Jon Kitna promised that the Lions would win at least 10 games this season so they only have 9 more to go.  The Lions were losing 21-20 in the 4th quarter until they scored 16 unanswered points in the last 4:22 of the football game. Kitna was outstanding as he completed 27 of 36 passes for 289 yards with 3 TD passes and 2 interceptions.  He also carried the football 3 times for 17 yards (5.7 ypc).  Tatum Bell did the heavy lifting for the Lions running game with 15 carries for 87 yards (5.8 ypc) with 1 TD run.  After the TD run in the 4th quarter he taunted the Black Hole in Oakland and that was fun to watch.  The Lions’ 4th receiver (Shaun McDonald) came up big with 6 catches for 90 yards and a TD.  Rookie Calvin Johnson had a solid debut with 4 catches for 70 yards and a TD.  Mike Furrey added 5 grabs for 52 yards and Roy Williams caught 4 passes for 20 yards and a TD.  The Lions finished up with 108 yards rushing on 21 carries (5.1 ypc) and they completed 27 of 36 passes for 284 yards.

The Lions defense didn’t play that well overall but they made plays when they had to.  DE Dewayne White had a awesome game as he had 7 tackles, a sack, a fumble recovery and a interception.  LBs Paris Lenon (11 tackles) and Ernie Sims (8 tackles) both were also busy against the Raiders.  The Raiders finished up with 92 yards on 23 carries (4.0 ypc) and they completed 30 of 40 passes for 283 yards.

http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=270909013

I don’t happen to share QB Jon Kitna’s optimism about the Lions 2007 season.  They keep forgetting that you need a defense and a offensive line to win in the NFL.  You would think ex-linebacker Matt Millen would realize that.  DTs Shaun Rogers, Corey Redding and OLB Ernie Sims are the only above average players on the entire defense.  The Lions will be giving up points faster than they can score them despite having all of the firepower they got.  It’s hard to see the Lions winning more than 5 games in 2007.

This is a battle of two bad football teams with horrible offensive lines.  But the teams are evenly matched and this will be an entertaining football game.  The Lions have great skill position players but it won’t matter if QB Jon Kitna is laying on his back.  The Lions must keep DE Derrick Burgess out of their backfield and OT George Foster will likely have that job.  Because, if Kitna gets pressured he will make big mistakes with the football and the Raiders strength on defense is in the secondary.  WRs Roy Williams, Calvin Johnson and Mike Furrey are all outstanding football players but they will have to deal with CBs Fabian Washington and Nnamdi Asomugha.  SS Michael Huff and FS Stuart Schweigert are both sure tacklers who will back up the corners if any receivers get behind them.  DT Warren Sapp, OLB Thomas Howard and MLB Kirk Morrison must stop Tatum Bell in the running game and I think they will do a good job.

The Raiders would be smart to come out passing against the Lions defense.  The Lions secondary stinks and the Lions don’t bring much of a pass rush.  Still, against the O-Line of the Raiders it’s possible that DEs Dwayne White and Kalimba Edwards could have a good week and get some pressure on Josh McCown.  Still, a focused Jerry Porter, Ronald Curry and rookie TE Zach Miller could find open spaces in the Lions’ defense.  RBs Lamond Jordan and Justin Fargas of the Raiders should find running a little hard against DTs Corey Redding and Shaun Rogers who are the best two defenders on the Lions.

The Raiders have the advantage at punter which could help with field position, but the Lions definately have the edge at placekicker with Jason Hanson.

PREDICTION:  This seems like it will be a high scoring game so I will have to go with the Lions by a field goal.

The Lions have claimed rookie safety off waivers from the Raiders.  He made 7 tackles in the pre-season and he will likely get a chance to play early in his career due to the injuries the Lions have suffered in the secondary.