Video man extraordinaire Jim Martinez is off getting married this weekend -- congrats to Jim and his bride -- so Lions Lowdown takes to the written form again. At 0-6, the Lions are still searching for that first win. I don't think it's coming this weekend, but here's three things they need to do to prove me wrong:

• Get on the scoreboard early. The Lions have been outscored a combined 54-0 in the first quarter this year, the only team in the NFL to not score a point in the opening period. If they don't snap that streak Sunday, they'll tie the 1991 Packers and 1988 Buccaneers for the third longest dry spell to open a season since 1954, according to research done by STATS. (The record is nine; and the 1986 Lions posted eight straight scoreless first quarters.)

As much as I've banged on the Lions for not using Calvin Johnson enough, the real key is getting better field position. In the past two weeks, the Lions have started five drives inside their 5-yard line and five more inside the 20.

• Contain Clinton Portis. Portis leads the NFL in rushing yards (818) and the Lions rank 31st in rush defense (167.5 ypg allowed). That could be a recipe for disaster, especially when you consider the Lions' penchant for allowing big plays. The three best backs they've faced this year -- Adrian Peterson, Frank Gore and Michael Turner -- have all gone over 100 yards.

• Get something out of the return game. Lions coach Rod Marinelli said his team's ineffectiveness on kick and punt returns is a failure with roots in the offseason. Draft pick Kenny Moore didn't pan out as hoped and after Aveion Cason got hurt the Lions were forced to the turn the kick-return job over to Brandon Middleton. Middleton ranks 27th in the league with a 21.7-yard average and Shaun McDonald hasn't been much better on punt returns. The Lions don't need a touchdown out of this unit to win Sunday, but they need more production than they've had the first six weeks.