We're on to Detroit...

[comet52]

...to paraphrase Belichick.

The Lions are looking like the NFC's powerhouse team, though I still think Man Campbell's decision-making is inept at times.  

But whatever, it's obvious what they are while I don't know who we are at this point.  We have lost 5 in a row to Detroit and 6 of the last 7, and haven't posted a win at Ford Field since 2020.

We are 9.5 point dogs, the biggest road dog  line I've seen for the purple in many, many years.  

Thoughts?

[purplefaithful]

If we have two health OT's back? They have enough firepower to at least not get embarrassed on offense. At this point I just want to keep JJM upright and be competitive.

The D? I cant figure them out but I think the league has. As has already been said, they look old and slow.

These guys either have enough professional pride or they don't. If they don't? This could be a 45/6 s hit show.

I feel like we're right at the seasons x-roads at 3/4. Next couple games are going to decide if we're a bottom feeder or not.

I know we got major injuries, but something is way off in Eagan...As the local scribes printed over the weekend; the reality on the field vs the plan on paper is as big a difference as Ive seen in a long while.

This is on the entire org.

[Zanary]

This is a wicked litmus test for JJM, and a reality check for KOC. Both of them have to see this game as the tone-setter for the rest of the season.

Against Detroit, our young'un can't have just a "good quarter" to keep us in the contest...he'll need to live up to the expectations that we're still holding him to. He's 1-1 in actual games, now, and is hardly anything like a "bust"...but, he's got to stay functional and show what all the learning and coaching have given him.

KOC...wow, I'm hating how much I'm worried for him. His manner at press conferences is showing the mileage, his game calling isn't getting any better, and it seems impossible that the Coach of the Year and Quarterback Whisperer can't dial up quick slants and the like...even when his QBs are getting maimed.

There's a LOT to unpack on Sunday.

[Bullazin]

Will KOC commit to the run?
Can we run enough to set up play action?

If those 2 don’t happen we are in for rough day as I don’t think throwing 45 times will lead to success unless JJM becomes John Elway this week. 

If I’m game planning I take Gibbs out and make them beat us deep, similar plan we had vs Philly.

[supafreak84]

Hard to say it this early in the season, but if we have any hope of doing anything in the division this year then this is a must-win game for us. Certainly not a favorable position to be in

[MAD GAINZ]

We really need Van Ginkel back. The defense isn't as good without him on the field this season.

We'll need both Darrisaw and O'Neill back as well to give JJ a chance to do something.

Pretty sure this will be a loss since Detroit is good and more experienced than us... but it's the NFL and there are upsets every week.

[medaille]

People need to not take this game too seriously. We’re probably going to lose this game. I think this game is more about taking positive steps forward in developing JJM and in fixing the defense. Neither of which, are likely going to go from zero to hero in one game against one of the best teams in the league. I know everyone is bored, because we haven’t seen JJM in a while, but this absolutely isn’t a litmus test on him. You can’t have a litmus test on a guy who’s playing his 3rd game. It is a litmus test on KOC. Can he put together a gameplan that doesn’t get his QB murdered? That would be a solid start. I’m not sure if it would really be fair to say that this is a litmus test for Flores. It’ll be interesting to see if he can get the defense playing good ball or if Allen/Hargrave are just washed and there’s nothing he can do about it. I kind of think, we’re just going to struggle against any team that can run the ball well, unless we start putting points up on offense consistently. We’re just not built to be playing close, low scoring games, and everything up until now has suggested that we don’t have the personnel to defend both the run and pass at the same time, and have to cheat in either direction. I don’t know how to solve that problem against a very multiple offense. If I had to guess, I would be trying to have creative, but gap sound run blitzes. I don’t think we necessarily need to abandon trying to pressure the QB, but we need to develop gap soundness first and work from there, especially with the Ravens coming up.

[MaroonBells]

We really need Van Ginkel back.  The defense isn't as good without him on the field this season.

We'll need both Darrisaw and O'Neill back as well to give JJ a chance to do something.

Pretty sure this will be a loss since Detroit is good and more experienced than us...  but it's the NFL and there are upsets every week.

I won't feel better about where we are offensively until Ryan Kelly is snapping the ball to a completely healthy JJ McCarthy, with Darrisaw, Jackson, Fries and O'Neill all healthy and starting as well. Y'know, the way we drew it up. lol

Van Ginkel is obviously a big part of what Flores does, so getting him back will help. I just think the problems on that side of the ball seem a little more futile, with neither Allen or Hargrave playing up to expectations, and weaknesses at ILB and Strong Safety. Those three positions are key to stopping the run and all three have been mostly bad.

[purplefaithful]

I agree with a lot of the sentiment here...Nothing is going to get decided with one game and 10 to go.

But an "arrow-up" on JJM (and a couple other disappointing elements) would be hopeful.

[Chuckf]

45-9 Detroit