Detroit Lions Can Bounce Back in Big Way Against St. Louis Rams

Things have been better for the Detroit Lions.

Things have also been incredibly worse, but this team is primed for a bounce-back performance more reminiscent of the first quarter of the Green Bay Packers game as opposed to the after-the-clock-had-expired version.

While the fans' doom-and-gloom approach is understandable, if not warranted, the season must go on. And the outlook—for one week at least—is more partly sunny than partly cloudy.

The Rams are in a Free Fall

The St. Louis Rams technically have a leg up on the Lions in the standings by virtue of their wins over the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals. But those wins have nothing to do with the team that will take the field this Sunday.

St. Louis is the proud owner of a five-game losing streak, one of which was to the lowly, toothless Baltimore Ravens and another was a blowout loss to the Chicago Bears.

Head coach Jeff Fisher has lived a charmed life or has incriminating pictures of someone high up in the organization. He has yet to post a winning record in St. Louis, sporting an overall record with 12 more losses than wins, yet it's his offensive coordinator that got the axe.

"

The Rams fired their OC? Firing a chef after asking him to cook tasty dirt.

— Cian Fahey (@Cianaf) December 8, 2015"

If anyone sneaks into the post-game press conference, be sure to ask for Fisher his secret, because the man is somehow bulletproof.

The Rams are Already One Dimensional

However, what isn't bullet or foolproof is his offense, regardless of the recent dismissal.

The Rams have a strong desire to run the ball behind their excellent rookie running back, Todd Gurley. Gurley averaged 141.5 yards over a torrid four-game stretch, but he has been held to less than 50 yards in three of his last four outings.

"

Austin said Todd Gurley has had some of the best two- and three-yard runs he's seen all year.

— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) December 10, 2015"

His recent performance pairs nicely with Detroit's ability to shut down the run. After Kansas City's 206-yard explosion in London, the Lions have held down its last four opponents to 234 yards total.

That will put the game in recently renamed starting quarterback Case Keenum's hands.

"

Fisher: "(Case Keenum) will be our starter next week." Press Conference: https://t.co/AbrKU3mPZD pic.twitter.com/QTCUwpHcqo

— St. Louis Rams (@STLouisRams) December 7, 2015"

If the Lions can keep Aaron Rodgers under wraps for 60 minutes and throttle Derek Carr's usually efficient and explosive offense, Keenum and his 46.2-percent completion rate should be a challenge they can handle.

The Rams Defense is Falling Off the Cliff

St. Louis' defensive line was going to be the foundation of a playoff season. It didn't work out.

Sound familiar?

Now, the Rams are facing the rest of the season without its second-best player along the front line and its starting safety.

"

In next day or so, Rams plan to put DE Robert Quinn (back) and S T.J. McDonald (shoulder) on injured reserve, which will end their seasons.

— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) December 9, 2015"

To make matters worse, there are multiple other contributors who are fighting off a variety of ailments.

"

CB Jenkins (concussion), DE Hayes (thigh), OL Donnal (knee), K Hocker (thigh), DE Quinn (back), S McDonald (shoulder) didn't practice.

— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) December 9, 2015"

Janoris Jenkins is one of the Rams' better players in the secondary, and William Hayes has the team's second-highest pass-rushing grade, according to Pro Football Focus. The front will now be almost entirely dependent on defensive tackle dynamo Aaron Donald to create all of its pressure.

Not only have the injuries piled up, but the defense has also been giving up 28 points per game over the past month, just as the Lions have been hitting their offensive stride.

Yes, the last time you saw the Lions, they were getting crushed under the weight of a powerful prayer. But the situation this Sunday is positively divine.

All advanced stats are courtesy of Pro Football Focus.

Brandon Alisoglu is a Detroit Lions Featured Columnist. He also co-hosts a Lions-centric podcast, Lions Central Radio. Yell at him on Twitter @BrandonAlisoglu.