Pats at Lions pre-game thread

[jmt57]

Although it was just a walk-through, the Pats did list Mike Wright on Monday's Injury Report under "did not participate" with a concussion. Just speculating her, but with the short week I'm not going to expect him to play Thursday.

It Is What It Is: Mike Wright held out of practice for Patriots, while Tom Brady is limited

Defensive lineman Mike Wright, who suffered a concussion on Sunday against the Colts, was the only player who did not practice Monday for the Patriots. In addition, quarterback Tom Brady was listed as having “limited participation” with a right shoulder/foot problem, one of six players who were limited. Here’s the complete injury report:

Did Not Participate
DL Mike Wright (neck/concussion)

Limited Participation
QB Tom Brady (right shoulder/foot)
G Stephen Neal (shoulder)
S Jarrad Page (calf)
NT Myron Pryor (back)
RB Fred Taylor (toe)
CB Jonathan Wilhite (hip)

DL Wright sustained concussion in win - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

If Wright does not play Thursday and defensive lineman Myron Pryor (back) also remains out, the Patriots would be without their top two interior pass rushers in sub packages. Veteran Gerard Warren is a top candidate to step in, while rookie free agent Kyle Love also would move up the depth chart.

 

[GrogansHeros]

Pros to a Thursday game: Only gotta wait 2 more days to watch my patsies.

Cons: I'm going to be ripping my hair out during an 11 day wait for the showdown w/ the Jest

The other pro is that the Pats get a long week to prepare for the Jets:rocker::rocker::rocker:

 

[jmt57]

Tom Curran on the frontrunner for the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, Ndomakung Suh.

Belichick: Lions' Suh is the "real thing" | CSNNE

Through 10 games, Suh has 41 tackles, seven sacks, an interception and a fumble return for a touchdown.

The 6-4, 304-pounder is not planet-sized like Vince Wilfork or Albert Haynesworth. His game is built on explosiveness.

Asked if he's been impressed by Suh, Bill Belichick said on Monday, "Yeah, very much. He’s the real thing: strong, explosive guy. [He] has great playing strength and leverage. He looks like a man in there."

If you could call a big man "nifty", Suh might be the one. His ability to combine absurd raw power with speed is one thing. But he's also extremely agile. He's routinely getting attention from two blockers every week.

"For his size and his power, he’s very athletic," noted Belichick. "You see his speed, his quickness, his ability to change directions, play with power, play with quickness. He’s got a great skill set. He plays hard. He’s good."

Suh plays the left defensive tackle spot in the Lions 4-3 so he'll be running into Dan Koppen and Stephen Neal or Dan Connolly this week if Neal is still dinged up.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Sheesh I have not had time to scout and form any opinions yet ... still savoring yesterday.

Why the Lions every year ... this tradition needs to be changed.

Because when nobody else wanted to do it, the Lions agreed to.

I'm not saying it's right, but that's basically why it is what it is.

 

[NYCPatsFan]

The other pro is that the Pats get a long week to prepare for the Jets:rocker::rocker::rocker:

Yes, but so do the Jets.

 

[BrockSolid]

as crazy as it sounds.. a loss wouldn't be horrible.

BB's record off a loss are insane. They would be fired up for the Jets with lots of rest, etc.

 

[strngplyr]

as crazy as it sounds.. a loss wouldn't be horrible.

BB's record off a loss are insane. They would be fired up for the Jets with lots of rest, etc.

No, a loss would be horrible. You can't count on the Bengals to keep us tied with the Jets. We need to win both games to get a LEAD on the Jets, we don't want to continue to be tied with them for the rest of the year so tiebreakers can play out.

 

[D-Money]

I am hoping that O'Brien opens up the playbook on thursday.Some deep routes.

 

[Kid~Brady]

Yes, but so do the Jets.

I love the way he typed that like we had an advantage. Lol

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

i just hope they can pull out the W

 

[SuperPatsFan]

Yes, but so do the Jets.

Do you really think extra prep time doesn't favor Belichick over Ryan?

Really?

 

[jmt57]

Do you really think extra prep time doesn't favor Belichick over Ryan?

Really?

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing.

Didn't the Jets come out of their bye with a shutout loss at home?

While it is true both teams will have an equal amount of time to prepare, I'll put my money on Belichick being able to put that additional time to better use than Ryan will.

 

[tombonneau]

Also, the Lions always get up for this game. It is their superbowl.

Sorry this is a complete & utter fallacy:

2009 GB 34 DET 12
2008 TEN 47 DET 10
2007 GB 37 DET 26
2006 MIA 27 DET 10
2005 ATL 27 DET 7

If anything, you could argue in the last five seasons they have played worse than normal on Thanksgiving. (And that's saying something for Detroit.)

 

[IcyPatriot]

I am just glad we are the 12:30 game ... I sometimes fall asleep for the 4 and 8.

 

[jmt57]

Video: Reiss' 3 keys for Pats-Lions - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

In the video above, ESPNBoston.com's Mike Reiss gives his three keys for the Patriots in their Thanksgiving game against the Lions:

1. Winning the line of scrimmage battle: New England's offensive front will be tested.

2. Defending Calvin Johnson: Reiss thinks he is one of the best receivers in the game.

3. Kickoff coverage: The Lions are ranked first in the NFL in kickoff return average.

Patriots vs. Lions Preview - ESPN Video - ESPN

In this short video NFL Live's Trent Dilfer feels the Pats don't beat themselves - and won't beat themselves Thursday.



Patriots-Lions Preview - Nov. 23, 2010 - NFL - CBSSports.com Game Preview

Since BenJarvus Green-Ellis took over as starting running back after Laurence Maroney was traded and Fred Taylor was hurt, he's rushed for six touchdowns and run for 76 yards or more four times in seven games.

Danny Woodhead, picked up after the opening game when he was cut by the New York Jets, ran for a career-high 69 yards, including a 36-yard touchdown on Sunday.

Neither was thrown for a loss in a combined 50 carries over the past two games.

"You never want to lose yards in a game, especially in the NFL. Yards are so precious," Woodhead said. "We just go with what we see as running backs and the (offensive) line usually gives us something great to see and where to run, so we just play off of them."

A strong running game gives Brady more options. Defenses become more susceptible to the play-action when they might commit to the run while Brady drops back to pass. That makes things even easier for one of the NFL's top quarterbacks.

"Anyone who has ever played this game knows that you run it until they can stop it," Brady said. "You can control the tempo of the game running the ball and I think that's what we've done a good job of the last couple of weeks."

And Detroit has allowed the seventh-most yards rushing this season, another encouraging sign for New England.

 

[jmt57]

Several gems from a chat Tuesday with a Lions beat writer:

Live Chat: Lions-Patriots Week 12 preview with Brian VanOchten | MLive.com

[Comment From pacificamike] any shot the pats dont cover the 7 point spread?

Brian VanOchten: I'd bet the turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce on them covering. It could get real ugly.


[Comment From iamalionsguy] How bad are we going to get spanked this week?

Brian VanOchten: Double digits, I'm afraid.


[Comment From LostFaith?] Is there any motivation for even watching this thursday? Give me something to cling on to..... if you can

Try again -- You'll watch because it is tradition -- football, turkey and the Lions getting the stuffing beat out of them.Or watch the "Christmas Story" marathon on cable. Love that movie.


[Comment From JasonG] I think we suprise and keep it close till the half, then get blown out in the 3rd.. what you think BVO?

Brian VanOchten: I agree. They'll come out with some emotion, but it won't last.


[Comment From LA fan] Where is our next win then?

Brian VanOchten: I'm not sure I see one out there.

Brian VanOchten: Maybe 2011.


[Comment From lionsfaninnewengland] I say Suh puts on a Big 12 display this Thursday

Brian VanOchten: He might, but it won't change the outcome on the scoreboard.


[Comment From JasonG] We all knew that this year was going to be bad, like 4 wins tops, but we're all on them that they

Brian VanOchten: I'll settle for 4 wins at this point.


[Comment From bigD] how do you think the injuries are going to affect us on thursday?

Brian VanOchten: Same as always. Lack of depth in a lot of places on this roster.


[Comment From MikeG] The Lions mixed it up and went to Calvin early last game, are they starting to get a hint that Calvin is a good football player?

Brian VanOchten: You sure hope so. CJ is one of the three best receivers in the game. Period.


[Comment From John] Is Suh defensive rookie of the year?

Brian VanOchten: No question. He'd be in the running for league defensive player of the year if the Lions were 5-5.


[Comment From AnotherTomK] From the 2008 roster, the Lions have 1 starter on the entire defense, 1 starting fullback, 1 starting wide receiver and...4 starting offensive lineman. Is that why they can't run the football?

Brian VanOchten: With the exception of Rob Sims, ask yourself this question: How many of the Lions offensive linemen could start on teams that will be in the playoffs this year? I doubt any of them.


[Comment From Scott W] I think the Jets game set this team back another 2 years...the players look unmotivated..do you agree?

Brian VanOchten: It has affected them, no doubt. I don't see the same fire either -- not for a full 60 minutes.


[Comment From Mike] Will Derrick Williams have 9 catches for 154 yds and 2 TDs Thursday?

Brian VanOchten: No, but he will have zero catches for zero yards and pick up at least one penalty.


[Comment From Jorge] I have Branch, Woodhead, Hernadez and NE's D in my fantasy starting lineup.

Brian VanOchten: Start them all.


[Comment From Ed] If the team plays their best football in every aspect can the offense score enough points to keep it close against New Englands, "suspect" defense?

Brian VanOchten: Doubt it. Unless the Patriots turn the ball over.

 

[jmt57]

Calvin Johnson, Lions Aerial Attack May Be Only Hope Against Patriots on Thanksgiving - Instant Opinion - NESN.com

Lions running back Jahvid Best remains questionable for Thursday's game with the Patriots which means the Lions will likely need to make use of receiver Calvin Johnson and the passing game if they want any chance at winning on Turkey Day.

Johnson, one of the game's best receivers who is leading the team with 10 touchdowns, will be the main target for the Lions on Thursday. He has caught 55 passes for 725 yards this season. Both receivers Brandon Pettigrew and Nate Burleson will be getting a lot of attention from the Patriots secondary as well. Pettigrew has 50 catches for 487 yards and three touchdowns while Burleson has 37 catches for 433 yards and four touchdowns.

Helping the case of the Lions is the recent play of quarterback Shaun Hill. The ninth-year quarterback has been on a mini-tear as of late in place of injured Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford. Hill has thrown for more than 600 yards to go along with three touchdowns in his last two starts. Throw in the fact that the Patriots have struggled against the pass at times this year and it could easily turn into a shootout.

The 2-8 Lions will have to play hard on both sides of the ball in order to come close to winning this one, but it’s possible as evidenced by a Week 10 performance in which the Lions took the Jets to overtime. The Patriots are coming off of a crucial win over the Colts while the Lions are coming off a loss to the 3-7 Cowboys.

 

[gomezcat]

I've watched quite a few Lions games this season (they're kind of a second favourite team for me and, because of the vagaries of time differences, TV blackouts etc, they're often on when I can't watch the Pats online). I genuinely believe that they are a LOT better than the 0-16 team and are significantly better than last year's version. They should have beaten Chicago, Philly and the Jets, and possibly Green Bay. The penalties thing has been done, but they really do commit some bad ones- Julian Peterson's late hit on Tomlinson put the Jets in FG range, to send the game into overtime, as an example.

They are significantly better in the front 7 where Bosch and Suh have made a very big difference and the LBs look solid. Bosch brings a constant motor, great pass rush skills and aggression. Suh looks like the real deal and could eventually be a Great.

Where they are weak is in run blocking and the secondary. Their pass protection isn't particularly good, either, it has to be said. I feel for Jahvid Best as Adrian Peterson would have problems behind that line.

I think we will win by a couple of scores; as jmt noted, Shaun Hill isn't playing well at the moment, the Lions' O isn't getting it going and their secondary is having big problems. Having said that, Jim Schwartz and Martin Mayhew deserve a lot of credit for getting the team to this point, two years after the Lions were probably the worst team the NFL has ever seen.

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

Sorry this is a complete & utter fallacy:

2009 GB 34 DET 12
2008 TEN 47 DET 10
2007 GB 37 DET 26
2006 MIA 27 DET 10
2005 ATL 27 DET 7

If anything, you could argue in the last five seasons they have played worse than normal on Thanksgiving. (And that's saying something for Detroit.)

I assumed the "Lions play their best in Thanksgiving" CW was true simply because it was often repeated. Thanks for the information and debunking the CW.

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

I am just glad we are the 12:30 game ... I sometimes fall asleep for the 4 and 8.

I'm just glad that of the 6 remaining opponents with 3 on the road (GB,NYJ,Chicago,Det,Buf,Mia), we have Detroit on the road. Let's have our toughest opponents have to come to Foxboro. Along with Detroit the other choices for being on the road are Buff and Mia (and get the Jets, GB and Chi at home). We almost got the home/road breakdown perfect.