Lions vs Bucs Pregame

The Detroit Lions open their 2011 NFL season with a chance to show the world just how good they have become and a win in Tampa Bay is the perfect way to do it.

Think of what a victory over the Bucs would say about the Lions....

Last year the Bucs were one of the few teams to ever have 10 wins and not make the play-offs. There is no doubt that they are a good team and they are healthier this year than they were when the teams met last year. To beat a legitimate 10 win team in the first week would say a lot about an up and coming Lions team.

Last year the Lions beat the Bucs with their 3rd string quarterback, Drew Stanton in the game. Some believe it was a fluke win. Beating them this Sunday would prove it was more than a fluke. It was the better team winning.

A victory this Sunday would give the Lions a road win right off the bat and take away doubts that this team has turned the corner.

Why the Lions might lose:
LeGarrette Blount - He is a big, strong, powerful runner who can make players miss and break to the outside for long gains.

Josh Freeman to Mike Williams - The duo put up a lot of yards last year and are not to be taken lightly

Aqib Talib - A very good corner back in the NFL and expected to pay a lot of attention to Calvin Johnson.

The Records - The Bucs were 10-6 last year and the Lions were 6-10.

Reasons the Lions will win:
Matthew Stafford to Calvin Johnson - Stafford has the talent to be one of the top 5 quarterbacks in the NFL. Calvin is already arguably the best receiver.

Stafford to Burleson - If Calvin is double or triple covered, Stafford will have no problem turning to Nate Burleson, who can be a force all on his own.

Stafford to Pettigrew - Pettigrew has dropped his share of easy catches. He has caught some circus grabs as well. He has gotten better every year and is expected to be a top-5 TE this year.

Stafford to Best - If there is not much room to run, Best will be glad to get his yards through the air.

A man named Suh - Ndamukong Suh and the Wrecking Crew want to show last year was no joke. They will come out gunning for Freeman. Freeman is one of the few QBs who escaped Suh's clutches last year. He wont get away clean a second time in a row.

Off season Improvements - Sure the Bucs got healthier. They have Talib and McCoy this year. The Lions have Stafford back and Best healthy. The Lions have also added two new (very talented) linebackers to shore up their defense and Amari Spievey is looking leaps and bounds better than last year.


Overall:
If you look at last year, the Lions beat the Bucs with their 3rd string QB and their star RB hampered with a turf toe injury on both feet. This year they are healthy and their defense is even better, so their is no reason they shouldn't be able to beat the Bucs again.

If you match up the two teams position by position, the only two positions the Bucs are better are running back and cornerbacks. The Lions have more talent as QB, WR, TE, D-line, LB and Safety.

The Lions are a much improved team this year. They have the ability to be one of the better teams in the NFL. Only the past hurts causes many fans afraid to put their faith in the team. Let me fill you in on a little secret..... NFL teams don't win on faith. They win on scheme, talent, and execution. The 2011 Detroit Lions have all three of those now.

Lions win this one 30 - 17