Detroit Lions Fan Blog

As the Lions stumble into week four, they face a tough opponent in the new, “more balanced” St. Louis Rams team coached by Scott Linehan. The Rams are attempting to run the ball more this season and they also have shored up what has traditonally been a porous defense. The whole “return of Mike Martz” storyline wll be played up big in St. Louis, and this should pose a distraction for Rams players. I doubt it will work as well as the “post Katrina” storyline that obviously threw the Falcons into a funk on Monday, but I do think it will be a bit of a brain clogger for the Rams.

I see the Lions trying to get on the boards early and often with a lot of passing plays. I think the Rams are vulnerable over the top and I even would call some deep posts with tight ends Dan Campbell or Marcus Pollard. If you own Kitna in your fantasy league, now is a great time to start him. I am predicting 300 yards and a couple TDs from the Kitman. Roy Williams also could have a big day, so start him if you’ve got him. Kevin Jones has been average at best lately, so I would not start him for my fantasy team. I am thinking he gets 12-15 carries for 70 yards. Keep an eye on Az Hakim, the only receiver on the Lions that actually can lineup in any WR position. He knows all the plays and could actually step up big in the Lions offense going forward. The cutting of Corey Bradford is a clear indication of Mike Martz’s confidence in Hakim.

The Rams offense can be bit of a juggernaut when it gets on a roll, so let’s hope that the Lions secondary can blanket Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt. It no longer is the “Greatest Show On Turf” but it does have significant weapons in Isaac Bruce, Torry Holt, Kevin Curtis and power runner Steven Jackson. The key to this game? I think that the defensive line absolutely has to generate a pass rush and sack QB Marc Bulger at least 3-4 times to keep him from generating a rhythm. If they don’t shake Bulger and the Rams out of their game plan, this wil be a wild shoot-out, similar to the Lions-Packers game we witnessed last week. And we all know how that turned out. The Lions defense has to step up big this week and make a statement. I hope they do, but my gut tells me that they just aren’t there yet.

My prediction: Rams 26, Lions 14