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Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Detroit Lions: Keep Your Enemies Close – 5 Questions with SideLion Report

By Daniel Lago

Aug 28, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) spins away from Detroit Lions defensive tackle Tyrunn Walker (93) in the first quarter of a preseason NFL football game at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 28, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) spins away from Detroit Lions defensive tackle Tyrunn Walker (93) in the first quarter of a preseason NFL football game at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 6, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford (8) is sacked by Detroit Lions defensive tackle Kerry Hyder (61) during the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Lions defeated the Vikings 22-16. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford (8) is sacked by Detroit Lions defensive tackle Kerry Hyder (61) during the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Lions defeated the Vikings 22-16. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

3. The Lions have undergone some serious changes with big names leaving on offense (Calvin Johnson) and defense (Suh, Fairley) over the last 2 years. Who has stepped up on both sides of the ball?

"Free agent Marvin Jones has fit right into Detroit’s system and was the NFL’s leading receiver through the first five weeks of the season. Eric Ebron and Golden Tate have played well over the past couple weeks. Matthew Stafford has really been the one that’s stepped up the most though. On defense, the big surprise has been unknown defensive lineman Kerry Hyder, who leads the team in sacks."

My take:

My guess was that Stafford has been the main reason for their success despite their roster subtractions, but it doesn’t hurt to have a free agent acquisition work out as swimmingly as Marvin Jones has. The former Bengals receivers has become a terrific deep threat and a very good complement to Golden Tate. It’s also nice to see Ebron contributing at tight end after a largely ineffective rookie season.

Defensively, you can tell the Lions lost one of the better defensive lineman in the NFL.  Hyder has played well, but Ziggy Ansah hasn’t been on the field enough and DeAndre Levy hasn’t played since week 1. If I had any confidence and Bortles and the offense, I’d expect a shootout.

Next: Ramsey S(no)w

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