Tag: lions week 8

Lions dominate the Raiders but not the scoreboard in Week 8 win

The Lions dominated the Raiders in the Week 8 win but it didn’t show on the scoreboard

The Detroit Lions debuted their blue helmets in the Monday Night Football matchup against the visiting Las Vegas Raiders. The helmets looked great and so did the Lions defense in a 26-14 win that was a lot closer on the scoreboard than it should have been.

Detroit largely dominated the Raiders all night. The Lions nearly doubled the time of possession, more than doubled the first down battle (29 to 12) and more than tripled the total offensive yardage (487 to 157). Yet numerous mistakes from the home team prevented the game from being a monster win.

The Lions gave the ball away three times. Two of them came in Raiders territory, including a terrible pick-6 thrown by Jared Goff and a questionable call that ruled a red zone fumble by Craig Reynolds happened. Detroit’s red zone offense struggled all night, a combination of iffy play-calling decisions and some untimely poor execution.

The game shouldn’t have been close. The Raiders didn’t complete a pass to a wide receiver in the first half. Their offense picked up nine first downs in its first nine drives, six of which came on Las Vegas’ first scoring drive. Jimmy Garoppolo completed just 10 of his 21 passes for 126 yards and a red zone INT of his own that might be the easiest pick Kerby Joseph ever gets.

Las Vegas had no answer for the rookies on the Lions offense. Jahmyr Gibbs ran for 152 yards and a touchdown and added five catches for 37 yards. Sam LaPorta also scored on one of his eight receptions for 57 yards.

Detroit outgained La Vegas by 329 yards, the second-largest margin in any game all year. The one that topped it was Miami hanging 70 points on Denver and outgaining the Broncos by 363. Had the Lions avoided the costly giveaways, they could have handily doubled their 26 points.

The Lions hit the bye week at 6-2 and rebounded nicely from an ugly loss in Baltimore in Week 7. Las Vegas falls to 3-5.

Lions vs. Dolphins: Quick takeaways from Detroit’s home loss in Week 8

Here are some initial takeaways from the 31-27 loss to the Dolphins from watching the game in real-time.

In the weekly roulette wheel spin of “how will the Detroit Lions disappoint everyone today,” in Week 8 the ball landed in the “blow a big early lead with incomprehensibly inept defense” slot.

Ah yes, Lions fans know this one. It’s become the default bet for the 2022 edition of the Detroit football team. It’s so commonplace that the payout is hardly worth the bet anymore.

The Lions raced out to a 27-17 halftime lead thanks to five straight scoring drives to open the game. Alas, NFL games last two halves, and the second half was some of the worst football the Lions have played all season–and that’s saying something in a year where Dan Campbell’s squad is now 1-6.

Here are some initial takeaways from the 31-27 loss to the Dolphins from watching the game in real-time.

Amon-Ra St. Brown expected to play for Lions vs. Dolphins

Detroit WR Amon-Ra St. Brown expected to play for Lions vs. Dolphins after clearing concussion protocol

The Detroit Lions will have their top running back and top wide receiver on the field when they host the Miami Dolphins in Week 8.

According to a report early Sunday from NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, St. Brown has cleared from the concussion protocol and is expected to play against the Dolphins. St. Brown was placed into the NFL’s concussion protocol after taking a hit to the head in the first quarter of last week’s game in Dallas. It was quickly determined St. Brown did not suffer a concussion, but he still had to clear the protocols.

St. Brown practiced in full on Friday and had no ill effects, the final hurdle needed to clear to get back into the lineup. He leads the Lions with 28 receptions on the season, gaining 275 yards and scoring thrice in five games.

Running back D’Andre Swift is also expected to play. After missing the last three games with shoulder and ankle injuries, Swift is not listed with any injury designation for Sunday’s game.

Lions fans are not happy with the team’s scary-bad performance on Halloween

The sour reaction from Lions fans and media was well-deserved

Playing the Detroit Lions on Halloween was a friendly walk in the park for the Philadelphia Eagles. Through the first three quarters of the Week 8 game at Ford Field, the Eagles slashed and thrashed their way through a truly scary performance of utter ineptitude by Dan Campbell’s Lions.

The sour reaction from Lions fans and media was well-deserved. And prominent. And a lot more relentless than the “effort” from the home team through the first three quarters, when the Eagles had amassed a 38-0 lead in a score that didn’t reflect how lopsided the game truly was to that point.

 

Lions vs. Eagles: How to watch, listen, stream and wager on the Week 8 game

Detroit Lions vs. Philadelphia Eagles: How to watch, listen, stream and wager on the Week 8 game

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The Detroit Lions aim to get their first win of the season and find the Philadelphia Eagles on the Week 8 calendar. It’s a chance to see longtime Lions CB Darius Slay back at Ford Field.

Detroit Lions (0-7) vs Philadelphia Eagles (2-5)

When: Sunday, Oct. 31 at 1 p.m. ET
Where: Ford Field, Detroit
Referee: Tony Corrente

The game will be shown regionally on FOX. If you live in any of the blue markets on the map, the game will be on your local FOX affiliate. Kenny Albert will be on the play-by-play with color analysis from Jonathan Vilma.

 

Radio: 97.1 The Ticket in Detroit is the flagship station. The full list of over 30 radio affiliates is here.

Sirius XM Radio: The Lions audio feed featuring Dan Miller is on channel 226. The national broadcast is on channel 88.

Stream: NFL Game Pass

Watch free on FUBO TV

Wagering

From our friends at Sportsbook Wire:

  • Money line: Eagles -190 (bet $190 to win $100) | Lions +155 (bet $100 to win $155)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Eagles -3.5 (-110) | Lions +3.5 (-110)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 48.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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6 things to know about the Eagles ahead of the Lions’ Week 8 matchup

Here are a few things to know about the Eagles, the history between the two teams and other tidbits that will help prepare for Sunday’s meeting in Ford Field.

The Detroit Lions welcome the Philadelphia Eagles to Ford Field on Sunday for an NFC matchup in Week 8. It’s not been a great season for either team, with the Lions entering the game winless while the Eagles arrive at 2-5.

This might be the Lions best chance to pick up a victory over the entire season calendar. Having said that, the Eagles are also fully capable of humbling the Lions and extending the losing streak to 12 games, dating back to last season too.

Here are a few things to know about the Eagles, the history between the two teams and other tidbits that will help prepare for Sunday’s meeting in Ford Field.

 

Lions Wire Fantasy Football Weekly: 2020 Week 9 preview

Breaking down who to start and sit and offering fantasy football advice for Week 9

Often times some people will focus mostly on statistics when it comes to fantasy football, but during your fantasy season there is normally a certain natural feel for the game that you need to have in order to win.

When should you bench certain players? When do you need to cut ties on underperforming stars? How to value trade offers? There are no numbers or analytics that can fully answer those important questions, but those owners that deal with the ups and downs of a season the best are often there at the end of the season fighting for the championship.

Lions at Vikings fantasy focus

The Detroit Lions continue their season of ups and downs. They continue to preach consistency, but the team as a whole has been anything but consistent in 2020 and this goes for their fantasy football performers as well.

Looking at this week’s game against the Minnesota Vikings, there are a few key fantasy options on both sides. Dalvin Cook (RB Vikings) and Adam Thielen (WR Vikings) are two crucial pieces for Minnesota. Adrian Peterson (RB Lions) and T.J. Hockenson (TE Lions) will be players to consider for your lineups when it comes to the Lions this week.

Recent games in Minnesota have often not been fun at all for Matthew Stafford, and he will have to be very good to give the Lions a chance this week. Dalvin Cook won many fantasy owners their matchup last week where he had over 200 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns, which is an amazing game. Will Cook be able to have a similar game against the Lions poor ranking rush defense?

Keep your eye on a few of these key players, but with no Kenny Golladay (WR Lions) and Stefon Diggs, the former Vikings wide receiver now in Buffalo, this isn’t a very exciting fantasy football matchup when you look at it on paper.

Start/Sit

Start
Matt Ryan (QB Falcons)
Adrian Peterson (RB Lions)
Stefon Diggs (WR Bills)
T.J. Hockenson (TE Lions)

Sit
Lamar Jackson (QB Ravens)
Johnathan Taylor (RB Colts)
D.J. Moore (WR Panthers)
Rob Gronkowski (TE Bucannears)

Top 3 projected players by position

Quarterbacks
Russell Wilson, Seahawks
Josh Allen, Bills
Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs

Running Backs
Dalvin Cook, Vikings
Derrick Henry, Titans
Alvin Kamara, Saints

Wide Receivers
Davante Adams, Packers
Stefon Diggs, Bills
Tyler Lockett, Seahawks

Tight Ends
Travis Kelce, Chiefs
Darren Waller, Raiders
T.J. Hockenson, Lions

Team Defenses
Washington
Steelers
Patriots

Kickers
Younghoe Koo, Falcons
Harrison Butker, Cheifs
Justin Tucker, Ravens

Waiver wire options

Drew Lock (QB Broncos)
Jake Luton (QB Jaguars)
Damien Harris (RB Patriots)
Wayne Gallman (RB Giants)
Allen Lazard (WR Packers)
Marvin Hall (WR Lions)
Eric Ebron (TE Steelers)
Logan Thomas (TE Washington)

Intriguing games and players in Week 9

(Week 9 Bye Weeks: Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Rams) 

Green Bay at San Francisco, Thursday 8:20 PM, EST

  • GB: Aaron Rodgers (QB), Aaron Jones (RB)
  • SF: Tevin Coleman (RB), Brandon Aiyuk (WR)

Seattle at Buffalo, Sunday 1:00 PM, EST

  • SEA:  DeeJay Dallas (RB), Greg Olsen (TE)
  • BUF: Zach Moss (RB), Stefon Diggs (WR)

Detroit at Minnesota, Sunday 1:00 PM, EST

  • DET: Marvin Jones Jr (WR), Matthew Stafford (QB)
  • MIN: Justin Jefferson (WR), Kyle Rudolph (TE)

Miami at Arizona, Sunday 4:25 PM, EST

  • MIA: Tua Tagovailoa (QB), Miles Gaskin (RB)
  • AZ: Christian Kirk (WR), Kyler Murray (QB)

Pittsburgh at Dallas, Sunday 4:25 PM, EST

  • PIT: James Washington (WR), James Conner (RB)
  • DAL: Michael Gallup (WR), Tony Pollard (RB)

New Orleans at Tampa Bay, Sunday 8:20 PM, EST

  • NO: Drew Brees (QB), Michael Thomas (WR)
  • TB: Tom Brady (QB), Antonio Brown (WR)

Bottom Line

Don’t get so fixated on the past statistics that you forget about what might happen in the future. Don’t focus so much on the numbers that you forget that feel for the ups and downs of fantasy football and the NFL as a whole.

When looking over your roster, place a good amount of value on those consistent players that always seem to come through week after week. Consider cutting those players that are very inconsistent.

These immeasurable aspects of fantasy football are often what help decide who makes the playoffs and who doesn’t. If you have a good feeling about a player, don’t always ignore that when the analytics say otherwise. A consistent team that also isn’t afraid to bold at times is often one that wins. That is true not just in fantasy football but also on the actual gridiron.

 

Lions Wire Fantasy Football Weekly: 2020 Week 8 preview

Lions Wire Fantasy Football Weekly: 2020 Week 8 preview

Have you ever been in a fantasy football matchup where it was coming down to the wire with only a small percentage to win, but one of your players makes a big play, and all of sudden you pull out an amazing last-second win?

There is nothing better than that thrilling win where moments earlier you felt you were about to suffer a tough loss. The Detroit Lions experienced this against the Atlanta Falcons last week, and most likely many fantasy owners did too.

Whether it was Tyler Lockett (WR Seahawks) having a big game on Sunday night, or a late score by the Bears defense —  it’s never until it’s over both in the NFL and especially in fantasy football.

Lions vs. Colts fantasy focus

The Lions have won two games in a row, and players such as T.J. Hockenson, D’Andre Swift, and Kenny Golladay have been a big reason why. If you look at those three players you see three key pieces for the Lions future and for fantasy football.

The Indianapolis Colts also have some unique fantasy players when you look at Jonathan Taylor (RB), Paris Campbell (WR), and Michael Pittman Jr.(WR). Those three players are also key components to that team’s future and to dynasty fantasy football owners too.

I feel the Lions have the more explosive offense and the Colts have shown to be a solid defense this year. The question is if Matthew Stafford can put up yards and points needed against a Colts defense that allows under 200 yards passing per game through Week 7

I see the Lions being able to score with their offensive weapons all healthy. In fantasy football consider playing a guy like Marvin Jones Jr or even Kerryon Johnson. I think they each could be sneaky sleepers this week. I see this being a close game where the Lions have just enough to win.

Start/Sit

Start
Carson Wentz (QB Eagles)
Darrell Henderson (RB Rams)
A.J. Green (WR Bengals)
Rob Gronkowski (TE Buccaneers)

Sit
Philip Rivers (QB Colts)
Joshua Kelley (RB Chargers)
DeVante Parker (WR Dolphins)
Jimmy Graham (TE Bears)

Top 3 projected players by position

Quarterbacks
Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
Russell Wilson, Seahawks
Kyler Murray, Cardinals

Running Backs
Alvin Kamara, Saints
Derrick Henry, Titans
Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys

Wide Receivers
Davante Adams, Packers
DeAndre Hopkins, Cardinals
Tyreek Hill, Chiefs

Tight Ends
Travis Kelce, Chiefs
George Kittle, 49ers
Darren Waller, Raiders

Team Defenses
Steelers
Ravens
Bills

Kickers
Harrison Butker, Chiefs
Justin Tucker, Ravens
Will Lutz, Saints

Waiver wire options

Kyle Allen (QB Washington)
Derek Carr (QB Raiders)
Tevin Coleman (RB 49ers)
Zach Moss (RB Bills)
Brandon Aiyuk (WR 49ers)
Sterling Shepard (WR Giants)
Trey Burton (TE Colts)
Richard Rodgers (TE Eagles)

Intriguing games and players in Week 8

(Week 8 Bye Weeks: Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos, Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Football Team, Houston Texans) 

Atlanta at Carolina, Thursday 8:20 PM, EST

  • ATL: Calvin Ridley (WR), Todd Gurley (RB)
  • CAR: Teddy Bridgewater (QB), D.J. Moore (WR)

New England at Buffalo, Sunday 1:00 PM, EST

  • NE:  Cam Newton (QB), Damien Harris (RB)
  • BUF: Zach Moss (RB), Stefon Diggs (WR)

Las Vegas at Cleveland, Sunday 1:00 PM, EST

  • LVR: Derek Carr (QB), Henry Ruggs (WR)
  • CLE: Baker Mayfield (QB), Jarvis Landry (WR)

Indianapolis at Detroit, Sunday 1:00 PM, EST

  • IND: Jonathan Taylor (RB), T.Y. Hilton (WR)
  • DET: Jamal Agnew (RB/WR/KR), Marvin Jones Jr (WR)

Pittsburgh at Baltimore, Sunday 1:00 PM, EST

  • PIT: JuJu Smith-Schuster (WR), James Conner (RB)
  • BAL: Marquise Brown (WR), J.K. Dobbins (RB)

San Francisco at Seattle, Sunday 4:25 PM, EST

  • SF: Brandon Aiyuk (WR), Tevin Coleman (RB)
  • SEA: D.K. Metcalf (WR), Russell Wilson (QB)

Dallas at Philadelphia, Sunday 8:20 PM, EST

  • DAL: CeeDee Lamb (WR), Amari Cooper (WR)
  • PHI: Carson Wentz (QB), Boston Scott (RB)

Tampa Bay at NY Giants, Monday 8:15 PM, EST

  • TB: Tom Brady (QB), Ronald Jones (RB)
  • NYG: Sterling Shepard (WR), Golden Tate (WR)

Bottom Line

Despite the score, your fantasy team always has a chance if it’s close. If you suffered some tough injuries this week, you still aren’t out of it if you have depth on your roster or are willing to make some trades.

Key Injuries to be aware of and keep your eye on:

Odell Beckham Jr. (WR Browns)
Chris Godwin (WR Buccaneers)
Allen Robinson (WR Bears)
Deebo Samuel (WR 49ers)
Kenyan Drake (RB Cardinals)
Joe Mixon (RB Bengals)
Phillip Lindsay (RB Broncos)
Dallas Goedert (TE Eagles)

Always hang in there despite the score, injuries, or any other circumstances. As the Lions learned again this past week, as with fantasy football always coming down to a few points here and there. You just never know what might happen when it’s all said and done.

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