The playoffs in sight for both teams, the Denver Broncos visit the Detroit Lions on Saturday night at Ford Field.
The Lions (9-4) are coming off a loss at Chicago, while the Broncos (7-6) have won six of seven, including Sunday’s 24-7 win over the Chargers.
This game was moved to primetime for what’s on the line and it should be intense especially with the two coaches going head to head. Lions coach Dan Campbell played for Denver’s Sean Payton and was an assistant to him while with the New Orleans Saints. To say more is on the line is an understatement between the two coaches who know each other so well.
Campbell doesn’t think it’s an advantage for either one. He said it evens out.
“I think he has a pretty good idea about what we want to do and our process, just like I do his being in there. And so, look, he’s not going to shy away from being who they are and what has gotten him to this point,’’ Campbell said. “They’re going to lean on those. However, he’s going to have the wrinkles, he always does. And I just – I bring it back, man he is – in this profession, in games, he’s a stone-cold killer. So, that’s why I say – he’s going to be looking for it. And we’re going to be prepared for it. But we think very much the same way, so we’re looking forward to this.
“This is going to be an outstanding matchup. This is a good team. They’re playing really good football. They’re playing smart, clean football. And that’s why they’re winning,’’ Campbell added.
Five things to watch:
1. While not all of the offensive woes are the fault of quarterback Jared Goff, he needs to play a clean, error-free game to get the offense rolling like it was early in the season. With losses in two of the last three games, the offense has sputtered. “I wish there was one thing you can put your finger on, but there’s not. It’s just plain execution and doing what we’re supposed to do, and it starts with me leading that charge and getting us back on track,’’ Goff said.
2. The Broncos excel at takeaways which has been an issue for the Lions who are not good at it. “We emphasize it, we drill it. Unfortunately, over the last four weeks we haven’t done a good enough job with our ball security, and we know this team is feast or famine,’’ offensive coordinator Ben Johnson said. “When they get the takeaways, they capitalize on it and they’re winning ball games because of it. And so, we’re highly aware of it. We’ve got to do a better job protecting the ball this week than we have the last four games. They aren’t just good in their takeaways, I think the other thing that stands out to me the last eight weeks, they’re the No. 1 third-down defense in the NFL. So, they’re doing a great job stopping offenses when they get them into that situation, so we’ve got to be on point here on third down this week.”
3. Lions offense and defense need to play a solid third quarter. The Lions have outscored opponents in every quarter except the third where it’s not even close. Opposing teams have 84 third-quarter points against the Lions, while Detroit has scored just 46 points in that stretch. “It’s frustrating as much as it is for everyone else, it’s very frustrating for us,’’ Goff said. “And we’re very aware of it and we know we have to continue to be aware of it and continue to try to find ways to be more productive in the third quarter and that’s everybody and I wish there was one thing that, again, that you could point to as the reason why, or one thing that fixes it, but there isn’t. It’s just plain execution, it’s plain focus, it’s plain doing our jobs a little bit more consistently in that quarter.”
4. The defense could have its hands full with quarterback Russell Wilson who can run the ball when needed. “I know he picks his chances when he does want to run and you really see it on third down and in the red zone, which most quarterbacks do anyway. But he has that ability to escape. I mean they have some read-zone plays in there for him which I would utilize his legs too,’’ Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn said. “He’s not just a statue back there. He’s able to make some plays with his legs and you see that happen in the games.” Wilson has thrown 23 touchdowns against just eight interceptions, but four of the eight picks have come in the last two games.
5. The offensive line, which looks to be healthy once again, has to protect Goff. The Broncos sacked Chargers quarterbacks six times last week. Ragnow has missed the last two games which has affected the line’s performance. He’s expected to return.
INJURIES: LT Taylor Decker (back), DT Benito Jones (neck), FC Frank Ragnow (knee, back, toe) and WR Josh Reynolds (back) are all questionable.
PREDICTION: Lions 27, Broncos 24.
Lions Lowdown 