Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
Here are some ways the Lions can snap the 10-game losing streak and beat the Bengals
Still looking for their first win of the 2021 season, the Detroit Lions welcome the Cincinnati Bengals to Ford Field for a Week 6 matchup. The Lions have lost 10 games in a row, five this season and the final five of last year.
It won’t be easy to break the losing string. The Bengals are 3-2 and bring one of the NFL’s top passing offenses into the game.
Here are some ways the Lions can snap the losing streak.
The Detroit Lions suffered another heartbreaking loss this time to the Minnesota Vikings, but amongst the duds, there were some studs today.
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In a game where most thought the Detroit Lions would have no business being in, they made it a game till the very end. After going up late in the game, the victory was snatched away by another long field goal to seal the 19-17 victory for the Minnesota Vikings.
Like the first time against the Ravens, this is just as equally heartbreaking. The Lions’ defense kept the Vikings mostly at bay throughout the game, giving them a shot to steal it from their division opponent. Unfortunately, due to miscues, costly turnovers, and yet again questionable play-calling, the Lions are walking away with their fifth straight loss of the season.
It is hard not to feel for a team you are leaving it all on the field, especially the way they were able to come back right up until the end in an all-familiar fashion. It would be wrong not to highlight the few studs this week but also putting salt in the wound for the dud section.
Lions inactive player list for Week 5: T.J. Hockenson and D’Andre Swift among the actives
After a scary week where several prominent starters were either limited in practice or missing altogether, the Detroit Lions wound up getting fortunate on the health front. That luck is reflected in the team’s inactive player list for the Week 5 meeting with the Minnesota Vikings.
All the players who were questionable with injury are active for the game. That includes Pro Bowl TE T.J. Hockenson and both RBs, D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams.
The Lions inactive player list:
DL Eric Banks
DE Jashon Cornell
RB Jermar Jefferson
WR Tom Kennedy
OLB Jesse Lemonier
CB Daryl Worley
During the week, coach Dan Campbell offered an assessment that Jefferson could get on the field with improved special teams play in practice, but that apparently did not happen fast enough. It’s somewhat surprising to see Worley inactive with the rash of injuries and inexperience in the defensive backfield.
Our Derek Okrie brings you the breakdown for Week 5 fantasy football options
This past Sunday the Detroit Lions just didn’t do the simple things needed to win. Is that same thing true for your fantasy football team?
Don’t tell me you decided to not play a top star and that player put up big points on your bench. Did you let an injured player sit on your roster too long and not replace them using your waiver wire privileges?
This past week we saw stars such as Tyreek Hill (WR Chiefs), Saquon Barkley (RB Giants), and Ezekiel Elliott (RB Cowboys) all put up those game-changing statistics you need to win in fantasy football. Please promise you did the basics and played those guys leading to fantasy success – right?
One of the basic things the Lions didn’t do well was featuring their top offensive weapons. Their top fantasy targets, T.J. Hockenson and D’Andre Swift, didn’t see many targets. They will need to be the focal point this week in a rowdy dome in Minnesota when they face the Vikings.
Sleeper wide receiver options for the Lions appear to be Kalif Raymond and Quintez Cephus. Other than those options though, it will be tough for the Lions to be potent on offense from a fantasy football perspective.
The Minnesota Vikings got Dalvin Cook back on the field last week and he always gives the Lions issues when they face-off. Kirk Cousins the Vikings quarterback is another player that always plays well against Detroit.
With injuries across the board, the Lions are in a tough spot this week. They have to find a way to score points in a tough stadium to play in with offensive line issues at multiple spots. While doing all that, they also have to prevent the Vikings from stressing their young defense in a multitude of ways. Expect to play most of your Vikings fantasy players and sit many Lions in this one.
(Week 5 Bye Weeks: None)
LA Rams at Seattle, Thursday 8:20 PM, EST
Detroit at Minnesota, Sunday 1:00 PM, EST
Miami at Tampa Bay, Sunday 1:00 PM, EST
Denver at Pittsburgh, Sunday 1:00 PM, EST
New Orleans at Washington, Sunday 1:00 PM, EST
Cleveland at LA Chargers, Sunday 4:05 PM, EST
San Francisco at Arizona, Sunday 4:25 PM, EST
Buffalo at Kansas City, Sunday 8:20 PM, EST
Indianapolis at Baltimore, Monday 8:15 PM, EST
Don’t hurt yourself this week in fantasy football. Those mistakes of starting the wrong players, forgetting to substitute out an injured player, or playing a top player with a horrible matchup can cost you.
Often you hear NFL players say we have to focus on the fundamentals. Those basic essentials in fantasy football would be paying attention to the weekly projections, matchups, and managing injuries with timely waiver claims. Focus on the fundamentals and give your fantasy team the best chance to win in Week 5 of the National Football League.
The Detroit Lions PFF grades reflect the continued struggles in the secondary and average showing from the offense against the Chicago Bears
The Detroit Lions seemed to be on the up and up competing against the top-tier teams this season. Heading into Week 4, you had to believe they were feeling good against the Chicago Bears team that gave up nine sacks the previous week. The only kicker was they competing against the Bears and themselves, turning to be their downfall.
With poor execution, sub-par defensive play, and the constant shot footing, the Lions could not get anything figured out until it was too late. Also, to add injury to insult, the Lions lost their best defensive player, Romeo Okwara, for the season, making a poor defense much weaker in the long run.
There weren’t too many stellar players this week, and it reflected in this week’s PFF grades for the Lions.
It was not a good game for a lot of the top talents on the Lions
The 2021 Detroit Lions are not a talented roster relative to much of the rest of the NFL. It was an expected development for a team starting over after a disastrous series of choices from the prior regime that left the cupboard bare in way too many spots to fill in one offseason. For these Lions to win, they need their best players to perform at their best.
That did not happen in the Week 4 loss to the Chicago Bears. None of the top talents on the team played like it, and it spoiled any chance for Dan Campbell’s team to pull out its first victory.
Starting with the offense, it was a rough day for the top Lions. Center Frank Ragnow, arguably the best center in the NFL, fired off a snap too early that resulted in a red zone turnover. He also left injured on the play and did not return.
Running back D’Andre Swift had a terrible performance running the ball. The slippery, strong runner we’ve come to expect in No. 32 was nowhere to be found in Soldier Field. Swift had poor vision and went down on contact he normally runs through on his way to just 16 yards on eight carries. Tight end T.J. Hockenson managed just four catches on eight targets for 42 yards. The Bears focused on taking him away. Hockenson didn’t play poorly but the Lions needed more from their top offensive weapon.
Quarterback Jared Goff was no small part of the problem for Hockenson. It’s hard to consider Goff one of the top talents on the offense after his uninspiring play the last two weeks, but unfortunately, he plays the most important position. He certainly didn’t play like someone who doesn’t need to be replaced in Chicago. Goff didn’t get much help from first-round rookie Penei Sewell, either. The big left tackle struggled through his worst game of the season against a talented Bears defensive front.
On defense, the Lions were already thin on impact talents before Romeo Okwara left the game early with an apparent Achilles injury. Veterans Michael Brockers, Nick Williams and Alex Anzalone, players the precocious defense needs to set the tone and step up, were largely invisible in Chicago.
There were some more lightly regarded players who excelled. Kalif Raymond and Quintez Cephus both played great games at wide receiver. Ragnow’s replacement at center, Evan Brown, was the team’s most reliable lineman in the second half. Rookie nose tackle Alim McNeill started slow but then really stepped up. Outside LB Austin Bryant had some positive moments in place of Romeo Okwara and injured Trey Flowers, who did not play. But the “stars” did not shine.
It’s hard enough for a lesser-talented team to win in the NFL. When the top players don’t excel, it’s darn near impossible. The Lions learned that the hard way in Week 4 in Chicago.
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Here are a few areas of emphasis for Dan Campbell and the Lions to focus upon for the Week 4 matchup with the Bears in Chicago.
The 0-3 Detroit Lions head to Chicago in Week 4 to try and break into the win column. The 1-2 Bears offer some legit potential for Dan Campbell’s Lions to go and notch that first victory of the 2021 season.
I reviewed the Bears’ last two games, with a special emphasis on their Week 3 humiliation at the hands of the Cleveland Browns, to see where the Lions might have some advantages. And even the most pessimistic Lions fan will find some legit paths to victory for Detroit in this matchup, based on how the Bears have played and are currently trending.
Here are a few areas of emphasis for Campbell and the Lions to focus upon for the Week 4 matchup with the Bears in Chicago.
Flowers was the only Lions player that missed the entire practice due to injury
The Detroit Lions produced an injury list for Thursday that didn’t require any editing from the day before. Once again, starting outside linebacker Trey Flowers sat out the practice session completely, while three other Lions remained as limited participants.
Flowers missed the Week 3 matchup with the Baltimore Ravens with injuries to both his shoulder and knee. Charles Harris got the start in Flowers’ spot, and Julian Okwara also saw his reps increase against the Ravens. That figures to remain the same for Sunday’s trip to Chicago to face the 1-2 Bears.
Michael Brockers and Romeo Okwara each remained limited in practice with listed shoulder injuries. Running back D’Andre Swift is still limited with his groin issue, which is a case of the Lions working with load management for the young runner.
The final injury report and game designation comes after Friday’s practice.
Our Derek Okrie breaks down the week in fantasy football
As the fantasy football season progresses the depth of your roster is key as injuries pile up. Bye weeks will be here before you know it too. Don’t hesitate to look ahead at a player’s schedule to be ahead of the game before his bye week hits you.
Future opponents are also vital. If you look two or three weeks ahead on some of your fringe starters, that might tell you whether it is best to keep them on your roster or make a move before they have a difficult stretch of opponents to play.
The idea is to be ahead of the trends and prevent your team from being derailed by things such as injuries, bye weeks, or multiple tough opponents ahead. Don’t be the fantasy owner that fails to prepare and therefore prepares to fail.
Speaking of preparation, the Detroit Lions will have to prepare for numerous quarterback combinations this Sunday against the Chicago Bears. Could all three quarterbacks play? No, that couldn’t happen or could it?
Justin Fields, the Bears dynamic rookie quarterback, had a very rough outing last week to say the least. Chicago couldn’t wait to see Fields. but after only one week, they did not like what they saw. Andy Dalton is the veteran and appears he might be healthy enough to start again if head coach Matt Nagy turns it back over to him. Nick Foles has also been said to be a possible option this week.
The Lions have been making nice progress with some of their fantasy football stars such as D’Andre Swift and T.J. Hockenson, but teams are also starting to focus on them. Will they be able to get production from others to free up the top players to shine?
Lots of questions in this matchup and not many answers right now. Both teams will prepare and do what they feel gives them the best chance to win. If Fields (QB Bears) is the starting quarterback, look for him to have a bounce-back performance and feel confident playing David Montgomery (RB Bears) and Allen Robinson (WR Bears). The spotlight for the Lions will be on Jared Goff and can he get it done with his lackluster fantasy worthy wide receivers.
Start
Joe Burrow (QB Bengals)
Clyde Edwards-Helaire (RB Chiefs)
Odell Beckham Jr (WR Browns)
Dallas Goedert (TE Eagles)
Sit
Derek Carr (QB Raiders)
Tony Pollard (RB Cowboys)
Sammy Watkins (WR Ravens)
Dawson Knox (TE Bills)
Quarterbacks
Josh Allen, Bills
Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
Jalen Hurts, Eagles
Running Backs
Derrick Henry, Titans
Dalvin Cook, Vikings
Joe Mixon, Bengals
Wide Receivers
Davante Adams, Packers
Cooper Kupp, Rams
D.K. Metcalf, Seahawks
Tight Ends
Travis Kelce, Chiefs
Darren Waller, Raiders
George Kittle, 49ers
Team Defenses
Bills
Bengals
Saints
Kickers
Brandon McManus, Broncos
Matt Gay, Rams
Greg Joseph, Vikings
Jacoby Brissett (QB Dolphins)
Taysom Hill (QB Saints)
Chuba Hubbard (RB Panthers)
Rhamondre Stevenson (RB Patriots)
Elijah Moore (WR Jets)
Jakobi Meyers (WR Patriots)
Pat Freiermuth (TE Steelers)
Tyler Conklin (TE Vikings)
(Week 4 Bye Weeks: None)
Jaguars at Bengals, Thursday 8:20 PM, EST
Lions at Bears, Sunday 1:00 PM, EST
Panthers at Cowboys, Sunday 1:00 PM, EST
Browns at Vikings, Sunday 1:00 PM, EST
Cardinals at Rams, Sunday 4:25 PM, EST
Seahawks at 49ers, Sunday 4:25 PM, EST
Steelers at Packers, Sunday 4:25 PM, EST
Buccaneers at Patriots, Sunday 8:20 PM, EST
Raiders at Chargers, Monday 8:15 PM, EST
NFL teams often view their seasons in quarters. After this week the first quarter will basically be complete and fantasy owners can do the same. This is when you honestly look at your team and start to determine what you have and also what you don’t have.
It is a perfect time to seek out trade options and make some aggressive moves if your team needs it. If you are winning, protect yourself against injuries and look ahead at those bye weeks. It’s a marathon and not a sprint more than ever in the NFL and in fantasy football in the biggest season of all-time here in 2021.
Swift hasn’t technically been a starter in 2021, but coach Campbell indicates that could change quickly
D’Andre Swift hasn’t technically started a game yet in 2021. Jamaal Williams has been on the field for the first Detroit Lions offensive snap at running back, not Swift. But that’s not any indication of a lack of respect or trust in Swift’s game.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell addressed why Swift isn’t the nominal starter in his press conference.
“I think it was more of, ‘Hey, let’s see where he’s at,’” Campbell told reporters before Wednesday’s practice session. “He’s still kind of coming off these injuries. We’ve got to use him the right way. Be careful. Let Jamaal start. Jamaal’s been here the full time”
Swift, as is customary throughout the season, was a limited participant with his groin problem. That is strictly precautionary, something Campbell and the Lions have reiterated several times. The head coach then offered up this nugget on Swift,
“I, certainly, think you’re going to see a lot more of Swift, and he can very easily be out there first play. I think he’s done enough to earn that.”
Swift has played quite a bit more than Williams through the first three weeks. His 134 snaps dwarf the “starter’s” 85, and he also has more touches. Swift has 33 carries and 23 targets in the passing game, each of which leads the Lions. Williams has 28 carries and 14 targets through three games.
The Lions offense perked up noticeably when Swift took over in the second half of the Week 3 loss to the Ravens.
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