Where: EverBank Field, Jacksonville, Fla. (grass, outdoors)
When: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (FOX)
Spread: Lions by 4.5
Records: Lions (3-4, NFC North: 0-2); Jaguars (1-6, AFC South 1-1)
Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Nov. 9, 2008: Jaguars 38, Lions 14, Nov. 14; 2004: Jaguars 23, Lions 17 (OT). Series record: Jacksonville holds a 3-1 advantage.
What matters: Lions coaches and players are fond of saying that the next game is always the most important one on the schedule. This week, that statement is more than a meaningless cliché. If the Lions win, they finish the first half of the season 4-4 and carry their slim playoff hopes into a second half that features six games against legitimate playoff contenders. A loss would require the Lions to win seven of their final eight games to have a realistic shot at a playoff berth.
To beat the Jaguars, Detroit must:
- Dictate the game’s tempo: The Lions’ tendency to allow their opponents to dictate the tempo of the game often sees them reacting on the field rather than forcing opponents to adjust to their game plan. If Detroit doesn’t control the tempo early, Sunday’s game will likely be much closer than Jim Schwartz and his staff would like.
- Score early: Detroit scored 14 first half points against the Seahawks, allowing it to use its entire playbook after halftime. The Lions need to score early Sunday to keep pressure on a Jaguars defensive unit beset by injuries.
- Pass, pass and pass: After trying to maintain a more balanced offensive attack over the season’s first six games, offensive coordinator Scott Linehan switched to a game plan against the Seahawks that saw Detroit pass on two-thirds of its offensive snaps. Several offensive players said the approach was a much-needed return to the type of football Detroit played during the 2011 season. Linehan shouldn’t be afraid to let Matthew Stafford test a Jaguars secondary that has struggled in coverage all season.
Who matters: Calvin Johnson’s health has been a major concern in the build-up to Sunday’s game. He’s expected to play, but he hasn’t practiced all week and clearly isn’t 100 percent. Johnson’s presence -- even if he’s hobbled -- is a major key for Detroit’s success Sunday. With Johnson on the field, the Jaguars defense will be forced to devote double coverage to him no matter how many targets he gets. That extra attention will create favorable matchups for Titus Young and Ryan Broyles, whose three combined touchdowns against the Seahawks sealed Detroit’s win.
Key matchups:
Lions D-line vs. Jaguars QB Blaine Gabbert: Gabbert isn’t known as a consistent passer -- he’s completing just 55 percent of his passes this season -- and the Jags’ O-line has allowed 17 sacks in the first seven games of the season. That’s a recipe for success for the Lions’ D-line.
Lions CBs vs. Jaguars WRs: It’s most likely that CB Chris Houston will match up with Jaguars WR Cecil Shorts on Sunday. Shorts leads Jacksonville with 20 catches for 400 yards, but Houston should be able to hold his own in that matchup. That means speedy rookie Justin Blackmon will draw coverage from either Jonte Green or Jacob Lacey. Blackmon has 18 catches for 193 yards this season, and he has the quickness necessary to gain an advantage over either corner. Don’t be surprised if you see Gabbert test Green and Lacey early and often Sunday.
Injuries of note: The Lions released the following status report for Sunday’s game: Out: S Amari Spievey (concussion) and S Louis Delmas (knee). Questionable: WR Calvin Johnson (knee) and LB DeAndre Levy (hamstring). Probable: DE Cliff Avril (back), LB Justin Durant (quad), CB Jacob Lacey (concussion), TE Brandon Pettigrew (knee), LB Stephen Tulloch (knee), DE Corey Williams (knee), and WR Titus Young (knee).
The loss of Spievey and Delmas means that Ricardo Silva and Erik Coleman will likely start Sunday’s game, with Don Carey and John Wendling as reserves. The “questionable” designation applied to Levy means he will likely play, but expect Ashlee Palmer to have a larger than normal amount of reps in relief in an attempt to limit any possible risks for Levy’s rehab.
Inside stuff: Special teams’ coordinator Danny Crossman wasn’t afraid to use offensive and defensive starters on Detroit’s kick coverage teams in Week 8, and the unit responded with its best performance of the year. The Lions seem intent on fielding whatever lineup they need to ensure that special teams aren’t an issue going forward. Don’t be surprised to see several familiar faces on cover teams this week.
Connections: The most obvious Lions-Jaguars connection is receiver Mike Thomas, who was traded from Jacksonville to Detroit this week. Sunday’s game will also be the first time that former Jaguar LB Justin Durant faces his old team since signing with the Lions as a free agent before the 2011 season. Punter Nick Harris was with Jacksonville for two games last season, and gunner Kassim Osgood spent two seasons [2010-2011] on the Jags’ roster.
Stat you should know: Detroit’s offense may not be scoring as often as they did during the first half of the 2011 season, but that doesn’t mean the unit isn’t moving the ball. With 144 offensive yards Sunday, Detroit will accumulate the most total yards on offense halfway through the season (8-games) in franchise history since the NFL went to a 16-game schedule in 1978.
Looking ahead: After visiting the Jaguars, the Lions travel to Minnesota where they’ll look to salvage a split of the season series with the Vikings. Green Bay comes to Ford Field in Week 11. The Lions haven’t won at Lambeau since 1991, so winning at home is their best chance at a season split.
Prediction: Lions 24, Jaguars 17
Follow Lions reporter John Kreger on Twitter at @CBSLions and @JohnKreger.
