pats (11.0).

Czaban went through all of the league over/unders this morning and he's LOVING the Lions over the 7.5 wins, lol.

Also likes Arizona over (6.0) and under on the Pats (11.0).

Wish I had bet the over on 7.5 wins. I see them at 10 wins now.

The games that stick out for me as being tough are going to Raiders, @ Saints (but we have 10 days to prepare cuz of Turkey Day game) and the final game @ GB.

Atlanta is at our house, so not as concerned. I thought we went there, but not so.

We can kill Jokeland. Run defense is immensely improved so far this year. Of course, McFadden is just as dangerous in the screen game, where we sometimes struggle.

Stole this from somewhere else:

"The top 10 teams in terms of passer rating: Packers, Patriots, Giants, Titans, Saints, Texans, Lions, 49ers, Bills, Cowboys. Combined record: 31-9

Top 10 teams in terms of opp. passer rating: Jets, Ravens, Titans, Redskins, Lions, Giants, Texans, Bills, 49ers, Cowboys. Combined record: 29-11

The top 10 teams in terms of rushing yards per game:: Raiders, Eagles, Vikings, Texans, Bills, Jaguars, Redskins, Ravens, Pats, Saints. Combined record: 22-18.

Top 10 teams in terms of rushing defense (ypc): Cowboys, Bengals, Titans, Seahawks, Ravens, Vikings, 49ers, Falcons, Cardinals, Packers, Broncos. Combined record: 22-18.

The top 10 teams in terms of ypc: Vikings, Raiders, Eagles, Bills, Patriots, Bears, Saints, Cardinals, Bengals, Bucs. Combined record: 20-20.

The ability of a team to run the ball is a random ability that has no positive nor negative correlation with the overall success of a team. This is not a new trend - last year saw all of the playoff teams having a good QB and a good pass defense. The classic running game stats are nearly irrelevant in evaluating the success of a good team.

We all get freaked out about the lack of a good running game, but the truth is that the Lions don't really need one. You need a back for short-yardage situations, and one that can block, but the Lions have already shown that K-Dub can handle himself (when they were backed up to their 1), and that Best can at least get in the way of a blitzing Greenway, so they're covered there. Would a great running game help? Somewhat. But it's not a major problem and not one you spend a lot of resources fixing."

Exactly. Thanks for posting that. The league has completely changed, offensively, it's all about the passing game.

Are you trying to say IT'S A PASSING LEAGUE?

Stole this from somewhere else:

"The top 10 teams in terms of passer rating: Packers, Patriots, Giants, Titans, Saints, Texans, Lions, 49ers, Bills, Cowboys. Combined record: 31-9

Top 10 teams in terms of opp. passer rating: Jets, Ravens, Titans, Redskins, Lions, Giants, Texans, Bills, 49ers, Cowboys. Combined record: 29-11

The top 10 teams in terms of rushing yards per game:: Raiders, Eagles, Vikings, Texans, Bills, Jaguars, Redskins, Ravens, Pats, Saints. Combined record: 22-18.

Top 10 teams in terms of rushing defense (ypc): Cowboys, Bengals, Titans, Seahawks, Ravens, Vikings, 49ers, Falcons, Cardinals, Packers, Broncos. Combined record: 22-18.

The top 10 teams in terms of ypc: Vikings, Raiders, Eagles, Bills, Patriots, Bears, Saints, Cardinals, Bengals, Bucs. Combined record: 20-20.

The ability of a team to run the ball is a random ability that has no positive nor negative correlation with the overall success of a team. This is not a new trend - last year saw all of the playoff teams having a good QB and a good pass defense. The classic running game stats are nearly irrelevant in evaluating the success of a good team.

We all get freaked out about the lack of a good running game, but the truth is that the Lions don't really need one. You need a back for short-yardage situations, and one that can block, but the Lions have already shown that K-Dub can handle himself (when they were backed up to their 1), and that Best can at least get in the way of a blitzing Greenway, so they're covered there. Would a great running game help? Somewhat. But it's not a major problem and not one you spend a lot of resources fixing."

Good post D. Good stuff.

I'm starting with the last 2 sentences first. I disagree. With a good OLine, you also protect your QB in the pocket.

Overall, I think the lack of a consistent run game is why we were down at the half the last 2 games. You asked what do teams do when they're down big? I thought, we wouldn't have been down big if we could have had a consistent run game.

Also, its early but, imo, in the playoffs you need a running game. You need to be able to run when the weather is shitty, etc.

Just my opinion.

Stole this from somewhere else:

"The top 10 teams in terms of passer rating: Packers, Patriots, Giants, Titans, Saints, Texans, Lions, 49ers, Bills, Cowboys. Combined record: 31-9

Top 10 teams in terms of opp. passer rating: Jets, Ravens, Titans, Redskins, Lions, Giants, Texans, Bills, 49ers, Cowboys. Combined record: 29-11

The top 10 teams in terms of rushing yards per game:: Raiders, Eagles, Vikings, Texans, Bills, Jaguars, Redskins, Ravens, Pats, Saints. Combined record: 22-18.

Top 10 teams in terms of rushing defense (ypc): Cowboys, Bengals, Titans, Seahawks, Ravens, Vikings, 49ers, Falcons, Cardinals, Packers, Broncos. Combined record: 22-18.

The top 10 teams in terms of ypc: Vikings, Raiders, Eagles, Bills, Patriots, Bears, Saints, Cardinals, Bengals, Bucs. Combined record: 20-20.

The ability of a team to run the ball is a random ability that has no positive nor negative correlation with the overall success of a team. This is not a new trend - last year saw all of the playoff teams having a good QB and a good pass defense. The classic running game stats are nearly irrelevant in evaluating the success of a good team.

We all get freaked out about the lack of a good running game, but the truth is that the Lions don't really need one. You need a back for short-yardage situations, and one that can block, but the Lions have already shown that K-Dub can handle himself (when they were backed up to their 1), and that Best can at least get in the way of a blitzing Greenway, so they're covered there. Would a great running game help? Somewhat. But it's not a major problem and not one you spend a lot of resources fixing."

Also...

Good post D and thanks for bringing facts instead of just trolling like Kristin does. If he would have started with this type of post instead of calling me hilarious, we might have gotten somewhere. Bitch is just a troll.

D, do you know of a site that ranks OLines? I'm not after Lions rankings as much as looking at Dallas' oline. I've watched the game a couple of times and we didn't get a lot of pressure on Homo like I thought we did originally. I'd like to see if they have a good line or our Dline push was just off that day.

Also...

Good post D and thanks for bringing facts instead of just trolling like Kristin does. If he would have started with this type of post instead of calling me hilarious, we might have gotten somewhere. Bitch is just a troll.

Providing you with facts is a waste of time, you have no use for them.

I'm thinking 10 or 11 wins for the Leos.

Mayhew and Schwartz deserve a bunch of credit.

Good post D. Good stuff.

I'm starting with the last 2 sentences first. I disagree. With a good OLine, you also protect your QB in the pocket.

Overall, I think the lack of a consistent run game is why we were down at the half the last 2 games. You asked what do teams do when they're down big? I thought, we wouldn't have been down big if we could have had a consistent run game.

Also, its early but, imo, in the playoffs you need a running game. You need to be able to run when the weather is shitty, etc.

Just my opinion.

The Lions are going to be at home for the NFC playoffs, bro. :cornbread:

I'm thinking 10 or 11 wins for the Leos.

Mayhew and Schwartz deserve a bunch of credit.

What a fuckin genious!

The Lions are going to be at home for the NFC playoffs, bro. :cornbread:

There we go.

I need to look up where the SB is this year.

Indy.

Then Nawlins.

Then New York (lol).

D, do you know of a site that ranks OLines? I'm not after Lions rankings as much as looking at Dallas' oline. I've watched the game a couple of times and we didn't get a lot of pressure on Homo like I thought we did originally. I'd like to see if they have a good line or our Dline push was just off that day.

I had actually posted this in the Viqueens game thread but I'll put it here as well. Right now they have the Lions ranked 5th.

http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorystats?tabSeq=2&statisticCategory=OFFENSIVE_LINE&conference=ALL&role=TM&season=2011&seasonType=REG

I was glad to see D's stats for this year to date. Honestly, the biggest article that fed me Kool-aid this summer dealt with this very subject. The SI writer here is a football stats guy who believes that QB efficiency and opposing QB efficiency are the only statistic that matter (more or less). This article in May talked about how the Lions huge jump in those stats meant they were ready to make the leap:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/kerry_byrne/05/18/lions/index.html

Here's where the writer, Kerry J. Byrne, sets up his basis for passer ratings (and their differential as he puts it) being the most important statistic there is.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/kerry_byrne/06/23/most.important.stat.passer.rating.differential/index.html

I had actually posted this in the Viqueens game thread but I'll put it here as well. Right now they have the Lions ranked 5th.

http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorystats?tabSeq=2&statisticCategory=OFFENSIVE_LINE&conference=ALL&role=TM&season=2011&seasonType=REG

Thx and Dallas' line was what I was after, but Lions at 5th? Now I don't trust the ratings. But at least its something to go by.

The Lions were top 10 in most ratings last year too. Generally they were listed as top 3-4 in passblocking and toward the bottom in run blocking.

SSS lol

Thx and Dallas' line was what I was after, but Lions at 5th? Now I don't trust the ratings. But at least its something to go by.

It seems that the criteria used to rank the Lions 5th is sacks, which is arguably the best statistic these days. However you can play with the data to see where we rank within other statistics also on that page. For example the Lions rank 19th in QB hits. That bothers me and makes me wonder how much of the low sacks total comes from good O-line play and how much comes from Stafford getting rid of the ball quickly (which is good but he's still taking hits).

What I'd like for our OLine is to be able to get 3 yards on the ground when we need it. A 44 yarder by Best is sweeeeeeet, but in the playoffs you need to get 2 yards, 3 yards, etc at times and its crucial. I know we have our slant passes working but in the playoffs in bad weather when you don't want to turn the ball over, the ground is nice to depend on.

I'd rather our runs are a bunch of 5 yards and under than a bunch of zero gains and a 44 yard to make it average out.

I could be wrong but I don't think we make those ground gains on a consistent basis.

It seems that the criteria used to rank the Lions 5th is sacks, which is arguably the best statistic these days. However you can play with the data to see where we rank within other statistics also on that page. For example the Lions rank 19th in QB hits. That bothers me and makes me wonder how much of the low sacks total comes from good O-line play and how much comes from Stafford getting rid of the ball quickly (which is good but he's still taking hits).

Also, I agree our quick passes, slants, etc are big and think Linehan knows our oline is not the strength of our team.

Well, I think you'll find this an interesting read. The comments on this article is where D found those great stats:

http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2011/10/detroit_lions_fans_coaches_not.html

The crux of the article is that the views on effective rushing have change. Schwartz was very pleased with the run game, because it was efficient. For example Schwartz would probably say that we are getting 2 or 3 yards at the right times since the running game was efficient.

Great article.

But those fans are ridiculous and hilarious for questioning the running game and true Lions fans should sit back and enjoy the ride.

What I like about the debate, more than the debate itself, is that you can just tell that Schwartz knows what he's doing. He has a goal, he has criteria on how to reach it and he knows how to judge success. In other words, the dude knows his shit.

What I like about the debate, more than the debate itself, is that you can just tell that Schwartz knows what he's doing. He has a goal, he has criteria on how to reach it and he knows how to judge success. In other words, the dude knows his shit.

I want to wash Schwartz's car

I said something like that a couple years ago? year ago? When Shorts said that top teams don't need a LT. He talked about the study some dude that showed a top not LT is NOT needed.

I posted at that time...something like...I lose. He doesn't see it like lots of peeps.

We'll see.

I'm thinking 10 or 11 wins for the Leos.

Mayhew and Schwartz deserve a bunch of credit.

What a fuckin genious! genius

And quit suckin up to Lions fans on the board. You are so transparent.

Mayhew and Schwartz deserve a bunch of credit.