Sep

9

NFL Week 1 Detroit Lions - Oakland Raiders Preview

Posted by Mack

September 9, 2007 |

nflkickoff160à—120.jpgBefore I start with the Preview, you have a chance to have your voice heard regarding how many wins you think are in store for the Lions this year. If you haven’t already cast your vote, head to this previous post and choose how many victories you believe the Lions can muster during 2007.

  • NFL Week 1 Detroit Lions - Oakland Raiders Preview

Series leader: Raiders, 6-3
Streaks:Raiders have won four of last five matchups
On TV:4:15 p.m. ET, FOX (Matt Vasgersian, JC Pearson & Jennifer Hammond)

  • Lions Offense vs Raiders Defense

Highly touted Detroit Lions Offense under Mike Martz’s direction facing the NFL 2006 #3 Ranked Defense including the #1 Pass defense. I suspect the Lions will struggle to pass effectively. roy-williams-from-squib-kick.jpgRoy Williams and his 1310 yards receiving in 2006 and Mike Furrey with his 98 receptions in 2006, they will be matched up against Nnamdi Asomugha with 8 interceptions in 2006 and Fabian Washington who had 4 interceptions in 2006. The Lions will add Shaun McDonald and rookie #2 pick Calvin Johnson to the passing game as well as using Tatum Bell from his Tailback spot. Oakland was ranked near the bottom in Rush defense in 2006 so the Lions will try to spring Tatum Bell free to keep the pressure off the Passing game, but the Lions have not run the ball well for a long time. Lions will strive to keep the Raider defensive front away from QB Jon Kitna which would allow him to avoid interceptions and fumbles.

Photo courtesy of: Squib Kick

  • Raider Offense vs Lions Defense

Detroit has a strong defensive front with Shaun Rogers and Cody Redding inside and Dewayne White and Kalimba Edwards at the ends. Lions defended the rush well in pre-season but will be challenged by the Raiders rushing offense which averaged 125 yards per game pre-season. Detroit’s secondary with Fernando Bryant and Stanley Wilson at the corners could be exposed by Jerry Porter, Ronald Curry and Travis Taylor especially if the front four does not get heavy pressure on Quarterback Josh McCown. If McCown has troubles don’t be surprised if Daunte Culpepper sees action as he has had much success against the Lions in the past. Lamont Jordan will get most of the carries as Dominic Rhodes sits out the 1st four games of the season. Detroit starts a rookie at Safety Gerald Alexander and expect the Raiders to see what he can do. Alexander expects Oakland to look his way:

“Anybody looking at the new rookie on the field starting his first game, they’re going to pick on me,” Alexander said. “All I need to do is stay disciplined, listen to what my coaches have been telling me and I think I’ll be successful.”

Source: Detroit Lions

Your ‘Lions Eyes’ blogger just hopes that WDFN isn’t playing that parody track, recorded by Alanis Morissette 10 years ago, ‘Isn’t it Moronic’ all day Monday because the Lions fail miserably in Oakland. I hope they escape Oakland with a win and get the 2007 NFL season off to a good start and come home to prepare for the Minnesota Vikings next week.

Who do you think will win? Make a choice in the Poll below.

View MicroPoll
Web Survey
Free Web Polls

nflkickoff160à—120.jpgBefore I start with the Preview, you have a chance to have your voice heard regarding how many wins you think are in store for the Lions this year. If you haven’t already cast your vote, head to this previous post and choose how many victories you believe the Lions can muster during 2007.

  • NFL Week 1 Detroit Lions - Oakland Raiders Preview

Series leader: Raiders, 6-3
Streaks:Raiders have won four of last five matchups
On TV:4:15 p.m. ET, FOX (Matt Vasgersian, JC Pearson & Jennifer Hammond)

  • Lions Offense vs Raiders Defense

Highly touted Detroit Lions Offense under Mike Martz’s direction facing the NFL 2006 #3 Ranked Defense including the #1 Pass defense. I suspect the Lions will struggle to pass effectively. roy-williams-from-squib-kick.jpgRoy Williams and his 1310 yards receiving in 2006 and Mike Furrey with his 98 receptions in 2006, they will be matched up against Nnamdi Asomugha with 8 interceptions in 2006 and Fabian Washington who had 4 interceptions in 2006. The Lions will add Shaun McDonald and rookie #2 pick Calvin Johnson to the passing game as well as using Tatum Bell from his Tailback spot. Oakland was ranked near the bottom in Rush defense in 2006 so the Lions will try to spring Tatum Bell free to keep the pressure off the Passing game, but the Lions have not run the ball well for a long time. Lions will strive to keep the Raider defensive front away from QB Jon Kitna which would allow him to avoid interceptions and fumbles.

Photo courtesy of: Squib Kick

  • Raider Offense vs Lions Defense

Detroit has a strong defensive front with Shaun Rogers and Cody Redding inside and Dewayne White and Kalimba Edwards at the ends. Lions defended the rush well in pre-season but will be challenged by the Raiders rushing offense which averaged 125 yards per game pre-season. Detroit’s secondary with Fernando Bryant and Stanley Wilson at the corners could be exposed by Jerry Porter, Ronald Curry and Travis Taylor especially if the front four does not get heavy pressure on Quarterback Josh McCown. If McCown has troubles don’t be surprised if Daunte Culpepper sees action as he has had much success against the Lions in the past. Lamont Jordan will get most of the carries as Dominic Rhodes sits out the 1st four games of the season. Detroit starts a rookie at Safety Gerald Alexander and expect the Raiders to see what he can do. Alexander expects Oakland to look his way:

“Anybody looking at the new rookie on the field starting his first game, they’re going to pick on me,” Alexander said. “All I need to do is stay disciplined, listen to what my coaches have been telling me and I think I’ll be successful.”

Source: Detroit Lions

Your ‘Lions Eyes’ blogger just hopes that WDFN isn’t playing that parody track, recorded by Alanis Morissette 10 years ago, ‘Isn’t it Moronic’ all day Monday because the Lions fail miserably in Oakland. I hope they escape Oakland with a win and get the 2007 NFL season off to a good start and come home to prepare for the Minnesota Vikings next week.

Who do you think will win? Make a choice in the Poll below.

View MicroPoll
Web Survey
Free Web Polls


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