Official Game Day Thread - DET @ ARZ September 27, 2020
Sept 25, 2020 11:48:06 GMT -7
thomas cat likes this
Post by End Zone on Sept 25, 2020 11:48:06 GMT -7
Hello, everyone. Welcome to the Forum’s 3rd Game Day thread of 2020. Today’s Game Day thread is dedicated to the Detroit Lions team of 2009. On September 27th, the Detroit Lions beat the Washington Redskins, 19-14, bringing an end to the Lions 19-game gut-wrenching losing streak, one that included the Lions notorious 0-16 season record from the previous year. Earlier that same year (2009), the Lions selected University of Georgia quarterback John Matthew Stafford, 6’2” and 223lbs, as the NFL’s #1 overall pick.
Originally based in Portsmouth, OH, and called the Portsmouth Spartans, the team formally joined the NFL on July 12, 1930 and began play in the 1930 season. Despite success within the NFL, Spartans could not survive in Portsmouth, then the NFL's second smallest city. The team was purchased (Ford’s?) and relocated to Detroit and subsequently renamed the Lions for the 1934 season. The Lions have won 4 NFL championships. However, the last win was in 1957, which gives the club the second-longest NFL championship drought behind the Arizona Cardinals, who last won in 1947! The Lions are 1 of 4 current NFL teams and the only NFC team to have not yet played in the Super Bowl. The Lions are also the only franchise to have been in operation for all 54 seasons of the Super Bowl era without having appeared in a Super Bowl (note: the Cleveland Browns were not in operation for the 1996 to 1998 seasons).
So, what is special about QB Matt Stafford, #9? Oh, there is plenty special about Matt! Here with some key facts (through game 1 of the 2020 season): Pass attempts 5,730, completions 3,583; completion percentage 62.4%. TDs 257. INTs 135. Passing yards 41,322. Passer rating 88.5. Other notable highlights: Most passing attempts in a single season – 727. First player in NFL history to complete 60% or more of all passes in each game in a season (2015). Most 4th quarter comebacks in a single season – 8. Fastest player to reach 20,000 career passing yards (71 games); fastest player to reach 30,000 career passing yards (109 games); fastest player to reach 40,000 passing yards (147 games). Awards: Pro Bowl 2014; NFL Comeback Player of the Year 2011; and NCAAF First Team All American 2008.
There is an urban legend about sports stars signing huge contracts and then coasting. That’s not the case for Matt Stafford. In 2009, Matt signed a 6-year rookie contract containing $41.7 million in guaranteed money—the most guaranteed to any player in NFL history at that time—with a total value of $78 million. In 2017, he signed a $135-million contract extension with the Lions, making him the highest-paid player in NFL history at the time. So, he’s filthy rich. And he continues to play his heart out every weekend.
Last weekend at the home opener, the Arizona Cardinals thundered their way to a reasonably easy 30-15 victory over the Washington Football Team. For the second weekend in a row, the Cardinals defense contained an opponent on the scoreboard—this time in a more convincing fashion, and continued building on their reputation as an NFL defensive unit on a rapid rise. Currently, the Cardinals defense has allowed the fewest points (35) in the NFC West closely followed by the Rams (36) and the 49ers (37). Now with the full attention of the NFL’s elites, the Arizona Cardinals offense led by 23 year-old 2nd year QB Kyler Murray, WR DeAndre Hopkins, and RB Kenyan Drake is flying at full throttle. The 2019 Offensive Rookie of the Year QB Kyler Murray (now at 516yds passing, 6.6yds per pass, 52/78 completed/attempts @, 0.667%, 2 TDs and 2 INTs, 83.1 QBR) is making highlight videos every weekend and is already mentioned as a potential 2020 MVP along with the great QB Arron Rodgers. I say, “Game on, dudes!”
The Cardinals 2-0 start is the first since 2015 when the Cardinals last made the playoffs. Let’s loudly demand from rooftops that the Cardinals dominate at their 2nd home game this weekend and put the Lions away early for a Cardinals 3rd victory of the young season. The Cardinals must stay atop the NFC West galloping herd that has a shocking combined W/L record of 7-1 so far. Another very interesting measure of success: All four NFC West teams have 1 road victory after just 2 games. The NFC West Division is the NFL’s meanest.
The 2020 Arizona Cardinals are for real, both on the scoreboard and between the spreadsheets. I won’t list all Cardinals v. opponent statistical categories for 2020, just the highlights: total 1st downs 50 v. 37; 3rd down conversion 14/31 v 6/23 (this stat is HUGE, demonstrating that the Defense has consistently stopped SF and WAS drives); 4th down conversions 2/2 v. 1/3 (Kingsbury believes in the Offense); 5.0 yards per rush (the Offensive line is doing its job); sacks 7 v 5 (the Defense is fast); rushing TDs 4 v 1 and passing TDs 2 v 3; and time of possession 32:35 v 27:24. Offense leaders: Murray passing 516 yards, Murray rushing 158 yards, Hopkins receiving 219 yards. Defense leaders: Baker 14 solo tackles, Campbell solo tackles 13, Blackson and Jones tied at 1 sack each, and Lee has a comfortable 48.5 yards per punt when called on by the Special Teams coach to bail out the Offense.
On Sunday, September 27 at 4:25pm EDT, the Arizona Cardinals (2-0) play their second home game at State Farm Stadium, taking on the Detroit Lions (0-2). Last week, the Green Bay Packers crushed the Detroit Lions, 42-21, doing that after trailing 14-3! NOTE TO CARDINALS FANS – NFL FACT: BAD TEAMS LOSE AFTER GIVING UP DOUBLE DIGIT LEADS TO THE OTHER TEAM. Ergo, Detroit is a bad team. However, despite the team’s lopsided nascent record, the Lions can score points, putting up 44 total points (Cardinals total 54) after just two games. Also check out the Lions 2020 game day statistics—this team is going to win some games this season, likely against beat up teams, the teams not taking the Lions seriously until too late, and those teams looking past the winless Lions for other fresh meat. The Lions game day numbers tell me all that I need to know—this Detroit team is a worthy opponent on the road. QB Matt Stafford is a future Hall of Fame QB. He can beat any team on any field on any Sunday.
The two teams last played on September 8, 2019, at Arizona, with the final score 27-27—the 6th tie game between the teams since 1930. To gain a tie that day, the Cardinals rookie Head Coach Kliff Kingsbury and Rookie QB Kyler Murray shockingly amassed 21 points in the 4th quarter and overtime. Future Hall of Famer WR Larry Fitzgerald pulled down the game tying TD with just 43 seconds to go in the 4th quarter. The two teams have played 67 games overall. The series record is Detroit 33 wins, Chicago/Saint Louis/Arizona Cardinals 28 wins, and the 6 ties. The teams have played 15 games since 2000, with the Cardinals winning 8 games, and tying 2. The last shutout game occurred on November 16, 1969, with Detroit winning at home, 20-0. The last Cardinals victory against the Lions occurred on October 11, 2015, with the Cardinals and QB Carson Palmer crushing the Lions and QB Matt Stafford at the Silverdome, 42-17. That day, the Cardinals led 35-7 at the end of the 3rd quarter, and Defense still gave up a surprising 14 points in the 4th quarter, proving again that a half-dead but well-trained junkyard dog will still bite hard if given a chance.
As of 25 September, the Cardinals are giving -6.5 points at the highest books, and -5.5 at the lowest books. Like I said above, the Cardinals now have the NFL’s attention. QB Kyler Murray is the Leagues newest ‘shiny object’ and a sports media darling, passing for a pedestrian 516 yards (he is not yet set the town on fire with his arm) and rushing out of the shotgun at-will for 158 more yards and three easy TDs. His fast footwork is the secret sauce. Game over-under is a mysterious 52.5 to 55.5 points; average is mid-40s. Shootout coming? Maybe. Books say the Cardinals have a 74.09% chance of beating the Lions, based on statistics. Books also say the Lions have a 29.85& chance of winning, based on statistics. +/-5% looks like a political poll to me. LOL!
The game will be broadcast on FOX network at local stations only. Check your satellite TV and radio networks for other options. I’ll be plugged in at SiriusXM, and the NFL Network Red Zone. The game is NOT ON NATIONAL BROADCAST TV. Detroit’s Head Coach is Matt Patricia. Matt was named the head coach of the Detroit Lions on Feb. 5, 2018. Entering his 3rd season with the Lions, Patricia's coaching resume boasts more than 22 years of coaching experience in the college and professional ranks, including 14 consecutive seasons (2004-17) with the New England Patriots, prior to Detroit. Matt’s on the hotseat at Detroit and his team cannot afford to slip to 0-3. I expect Matt to call an aggressive game, giving Matt Stafford full control to overrule, and to do just about anything between the sidelines and endzones to win this game.
Due to persistent COVID-19 concerns there is no in-person attendance at this game. Game day weather forecast at SFS, Glendale, AZ: outdoors low 74F, high 103F. Sunny. SSW wind 9mph. Chance of rain: zero. SFS roof will be closed.
Injury report (9/25). Arizona: DNP—Cole, Fitzgerald (no injury), Hopkins (no injury), Kirk, Philips; Limited—Murphy Baker.
Injury report (9/18). Detroit: DNP—Trufant; Limited—Bryant, Golladay, Moore (status change?), Vaitai, Williams.
Let’s all have a fun and entertaining game on Sunday. No major injuries to any players. The NFL will highlight social justice issues and the players will acknowledge current events at the start of the game. Otherwise, it’s GAME ON!
First photo: Clare Randolph of Chicago Cardinals 1930, later with Detroit Lions 1934
Second photo: Detroit Lions Mascots 1942
Third photo: Detroit Lions v Chicago Cardinals Sept 10, 1939. Detroit won, 21-13.
Click each photo to enlarge. I love the flying Lions!
Originally based in Portsmouth, OH, and called the Portsmouth Spartans, the team formally joined the NFL on July 12, 1930 and began play in the 1930 season. Despite success within the NFL, Spartans could not survive in Portsmouth, then the NFL's second smallest city. The team was purchased (Ford’s?) and relocated to Detroit and subsequently renamed the Lions for the 1934 season. The Lions have won 4 NFL championships. However, the last win was in 1957, which gives the club the second-longest NFL championship drought behind the Arizona Cardinals, who last won in 1947! The Lions are 1 of 4 current NFL teams and the only NFC team to have not yet played in the Super Bowl. The Lions are also the only franchise to have been in operation for all 54 seasons of the Super Bowl era without having appeared in a Super Bowl (note: the Cleveland Browns were not in operation for the 1996 to 1998 seasons).
So, what is special about QB Matt Stafford, #9? Oh, there is plenty special about Matt! Here with some key facts (through game 1 of the 2020 season): Pass attempts 5,730, completions 3,583; completion percentage 62.4%. TDs 257. INTs 135. Passing yards 41,322. Passer rating 88.5. Other notable highlights: Most passing attempts in a single season – 727. First player in NFL history to complete 60% or more of all passes in each game in a season (2015). Most 4th quarter comebacks in a single season – 8. Fastest player to reach 20,000 career passing yards (71 games); fastest player to reach 30,000 career passing yards (109 games); fastest player to reach 40,000 passing yards (147 games). Awards: Pro Bowl 2014; NFL Comeback Player of the Year 2011; and NCAAF First Team All American 2008.
There is an urban legend about sports stars signing huge contracts and then coasting. That’s not the case for Matt Stafford. In 2009, Matt signed a 6-year rookie contract containing $41.7 million in guaranteed money—the most guaranteed to any player in NFL history at that time—with a total value of $78 million. In 2017, he signed a $135-million contract extension with the Lions, making him the highest-paid player in NFL history at the time. So, he’s filthy rich. And he continues to play his heart out every weekend.
Last weekend at the home opener, the Arizona Cardinals thundered their way to a reasonably easy 30-15 victory over the Washington Football Team. For the second weekend in a row, the Cardinals defense contained an opponent on the scoreboard—this time in a more convincing fashion, and continued building on their reputation as an NFL defensive unit on a rapid rise. Currently, the Cardinals defense has allowed the fewest points (35) in the NFC West closely followed by the Rams (36) and the 49ers (37). Now with the full attention of the NFL’s elites, the Arizona Cardinals offense led by 23 year-old 2nd year QB Kyler Murray, WR DeAndre Hopkins, and RB Kenyan Drake is flying at full throttle. The 2019 Offensive Rookie of the Year QB Kyler Murray (now at 516yds passing, 6.6yds per pass, 52/78 completed/attempts @, 0.667%, 2 TDs and 2 INTs, 83.1 QBR) is making highlight videos every weekend and is already mentioned as a potential 2020 MVP along with the great QB Arron Rodgers. I say, “Game on, dudes!”
The Cardinals 2-0 start is the first since 2015 when the Cardinals last made the playoffs. Let’s loudly demand from rooftops that the Cardinals dominate at their 2nd home game this weekend and put the Lions away early for a Cardinals 3rd victory of the young season. The Cardinals must stay atop the NFC West galloping herd that has a shocking combined W/L record of 7-1 so far. Another very interesting measure of success: All four NFC West teams have 1 road victory after just 2 games. The NFC West Division is the NFL’s meanest.
The 2020 Arizona Cardinals are for real, both on the scoreboard and between the spreadsheets. I won’t list all Cardinals v. opponent statistical categories for 2020, just the highlights: total 1st downs 50 v. 37; 3rd down conversion 14/31 v 6/23 (this stat is HUGE, demonstrating that the Defense has consistently stopped SF and WAS drives); 4th down conversions 2/2 v. 1/3 (Kingsbury believes in the Offense); 5.0 yards per rush (the Offensive line is doing its job); sacks 7 v 5 (the Defense is fast); rushing TDs 4 v 1 and passing TDs 2 v 3; and time of possession 32:35 v 27:24. Offense leaders: Murray passing 516 yards, Murray rushing 158 yards, Hopkins receiving 219 yards. Defense leaders: Baker 14 solo tackles, Campbell solo tackles 13, Blackson and Jones tied at 1 sack each, and Lee has a comfortable 48.5 yards per punt when called on by the Special Teams coach to bail out the Offense.
On Sunday, September 27 at 4:25pm EDT, the Arizona Cardinals (2-0) play their second home game at State Farm Stadium, taking on the Detroit Lions (0-2). Last week, the Green Bay Packers crushed the Detroit Lions, 42-21, doing that after trailing 14-3! NOTE TO CARDINALS FANS – NFL FACT: BAD TEAMS LOSE AFTER GIVING UP DOUBLE DIGIT LEADS TO THE OTHER TEAM. Ergo, Detroit is a bad team. However, despite the team’s lopsided nascent record, the Lions can score points, putting up 44 total points (Cardinals total 54) after just two games. Also check out the Lions 2020 game day statistics—this team is going to win some games this season, likely against beat up teams, the teams not taking the Lions seriously until too late, and those teams looking past the winless Lions for other fresh meat. The Lions game day numbers tell me all that I need to know—this Detroit team is a worthy opponent on the road. QB Matt Stafford is a future Hall of Fame QB. He can beat any team on any field on any Sunday.
The two teams last played on September 8, 2019, at Arizona, with the final score 27-27—the 6th tie game between the teams since 1930. To gain a tie that day, the Cardinals rookie Head Coach Kliff Kingsbury and Rookie QB Kyler Murray shockingly amassed 21 points in the 4th quarter and overtime. Future Hall of Famer WR Larry Fitzgerald pulled down the game tying TD with just 43 seconds to go in the 4th quarter. The two teams have played 67 games overall. The series record is Detroit 33 wins, Chicago/Saint Louis/Arizona Cardinals 28 wins, and the 6 ties. The teams have played 15 games since 2000, with the Cardinals winning 8 games, and tying 2. The last shutout game occurred on November 16, 1969, with Detroit winning at home, 20-0. The last Cardinals victory against the Lions occurred on October 11, 2015, with the Cardinals and QB Carson Palmer crushing the Lions and QB Matt Stafford at the Silverdome, 42-17. That day, the Cardinals led 35-7 at the end of the 3rd quarter, and Defense still gave up a surprising 14 points in the 4th quarter, proving again that a half-dead but well-trained junkyard dog will still bite hard if given a chance.
As of 25 September, the Cardinals are giving -6.5 points at the highest books, and -5.5 at the lowest books. Like I said above, the Cardinals now have the NFL’s attention. QB Kyler Murray is the Leagues newest ‘shiny object’ and a sports media darling, passing for a pedestrian 516 yards (he is not yet set the town on fire with his arm) and rushing out of the shotgun at-will for 158 more yards and three easy TDs. His fast footwork is the secret sauce. Game over-under is a mysterious 52.5 to 55.5 points; average is mid-40s. Shootout coming? Maybe. Books say the Cardinals have a 74.09% chance of beating the Lions, based on statistics. Books also say the Lions have a 29.85& chance of winning, based on statistics. +/-5% looks like a political poll to me. LOL!
The game will be broadcast on FOX network at local stations only. Check your satellite TV and radio networks for other options. I’ll be plugged in at SiriusXM, and the NFL Network Red Zone. The game is NOT ON NATIONAL BROADCAST TV. Detroit’s Head Coach is Matt Patricia. Matt was named the head coach of the Detroit Lions on Feb. 5, 2018. Entering his 3rd season with the Lions, Patricia's coaching resume boasts more than 22 years of coaching experience in the college and professional ranks, including 14 consecutive seasons (2004-17) with the New England Patriots, prior to Detroit. Matt’s on the hotseat at Detroit and his team cannot afford to slip to 0-3. I expect Matt to call an aggressive game, giving Matt Stafford full control to overrule, and to do just about anything between the sidelines and endzones to win this game.
Due to persistent COVID-19 concerns there is no in-person attendance at this game. Game day weather forecast at SFS, Glendale, AZ: outdoors low 74F, high 103F. Sunny. SSW wind 9mph. Chance of rain: zero. SFS roof will be closed.
Injury report (9/25). Arizona: DNP—Cole, Fitzgerald (no injury), Hopkins (no injury), Kirk, Philips; Limited—Murphy Baker.
Injury report (9/18). Detroit: DNP—Trufant; Limited—Bryant, Golladay, Moore (status change?), Vaitai, Williams.
Let’s all have a fun and entertaining game on Sunday. No major injuries to any players. The NFL will highlight social justice issues and the players will acknowledge current events at the start of the game. Otherwise, it’s GAME ON!
First photo: Clare Randolph of Chicago Cardinals 1930, later with Detroit Lions 1934
Second photo: Detroit Lions Mascots 1942
Third photo: Detroit Lions v Chicago Cardinals Sept 10, 1939. Detroit won, 21-13.
Click each photo to enlarge. I love the flying Lions!