Game 4: Redskins (2-1) vs. Lions (3-1)

vs.

How fortuitous, I sit down to start writing this preview in a hotel room with three sleeping kids behind me, set up Sirius online and what are Howard Balzer and Dean Dalton talking about on Sirius NFL Radio? the Redskins-Lions game.

Their take: Gregg Williams has had two weeks to prepare, the Lions offensive line, tight ends and running backs will need to work hard to protect Jon Kitna. Washington needs to stick to the run since Santana Moss may be out or slowed by injury and Redskins defense must not give up big plays that keep the Lions offense on the field. I agree with all that.

=====

The Detroit Lions come to Redskins Stadium today to play a game, a turning point game, will you be 3-1 or 2-2? And yes we know by now, the Lions are 0-20 lifetime playing at the Redskins, they just don't win in Washington. That means nothing, the last time these two teams played is was 2004, Joey Harrington was the quarterback of the Lions. Mark Brunell was 6 of 17 for 59 yards (yoip!), Clinton Portis had 147 yards rushing and threw a touchdown on a gadget play and the Lions did not have a 25 yard rusher, yada yada, let's forget about that little stat.

The Redskins had their bye last week so they should be rested and ready to go but the week off was like a soap opera! First they fell apart going into the bye then joe Gibbs insisted everything was under control then Clinton lashed out (op. cit.) then explanations on Clinton's being out of the game shifted then the Post took a tough look at Joe Gibbs' propensity for second half collapse now the team's best receiver is hobbled at best and the expensive backup receiver is playing HALO. See also George Solomon (page 2).

Curly R aside: the Redskins are giving back to the community with a great program where players lecture to high school athletes (including one from my kids' future high school) about how steroids are or could be unsafe to dangerous and ultimately maybe could be not great for you possibly. In other news Shaun Suisham and Pierson Prioleau are questionable with sprained eyelids.

The Redskins defense is going to see an offense that can score, that lines up in four wide on a regular basis, the Lions are 4th in total offensive yards and 4th in scoring with more than 28 points per game (both stats from here) but are 31st in rushing yards per game and averaging under four yards per rush (both stats from here) so even if the Lions running game improves dramatically it will still be weak so that means with a weak running game the Redskins have an opportunity to get some rush on the passer, Andre Carter line one.

Jon Kitna who really loves Jesus to the point of insisting that Christian rock get equal time in the locker room leads the league with more than 1200 yards passing and more than 70% completions. The Lions have five players that have caught ten passes or more this season. 'David Puddy' lol.

Basically everybody is healthy on defense. Fred Smoot should be back.

=====

On offense it is a poverty that Chris Cooley must block that Jason Campbell may pass. If the team needs to go max protect until new LG Pete Kendall, new RG Jason Fabini and new RT Todd Wade aka 8 Ball get into a rhythm then leave Todd Yoder in there, he's got the blocker's body and protecting the quarterback is more important than getting Cooley touches. 'Cooley touches' lol.

Clinton says he is ready to go so that's good I guess (op. cit.). Santana Moss appears to be hurt pretty bad in the hamstring so against the 29th overall / 17th against the run / 30th against the pass defense expect the Redskins will take the opportunity to try out some new things, namely new receivers Reche Caldwell and Keenan McCardell. It's a bit morbid that Brandon Lloyd is not even really in the discussion (op. cit. here and here [PDF]) of opportunities while Santana is down, almost like Brandon is Bruce Willis from Sixth Sense.

The offensive line has another chance to show some togetherness, let's cut the false starts down to a pack a day ok?

As far as the receivers I would not expect to see much of Santana unles the game is in trouble. Although James Thrash nominally will line up at the Z spot I expect this will be our chance to see Reche Caldwell and Keenan McCardell in action while Antwann Randle El keeps the chains moving.

====

What do I think? I think there is no Marshall Faulk in this Mike Martz offense and therefore it is gimmicky and the Redskins are going to put the Lions into a bunch of third downs. The Lions may be onto something after years of sucking but without better run blocking this isn't the year. That said Kevin Jones is just working his way back from injury.


Other previews: Washington Post Redskins Gameday (PDF); as usual I agree with the Post, this week's preview talking points by Jason Reid: no more falling down in the second half, stick to the run game, get back to converting on third down, get more points out of the offensive production. Hogs Haven Lions offense, defense, good detail. Lee Gibbons at The Redskin Report (statalicious). Anthony Brown at Hog Heaven, preview, 10 reasons the Redskins will win.

Dillweed's preview gets its own line. This guy is doing some of the best analytical work out there right now and Post Game Heroes is always good for a fart joke too.


This is a gameday open thread.