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.

The Lions made two lineup changes on their first full day back to work Wednesday, inserting safety Daniel Bullocks and cornerback Leigh Bodden in the starting lineup for Gerald Alexander and Travis Fisher.

Alexander and Fisher were two of many goats in the Lions' season-opening 34-21 loss to the Falcons Sunday. Fisher got beat by Michael Jenkins for a 62-yard touchdown on the third play of the game, when Alexander took a poor route to the ball in deep zone help. Both players had a shot but failed to bring down Michael Turner on his 66-yard touchdown run on the next series.

Lions coach Rod Marinelli acknowledged the Bodden-Fisher move after practice, but wouldn't commit to any other changes. Alexander said coaches told him that Bullocks will start Sunday against Green Bay. Jordon Dizon also is expected to get more snaps at middle linebacker as Paris Lenon's backup and Brandon Middleton will handle kickoff returns.

"Just didn't make the plays that came to me," Alexander said. "That's what this league is all about, making plays, especially making the plays that you're supposed to make. Coaches made a decision. I can only control what I can control. Just keep working hard."

On the offensive line, guard Manny Ramirez could see time at right guard in place of Stephen Peterman, but rookie first-round pick Gosder Cherilus does not appear to have passed George Foster at right tackle.

The all-important third preseason game is here, but don't expect the Lions to play their starters into the third quarter like they may have done in the past. They've stayed remarkably healthy so far — most of the first unit and key reserves, anyway. There's no sense chancing that, plus there's enough positions at the back of the roster still up for grabs that the coaching staff will give players the opportunity to win their way on or off the team. That's a good thing. I'll have a position battle breakdown in the paper next week, but there's more competition here than the previous two years combined under Rod Marinelli.

Now, for three things I'll be watching for today:

• The ninth defensive back. In all likelihood, the Lions will keep nine DBs. Cornerbacks Brian Kelly, Leigh Bodden, Travis Fisher and Keith Smith, and safeties Gerald Alexander, Daniel Bullocks, Dwight Smith and Kalvin Pearson are guaranteed spots. No. 9 is up for grabs with corners Dovonte Edwards and Ramzee Robinson and safety Greg Blue in the mix. Secondary coach Jimmy Lake said both Robinson and Edwards have had good camps, but Robinson has been more consistent in games. Edwards rebounded with a good effort last week against the Bengals, but he struggled Week 1 against the Giants. Blue is a monster hitter whose ball skills have gotten perceptively better since last season. Typically, teams lean towards five corners, but both Pearson and Alexander can play nickel corner, which evens the field for Blue. Whoever plays best in the next two games — and contributes the most on special teams — should win the job.

• George Foster. Left for dead after last season than re-signed when no free-agent replacement surfaced, Foster will make his third straight start at right tackle — to many people's surprise. "I ain't a bad player," Foster said. Foster has had one penalty in limited snaps this preseason (his big issue last year) and appears to be closing in on a roster spot, maybe at the expense of Jonathan Scott. Scott was thought to be the Lions' swing tackle, but rookie Gosder Cherilus, breathing down Foster's neck for the starting right-tackle job, has worked on the left side some this preseason. Both Foster and Cherilus should get work with the first team today.

• The punt return. Kind of a rehash of last week's Devale Ellis watch, but the Lions are still trying to identify their punt returner. Marinelli said Aveion Cason is No. 1 for now, but there's an opportunity for Ellis and fellow receiver Brandon Middleton to win that job and solidify a spot on the team. Ellis has gone back for one return each of the first two weeks; one punt sailed out of bounds and he returned the other two yards in a hailstorm of traffic. Middleton went back for a return last week for the first time since his NFL Europe days. That one, too, landed out of bounds. Both players need more opportunity to be properly evaluated.