Sep 27, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws the ball during the first half against the Denver Broncos at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Detroit Lions (0-3) at Seattle Seahawks (1-2) Monday, 8:30 p.m. ET, at CenturyLink Field, Seattle – TV: ESPN
*TV announcers: Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden, Lisa Salters
*Keys to the game:
The Lions are likely to begin transitioning more of the backfield work onto rookie RB Ameer Abdullah, with coach Jim Caldwell giving this tepid endorsement to Joique Bell (22 yards on 22 carries): “He’s not quite where he used to be, where he was last year, but I think he’ll get there.” The fact is Detroit’s banged-up line is better-suited for a young, faster back who can reach the edge – although that’s also a difficult proposition against the Seattle defense.
Of equal concern is claims that opponents claim to know Detroit’s play-calling tendencies in advance. QB Matthew Stafford has five INTs to go with his five TDs through three games. He’ll need support from his ground game on the road after getting sacked four times and hit nine while nursing sore ribs last week.
Seattle found the win column last week with a 26-0 victory over Chicago, but that hardly eased concerns about the offense. The game was 6-0 at halftime against a Bears team in a bunker mentality minus its starting QB, and the Seahawks are converting just 36 percent of their third downs. Throw in a very shaky offensive line and RB Marshawn Lynch’s iffy status, and there is more reason for concern.
The offense has been far more effective when QB Russell Wilson is allowed to operate with some tempo, but that only seems to happen after the unit has stalled and is in need of a spark.
Rookie Thomas Rawls will get the bulk of the work if Lynch is out. Either way, Wilson needs to get outside the pocket early and create space to prevent the Lions’ defensive line from dictating the tempo.
*Matchup to watch – Lions LDE Jason Jones vs. Seahawks RT Garry Gilliam: Detroit has a host of former Seahawks – Tate, Jones, DE Darryl Tapp and NCB Josh Wilson. Jones has an opportunity to have the biggest impact back in Seattle, working against a first-year starter while LT Russell Okung has his hands tied with DE Ziggy Ansah.
*Player spotlight – Lions WR Golden Tate: The former Seahawk was a fan favorite until leaving Seattle amid a flurry of on- and off-field drama in 2014. His reception will likely be less than cordial, and he made more headlines this week by claiming opponents have been calling out Detroit’s plays.
*Fast facts: Tate was a second-round pick by Seattle in 2010, and ranks 20th in franchise history with 165 catches for 2,195 yards and 15 TDs. … Wilson is 4-0 on “Monday Night Football” with nine TDs passes, no INTs and a 123.1 passer rating. He is also 27-2 in his career at home, including postseason.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY The Lions are in desperation mode and the Seahawks are far from invincible. But this is still a must-win for Seattle at home facing a tough upcoming schedule, and Detroit’s lack of a consistent ground game leaves immobile QB Matthew Stafford to put too many passes in harm’s way.
*Our pick: Seahawks 27-10
