Detroit Lions vs. Arizona Cardinals: What to watch for in season opener

The Detroit Lions open 2017 at home against the Arizona Cardinals. Let’s go over some key things to keep an eye on in the season opener.

Last night the NFL season kicked off with the opening Thursday game. On Sunday, the Detroit Lions open their season up at the revamped Ford Field against the Arizona Cardinals. In the lead up to the game, let’s look at some key topics to watch for during the matchup.

1. Lions Backfield

Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick didn’t finish last season healthy. Abdullah only lasted until week two before being shut down for the year, while Riddick managed to suit up for 10.  These two can be good players, but together have a shot at being great. The tandem should work out well and maybe leave the Lions history horrid running game in the past.

I do want to see what the two can do together (I feel like I was saying the same thing last year) but I’m more excited for Abdullah. Riddick’s skill set and ability are known now, which isn’t a bad thing because he’s very good. But Abdullah was showing flashes last season of something special. I think he could prove himself as an every down back, and be able to be the best back since Barry Sanders.

Hopefully, going up against a defense like the Cardinals gets Abdullah off to a strong start. The Lions are going to depend on a run game this week. The Cardinals secondary led by Patrick Peterson will cause problems throughout the game, so hopefully, Detroit doesn’t get addicted to the pass.

A strong run game week one could easily flip the script on the Lions for the entire season. And a balanced team is the best kind of team.

2. Cornerback Battles

The Lions won’t have to deal with an insane passing attack from the Cardinals. Bruce Arians has already shown his distaste in the group he currently has. But, this group does have Larry Fitzgerald, who will never be a bad player. The matchup between Fitzgerald and Darius Slay is going to be exciting. Slay is quickly becoming a top cornerback, and dealing with a future Hall of Famer in Fitzgerald will only help his case.

On the flip side, Marvin Jones and Golden Tate going up against Patrick Peterson and Tyrann Mathieu is going to be wild as well. Peterson is arguably the top corner in the league, and it’ll be interesting to see if he shadows a player or stays on a scheme. Mathieu meanwhile is a ballhawk and he’s going to get his hands on a pass or two.

The gameplan might be pick on whoever is free of Peterson. And while that might be a decent idea, I don’t want to have another season of teeter tottering between Jones and Tate having a good game. It’s season two of this duo, and I think they’ll figure out how to both have a good game.

3. How In The World Do You Stop David Johnson?

This one I’m actually just asking. David Johnson took the league over last year, becoming a stellar all-purpose running back. My hope for stopping him was maybe he hits some third season wall that I just had to make up right now because I have no answers.

If Johnson wasn’t a running back I would say he could be slowed by Carson Palmer‘s age catching him. But nope. Maybe he’s reading this and if he is then maybe just switch to left guard this week? He’d probably still do very well because he does very well anywhere on the field.

In all seriousness, I think it’s going to be on rookie linebacker Jarrad Davis to stop him. It’s a tough task to ask of a rookie, but I just witnessed Kareem Hunt go off for the Kansas City Chiefs in his first game, so it’s definitely possible.

Next: Lions 2017 game-by-game predictions

If the Lions stop Johnson they will stall the Cardinals offense. It’s as hard as it sounds, but it’s also how to win a game. I’m interested in seeing how they plan on containing this superstar and seeing if the defense can put up a fight against a top player.