As of tomorrow, Elephants fans can have an excellent understanding of when their own team falters. The self-proclaimed best group in the NBA, a 5-2 Planes, gives Lions the ability to change the actual spot. All the Tigers have shown they can display with any kind of team. They've proven they can succeed against clubs they should overcome in their two wins against the Rams and Redskins. Another on the docket is overcoming a power team that most consider outside the Lions' league.
Lions' Advantages
The Jets run a blitz-heavy defense that depends on man-to-man coverage. This creates significant issues for most teams as the quarterback doesn’t have enough time to take advantage of the man-to-man defense. The Lions’ offensive line might not be able to give Matthew Stafford enough time, but their receiving corps can usually get clear superiority over most. Calvin Jackson cannot be covered by just one player for hours on end, even if it’s Darrelle Revis. This matchup gives the Lions one advantage, as well as CJ facing single coverage or having the defense commit several players to Calvin, which leaves one less to overwhelm or handle sub-par ones. Nate Burleson belongs to the more intelligent receivers in the group and makes splits and everyone, making him tough to cover individually as well. Even the Tigers have Pettigrew and Scheffler wandering around the middle and they’re nightmare matchups for linebackers and safeties. The Jets need to assess whether they can dial back the blitzes and drop more guys into coverage, or will they take their chances with the Lions' receiving corps?
The Lions' passing game looks at an edge ray obtain, however this week they’ve got a special issue. The Jets provide a high five nasty set with a running game which actually minimizes a successful pass rush off to. A strong running game starts execute actions which might reduce the flow rush significantly more. The Tigers have the edge in this matchup because none of the Lions' defensive line is hindered one to one. The Jets' passing game is defined by the strong run game, which allows the Jets to take injections down the field. The Lions' defensive front should limit the deep passing game and push the Jets to use more simple and intermediate ways, which is out of their comfort zone. The Lions truly enjoy a place-specific field advantage initially in a long time. Crowd noise could be a significant obstacle for an offense tier since they can't hear the snap count. The line must go to a silent count or else they each will look for within the softball to determine once it's clicked. Any Tigers defending top is a great one by itself, but suffering everyone else music has the Jets' o-line at a significant disadvantage. Two weeks ago the Redskins had some mistakes threatened the result due to the Lions' dominant five. They were getting in the quarterback's face, which had effects and missed assignments all because of crowd sounds and the Tigers' expertise beforehand.
Lions' Disadvantages
The Jets' running game is rated third in the NFL, so they average around 150 yards every game. The Lions have lagged in the run this season due to injury and inadequacy in the linebacker corps. LaDanian Tomlinson has returned in Pro Bowl form and Shonn Greene isn’t a slouch either. The Jets utilize the running game to get going the passing game, meaning stopping the run is imperative for the Lions.
The flip side of the self-proclaimed man-to-man defense the Jets play are the tricky blitz schemes they bring. If Stafford and the offensive lines don’t make the correct pre-snap read, a full rusher and a couple should come free. Professional seasoned quarterbacks have had trouble with the Jets' blitz packages, so it's a tall task expected of Stafford to not get fooled.
The Lions' special teams have given them an advantage in the last few games, but the Jets' special competitors are among the NFL's best. The Jets are led by one of the best special teams coaches in the NFL in Dave Westhoff, and the man undoubtedly got a bit of insight on all the Lions' flaws yesterday when they effectively created next to Washington. The Lions not only get an advantage neutralized, but you're positioned for a disadvantage.
Wild Card
The Lions' fortune in a good defense lays with a rookie making his first start next year person earning the thirteenth start. Amari Spievey might receive the nod over the struggling CC Brown at strong safety and DeAndre Levy makes his third appearance of the year at middle linebacker.
CC Browning is a good performing defensive player yet he is not superior in coverage. A Jets offense would likely play to their strengths and address their weaknesses, but Spievey is better in coverage and not as strong in the run. Spievey made the switch to defense eight weeks ago and is still acclimating to the coverage and absorbing lessons. He is a more gifted competitor than Brown lightly but has no experience. The Redskins picked on Spievey more than once the other day once Dark decided, although he’ll have a week to prepare for the Jets.
The Tigers' run defense has been inadequate all season, except for a while back when they shut the Skins' effective run game down. Was it a coincidence or was it because the Lions had a healthy DeAndre Levy? Levy is capable of becoming one of the best middle linebackers in football and has an exceptional combination of speed, strength, and character. The Lions' run defense was having difficulty with their work complements and Garnishment makes the safety calls, so the defense was playing like a burned quarterback.
If Spievey is tough on the run and performs well in coverage, he upgrades the Lions over CC Brown, who’s become a bit of a weak link in the defense. Levy's return to the lineup resulted in the Tigers holding the Dermal to 90 running feet for 15 first downs. If either player has a significant impact, it goes a long way in the Tigers distressing the Jets next week.
Prediction
I believe the Jets are the best team, but I think they are the most overrated team in the league. They have a good running game and competitive defense, but the passing attack is disjointed and the aggressiveness of the defense is exploited. I feel the Lions can keep up similarly and may be able to win the game. However, the Jets' defense can turn strength so quickly when individuals prove the running game is what the offense needs to stop. I feel the Jets demonstrate too much for the Lions in the future, but I suspect the Lions will find that Mayhew and Schwartz made the best decision when they chose Stafford over Sanchez.