Behind Enemy Lines: Detroit Lions
Dec 13, 2012, 5:10 PM | Updated: Dec 14, 2012, 7:59 pm
Sunday’s matchup between the Detroit Lions and the Arizona Cardinals will be a meaningless matchup between two of the coldest teams in the NFL.
After a surprising 10-win season in 2011, the Detroit Lions failed to live up to the hype this season.
Despite being the top passing team in the league, the Lions find themselves at 4-9 and are losers of five straight games.
Luckily for them, they are about to visit the coldest team in the league.
Losers of a league-high nine games in a row, the Cardinals are in turmoil.
After being embarrassed by the Seattle Seahawks 58-0 last week, it can’t get much worse for Arizona.
Friday, December 14
Detroit Lions Notebook: Teammates support Suh (The News-Herald)
Last week, an anonymous Detroit Lions player had a few critical words to say about defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. But this week, center Dominic Raiola came to his defense.
Detroit Lions shift focus to Megatron’s record pursuit (NFL.com)
Much like the Arizona Cardinals, the Detroit Lions chances to make the playoff are long gone. At this point, the team is shifting their focus to star wide receiver Calvin Johnson and his pursuit of the single-season receiving yards record.
Pettigrew and Fairley miss practice again (DetroitLions.com)
After missing practice for the third time this week, tight end Brandon Pettigrew and defensive tackle Nick Fairley’s availability for Sunday’s game seems unlikely.
Ndamukong Suh to fight latest traffic citation (SB Nation)
Despite earned millions of dollars a year, Ndamukong Suh plans on going to court and fighting a $130 fine that he received for a recent traffic violation.
Thursday, December 13
Lions without five starters at practice (DetroitLions.com)
The team was without cornerbacks Chris Houston and Jacob Lacey, safety Louis Delmas, defensive tackle Nick Fairley and tight end Brandon Pettigrew for the portion of practice open to the media.
Drew Sharp: Lions’ draft gambles are not paying off (Detroit Free Press)
The Lions have the best wide receiver in the NFL, an extremely talented young quarterback who nonetheless has taken a significant step backward this season, and an impressive defensive tackle tandem they probably can’t keep together beyond next season because of salary-cap limitations.
Detroit Lions’ Ndamukong Suh on critcism from anonymous teammate: ‘You know where my locker is if you got something to say to me’ (MLive.com)
Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh was criticized again last week, but dismissed the latest condemnation.
Detroit Lions projected to select CB Dee Milliner in Todd McShay’s first mock draft (MLive.com)
After a one season reprieve, it’s back to a point where Detroit Lions fans are spending December thinking more about the draft than the playoffs.
Detroit Lions QB Matthew Stafford shakes off criticism about his performance this season (MLive.com)
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford has been criticized for awkward throws and lack of touchdowns this season, but is not concerned about outside opinions.
Like Corey Williams, safety Louis Delmas has been battling a knee injury all season. For the second time this week, coach Jim Schwartz was asked if the team is considering shelving Delmas as well.
Wednesday, December 12
Lions, Cardinals both haunted by tough losses, long losing streaks (Detroit Free Press)
When two teams have combined for 14 straight losses, how can you tell which is worse? How bad is bad? How low is low?
Coordinator Cut-Up: Cunningham says Jackson is a starting-caliber end (DetroitLions.com)
The Lions have plenty of decisions to make on defense this offseason with seven free-agent starters and a number of other key free-agent reserves.
Among the latter includes defensive end Lawrence Jackson, who is coming off probably his best game of the season in Green Bay. Jackson recorded a season-high three tackles, a sack and a forced fumble.
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford joined “Mike and Mike in the Morning” on ESPN Radio on Wednesday morning. Here’s a full transcript from the interview.
Detroit Lions Issue of the Week: Snap a five-game losing streak (MLive.com)
The Lions have tied and broke records for futility during their recent struggles. There are only three games remaining in this disappointing season.
Tuesday, December 11
Lions put Corey Williams on IR, sign Andre Fluellen (Detroit Free Press)
The Lions informed Williams today that they are placing him on season-ending injured reserve because of a right knee injury that has limited him to just seven games this season.
Stafford talks touchdowns, Megatron and hitting a stride (DetroitLions.com)
In an interview with Sirius NFL Radio Tuesday, quarterback Matthew Stafford discussed, among other things, the offense’s slow start to the season when it came to scoring touchdowns.
Carries in the Detroit Lions’ ground game were essentially even split between running backs Mikel Leshoure and Joique Bell in Sunday’s loss to the Green Bay Packers.
Monday, December 10
NFL Injuries: Detroit Lions Tight End Brandon Pettigrew Injures Ankle (Rant Sports)
The Detroit Lions’ starting tight end, Brandon Pettigrew, injured his ankle in Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers. His status was reported as questionable for the upcoming game against the Cardinals.
Despite record, Lions plan to play veteran linebackers, not youngsters. (Detroit Free Press)
According to Detroit Lions’ defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham, the team will continue to play their veteran linebackers over younger players despite being out of the playoff race.
O’Hara’s Monday Countdown: Strong performances aren’t changing the bottom line (Detroit Lions)
Much like the Cardinals, the Lions don’t have too much to play for. Both team have clinched their spots at the bottom of their divisions and scrambling to find meaning and answers from their disappointing seasons.
Detroit Lions Have Lost 22 Straight Games at Lambeau Field (Rant Sports)
The Lions welcome a trip to University of Phoenix Stadium because it means they don’t have to play at Lambeau Field, where the team has not won a game since 1991.
