Oct

6

Detroit Lions vs Washington Redskins NFL Week 5 - Preview

Posted by Kevin Mack

October 6, 2007 |

  • Detroit Lions vs Washington Redskins NFL Week 5 - Preview

Detroit LionsWashington Redskins

Detroit travels to Washington for:

Detroit Lions vs Washington Redskins at Fedex Field

Sunday October 7th, 2007 @ 1:00

TV: Fox Network - Sam Rosen, Tim Ryan and Jennifer Hammond

Cast your vote in this weeks Poll.

Which Team will Win the Game on Sunday 10/07/2007 ?

  • Washington Redskins (53%, 16 Votes)
  • Detroit Lions (47%, 14 Votes)

Total Voters: 30

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  • Lions Offense vs Redskins Defense

Detroit’s NFL Ranked #1 passing offense with QB Jon Kitna and WR’s #1 Draft Pick Roy Williams, converted DB Mike Furrey and Shaun McDonald will go against the Redskins NFL Ranked #13 passing defense with four #1 Draft picks at defensive back. The highly touted Washington #1 picks at DB include CB Shawn Springs, CB Carlos Rogers, FS Sean Taylor and SS LaRon Landry . The Lions also hope to have their own #1 Draft Pick WR Calvin Johnson back this week after he missed the Chicago Bears game with a back injury. Detroit’s 31st ranked rushing offense will hope to get healthy against Washington’s 9th ranked running defense. RB Kevin Jones will look to get more action this London Fletcherweek as he Kevin Jonescontinues to be more involved in the Lions offensive scheme after his injury last season. Offensive coordinator Mike Martz has said he is committed to running the ball better because he realizes you must run the ball to be successful in the NFL. Detroit might use passes to RBs Kevin Jones and Tatum Bell out of the back field to take the pressure off the lack of a rushing attack. Redskins LBs London Fletcher and Rocky McIntosh will look to control the Lions running game and pressure Kitna into sacks and turnovers. Kitna has suffered the most sacks in the NFL and when you combine interceptions and fumbles he is near the top of the NFL in turnovers. Washington though only averages 2 sacks per game. The Redskins have just 2 interceptions and have forced only 2 fumbles this season. To win the Lions offense must avoid sacks and turnovers and get something out of the run game.

Photo Source: Detroit Lions and Washington Redskins

  • Redskins Offense vs Lions Defense 

Washington’s NFL ranked 10th rushing offense will look to run the ball early and often against Detroit’s 17th ranked rushing defense. Rushing the ball by the Redskins moves the clock and keeps the Lions offense off the field. RB Clinton Portis and his backup Ladell Betts will try and pound the ball against the run stuffers for the Lions, DTs Shaun Rogers Cory Reddingand Cory Redding. Redskins probably saw on film how well play action Jason Campbellfakes work against the Lions and will probably use them to allow QB Jason Campbell to throw downfield against the Lions 29th ranked pass defense. Redskins 21st ranked passing offense could be missing WR Santana Moss but WR Antwaan Randle El will find wide open lanes against the Lions.  If all else fails for the Redskins they will find success using screen passes or little dump offs to TE Chris Cooley. Detroit’s Linebacking stalwarts Ernie Sims and Paris Lenon will have to continue their excellent play of late. To win the Lions defense need some sacks and turnovers and must control the Redskins ground game.

  • Injuries

Injury Report Source: Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions Injury Report logo

Pos. Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday
LB Brian Calhoun- Out Injured Reserve Knee No Practice No Practice Out - IR
LB Alex Lewis - Questionable Hamstring No Practice No Practice No Practice
DE Corey Smith - Questionable Groin No Practice Limited Practice Limited Practice
CB Keith Smith - Out Ankle No Practice No Practice No Practice
LB Anthony Cannon - Doubtful Quad Limited Practice Limited Practice Limited Practice
RB T.J. Duckett - Questionable Ankle Limited Practice Limited Practice Limited Practice
DE Kalimba Edwards - Questionable Ankle Limited Practice Limited Practice Limited Practice
WR Calvin Johnson - Questionable Back Limited Practice Limited Practice Limited Practice

Redskins Injury Report logo

Pos. Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday
G Randy Thomas - Out Triceps No Practice No Practice No Practice
WR Santana Moss - Doubtful Groin No Practice No Practice No Practice
WR Brandon Lloyd - Probable Shin Limited Practice No Practice Full Practice
RB Clinton Portis - Probable Knee Limited Practice Full Practice Full Practice
S Sean Taylor - Probable Knee Limited Practice Full Practice Full Practice
CB Fred Smoot - Probable Hamstring Full Practice Full Practice Full Practice
FB Mike Sellers - Probable Shin Not Listed Limited Practice Limited Practice

NFL Injury Report Logo

Reported Status Percent Chance to Play
Probable 75% Chance Player will Play in Game
Questionable 50% Chance Player will Play in Game
Doubtful 25% Chance Player will Play in Game
Out Player will not Play in Game

Your ‘Lion Eyes’ blogger has heard all the talk out of the Lions practice facility this week. You heard the talk too…….. ‘We know we are a good team’, ‘it doesn’t matter what has happened in the past, we are going to Washington to win’. Sorry Jerry Seinfeld……. yada yada yada. From my perspective until the Lions can go on the road and beat an NFL playoff quality team, in a game that matters, it will be difficult for me to believe the Lions will actually do it instead of talking it. The last time I remember them going on the road and beating a good team was a Thursday night game in Tampa, half way through the 2000 season, when they beat a very good Tampa Bay team 28-14. At the time I let everyone know the Lions were an emerging very good team under Boss Ross and had a good chance to make a deep playoff run. They dominated the 2nd half against Tampa Bay and ran the ball down the Bucs throat in the 4th quarter. Three weeks later Boss Ross quits and the Lions miss the playoffs. Shortly thereafter Matt Millen is hired and …….. you know the rest.  

Washington wins and covers the 3.5 just like 2 weeks ago when the Eagles put up 56 and it could have been 70. As always when I pick against the Lions, I fervently hope I am wrong.

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