The biggest game of the year.

[ajcardfan]

Completely disagree. Biggest game of the year will be in Seattle next week. You need to win your division before you worry about home field in the playoffs.

Losing this game means almost nothing in the grand scheme of things. It brings our record into a tie with the Lions and I highly doubt we will be tied at the end of the season.

Meanwhile, the only way Seattle can catch us is by beating us.

Agree. In fact, we can just insert "team we are playing this week" into the BIGGEST GAME OF THE YEAR thread for the rest of the season. Except for probably the Chiefs and any game once we are locked into a finish.

 

[MrYeahBut]

exgi20, welcome to the board.

What's Reggie Bush's status? I heard he didn't practice Wed or Thurs. Think he'll be active for the game?

.

 

[Iceman]

exgi20, welcome to the board.

What's Reggie Bush's status? I heard he didn't practice Wed or Thurs. Think he'll be active for the game?

.

You trying to see if you are going to start him for fantasy??

 

[MrYeahBut]

You trying to see if you are going to start him for fantasy??

To tell the truth, I've never played fantasy football. I don't even know how it works... player's stats or whatever I think.... I am not a fantasy geek,

.

 

[CardLogic]

Deciding factor in the game - Field Goals. Lions have missed on 11 of 22 field goals (50%), Cardinals kicker Cantanzaro has hit 17 of 18 (94%). And that is not even talking about the Cardinals propensity to block kicks. Edge: CARDINALS!

 

[Catfish]

Lions fan here. As usual I go to the next opponents boards and get a feel about their fans thoughts about the upcoming game. My first thought is who would of "thunk", both these teams would have been in this situation at the start of the year. I come to talk football, and I never flame, nor will I answer to flames.

Two historically underachieving franchises, now in the limelight. I've read the conversation on ESPN, and some of the cards boards, and lions boards. Seems like fans of both teams want their team respected nationally. But a lot of fans are disrespecting the other teams accomplishments which got them this far. I respect what the Cards have done this year, and I don't have to tear them down, to show what a great year my team is having so far. Besides, we both have to finish the season .

My lions come back to Arizona, on a losing streak. With that being said, In my opinion, this will be a very tight game. It seems like you guys are the masters of capitalizing on turnovers. A great defense, a good offense with a run problem. My Leo's haven't gotten quite the number of turnovers this year. But have a great offense, with a run problem.

Matthew Stafford has been adequate this year. Not so many interceptions, and he is throwing the ball away more. He's not putting up the fantasy numbers he has been in recent years, but he's not turning the ball over so much. The question here in Detroit, is whether the new offensive coordinator is playing very conservative? Or is he going to open up our playbook, now that we have Calvin and our tight ends back? Just like other teams we have taken our injury hits.....it seems primarily to be our offensive skill players. Calvin is back, and I've read that all 3 tight ends (Pettigrew, Fauria, and Ebron), may be available for Sunday's games. That allows us to open up the playbook some, if that was Joe Lombardi's concern. Our tight ends from the waiver wire and practice squad have been invisible. We lost our 1st string RT in our first game, and our backup got hurt the same game. Looks like we might have our RT back, but our starting RG is ailing. Not sure if he is playing or not, Caldwell is tight lipped about injuries. Golden Tate has been our offensive player of the year so far...putting up great numbers and just being clutch when it counted. Our running game needs work. Not sure if it's because we are getting used to Lombadi's (New Orleans lite), offense or because of the injury problems on the line. This same offensive line was ranked top 5 at the end of last year.

Defensively, we get after the quarterback. Not matter what you think about Suh, the man is an absolute beast. And the Cards will have to keep 2 lineman on him. When we drafted Ziggy Ansah, I was like "really"? But I was completely wrong. He's fast, agile, and really quick off the end. Although Teryl Austin, our new defensive coordinator, lines him up all over the place. A name that people should know on our offense is, Deandre Levy, OLB. He should have made the pro bowl last year. Lead lb's in interceptions last year, and is having another fantastic year. If Suh wasn't so dominating this year. I would have to say Levy was our defensive player of the year at this point. Jim Schwartz, our previous head coach, played a very vanilla defensive scheme. 4 man rush, and secondary zone. Austin is much different he allows our cb's to press. Hence the improvement in secondary play. Darius Slay, a second year player from Mississippi State, played press in college. Schwartz scheme, mostly zone, he was lost and benched last year. This year is a complete 180, since he is pressing most of the time. The cornerbacks are still the weakest position on our D. But we have a great safety tandem in Glover and Ihedigbo. Glover is the deep ranger of the 2 with great hands. Ihedigbo is the thumper. Outstanding in supporting the run, hard hitter. And he has a couple of picks this year.

We've lost two games this year. To Carolina and Buffalo. The Buffalo game....well 3 missed field goals will come back to haunt you. The Carolina game....2 missed field goals and fumbles within your opponents redzone will haunt you too.

Any questions about my Leo's, I'll be checking this post. This board seems to be more knowledgeable, and enemy friendly. Here's to an injury free game, (We know either team doesn't need anymore). I believe my Leo's will win one in a squeaker. Look forward to conversating with you all.

Welcome exgi20. Too bad that you put this nicely written post in an already open thread. It would have been better as a new thread, and really deserves that position.

Your post reveals what most of us know about NFL football. Most teams seldom beat another team, (one team almost always finds a way to make enough mistakes to cost them a game). It is highly likely that the most mistake free team will come out the victor on Sunday in Glendale.

This is truly a big game for both franchises. It is probably the biggest for both teams to date this year, and thus is worthy of of the heightened excitement level in both Michigan and Arizona.

No one achieves this level of success without being able to overcome adversity and injury. Both these teams have done very well to that end. I believe that we can both look forward to a hard played game this Sunday, and that the outcome will most likely be close.

From my perspective, I believe that a Matthew Stafford led offense will give our tough defense a real load to handle. There is no doubt about Megatron being the best WR in the game, and having some help from newly returning TE's will not hurt that offense in the least.

Suh is truly a beast, but I have a newly gained respect for him after listening to his pregame interview. He is very knowledgeable about our team and that tells me that he is not just a beast, but that he is an intelligent one. That is the type of player who can carry an entire defense on his shoulders, and elevate his team mates. This looks to be a great game for us fans to be involved in.

Thank you for your astute analysis of your Lions. I believe that our defense, led by Callais Campbell on the line, and by our wonderful secondary, will test even Megatron and Tate, though there will be wins by both sides. I also believe that Suh, Levy, and Ansah will be doing Teryl Austin's bidding to hold down our receiving corps and our running game. We get to see the results of Todd Bowles' fertile mind each game, so we have a way to compare how the two defenses might operate in this one.

I hope you join me in enjoying this game as a very special one.

 

[Jim Otis]

I like to look at what these other teams need to do and what lies ahead for them . Playing us is no picnic for any of them . I would bet there is some hand wringing going on with the sea-hags. Who has harder six game stretch , 4 on the road , at chiefs -- at eagles -- at Cards -- at 9'ers + Cards and 9'ers at Seattle . Trust me they will lose some of these games .
All of these teams that are chasing our Cardinals have their on set of problems playing each other, example --- this Sunday --- Eagles vs Packers . Eagles still have 2 game with the Cowboys , Packers finish season against Lions. The point I'm trying to make is we can lose some games and still end up the #1 seed in the NFC .

 

[football karma]

I think it comes down to this:

Can the Lions beat a good team on the road?

they have all the attributes of a team that can -- but will they?

Its funny -- but even after nine games, the Lions are a team where you wonder exactly how good they are (similar to questions about the Cards prior to the SF and Philly games). They are clearly a good team -- but are they top of the conference good?

I do expect a tight, grind it out game. Detroit feels a bit more explosive offensively than Arizona, so on a neutral site, i would give them the edge. In UofP -- things get tougher, so this feels like a pick 'em game to me.

I am probably influenced by what looked like a pretty lethargic effort for the first 45 minutes of last weeks game by the Cards. I think this game has a playoff like intensity to it -- so the Cards should play better than last week.

Maybe it comes down to kicks?

 

[Jetstream Green]

The two best teams in the NFC and we have the privilege to be one... well earned on both sides!

 

[Jim Otis]

I'm a guy that believes that Coaches win .
I'm picking a " Leader Of Men " Bruce Arians to win this game .

 

[exgi20]

Deciding factor in the game - Field Goals. Lions have missed on 11 of 22 field goals (50%), Cardinals kicker Cantanzaro has hit 17 of 18 (94%). And that is not even talking about the Cardinals propensity to block kicks. Edge: CARDINALS!

That has been our downfall in both of our losses. We drafted Nate Freese out of Boston College this year. Was 20 for 20 his Senior year. 1st game he went 2/3 against the Giants. He missed 2 field goals in the first half of the Carolina game. We went into that game down in the first half 6-0. He went 1-2 in the Green Bay game. He was released after that.
Then we picked up the former kicker for the Eagles , he went 1-2 against the Jets. Then he went 0/3 against the Bills.......at Ford Field. We lost that game by 1 point. We know have Praeter who kicked for the Broncos last year. And he kicked a 64 yarder. It's an improvement....but still a work in progress. He's missed a couple and had one blocked last week.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Lions fan here. As usual I go to the next opponents boards and get a feel about their fans thoughts about the upcoming game. My first thought is who would of "thunk", both these teams would have been in this situation at the start of the year. I come to talk football, and I never flame, nor will I answer to flames.

Two historically underachieving franchises, now in the limelight. I've read the conversation on ESPN, and some of the cards boards, and lions boards. Seems like fans of both teams want their team respected nationally. But a lot of fans are disrespecting the other teams accomplishments which got them this far. I respect what the Cards have done this year, and I don't have to tear them down, to show what a great year my team is having so far. Besides, we both have to finish the season .

My lions come back to Arizona, on a losing streak. With that being said, In my opinion, this will be a very tight game. It seems like you guys are the masters of capitalizing on turnovers. A great defense, a good offense with a run problem. My Leo's haven't gotten quite the number of turnovers this year. But have a great offense, with a run problem.

Matthew Stafford has been adequate this year. Not so many interceptions, and he is throwing the ball away more. He's not putting up the fantasy numbers he has been in recent years, but he's not turning the ball over so much. The question here in Detroit, is whether the new offensive coordinator is playing very conservative? Or is he going to open up our playbook, now that we have Calvin and our tight ends back? Just like other teams we have taken our injury hits.....it seems primarily to be our offensive skill players. Calvin is back, and I've read that all 3 tight ends (Pettigrew, Fauria, and Ebron), may be available for Sunday's games. That allows us to open up the playbook some, if that was Joe Lombardi's concern. Our tight ends from the waiver wire and practice squad have been invisible. We lost our 1st string RT in our first game, and our backup got hurt the same game. Looks like we might have our RT back, but our starting RG is ailing. Not sure if he is playing or not, Caldwell is tight lipped about injuries. Golden Tate has been our offensive player of the year so far...putting up great numbers and just being clutch when it counted. Our running game needs work. Not sure if it's because we are getting used to Lombadi's (New Orleans lite), offense or because of the injury problems on the line. This same offensive line was ranked top 5 at the end of last year.

Defensively, we get after the quarterback. Not matter what you think about Suh, the man is an absolute beast. And the Cards will have to keep 2 lineman on him. When we drafted Ziggy Ansah, I was like "really"? But I was completely wrong. He's fast, agile, and really quick off the end. Although Teryl Austin, our new defensive coordinator, lines him up all over the place. A name that people should know on our offense is, Deandre Levy, OLB. He should have made the pro bowl last year. Lead lb's in interceptions last year, and is having another fantastic year. If Suh wasn't so dominating this year. I would have to say Levy was our defensive player of the year at this point. Jim Schwartz, our previous head coach, played a very vanilla defensive scheme. 4 man rush, and secondary zone. Austin is much different he allows our cb's to press. Hence the improvement in secondary play. Darius Slay, a second year player from Mississippi State, played press in college. Schwartz scheme, mostly zone, he was lost and benched last year. This year is a complete 180, since he is pressing most of the time. The cornerbacks are still the weakest position on our D. But we have a great safety tandem in Glover and Ihedigbo. Glover is the deep ranger of the 2 with great hands. Ihedigbo is the thumper. Outstanding in supporting the run, hard hitter. And he has a couple of picks this year.

We've lost two games this year. To Carolina and Buffalo. The Buffalo game....well 3 missed field goals will come back to haunt you. The Carolina game....2 missed field goals and fumbles within your opponents redzone will haunt you too.

Any questions about my Leo's, I'll be checking this post. This board seems to be more knowledgeable, and enemy friendly. Here's to an injury free game, (We know either team doesn't need anymore). I believe my Leo's will win one in a squeaker. Look forward to conversating with you all.

I really believe that if we still had Palmer, this game would be ours... not easily, but we would pull it out in the end.
Your defense is scary... and with our backup (Stanton) at the helm, our chances for success drop.
Of course, Stanton has shown that he has the smarts and the guts to make big plays often enough to win games. However, Palmer had just gotten locked in and his timing with our WR's was reaching a very high level (Before he got hurt, he had completed 70% of his passes against the Rams).
I just don't know if Stanton can step in and be nearly as efficient as Palmer has been. And given that our running game is nothing to fret, I gotta believe your defense is licking their chops just waiting to eat up some Stanton prime rib...

On the flip side, our defense is of course top-tier in the NFL for a reason... And we are undefeated at home thus far (5 & 0). I think this will be a very tight, down to the wire game and if that's the case, the Cards have shown a strong ability to do whatever is required to win those types of games. But, if somehow you guys take a commanding early lead, I'm really not sure Stanton will have the ability to bring us all the way back...

Should be a fun one!

 

[exgi20]

I think it comes down to this:

Can the Lions beat a good team on the road?

they have all the attributes of a team that can -- but will they?

Its funny -- but even after nine games, the Lions are a team where you wonder exactly how good they are (similar to questions about the Cards prior to the SF and Philly games). They are clearly a good team -- but are they top of the conference good?

As a Detroit fan, that is a very fair question to ask. IMO....I don't know. They still have to prove it. You see no matter the bravado you hear Lions fans talk about this game. We always wait for the other shoe to drop. All these years of futility. Even when Barry Sanders was on the team. We would make the playoffs and a first round exit. But I have seen some positive changes. This year we have not shot ourselves in the foot much. Less penalties and more discipline. I attribute all that to Coach Caldwell....he tells the press every week we haven't done anything. The players have responded to him. It's a night and day difference between him and the former coach Jim Schwartz. I will say this Detroit destroyed Green Bay when they came to town. Aaron Rogers had the worst game statistically he ever had. I think too many fans think its easy to go on the road to win a game. The upper echelon teams just have the attitude, teamwork and ability to force their will on other teams they play on the road. My Lions are 3-1 on the road.....but to me they haven't proven they are road warriors yet.

QUOTE]

 

[Cheesebeef]

I really believe that if we still had Palmer, this game would be ours... not easily, but we would pull it out in the end.
Your defense is scary... and with our backup (Stanton) at the helm, our chances for success drop.
Of course, Stanton has shown that he has the smarts and the guts to make big plays often enough to win games. However, Palmer had just gotten locked in and his timing with our WR's was reaching a very high level (Before he got hurt, he had completed 70% of his passes against the Rams).
I just don't know if Stanton can step in and be nearly as efficient as Palmer has been. And given that our running game is nothing to fret, I gotta believe your defense is licking their chops just waiting to eat up some Stanton prime rib...

On the flip side, our defense is of course top-tier in the NFL for a reason... And we are undefeated at home thus far (5 & 0). I think this will be a very tight, down to the wire game and if that's the case, the Cards have shown a strong ability to do whatever is required to win those types of games. But, if somehow you guys take a commanding early lead, I'm really not sure Stanton will have the ability to bring us all the way back...

Should be a fun one!

pretty much all of this. say what you will about we're a legit 8-1 and the Lions are a suspect 7-2 (which I don't buy... both teams are solid teams), even though Stanton played okay in three starts (and by okay, not doing anything to lose the games with a big play or two), we ARE an unknown commodity moving forward with him.

I'm hoping Homefield/Coaching puts us over the top in this game, but it's gonna be a complete dogfight, IMO. As will every game the rest of the year.

 

[Shaggy]

Glad it is a home game cause I feel of it wasn't, Stanton would nerve a harder time to adjust. I feel he will do well against Detroit. May not be as accurate as Palmer but I think he will do enough to win. I'll say it again, just need to get better in converting in the red zone.

 

[AZ Native]

Completely disagree. Biggest game of the year will be in Seattle next week. You need to win your division before you worry about home field in the playoffs.

Losing this game means almost nothing in the grand scheme of things. It brings our record into a tie with the Lions and I highly doubt we will be tied at the end of the season.

Meanwhile, the only way Seattle can catch us is by beating us.

That is a big game too but we both know Seattle can be beaten in Seattle, just ask Dallas and us. I was up there and hate their attitude that they can't be beaten there, they can, we proved it.

 

[TigToad]

I don't think next week's Seattle game is bigger than this one.

Yes, it is a division game, and division games are crucial, but we are in a position where all we really need is to split the 49ers and Hawks games 1-1 with us winning our home end. I really, really want to beat Seattle in Seattle, of course, but you gotta win your home games, the Lions are a good, beatable team, and if you maintain the dream of homefield throughout, this is one to win.

If we lose to Seattle in Seattle, I'll circle the home game versus the Hawks as the next most important on our schedule.

That is a big game too but we both know Seattle can be beaten in Seattle, just ask Dallas and us. I was up there and hate their attitude that they can't be beaten there, they can, we proved it.

 

[Iceman]

To tell the truth, I've never played fantasy football. I don't even know how it works... player's stats or whatever I think.... I am not a fantasy geek,

.

Lol. Don't start it because when you do, its hard to stop.

 

[NJCardFan]

we need to win all home games. period. we do that, we're looking at 11 wins and some kind of playoff birth considering we should own pretty much every tie-breaker there is to win at that point, whether it be head-to-head or conference record.

but if we want to win the division (assuming we take care of business this week), the biggest game of the season, bar none will be week 16 at home versus Seattle. That will be the biggest game of all.

Until then, each game is huge. gotta stay ahead of them because as much as I believe in the grit of this team, next week @ Seattle would take something miraculous to win there with our backup QB.

To be honest, I'm hoping week 17 against Seattle means squat. I'd love to see Logan Thomas start that game.

 

[MrYeahBut]

To be honest, I'm hoping week 17 against Seattle means squat. I'd love to see Logan Thomas start that game.

Not me. I want that game to be for home field advantage and I want the Cards to beat them like a rented mule. Did I mention I'm going to be at that game?

.

 

[WildBB]

One at a time, they're ALL important now!

 

[Catfish]

I think it comes down to this:

Can the Lions beat a good team on the road?

they have all the attributes of a team that can -- but will they?

Its funny -- but even after nine games, the Lions are a team where you wonder exactly how good they are (similar to questions about the Cards prior to the SF and Philly games). They are clearly a good team -- but are they top of the conference good?

As a Detroit fan, that is a very fair question to ask. IMO....I don't know. They still have to prove it. You see no matter the bravado you hear Lions fans talk about this game. We always wait for the other shoe to drop. All these years of futility. Even when Barry Sanders was on the team. We would make the playoffs and a first round exit. But I have seen some positive changes. This year we have not shot ourselves in the foot much. Less penalties and more discipline. I attribute all that to Coach Caldwell....he tells the press every week we haven't done anything. The players have responded to him. It's a night and day difference between him and the former coach Jim Schwartz. I will say this Detroit destroyed Green Bay when they came to town. Aaron Rogers had the worst game statistically he ever had. I think too many fans think its easy to go on the road to win a game. The upper echelon teams just have the attitude, teamwork and ability to force their will on other teams they play on the road. My Lions are 3-1 on the road.....but to me they haven't proven they are road warriors yet.

QUOTE]

Well now, we certainly got our money's worth watching this one. Happily for the Cards, two quick TDs resulted from going deep early. Arians has been known to take shots deep, and some of them are early because he likes to put the opponent in a state of uneasiness early. Both defenses played superbly. We all had it right when we said that the game would be close. This one was not decided until the first down by Fitzgerald just before the 2 minute warning.

exgi20, I want to thank you for coming to the board. You presented us with some really great insight into Detroit Football. I loved match-ups of Peterson and Megatron, and of Cromartie and Tate. As predicted, there were some wins each way.

We were treated to a VERY good football game today, and I am happy that the Cardinals got the W. Your Lions gave nothing away today, and played extremely tough. They are a really good football team, and are well coached. Continued good luck to them.

Come again next year if we play. You are welcome here, and had this game been on your turf, I am not so sure the outcome would have been the same.

 

[TigToad]

Now, this game was not "Mission Accomplished," but I think the road to the playoffs looks really good. Now, the fight for that bye and possible #1 seed. For that route, we must win our two remaining home games and probably steal at least 1 if not 2 more. @Seattle, @Atlanta, Chiefs, @Rams, Seattle, @San Fran.

I'm betting @Atlanta, Chiefs and Seattle and hoping for one road division win.

Go Cards!

 

[ajcardfan]

To be honest, I'm hoping week 17 against Seattle means squat. I'd love to see Logan Thomas start that game.

It will, because in week 17 we will be playing San Francisco.

 

[crisper57]

Seattle is huge. Put them down 4 with 5 to play and they are done.


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