Detroit Lions Week Seven Preview vs. Washington

Colton Wesley

Oct 16, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions cornerback Darius Slay (23) celebrates with strong safety Miles Killebrew (35) during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Ford Field. Lions won 31-28. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Lions will look to continue their two-game winning streak on Sunday as they host Washington, which has won its last four games.

The Detroit Lions (3-3) will host their third straight home game and will look to make it their third straight home win as well as they host Washington (4-2), which is on a four-game winning streak oft heir own after starting 0-2.

The Detroit Lions are 3-3 and have won their last two games, but neither of those things is particularly comforting going into week seven. Matthew Stafford has been exceptional, gaining some national attention for his play, but the defense is poor, generating only inconsistent pass rush and few turnovers while journeymen quarterbacks like Brian Hoyer and Case Keenum have had career days against them.

The Lions have won their three victories by a combined eight points, relying on timely turnovers and a little bit of luck to snag victory from the jaws of defeat and keep their season afloat. Each game has been a close one, no Lions game this season featuring a margin of victory larger than seven for either team.

Enter Washington, on a four-game winning streak, coming off a 27-20 win over the Philadelphia Eagles and led by former Michigan State quarterback—and last year’s favorite GIF that got old really quickly—Kirk Cousins. Cousins leads a Washington offense that lacks star power but is nonetheless efficient, tied for fifth with the New England Patriots in yards per game this season. Cousins has spread the ball around effectively in the passing game, throwing touchdowns to six different receivers and targeting each of his top four receivers at least five times a game. Matt Jones and Chris Thompson have vastly improved one of the NFL’s worst rushing offenses from a year ago, each averaging over 4.5 yards per carry in the ground game.

Washington’s defense, on the other hand, is below average, allowing 124 rushing yards per game this season, which ranks 28th in the league, while the passing defense hovers around the middle of the pack. Chris Baker and Ryan Kerrigan are the defense’s best players in the front seven, but the pass rush is lacking overall, picking up only eight sacks through six weeks. The secondary boasts a couple of strong corners in Josh Norman and Bashaud Breeman but both starting safeties are currently on injured reserve, leaving Washington hampered on the back end of the defense.

Injury Report: Lions still missing four starters

Oct 16, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions defensive line coach Kris Kocurek and defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (94) work out before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Like last week, the Lions will be without four of their starters, including tight end Eric Ebron (ankle/knee), linebacker DeAndre Levy (knee/quad), defensive tackle Haloti Ngata (shoulder) and running back Theo Riddick (ankle). Also out this week is tackle Corey Robinson (ankle) who was not listed on the injury report until Thursday and played some as a blocking tight end last week.

Ebron and Riddick are both reportedly making progress and both of their returns are expected soon, but none of the five Lions listed as out practiced at all this week except for Robinson on Wednesday.

More from Detroit Jock City

After making his return last week and being limited in practice all week, defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (ankle) is questionable for the second week in a row, as is guard Larry Warford (groin) who missed last week with a hip injury, although it may be the same muscle. Running back Dwayne Washington (ankle) is questionable after being limited all week in practice and missing last week’s game. Linebacker Tahir Whitehead (abdomen) showed up on the report on Thursday and is listed as questionable for Sunday, which only makes the Lions that much thinner at linebacker.

Wide receiver Corey Fuller (foot) returned to practice this week after starting the season on the PUP list. The Lions have three weeks to decide if they want to add him to the 53-man roster. Brandon Pettigrew (ACL) remains on the PUP list and Detroit has until week eight to have him practice or send him to injured reserve.

Washington will be without their best passing target, as tight end Jordan Reed will miss Sunday’s game with a concussion. Wide receiver DeSean Jackson (shoulder) is questionable after being limited on Friday. Starting safeties DeAngelo Hall (ACL) and David Bruton Jr. (concussion) are on injured reserve, as is first-round pick wide receiver Josh Doctson (Achilles), who was placed on IR on Friday after catching two passes in his first two games. Everyone else on the Washington report was a full participant on Friday and does not have a designation for Sunday.

Matthew Stafford getting national attention

Oct 16, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws the ball during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Ford Field. Lions won 31-28. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

On Tuesday, Peter Schrager made some waves by claiming on NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football” show that Matthew Stafford might not just be one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, but perhaps the best quarterback in the league.

Schrager cited Stafford’s +27 touchdown/interception differential since week ten of 2015 and his high level of play despite playing behind a young offensive line and ineffective ground game. Former Super Bowl MVP Kurt Warner echoed Schrager’s sentiments as well earlier this week and Bovada placed 100 to 1 odds on Stafford being named the league’s MVP.

Fantasy Football: Playing the waiver wire for Week 14

Fantasy CPR

The history of these 2 QBs in Week 13 may astound you Ramblin' Fan

Can LA Rams finally defeat an AFC North opponent? Ramblin' Fan

Don't look for Rams QB Matthew Stafford to hang up his cleats just yet Ramblin' Fan

NFL fantasy football waiver wire pickups for Week 13 FanSided

Georgia Football: Know the history between Georgia vs. Alabama Dawn of the Dawg

While “best quarterback in the league” might be too high of praise, it is very evident that Stafford has moved into the tier of above-average NFL starters, thanks in large part to the Jim Bob Cooter offense, which has gone a long way to limit Stafford’s mistakes and increase his production despite the retirement of one of the best receivers in history, Calvin Johnson.

Lions great Gail Cogdill, former NFL OROY, dies at 79

Former Lions receiver Gail Cogbill died on Thursday of complications from dementia, heart and kidney failure at age 79. He was named Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1960 after being drafted in the sixth round out of Washington State and was named to the Pro Bowl that season, the first of three nominations in his career. Known for his acrobatic catching ability, Cogdill had over 900 receiving yards three times with the Lions and caught over 40 passes in five different seasons, finishing his career in Detroit as the Lions’ career leader in receptions and receiving yards.

“Gail was a helluva receiver and just a beautiful person,” said former teammate, defensive tackle Roger Brown, “He was such a good friend, and I am lost by his passing.”

Cogdill’s brain and brain stem are being donated for concussion study to Boston University.

Fantasy Football Player To Watch: Anquan Boldin

Oct 9, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Anquan Boldin (80) is tackled by Philadelphia Eagles free safety Rodney McLeod (23) during the first quarter of a game at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Last week’s prediction for Golden Tate proved fairly accurate, so let’s stay with the receiving corps this week. With Tate and Marvin Jones likely to be matched up with established corners Josh Norman and Brashaud Breeland, Boldin will likely face off with rookie Kendall Fuller. Boldin is a savvy veteran who plays bigger than his 6’1″, 220 frame and should have the upper hand in that matchup, especially with Washington missing their two starters at safety.

Boldin is tied for first among Lions in receptions (29) and catches over 78% of his targets. His production has gone up since he started taking more of Ebron’s slot reps and with Ebron out this week, we can expect that to continue.