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One thing you can count on with the Detroit Lions is that they are never, ever boring. Follow the latest news including injuries, roster moves and more here daily from Oakland Press beat writer Paula Pasche. Plus you'll find regular commentary about the team.

12/15/2012

Five things Lions must do to beat Cardinals


Five things the Lions (4-9) must do to beat the Arizona Cardinals (4-9). Kickoff is at 4:15 p.m. Sunday at University of Phoenix Stadium.

1. Don’t take the Cards lightly even though they are coming off 58-0 nothing loss to Seattle on Sunday. The Cards have lost nine straight after winning four to open the season. Four of their nine losses were by seven points or less. Their offense is ranked worst in the NFL, but their defense is 12th — 30th against the run, fifth against the pass.

2. Get the ball to Calvin Johnson who needs to average just 101 receiving yards over next three games to break the NFL single season receiving yards record set by Jerry Rice in 1995. Johnson has averaged 155.8 yards per game in the last five games.

3. Be patient with the run. The Cards’ defense has trouble stopping the run, allowing opponents 121 yards per game. The tandem of Mikel Leshoure and Joique Bell has put a spark in the Lions’ offense.

4. The Lions banged-up secondary could use some help from their teammates on the line and the linebackers too. Safety Louis Delmas, who missed Sunday’s game at Green Bay, is questionable and will be a game-time decision.

5. The Cardinals’ offensive line is their weak point. The Lions defensive line knows it and has to exploit the weakness. The Lions D-linemen may be licking their chops, but they were saying all the appropriate and respectful things to the media.

Prediction: Lions 31, Cardinals 10

(Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Order her new book,  “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die’’ here. It’s also available at bookstores.)


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