Detroit Lions-St. Louis Rams Prediction: Week 5 Matchup Analysis

Quarterback

So far during the 2010 season, every quarterback the Lions have faced has been to at least one Pro Bowl, and this week they get first overall draft pick Sam Bradford.  While Bradford has been getting a lot of well deserved accolades for his play early on, it must be noted that during St Louis’ current two game winning streak he has had to face the NFL’s 29^th and 31^st ranked pass defenses.  Before all of you assume the Lions are ranked 32, they are actually 26^th against the pass.

Shaun Hill performed admirably against the Packers last week and has continued to improve as he gets more comfortable in the offense.  Unlike Bradford, Hill has not had the benefit of throwing against weak pass defenses.  The Eagles, Packers, and Vikings are ranked 5^th, 7^th, and 8^th in pass defense.

Edge: Lions. It would have been fun to see Matthew Stafford go head-to-head with the newest boy wonder, but Hill has been all you can ask for in a backup.

 Wide Receivers

The Lions receiving core gets a big boost this week with the return of Nate Burleson.  Burleson rejoins an offense that last week moved the ball very well against a good Green Bay Defense.

Pop quiz, name two Rams receivers. Mark Clayton and Danny Amendola may not be household names, but they have been potent this year.  Clayton has been especially good with 22 catches for 300 yards.

Edge: Lions. It will be nice to see both Calvin Johnson and Burleson on the field together.

Running Backs:

Steven Jackson has been one of the most consistent backs for the last five years.  Against the Lions last year all he did was go for 149 yards, and most of that was against eight and nine man fronts.  Many times when a player goes for almost 150 yards, there is usually a really long run mixed in there, but against the Lions Jackson’s longest run was a mere 26 yards.

Jahvid Best has been held out of the end zone recently and will look to regain his scoring touch.  He is now two weeks removed from his turf toe injury, and will hopefully be at full speed for this game.

Edge: Rams. Big bruising backs with speed don’t fall off trees, but the Rams have one in Jackson.

Tight Ends:

Detroit is using its tight ends effectively, and if Brandon Pettigrew can eliminate the drops the Lions have an advantage over most teams they play at this position.

Daniel Fells has caught eleven passes so far this year.

Edge: Lions.

Offensive Line:

The Rams have two young tackles in Jason Smith and rookie Rodger Saffold.  Smith who was drafted to be the LT of the future by the Rams is now starting on the right side.

The Lions’ offensive line has been a big disappointment this year.  I expected big things from the OL and I was wrong.  A line that was supposed to get stronger with the return on Stephen Peterman and the addition of Rob Sims has been jello like in the middle. 

Edge: Rams. The Lions will once again be looking to shore up their offensive line next year.  The Rams can start five rookies and they still might be better than the sorry bunch the Lions trot out every week. 

Defensive Line:

Speaking of Rookie offensive lineman, Detroit’s defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch must be salivating at the chance to teach Saffold a lesson or two.  Ndamukong Suh will look to add to his resume as he tries to get his fourth sack of the young season.

Former Lions James Hall already has four sacks this year and that has fellow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Michael Sudds worried about the health of Lions QB Shaun Hill.  A closer look at Hall’s sacks however will let Mr Sudds know that Hill is going to be ok. 

Halls sacks have come against the following list of right tackles: Sean Locklear, Jammal Brown, and Langston Walker.  Of those name only Jammal Brown can be considered a top flight tackle, but he is coming of season ending injury and has allowed six sacks so far this year.

Edge: Lions. No defensive line has outplayed the Motor City Wrecking Crew this year.

Linebackers:

The Lions’ linebackers have probably been the worst unit in the league.  I would like to single out one guy and say he has played well but there isn’t one worth mentioning.

Rams MLB James Laurinaitis is a player people in Michigan are familiar with from his Ohio State days. Laurinaitis has been stout in the middle of the Rams defense with 26 tackles so far this year.

Edge: Rams. Fordson High School might have a better set of linebackers than the Lions do.

Secondary:

Alphonso Smith has been getting increased playing time and has responded with two interceptions.  He is in line to start this week in place of Jonathan Wade. 

At 6’1” Ronald Bartell is one of the taller corners in the NFL, however he is still four inches shorter than Calvin Johnson.  In the past Bartell has been susceptible to biting on a fake.  Look for the Lions to exploit that.

Edge: Rams. As long as C. C. Brown is still employed by the Lions I can’t see them as having an edge in this area.

Special Teams:

The Lions forced two turnovers on special teams last week.  Jason Hanson showed he can still hit 50+ yard field goals.

Josh Brown has already missed three kicks from inside the 40 this year.

Edge: Lions.

Prediction:

The Rams have only allowed 13 points per game, but they have yet to play a top 15 scoring offense.  The Lions are 12^th in scoring offense.

Ndamukong Suh said the Lions will not lose another game at home this year.  He is going to come out with a vengeance.  Look for Bradford to be on the sideline before halftime.

Pick: Lions 24, Rams 17

2010 pick record 3-1