MichiganCardinal

I picked it up along with Red Zone on a student special for $119 in late July. There was a season ticket holder code I got shortly after that but it's expired now. It does go down in price as the season progresses though.

I don't appreciate your tone. 😉

A long time ago the goal stopped being "good and creative ideas" and became "what is the most surefire idea to make a profit" Deadpool & Wolverine wouldn't have even happened if Ryan Reynolds and his team didn't leak the initial Deadpool film's test footage. But let's make more Godzillas, Halloweens, and animated nonsense that was never meant for more than its initial story.

Fresno State is not a cupcake. At least not the way Connecticut, Hawaii, East Carolina, UNLV, Bowling Green, Colorado State, etc. are. They returned a lot of talent and went 9-4 last year. This a good team, at least by non-conference standards.

My preview as I see it... The NFL is a week-to-week league, where player health determines as much as overall roster talent does. Injuries/Game Statuses: Obviously we won't know player statuses for sure for another week or so, but right now it is looking like the Lions will be without Brodric Martin (on IR), Iffy Melifonwu, and maybe DJ Reader, though I wouldn't completely count him out just yet. Sewell has not practiced since rolling his ankle, but Campbell said he is optimistic that he will be back for the Rams. I'd be shocked if he doesn't play. Everyone else who was injured during the offseason, including Reynolds, LaPorta, Gibbs, Zeitler, Arnold, CDIII, and Rakestraw practiced on the last walkthrough before cutdowns, and are presumably 90% or better for week one. In an ideal world, all of those guys are 100% and you have no injuries at all, but that was never going to be a reality on a Dan Campbell led team. We are about as good as you could hope for heading into week one. The Rams on the other hand... Their starting LT Alaric Jackson is suspended for two weeks, so he won't be there. Their starting RT Rob Havenstein hasn't practiced in about a month with an ankle injury, and seems likely to be out, though McVay said he is "hoping" he will recover enough to be out there. Two of their backup tackles are starting the season on IR. Reserve Joe Noteboom (who has no experience at LT and was replaced as the starting RG in 2023 after earning a 52.3 PFF grade), Warren McClendon (a 2023 5th round pick who has only recorded five career snaps), and AJ Arcuri (who spent all of 2023 on the practice squad) are the only three remaining tackles on the roster as of today. Our old friend Jonah Jackson is likely to play after missing most of camp with a shoulder injury, but it sounds as if they will have him playing center, while sophomore Steve Avila remains at left guard. Their initial plan was to have Avila slide to his college position of center and have Jackson at LG, but I'm guessing Avila has not developed enough at center for them to trust him starting there, particularly with the depleted line as it is. Jackson only ever played center here on an emergency basis. On the bright side for the Rams, their RG Kevin Dotson is just chilling. Outside of their offensive line woes, Tyler Higbee is starting the season on the PUP and Puka Nacua has been dealing with a knee injury in camp but is expected to be fine for week one. Roster Evaluations: As far as overall roster goes, as we all know the Lions remain mostly intact on offense, with the lone departure being Josh Reynolds. Jamo is expected to fill the WR2 role while the WR3 role remains a question mark for now. With an otherwise healthy cast of weapons around Goff, I think they'll make do just fine until one of Tim Patrick, Allen Robinson, or maybe even DPJ steps up. On defense, the front seven will look nearly identical to how it did in the playoff game, with the additions of Marcus Davenport and James Houston on the edge opposite Hutch. I expect that defensive line to feast on the depleted offensive line of the Rams and force Stafford out of the pocket, which he doesn't love to do at age 36. The secondary is completely overhauled from the playoff game. Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph, and Kindle Vildor are the only remaining players who were here in the secondary 8 months ago. That said, the rookie debuts of Arnold and Rakestraw may not be as memorable as Branch's was last year. Between Nacua and Kupp, I think Stafford will have some success downfield, if his offensive line can give him some semblance of protection. For the Rams, their offense looks similar to last years. I've already discussed their offensive line, but they also added Blake Corum in the draft. It remains to be seen what kind of role he will have as a rookie. On defense, they lost one of the greatest of all time in Aaron Donald. They sought to replace him in the draft with DE Jared Verse and DT Bradon Fiske. Those two have massive shoes to fill. They'll be in for a challenge against Detroit's veteran offensive line. The Lions weren't the only ones to overhaul their secondary in the offseason, as the Rams acquired Darious Williams, Tre'Davious White, and Kamren Curl in free agency. Game Plans: I think the Lions will have the same game plan they've had since Dan Campbell took over. Control the ground attack on both sides of the ball. There are going to be two rookies on the Rams defensive line. Bully them into submission as a welcome to the NFL. Impose your will, 4-7 yard gains at a time. Mix in the short yard, high percentage passes to ASB and LaPorta, particularly if the Rams drop defensive backs into the box. Try to get Jamo in space on a few over the middle. On defense, don't allow the offensive line woes divert you from what has won you games in the past. Whether it's Kyren Williams or Blake Corum on the ground, focus energy first on stuffing that. Don't give an inch. When you force Stafford into 3rd and longs, bully the depth on both sides. Look for Davenport and McNeill to have big games if they try to double Hutchinson. I expect Hutch will float though, and they will put him in positions to succeed around the edge. For the Rams, they are going to try to pick on the new-and-improved secondary. Terrion Arnold will need to tread water. I expect they will not have a lot of five or seven-step drops in the playbook, but rely on quick outs to Nacua and Kupp. Anzalone and Campbell will also need to have good games in coverage or they're just going to dink and dunk down the field how the Seahawks did with Geno Smith last year when they had a depleted offensive line. Recap and Prediction: I think these are two really good teams. Both should make the playoffs and either could win the NFC with the right breaks in the playoffs. But... at least for week one... the wrong breaks are hitting the Rams. In 2022, when the Rams went 5-12, a major reason why was their offensive line. They addressed it in the 2023 offseason, and they improved dramatically. One converted 3rd and goal in wildcard weekend and it was probably them facing the 49ers in the NFCCG instead of the Lions last year. Their offensive line in week one will look far more reminiscent of 2022 than 2023. When the Lions are 'on' their game plan, they can beat anybody in the NFL. And they should be able to run the ball and stuff the run against the Rams. The Rams are still well coached and they will be ready; McVay is 6-1 in week one games with the Rams, with an average margin of victory of 16 points across those six wins. All the same, I expect the Lions to win this rematch. Lions 31 Rams 23

Most anticipated season in Lions franchise history. Expectations have never been higher. And I'm not even anxious, just excited.

vs. Setting: 09/08/2024 8:20pm EST on NBC Site: Ford Field in Detroit, MI Weather: Climate Controlled Opening Spread: Lions -3.5 All-Time Series Record: Rams lead, 45-42-1 Last Meeting: 01/14/2024, Lions won 24-23 (2024 NFC Super Wildcard Weekend) Los Angeles Rams (0-0) Head Coach: Sean McVay (8th Season: 70-45) Projected Starting QB: John Matthew Stafford (16th Season: 98-107-1) Last Season/Game: 10-7, finished 2nd in NFC West, 24-23 L @ Detroit Lions in NFC Super Wildcard Weekend Preseason: 2-1 (13-12 W v. Dallas Cowboys, 13-9 W @ Los Angeles Chargers, 17-15 L @ Houston Texans) Looking Ahead to Week #2: Sunday @ Arizona Cardinals (0-0) Your Detroit Lions (0-0) Head Coach: Dan Campbell (4th Season: 24-26-1) Projected Starting QB: Jared Goff (9th Season: 66-50-1) Last Season/Game: 12-5, NFC North Champions, 34-31 L @ San Francisco 49ers in NFC Championship Game Preseason: 2-1 (14-3 L @ New York Giants, 24-23 W @ Kansas City Chiefs, 24-17 W v. Pittsburgh Steelers) Looking Ahead to Week #2: Sunday v. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-0) Elsewhere in the NFL Primetime: Ravens @ Chiefs (TNF), Packers @ Eagles (Friday Night in São Paulo, Brazil), Jets @ 49ers (MNF) 1:00pm: Panthers @ Saints, Vikings @ Giants, Patriots @ Bengals, Steelers @ Falcons, Texans @ Colts, Cardinals @ Bills, Titans @ Bears, Jaguars @ Dolphins 4:05/4:25pm: Broncos @ Seahawks, Raiders @ Chargers, Cowboys @ Browns, Commanders @ Buccaneers

Possible. Your QB2 is of no use to you if he’s just a gate to QB3.

The Nate Sudfeld fall from grace is one backup QB historians will ponder about. From the clear QB2 (Campbell said as much) to not playing in the third preseason game and being passed on the practice squad by Jake Fromm, who was only acquired as insurance against Hooker not being able to play. Most didn’t think Fromm would even take a snap in a Lions uniform once Hooker was good to play in the second preseason game. Though with Cominsky going to IR today it creates a spot, maybe they still sign him. I think more likely is that Patrick gets elevated.

A little surprised by this.

He’s a local kid, played ball at Salem HS.

It all could be financial in nature. Vets who make the initial 53-man are guaranteed their full salary. If they were sure they could get both Peko and Sudfeld back after they cut them, but weren’t sure they’d want them all fall (e.g., if Martin and Hooker develop enough), they can save money if they cut either of them at any point in the season. If that’s what happens (Sudfeld and Peko are re-signed), that’s what I would expect to be the case.

Still doesn't really answer the 52v53 question if he's starting on the practice squad.

This was the first year Skip has ever made the initial 53-man.

The more I think about it, they might be planning for a trade to occur very shortly. Like tonight. Cominsky has to be on the 53-man for a single day to be eligible to return - not sure if it's 24 hours or effectively two days though. If their WR was going to be a waiver wire addition, they could have kept Peko on the 53-man, designated Cominsky to the IR tomorrow, and had their waiver wire addition replace Cominsky. The open spot is only needed if a move was going to happen in that single day where Cominsky is rostered. Though the salary implications of Peko not being on the initial 53-man matters too, so it could be that.

Rogers seems to agree:

Good to see Isaiah Williams make the team too.

Cominsky made the initial 53, which means he'll be placed on IR after a day. Someone will replace him. Peko could be the 2024 version of Dan Skipper; released on cutdown day with the expectation that he'll be re-signed the following day. He's a veteran, so no waivers to clear. Veterans are also guaranteed their entire season's salary if they make the initial 53-man roster. Between Reader and Martin's injury, and Wingo being a rookie, they may not want to guarantee Peko a job for the whole season, but he could be back.

Peko is the one surprise I see for sure. Houston makes it over Ukwu, which is interesting. I think that was Holmes winning something of a tug-of-war with Campbell, Campbell seemed to prefer Ukwu. They went with Parker Hesse at TE and released both Mitchell and Zylstra.

Still nothing crazy unexpected, sans Sudfeld. Betts would be a good practice squad addition. Let him learn the NFL position more and he could be a long-term replacement for Houston if he's not going to stick around.