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Detroit Lions v Arizona Cardinals Kickoff Preview, Start Time, TV

By Vincent Bianchi

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In week 11 the Detroit Lions will travel to Arizona to face the Cardinals who own the NFL’s best record at 8-1. All eyes will be on this game as the NFC’s two best will square off.

Both teams enter this game very hot, the Lions having won four straight and the Cardinals five.

The Cardinals will be without starting quarterback Carson Palmer and will roll with former Spartan and Detroit Lion, Drew Stanton.

Stanton started for the Cardinals in weeks 2-5 and Arizona went 3-1 in those games. However the former Spartan was far from great completing under 50% of his passes and never going above the 250 yard mark depsite being surrounded by big time play-makers in Andre Ellington, Michael Floyd and of course, Larry Fitzgerald.

This Arizona defense is very hard to read. Other than in week three, they haven’t given up more than 20 points all season long.

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Only one team that did score over 20 on them and was Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos. Yet depsite being stingy in the red zone, the Cardinals rank only 15th in the league in total defense and 30th against the pass.

The Cardinals weak pass defesne is something Matthew Stafford has to exploit. Last week the Detroit Lions didn’t run the ball as much as they usually do, which makes sense becuase they’ve struggled all year long and were facing a great rushing defense.  Look for a similar gme thing this week, while Arizona struggles in the passing game, but they’re great at stopping the run.

They key offensively for the Lions this week will be to air it again once again and get Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate both over the 100 yard mark for the 2nd week in a row.

Speaking of Calvin Johnson he will be facing one of the best corners in the game in Patrick Peterson. What is special about Peterson is that he wants to cover the number one receiver all game long, wherever Calvin Johnson goes, expect Peterson to follow. Last year that wasn’t a problem for Megatron. He had six catches for 116 yards and two touchdowns when he faced Peterson in week 2. 

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Don’t expect Stafford to shy away from his number one just because he’s being covered by the league’s corner.

The Detroit Lions defense should be able to have another great week and shut down Drew Stanton.

As stated above Stanton hasn’t gone above 250 yards and is completing less than 50% of his passes.

Don’t expect that to change this week as he faces the best defense in the NFL.

As much trouble as the Detroit Lions have had all year rushing the ball, Arizona hasn’t been much better, they are averaging 83.6 yards per game. That puts them at 29th in the league.

Prediction:

I hate picking the Lions every week, I feel so bias. But this game really does favorite the Lions, there is no reason this defense can’t shut down Drew Stanton. There’s no reason Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate can’t go off on the 30th ranked pass defense.

If Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate both go over 100 yards again, it’s going to be a long day for the Cardinals. The Detroit Lions always seem to struggle in Arizona, but I think this one is different, Lions go to 8-2 and take over the top spot in the NFC.

I don’t think I’m reaching on this one. Lions 31, Arizona 17.

Detroit Lions V Arizona Cardinals Game Information

Where: University of Phoenix Stadium

Start Time: 4:25

TV: FOX

Live Stream: Watch NFL Live

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