Detroit Lions vs Denver Broncos NFL Week 9 - Preview

Posted by Kevin Mack

November 3, 2007 |

Detroit Lions vs Denver Broncos NFL Week 9 - Preview

Detroit Lions 5-2 vs Denver Broncos 3-4

Sunday November 4, 2007 @ 1:00 Ford Field, Detroit

TV: CBS Kevin Harlan, Rich Gannon

Denver Broncos coming off an overtime loss to the Green Bay Packers on Monday night travel to Detroit to take on the Lions at Ford Field Sunday November 4, 2007 @ 1:00 on CBS.

Lions Offense vs Broncos Defense

Detroit has the 14th ranked NFL overall offense with an improving rushing offense which is up to 26th after RB Kevin Jones was inserted into the starting lineup 2 weeks ago. Denver’s defense is 25th overall and last in defending the run. The strengths of both team is the passing game, Detroit led by QB Jon Kitna has the 7th rated passing offense and utilizes pretty equally Wideouts Roy Williams, Shaun McDonald, Mike Furrey and rookie Calvin Johnson. Denver has the 6th best pass defense in the NFL with CBs Champ Bailey and ex-Lion Dre Bly. Kitna has been sacked the most of any QB in the NFL but Denver is only middle of the pack with sacks. Detroit will rely on its offensive line to keep pressure off Kitna so he can avoid sacks and interceptions. Ex-Bronco tackle George Foster will be up against DE John Engelberger to help get the Lions rushing game going taking advantage of the Bronco weakness. Detroit will try and run early and often with Jones and RB T.J. Duckett and move the chains and control the clock. Denver will rely on LBs Ian Gold and D.J. Williams to stop the Lions rushing attack. Detroit has had trouble in the last 4 games scoring TDs once they get in the red zone and offensive coordinator Mike Martz is looking to make adjustments to produce TDs rather than Field Goals by K Jason Hanson.

Broncos Offense vs Lions Defense

Denver has a balanced offense with NFL ranked 13th passing and 11th rushing leading them to the 7th overall offense led by 2nd year QB Jay Cutler. Cutler will try and take advantage of Detroit’s 30th rated pass defense by hitting WRs Brandon Stokley and Brandon Marshall. Detroit leads the league with 13 interceptions and had 4 last week in the victory of the Chicago Bears. Detroit will rely on the Cover Two defense to try and eliminate any big plays and wait for Cutler to make mistakes. Detroit’s run defense led by LB Ernie Sims will try and bottle up Broncos running back Travis Henry who is expected to be back in the lineup after missing last weeks game with bruised ribs. Detroit blitzed more last week then normal and probably will do more of the same to get pressure on Cutler and cause some turnovers and sacks.

Photos Source: Detroit Lions

Thoughts from Your ‘Lion Eyes’ Blogger

The last time I felt like this was when Detroit was heading to Philadelphia and I called it a ‘Trap’ game. I kind of feel the same way. We all know that the Lions don’t do well with success, they seem to start to think they are entitled to win games without putting forth the effort. See the Philadelphia and Washington games for examples. Hopefully Coach Marinelli has got them past that bad habit and they will not get trapped. Here are some things you need to know. Denver is 10-1 .909% following Monday Night games since 2000, best in the NFL. Denver is 10-2 .833% on road in November since 2000. You know this game is on the road for Denver and it is November. The Lions will rely on the home crowd to keep them fired up. The Lions will take advantage of the improved rushing attack to grind out a win. It will be a close game and it will not be easy but lets hope they will be 6-2 on their way to Arizona to meet the Cardinals next week.
Cast your vote in this weeks Poll.


Which team will Win the Game on Sunday November 4, 2007


Detroit Lions (68%, 21 Votes)


Denver Broncos (32%, 10 Votes)



Total Voters: 31


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Injury Report Source: Detroit Lions

Pos.	Player	Injury	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
T	George Foster - Probable	Ankle	No Practice	Full Practice	Full Practice
DE	Kalimba Edwards - Quest	Knee	Limited Practice	Limited Practice	Limited Practice
WR	Calvin Johnson - Probable	Back	Limited Practice	Full Practice	Full Practice

Pos.	Player	Injury	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
WR	Javon Walker - Out	Knee	Out	Out	Out
DT	Sam Adams - Not Listed	Team Dec	No Practice	Full Practice	Full Practice
S	John Lynch - Quest	Kneck	No Practice	Limited Practice	Limited Practice
DE	Jarvis Moss - Out	Leg	Not Listed	Not Listed	Out

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