Detroit Lions vs Houston Texans
Sunday, October 19, 2008, 1:00 pm EST
Reliant Stadium, Houston, TX
Records: Detroit 0-5, Houston 1-4
Series history: Detroit leads 1-0.
Detroit offense 30th overall (24th passing, 30th rushing); Scoring- 29th, 15.2 ppg. vs. Houston defense 23rd overall (16th passing, 24th rushing); Scoring- 30th – 31.6 ppg.
Detroit is a team in quite a quandary as they have questions on both sides of the ball. Sunday’s likely starting quarterback will be Dan Orlovsky, who began the season as the Lions backup. Orlovsky is a young quarterback who makes questionable decisions. Orlovsky has little regular-season experience, and has thrown just 66 passes in his four year career, and has a career quarerback rating of 57.4.
Detroit starts veteran Rudi Johnson at running back, but they have the very explosive rookie Kevin Smith who is averaging 4.6 yards per carry. One would assume that Smith would get the bulk of the carries being that he’s more productive, but these are the Lions.
Detroit recently traded away wide receiver Roy Williams, who was second on the team in receiving. The move to deal Williams was made possible thanks to the great play of 2007 first-round pick, Calvin Johnson. Johnson is a physical freak at 6’5”, 240 lbs., with 4.3 speed. Johnson leads the team with 23 receptions for 377 yards, and three touchdowns.
Texans defensive end Mario Williams is having another big season as he has 20 tackles, six sacks, and two forced fumbles on the season. Amobi Okoye seems poised to take the next step toward being one of the elite DT’s in the game in just his second season, but Travis Johnson has been somewhat of a disappointment.
The Texans group of linebackers is one of the best in the league featuring Pro Bowler DeMeco Ryans and surprising second-year star Zac Diles. Throw in Morlon Greenwood and they are an active group of backers that can play sideline to sideline.
The Houston secondary has struggled without Dunta Robinson who began the year on the PUP list (knee), but he may be back this weekend. Corner Fred Bennett is a physical player, but can be beat deep, same as free agent acquisition Jacques Reeves. Demarcus “Petey” Faggins is a solid nickel corner.
Best offensive matchup for Detroit: Calvin Johnson vs. Jacques Reeves. Johnson is a big, strong receiver who is a mismatch for nearly any corner in the league, and Jacques Reeves has struggled much of the year.
Best defensive matchup for Houston: DeMeco Ryans vs. Dan Orlovsky Ryans makes plays all over the field and if he can drop back in coverage he may be able to intercept one of Orlovsky’s mistakes.
Houston offense 5th overall (6th passing, 16th rushing); Scoring- 17th – 22.4 ppg. vs. Detroit defense 32nd overall (30th passing, 31st rushing); Scoring- 31st- 31.8 ppg.
The Texans offense has been moving the ball as well as anyone in the league, and Matt Schaub rebounded from a tough first quarter against Miami to be the hero at the end of the game.
Rookie running back Steve Slaton is looking like a star, as he can run the ball and catch it out of the backfield. Slaton had a tough game against Miami, but he should prosper against a porous Detroit defense.
When Schaub goes to the air, he has several options and the best of which is Pro Bowl receiver Andre Johnson. Johnson is a difficult matchup for anyone, as he is a polished route runner, is tough over the middle, and possesses deep speed. Opposite Johnson is possession guy Kevin Walter, and the “other Andre,” Andre Davis is a deep threat in his own right. Tight end Owen Daniels also has soft hands, and can find open spaces in a zone.
Rod Marinelli’s Lions defense is statistically one of the worst in the league. They have been able to get some pass rush with ends Dwayne White and Jared DeVries, as they’ve combined for five sacks. Defensive tackles Cory Redding and Chuck Darby haven’t done much to stop opposing rushers, as there is only one team in the league that stops the run worse.
Ernie Sims is the Lions best linebacker, but hopes are high for reserves Jordan Dizon and former Buccaneer Ryan Nece. Cornerbacks Travis Fisher and Brian Kelley will have their hands full with the Texans receivers, and safeties Daniel Bullocks and Dwight Smith have been average at best. Leigh Bodden is the nickel corner.
Best offensive matchup for Houston: Andre Johnson vs. Brian Kelly- Johnson is a legitimate star in the NFL, and he is a handful for any corner. Johnson’s presence alone opens up the field for Kevin Walter and Owen Daniels.
Best defensive matchup for Detroit: Ernie Sims vs. Matt Schaub- Sims is one of the better linebackers in the league, and if Schaub isn’t aware of where he is on every snap, the results could be an interception.
Special Teams
Detroit: PK Jason Hanson, P Nick Harris, LS Don Muhlbach, PR Shawn McDonald, KOR Mike Furrey
Houston: PK Kris Brown, P Matt Turk, LS Brian Pittman, PR Jacoby Jones, KOR Andre Davis
The Lions special teams units may be the best part of their team, but the Texans have the more explosive return men, as Jacoby Jones jumpstarted the offense last week with a 70 yard punt return.
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