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Detroit Lions vs Arizona Cardinals: 4 Focal Points

By Nate Williams

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The Detroit Lions will welcome the red-hot Arizona Cardinals to the Motor City on Sunday afternoon, as they attempt to regain ground on the all-time series between these two storied franchises — and salvage an already lost 2015.

When the NFL schedule was released earlier this year, it was all to apparent that the Detroit Lions had their work cut out for them right out of the gate. Three of their first four games were on the road, with their one home game in week three against Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos. Realistically, it seemed as though coming out of that brutal start to the season at 2-2 would be a win in itself. Hell, ending up 1-3 was even a possibility that many fans prepared themselves for.

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What most did not prepare for was a record of 0-4 through four games and even worse, the fashion in which they would end up that way and the drama that would circulate around the organization. Yet, as Carson Palmer and the 3-1 Arizona Cardinals head east to do battle with Detroit, that is exactly the reality of the situation for the Lions.

The story of the series

The Lions vs the Cardinals is a series that goes way back. Probably much farther back than any of us realize. In fact, to find their first matchup, you have to go all the way back to 1930. Back then neither team called their current city home. For the Lions, they were known as the Portsmouth Spartans, and the Cardinals then called Chicago home.

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For a majority of Lions fans, you likely remember a lot of the more recent battles between these two clubs. Then again, maybe you don’t want to. Over the last three seasons, these two clubs have met once in each of the aforementioned years — and things have not went well for Detroit. The combined score through those three games?

77-37, advantage Arizona.

In 2014 Detroit lost 14-6 with former Lion, Drew Stanton, under center for the Cardinals.

Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

The struggle is real for the Lions offense

Make absolutely no mistake about it — this Detroit Lions offense is bad. And I mean bad. For starters, the play of the offensive line has doomed this unit early and often. Pass protection has been bad. Run blocking has somehow been worse, and the play calling of this limping squad has slowly become a national story.

To make matters worse, the Lions have now gone 15 consecutive drives without scoring an offensive touchdown. That streak, is good for No. 1 in the NFL. That statistic that you undoubtedly want no one to acknowledge all comes while Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson, Golden Tate, and Ameer Abdullah all healthy. With an arsenal of weapons like that, and seemingly no positive results to show for it, you can absolutely bet that the coaching staff could soon feel the after effects — starting with the hot seat.

Defensive rotation

There is one small bright spot for Lions fans as we head into week five — the defense has gradually been playing better each week. In week four, from within the confines of CenturyLink Field in Seattle Washington, Detroit’s defense kept opposing quarterback Russell Wilson in check throughout. The result? The Lions were within pouncing distance late — just to be neutered by NFL officials.

Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Moving on, there is plenty to keep an eye on with this group in the near future. Gone for the season is defensive tackle Tyrunn Walker, whom fell victim to a broken leg and dislocated ankle at the mercy of a Seahawks chop-block. Rumored to be back in however is a man that the Lions will certainly welcome back with arms wide open — DeAndre Levy.

Levy has battled an ailing hip injury since the start of the season, but was upgraded to a full participant in practice as of last Wednesday. For the first time in 2015, it appears he will start. If he does, the timing for his return couldn’t be better as Palmer and the Cardinals have one of the league’s most potent passing attacks this year.

Keys to victory for Detroit

If the Lions want to win this game, (and I’m sure they do) there are a few key area’s that they need to focus on.

Defensively, it starts with getting pressure on Palmer and shutting down his wide receivers. At the age of 32, Larry Fitzgerald has resurrected his career in 2015. One of the main reasons is his move to the slot. Fitz has run 63 percent of his snaps while lining up inside this season, which has often placed him up against nickel defensive backs. If that’s the case again this Sunday, Josh Wilson and Quandre Diggs will have to do everything within their power to keep LFJ in check.

Offensively, there is no secret formula. They need to score points and protect Matthew Stafford. Unlike Fitzgerald who is having one of the best seasons of his career, Calvin Johnson has seemingly become a possession wideout.

Things wont get any easier this Sunday either as Megatron faces off with his old pal — Patrick Peterson. With Johnson getting the Cardinals best DB and possibly occasional safety help, look for Golden Tate to get plenty of one-on-one opportunities all afternoon.

Nate Williams is a Detroit Lions columnist for NFLSpinZone.com of the FanSided Network. For more Lions news, rumors and analysis, you can follow him on twitter at @NateWilliamsNFL.

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