Lions to Break Losing Streak vs. Fading Skins
NFL Picks | by Mike O'Hara | 09.26.2009/5:49PM
Post a comment or e-mail Mike O’Hara at .
This is my analysis and prediction of Game 3 – the Redskins-Lions at Ford Field on Sunday. My complete NFL picks for Week 3 are available on The Detroit News website at detnews.com.
Kickoff: Sunday at 1 p.m. (EDT).
History: The Redskins have a 27-10 series lead, and 3-0 in the playoffs. They have a five—game winning streak over the Lions.
2008: The Redskins won, 25-17, at Ford Field.
Lions’ injury report: Doubtful – DE Cliff Avril (hamstring), CB Eric King (shoulder), LB Ernie Sims (shoulder); Questionable—CB Phillip Buchanon (neck), DE Andre Fluellen (knee), QB Drew Stanton (knee); Probable – RB Jerome Felton (ankle), DT Sammie Hill (neck), DT Grady Jackson (knee), G Daniel Loper (knee) S Marquand Manuel (knee).
Key Lions’ stat: 0-19. The 19-game losing streak overrides everything.
Key Redskins’ stat: 3-7. That’s their won-lost record since beating the Lions in Game 8 last year at Ford Field. That kind of record can get a coach fired in Washington, and the heat’s on Jim Zorn in his second season.
What is Haynesworth? Albert Haynesworth signed a mega-contract with the Redskins as a free agent, and his presence is supposed to strengthen the Redskins rushing defense. The Redskins ranked eighth in the league against the run last year, allowing 4.4 yards per attempt. They’re 17th after two games, and the average is the same, 4.4 yards.
Lions’ problem: They lack a true No. 2 receiver to work with Calvin Johnson. The load has shifted to a trio of tight ends – Will Heller, Casey FitzSimmons and rookie Brandon Pettigrew. Pettigrew has moved into the starting job and had four catches last year. Look for him to be a second option – with 60-70 catches a possibility.
Betting favorite: Redskins by 6.5.
Prediction: A lot of people see improvement in the Lions. It has to be converted to wins, though, or it doesn’t matter. The Redskins are under pressure not to lose to the Lions, and they haven’t been good under pressure in recent years. Pick: Lions 20, Redskins 19.
Comments [9] |
