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Friday, September 20, 2013

Skins vs. Lions preview

Big early season game as the Skins can ill afford to go down 0-3.  Obvious pressure on many parts and individuals on this team.  No doubt they will be put under the microscope.  Namely RG3 (which is pretty much always the case) and the entire defense.  No doubt we can't afford to get down big early as we have done the last two weeks. 

Lions have the best WR in the game in Calvin Johnson and Stafford, when on, can be a very dangerous passer.  The addition of Reggie Bush (assuming he plays) gives the Lions another playmaker that can turn small catches into big yards.

That said, here are the keys:

1. DEFENSE NEEDS TO IMPROVE:  This is a given.  The defense has been horrendous the first two games and they can't get much worse.  The key will be to slow down Calvin Johnson.  Don't think it is possible to stop him so we just need to make sure we don't let him go nuts and have a career day.  Tackling will also need to be better particularly in the case of Reggie Bush so that we don't allow him to get a ton of YACs.  Have to find ways to put pressure on Stafford and make him uncomfortable.  He's a QB if given the time will tear you apart.  However, he hasn't shown he is elite and can be forced into making mistakes.  Just in general we need defensive improvement.

2. RG3:  What to expect from him?  It's obvious he is shaking off the rust.  He mentioned this week the possibility of running more.  Not sure if this is a good or bad thing.  I want RG3 to be RG3 but I don't want him to put pressure on himself and force something trying to create a play and hurting himself.  He's a competitor which you love to have but he can't be reckless.  The other thing I want to see is assuming the score remains relatively even, will be interesting to see him operate our normal offense as opposed to the two minute offense which we have been forced to do early in the game the last two weeks.

3. Establish run game:  The run game is there.  Morris has been limited in his carries to due to us getting down big early.  Have to be able to get him going and create longer sustaining drives.

4. Convert 3rd downs:  We have had a number of 3rd and shorts but have not been able to convert the third downs.  We need to correct this in order to keep drives alive and keep the opposing offenses off the field.

5. Better Special Teams play:  This group needs to play smarter.  I think the talent is fine; however, it a group that has hurt the team with bad penalties and poor decisions in the punt/kickoff return game.  I'm assuming this gets fixed.

It's an interesting game as many people will, fairly or unfairly, be put under the microscope.  A win and all is well.  A loss and the pressure mounts.  This is typically the situation for all teams in the NFL.  I feel like it's a bounce back game for the Skins and we pull out a 27-24 win at home.

HAIL SKINS!!!

2 comments:

JSR said...

I just dont know who is going to cover Megatron. Hall? Rambo? That's a huge mismatch there. Again this week it comes down to third down conversions. They have to convert them, and they have to stop the lions from converting them. Keep the Lions offense off the field. Win the time of possession. Thatll probably happen if they can pound SuH with the run for 200 plus yards.

Its a tall task but if RG3 can let it rip and play lights out, they have a chance. I dont think its likely that RG3 all of a sudden becomes last years RG3 so ill say 28-17 Lions

Rob said...

I picked the Lions, but thought that Bush wasn't going to play. I am guessing that the Deadskins will play better defensively, but I am now leaning toward a Lions win at FedEx. I think the Lions will jump ahead of the Lions and RG3 will get some second half points, but it will be a pretty rough day for RG3 physically. I think it will end up 24-21 Lions.