The Lions are a precarious 3-4, trying to get back into the playoff race. This weekend they face a seemingly weak Jacksonville Jaguars, but don't let this game fool you. The Lions may have their hands full.
The Jaguars are coming off of two straight tough losses. They were all over the Raiders two weeks ago before Blaine Gabbert left the game. Chad Henne was unable to preserve the Jaguars' lead in the second half, and the Jags lost their second overtime game of the year.
Just a week ago, the Green Bay Packers had all they could handle as Blaine Gabbert threw the ball all over the field. Again, the Jaguars just lost a game in which no one thought they'd have a chance, and that Packers team is much better than the Lions.
To top off the Lions' potential for a letdown, they'll be missing Louis Delmas on defense, leaving a weak secondary susceptible to even the worst quarterbacks in the league. Blaine Gabbert found plenty of openings last week, and there's no reason to believe that won't be the case this weekend.
On offense, the Lions could be without wide receiver Calvin Johnson. Pro Football Weekly's Eric Edholm reported yesterday via Twitter that Johnson is a game time decision, and if he plays, he'll likely only be available on third down plays. The Lions have struggled in a big way this season, and not having Calvin Johnson on the field every down won't help their cause any.
Sources tell @profootballwkly that Lions WR Calvin Johnson is gametime decision. If he plays, could be relegated to 3rd down situations.
— Eric Edholm (@Eric_Edholm) November 4, 2012
The Lions can get back to .500 on the season with a win in Jacksonville later today, but they can't make the mistake of overlooking the Jaguars. Yes, Jacksonville is just 1-6, but they've been giving teams fits over the past couple of weeks, and the Lions are a banged up squad ripe for a defeat.
