Lions vs Patriots in Germany, what to expect on Sunday

Welcome, everyone, to the Sports Office on a Thursday night here on Fox 2. Everything happening tonight. I've got my man Dave Spencer here tonight. How are you, buddy? Ready for the Lions this week? Yes, sir. I'm glad you guys are here, too. Hey, let's not forget, you can join the conversation. You've got the number right here to get into the text line, and you also have the QR code in the corner if we're going to Zoom, and we'll do that later on. But we want to bring in our pal right now, Dave Ross from VCU in the Morning. Dave, how are you? Hi. Hello Dave, it's good to see you and I want to say happy Veterans Day, thank you for your service. I know that once a Marine, always a Marine as it says behind you, so I'm glad that you're here on that. Hey, let's get right into it Dave, because this week there's a lot of big themes. I mean we have the Lions against the Patriots, we have a big NFC North showdown I should say, and we have a college football schedule heating up as well, but let's get right into the Lions, okay? Lions New England, is this a potential statement game or simply a game they have to win? I think it's the latter. It's a game they have to win. And the problem now with New England coming in at five and four, and they haven't really looked the part the last couple weeks. We all saw what Green Bay did last week, which is a game I really like the Packers getting the three last week. They didn't need them scoring 45 here. So now you're starting to say, all right, well, you just saw what Green Bay did without a running game, and you're Detroit, and you have Jameer Gibbs and a passing game. So you expect this now to go overseas and run roughshod over the Patriots. The problem is... Mike Vrabel's had a very tumultuous year, right? Off the field, now certainly carrying over a 5-4 this year on the field. You would expect a better defensive effort out of a Mike Vrabel-led unit. But I do think this is a good spot still to get them, even though they're going to be angry. It is still kind of everybody's going over there on a neutral field. You're only three-point favorites. It is a game that I played the Lions and laid the three. It was two and a half earlier in the week. Those numbers are gone. But, Woody, it's a game they've got to win. I think they will win. I just think it's going to look different from what we saw the way Green Bay did it a week ago. You know what? Everybody talks about the Patriots, though, and how it's going to be, you know, Lions, no problem. I mean, are the Patriots maybe, are they getting more credit than they deserve or not enough credit? I think it's maybe a little bit of both. At the beginning of the year, it looked like it was going to be a disaster. Then they righted the ship, and now they're kind of slipping again. And this was a team I was looking to fade this year because, as I said, and you guys know this from being in locker rooms and covering teams, man, sometimes you just need something to go wrong, and all the stuff that happened in the offseason starts to rear its ugly head again. And I feel like that's starting to happen with New England and Mike Vrabel. Can he steady the ship? Can he really rally the troops here and beat a good Detroit team? I would say no, and I'm going to go the other way and play Detroit this week and say that it's starting to, maybe not the Titanic, hitting the iceberg fully here for New England, but they lose. They're going to be 5-5, and all of a sudden, with the Texans starting to play better here, Steelers have been a little bit better than people think, the Bengals again, we'll find out what the Ravens look like with Jacoby Brissett. Those games of musical chairs and grabbing those playoff spots are going to start to get filled up. And the Patriots could be on the outside looking in at the end of the year. I don't see that with Detroit. I think this is a legit 6-2 football team. I think maybe at 5-4, the Patriots are going to start hitting tougher waters out there. I like Detroit this week, and I think the Patriots could be in big trouble. Dave, I know you're all on the line. Well, the Patriots have a ragtag bunch of misfits at wide receiver because they haven't had A.J. Brown at all. That's right. And it's all been Drake May. He practiced today, so yeah, okay, he practiced today. I mean, we'll see it. I'll believe it when I see it. Even when he's been out there, he hasn't looked himself. And then you got Stevenson banged up, so they really don't have... The Lions don't have any excuses here. If they go out and they play defense the way they played against a hapless Miami team, they should take care of business. You know what? You say that, but then I look at the numbers, guys, and I see that Drake May has had six straight games of at least two touchdown passes. And I'm thinking, oh, man, that Lions defense. Yes, it's getting a little bit better, but is it better enough in the secondary? These are the questions I have, Dave. Talk me off the ledge. Well, we got to turn him over, Woody. That's what you do now with Drake. He loves throwing interceptions. Yeah, you just get him to turn it over, get a little pressure on the kid. And he's starting to look like maybe a guy that, you know, at UNC, you had questions like, why is he being drafted that high? And then year two, he goes to a Super Bowl, and you go, oh, okay, well, he's arrived. And now I think we're kind of seeing the truth lies somewhere in the middle, guys. Yes, they have to rely on his arm. And, Dave, it's a good point about the running game for the Patriots. And that's something Mike Vrabel really relies on. And if they can't, That means Drake Maye is going to put the ball in harm's way. I think turnovers are coming here for the Lions, and I like them. This has been a problem for Drake Maye big time this year. He's turning it over at way too high a rate. I think that's going to continue overseas, and that's why I think the Lions' defense might be able to get some takeaways and give the short field to the offense. Hey, Dave, we've seen a lot of teams play in international games this year so far. How much of a distraction is that international stuff really? I don't think it plays itself on the front end. I think where it's a problem is on the back end. And, guys, the trend that I've been looking to do is, and I'll probably be looking at this when the Lions come back and the Patriots come back, that's normally when I look to fade the teams when they come back and try to get back to their normalcy and their routines that they're set in. But this week, it's kind of like, all right, this is fun. We're not over there forever, right? It's not like the Jaguars. It's almost like a second home when they go over there and play in England so often now with the way they are. So I think a lot of teams look at this as kind of a fun business trip, but they are going to take in some of the pomp and circumstance of being over there in different countries. And we've seen this with different teams and their approaches are a little bit different. And the teams that go kind of quick, like the Rams did, remember that in Australia? Yep. They got in and got out. That didn't work out very well for them. So I think teams that get there early. Kind of get their feet set a little bit, and their new surroundings seem to do better, but it really will be on the back end, and I'm going to look to fade both these teams the following week. Right. Hey, Dave, if Detroit wins but doesn't cover, should bettors be disappointed or impressed? I think in the real world, we should still look at it like a win is a win is a win. It's hard to beat anybody in the NFL, and let alone a team that was in the Super Bowl a year ago. We shouldn't forget that here with the Patriots. But it is a different unit this year that New England has. And their defense, like Christian Gonzalez, who's supposed to be an elite corner. Oh my, what was that? He almost gave up over 200 yards to two different receivers combined last week. It was amazing watching that guy recede before our eyes. So I think guys like Amon-Ra this week are going to go, okay, James Williams, all right, maybe we can get some stuff on this guy. Maybe he's not as elite as he's shown in years past. So I think there's trouble there for this Patriot defense as much as we talk about Drake Maye and the turnover problems. Mike Vrabel's got some big issues on his hands, and I don't know that a foreign trip's going to solve them. You know what, Dave? I like it when other teams have issues on their hands. And right now, let me ask you this. Are the Lions the squad that strikes fear into the opponent, or are they still trying to earn that reputation nationally? No, I think they do strike fear. I think almost last year was the aberration, right, with only getting nine wins a year ago. And I do think that because Dan Campbell now, at least I think with other coaches, they know how good at least this Lions offense is. Yes, there's questions about the defense, and Woody, you alluded to it. They did play better and have played better as of late, but that's not what we think of when we think of the Lions, right? We think of Campbell, offense. Put the pedal down here. We've got to go for it on fourth down. Hopefully calms down a little bit more as we get to the back end of the season and realizes we don't need to put style points on people. You've got to go win games. And by the way, last week, that's what they did against Miami. That wasn't stylistic, right? That wasn't like uber impressive, but they covered a number, which was a big number of seven, and they got a big win on the road. So like to me, check. Check. So if you're a Lions backer, I think they will cover the three this week. But even if they win by two, if you just get a win on a neutral and come back to the States at 7-2, that is mission accomplished right there. Yeah, I think it'll be meat and potatoes football for the Lions as they get going. Hey, it's schnitzel, exactly. A little German action there. Good job, Dave. Hey, let's move to the college ranks, all right? Michigan Wolverines. And a big laugh from James over here because, of course, they fell flat against MSU. Is Kyle Whittingham getting probably the rudest of awakenings after losing to MSU and firing Jason Beck? I can only imagine what it's like in y'all's neck of the woods right now. Especially, especially seeing what's going on at Utah. Now, they're the second-ranked team in the country, right? Like, by proxy, that's even worse for Whittingham and what's happening here with the Maize and Blue. I got bad news. And, Woody, we were both on Sparty last week. I think you called the outright upset. Yes, I did. It was a nice call by you. And I took Michigan State for the points, and we never had to sweat that out, obviously. Honestly. This week? Man, I am backing the quack attack. Did you guys hear Dan Lanning? Wow, ten and a half. Right, and I think, Dave, he's looking to put a big number on Kyle Whittingham. And it was almost like this bizarre way that he explained it. Hey, I've got all the respect for him. He's a Hall of Fame coach, but maybe they're paying their coaches too much. We were trying to get some of their kids, and they outbid us for them. We'll see how that works out. Man, Dan Lanning is making a statement through the media that they are going to put up style points. And... Oregon's got three losses, but they still have maybe a circuitous pathway to the college football playoff. And I know they say style points don't matter. Oh, but they do. I think they're going to win this thing by three touchdowns and make a statement to the committee this weekend. Woo! Three touchdowns? My goodness, that is huge. Talk about the Wolverines being toothless. If they lose by three touchdowns, they are definitely toothless. This is amazing, homie. Oh my goodness. Dave, what do you think? Do you agree with three touchdowns? I would love to see it. I would love to see it. I find it hard to believe a little bit, but I tell you what, I don't know if Whittingham wants to be here anymore. I think he's. I think he's cooked. I think he got a taste of it and said, oh, I don't like the way this tastes at all. You know what? Let me touch on Michigan State real quick, okay? Obviously the big win, but is Pat Fitzgerald kind of crazy in thinking that his Spartans can become bowl eligible with wins over Washington, Oregon, and Rutgers right now? Yes. Yeah, that's a tough way to go here, Woody, the rest of the way. But, look, we talked about this all year with Fitzgerald. I think he's done a really nice job in year number one. This is kind of what you expected to be in contention potentially for a bowl. Now, can they get there? That would be a hell of a year number one, right? I mean, I don't think Sparty backers really thought that was plausible. It was not pretty last week. But when you beat Big Brother, that's all that matters. So already... Even if they don't go to a bowl, it's already a successful year number one there in East Lansing. How did the win affect the number against Washington? Because I'm looking, what is it, three and a half? Is that enough or too much? No, I think that's probably priced properly. I'd look to take the home dog here. I'd take the 3.5 with Fitzgerald and company. It's kind of been a play that I'd like all year, taking points with Fitz. I just trust him as a coach, and I figured as the year went on, they'd be a little bit better defensively. So you get some of those lower-scoring games, that's normally a spot where I'd look to take the points there. That's the only way I could play it is take the 3.5 with Sparty this week. You know what, another thing we were talking about, James Paxton's Kentucky Wildcats. Can they beat Florida and stay in the mix real quick? Oh boy, that is a taller order for me, Woody, I would say this week. I don't know that I'd be willing to go there with my money, but certainly I understand the thought process there. All right, hey, look, there's plenty of time left in this show to talk more about college football, and we will do that on the other side of this break. Hang in there with us. You guys can get on the text line. We'll be right back with more of the Sports Office on a Thursday night. Welcome back to the Sports Office. You're in touch with Woody Woodruff, Dave Spencer, and Dave Ross from VEASAN in the morning. Dave, let's get back into some of the NFL talk that we were going on. It's, what, 94 days till the Super Bowl. Which teams would you put into that mix right now? What's your top five as far as Super Bowl? Man, Woody, top five. And I can't say the Dallas Cowboys, right? Because that would just be ridiculous. No, no, no. I know you're a Dallas Cowboys fan, so I will say no Dallas Cowboys. All right. No Cowboys talk here, boys. Look, I see the odds here. You see the Buffalo Bills with the short shots right here. Watch out for Jacksonville because they did win the trade deadline, right? And I know it's not necessarily the sexiest names when you're looking at three defensive guys, but I really like what they did getting Jesse Bates out of the Falcons. That's a really good safety. And kind of in between the weeds. Maybe you don't talk about it because it's not offense. But they shored up that defense. We know what they did. Get the big man out of Philadelphia and Davis to fortify that defensive tackle spot. They're going to be a tough out the rest of the way. I'm worried about the Chiefs a little bit with Mahomes and this elbow injury. I know he's going to play this week. And he says he's fine. But it's the fifth shot on the board. I don't know that I'd want to go there. Guys, I've been saying it to y'all for weeks. I really like the Packers. I really do. And I know that's not popular in your neck of the woods there, but I've been saying it for weeks that Jordan Love would be my guy that I'd look for a longer shot for MVP. He's risen up the board now to the third option. If they can win this division, and we know how good this division is, and Detroit's right there with you, whoever can win the North. That's going to be a key to possibly getting out of the NFC. I don't like coming out as a wild card. It's just too tough to go on the road and win multiple games in the NFC this year. But I do like Green Bay. If you're looking for a deeper sleeper, that'd be my pick down the board. All right, you mentioned Green Bay. Let's stick with that matchup with the Vikings. I mean, Kirk Cousins coming back. I mean, is this something where he can instantly jump into this mix and perform on a high level? Or are we still looking at Jordan Love dominating the action? I think that Kirk Cousins should be able to come in here with KOC 2.0 and be such an upgrade from what we saw over Carson Wentz on Monday night. And, you know, hearing their GM say that that game had no bearing in getting Kirk Cousins, who are you kidding? Like, we all watched it. It was an unmitigated disaster, and you had to go get something. Now, only giving up a third-round pick I thought was nice from the Vikings side. I thought maybe you'd get a little bit more if you're the Raiders, but he's such an upgrade. Guys, the problem is they don't run the ball there either. And with Green Bay, it's fine because they'll just throw it all over the lot. The Vikings, if that's what they're going to become, I don't know that they can follow that recipe. The Lions clearly are the most balanced offense out of the big three here. And then we'll get to the Bears, who look really, really good with the acquisition of Jeffrey Simmons. This division is so good. It's clearly the best division in football. And you might get all four teams to get in the postseason. But if you made me take one out of that group, I'm going to roll with Green Bay. Remember, Micah Parsons is coming back in two weeks. He's practicing with the 11-on-11s this week, so he's really close to getting back. That's the last impactful player to come back for any team, AFC or NFC, that's going to make a massive difference, and their defense is playing at a much better level. Green Bay is going to fill out. They're going to be really dangerous going forward. So obviously you think that the squad with the better quarterback wins it instead of maybe the better team in the trenches. I do, and look, no disrespect to Jared Goff and Kirk Cousins, okay? But look at what Caleb Williams and Jordan Love can do a little bit. They're a little bit more mobile than those guys. We know the problem for Goff is if you're getting him off the spot, that ball's going to get grounded or it's going to get thrown away, which is the right move to do. He's just not going to be able to keep those plays a lot. And I don't know that Kirk Cousins can do the same thing in Minnesota. And without running games, at least in Minnesota. You know what you can do to try to stop J.J. on the outside and get pressure on Cousins and get him off the spot. Detroit, if they can keep the balance with Gibbs, then they have that ultimate trick right there. And Jahmyr, we know how dynamic he can be, and that helps out Jared Goff. But if the Packers can figure out a little bit of a running game going forward at the end, which is a big if, to me, their defense, Jordan Love playing at an elite level, the receivers they have. That's going to be the team to beat, I think, in about four weeks. Yeah, the Packers, the 11th best odds to win the Super Bowl right now. So that's a bold pick. But I just think that they're too one-dimensional. And, you know, I don't think Love could keep up at this pace, especially since defenses will start to adjust to them. And then I think Minnesota is going to exploit them a little bit this week. That's my thing. If they run into a solid defense, then all of a sudden, like you said before, Dave, turnovers, here they come. Yeah, well, we're going to find out this week, right? It's the three-point favorites against Brian Flores and company. And I think right now, I think it's fair to say that Flores poses the biggest threat week in and week out to any opposing offense or quarterback, right? He's going to be a great head coach. If he has a big week, yeah, if he has a big week this week against Flores and that Viking defense, I can't wait for our conversation next week. I think the Packers are going to roll them out this weekend, boys. This division is so interesting. This week. One of my favorite plays on the board. This division is the best. And if all four teams get into the postseason, unbelievable. You know what? I also want to put a smile back on Dave's face because we said we weren't going to talk about the Cowboys. But you know what? They're taking on San Francisco. What do you think about that, Dave? I think they're going to get rolled by the Niners. Well, one of my favorite quotes of all time is those who don't remember the past are condemned to repeat it. I mean, the past for the Cowboys always goes well against the Niners, right? Oh, it's terrible. Kyle Shanahan always seems to figure out a way to beat the Cowboys. Doesn't matter if it's Mike McCarthy as the number one seed with Jimmy Garoppolo when they went to the postseason and beat Dallas there. We all remember the Ezekiel Elliott play in the last play of the game where he lined up under center. That didn't go well. I don't know that the Cowboys are going to win this game, but getting four at home, I'm still not a believer that the Niners' talent is that good. Their coaching staff is great, and I have a lot of respect for Kyle Shanahan. But I think this is a field goal game. I'm taking the four with the Cowboys here. I don't know that they win, but I think they're at least going to cover and win you money this week if you take the four with Dallas at home. All right, let me throw another one at you. I gotcha. Which team Are you buying into and which team are you officially selling on right now? If I had to sell on anybody, let's say, in the AFC, it would be New England at five and four. I don't think they're going to make the postseason, okay? And I do like Cincinnati, and I do like Pittsburgh to have some staying power here with some of those teams. Now, not necessarily to win the conferences, but to get into the postseason. Buffalo, they made a sneaky pick by getting Amani Hooker out of Tennessee at safety, okay? And to me, I know Jacksonville in some betting markets has become the favorite. Josh Allen is still the best quarterback to me in football. I trust him more than anybody. Give me the Buffalo Bills right now as a team that I would buy on. But if you're asking me to sell, I would sell right now in New England. I don't think they're going to be a playoff team. And I'm worried about Kansas City and the health of Patrick Mahomes. Dave, I've got a minute before I have to let you go. What's the biggest storyline this weekend that the national media is overlooking? The biggest storyline that the national media is overlooking. That's a great question. I'd say this. I'm not a Bo Lever yet in Bo Nix. Now, the record might fool you, and Sean Payton can fool you, but Bo Nix can't fool me. So I don't think the national media is talking about it yet. And I did have a conversation with former Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell this week about Bo Nix, and he kind of said the same thing I'm getting at. The coaches can make you good for so long. At some point, he's got to win you a big game. I'm not a believer yet. And I don't think the Broncos at 7-2 are as good as the record indicates. All right. Well, you are a big winner at this game. Thanks a lot, Dave Ross, for coming in. Thanks, guys. And again, thank you for your service, sir. We appreciate it. Thank you very much. Hey, look, there's much more of the sports office coming up right after this short break. You guys stay right there. Welcome back. I'm getting some messages on the Motor City Casino Hotel Live Line. Hey, here's one. Love your show, guys. Do you think there's any chance Michigan can sway Chesney away from UCLA? Sorry about the U last Saturday, Tony from Sterling Heights. Thanks a lot for that, Tony. Dave, what do you think? No, I don't. I mean, it's a tough place to come here. They came off the national championship game. The expectations are exceedingly high. I mean, you're set up to fail. It's real tough to ask. You heard Tony mention the Miami Hurricanes last Saturday. Here's the question. Catch or no catch? I'll throw that question at you, Dave. What was it? No, I refrain. You refrain? Catch, catch, catch. Thank you very much. I got another text here. I think three and a half is too much, but I would love the Spartans to be in a bowl. Go green and go white. How about that? I would love them to be in a bowl too, but I would love a lot of things. I don't think it's happening. I just, I think they did it. They mission accomplished. Any other win that they get this season is a cherry on top of that cake because they beat Michigan. That's it. The LA Chargers are still... Winless. Winless. Unreal. They're going to get a win before. Will Jim Harbaugh be fired before the end of the year? I mean, why isn't he fired yet? Mike, I don't understand how him or the offensive coordinator is still there. And you know what? We also have some Lions information right here because we're looking at the injury list. And right now, Cade Mays will not be playing in this game. Run, baby, run. So that means more of Juice Scruggs, which is a good thing because Juice has stepped up big this year as far as serious depth. For that offensive line. Run blocking. I want to see Jameer get unlocked. Come on, let's go. They've got to run the ball better. I mean, they have to. Well, I think they have a one-two punch with Gibbs and Sione Vaki. Yeah. I mean, we've seen it. We know what it's capable of. Sure. But we want to see it in a more regular basis, is that what you're saying? Yeah, yeah, yeah. I mean, he's had some great games. Don't get me wrong. They need to lean on him a little bit more. What would be the ideal performance for you from Gibbs that you see on Sunday in Germany? Give him 20 touches, and I don't care if it comes, by the way, in between the tackles or a screen game, you know, 120. Maybe one or two touchdowns? I'll take it. All day. And if you combine that with a solid game from Amon-Ra St. Brown. Yeah, then nobody has to go crazy. Or Jameson Williams. Right. Then perhaps we could even get into what Dave said, maybe a three-touchdown win. Let's do it. Even though it's a pro game and not the college game. Schnitzel for everyone. I would love to see the Lions get this done and come home with a win. What do you think about the international games, Dave? I don't love them. I love the time because I work Sunday night so I could watch the whole game, and that's nice. But I just, I mean, I get why they're doing it. I don't think any of the players love it. I don't think, you know, they're creatures of habit and routine, right? And this is so much, they've got to give them at least a bye after that. I don't know if even the fans love it. Yeah, true. Yes, there are fans going over, and you saw quite a few today getting on planes in and overseas. But come on, I mean, it's a home game. I know. Normally we would be at Ford Field checking this out. All right, hey, look, that'll have to wrap it up for tonight. And thanks a lot for you guys for getting in to the sports office. We'll have more on Friday, but coming up next is The Pulse right here on Fox 2. So join Rupraj, and we'll talk some political business. But we'll be back tomorrow with more of the sports office. Thanks for watching. Peace.