Lions are close, and Stafford is the catalyst

The wins might not be there right now, but the Lions get better and better every time they take the field. This team is getting close.

I called their game at New Meadowlands Stadium last week, and although it felt like the Giants always were in control, the Lions had several chances to go away … but didn’t. Shaun Hill played well until he got injured. He was replaced by third-stringer Drew Stanton, and although nothing he does is pretty or should be considered a work of art, at the end of the game he was 19 of 34 for 222 yards, made a nice throw to Calvin Johnson that turned into a touchdown and even ran for a couple of first downs. Stanton made some plays against one of the better defenses the Lions will face this season.

Jim Schwartz and his crew are putting something together in Detroit, and much of it starts with GM Martin Mayhew. The organization just needs validation by getting some wins. They’ve been competitive in every game this season and have yet to get blown out by anyone. They just need to get over the hump, and that will start with the return of QB Matthew Stafford.

I would really like to see a 16-game sample with Stafford on the field to see where this team can go. Stafford is the difference-maker for the Lions, because of his arm, because of his intelligence, because of his moxie. But he needs to stay on the field. Not only does he make the receivers better, he helps the run game because the Lions are instantly more of a threat through the air.

Stafford just needs to play consistently, and then I think we’ll find out more about this team.

If I’m in the NFC North, I’m scared to death of the Lions. It’s a game everyone is going to expect to win, but it’s not a gimme anymore. Not even close. It wouldn’t shock me at all to see the Lions beat some people down the stretch.

But the Lions need to go from faith — which is belief without evidence — to belief, which means the evidence has been presented. Right now, they’re still on faith. I think they’ll get to belief pretty quickly — they can contend for the playoffs next season — and Stafford is an integral part of that.

– Charles Davis

Follow me on Twitter @CFD22 and follow The NFL Network @nflnetwork.

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Colts TE Clark will go on injured reserve

Posted: October 22nd, 2010 | Adam Rank | Tags: Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts, Dallas Clark, Antonio Gates, Heath Miller, Austin Collie, Pierre Garcon, Jermichael Finley, Aaron Hernandez, Blair White, Tony Moeaki, Benjamin Watson, Jacob Tamme

The Colts announced on Friday that TE Dallas Clark will have wrist surgery next week and will go on injured reserve. Obviously a huge blow to the Colts, and to fantasy enthusiasts everywhere. Seriously, what is going on with the tight ends? First we lose Packers TE Jermichael Finley, Chargers TE Antonio Gates is hurt and now this.

The Colts will turn to Jacob Tamme to replace Clark. And QB Peyton Manning has shown faith in the Colts obscure players, making stars out of WRs Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie last season. And heck, he even tossed a touchdown pass to rookie WR Blair White earlier this year. White, of course, should be on your radar with Collie hurting.

But there are other options available in most leagues for owners missing Clark, including Patriots TE Aaron Hernandez, Steelers TE Heath Miller, Browns TE Benjamin Watson,  and Chiefs TE Tony Moeaki.

– Adam Rank

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Noteworthy nuggets from Week 6

A look at Week 6 through some of the most notable numbers of the week, with an assist from George Li of the NFL Network research desk:

Patriots 23, Ravens 20 (OT)

The Patriots recorded their 23rd consecutive home win with Tom Terrific at quarterback, which puts him ahead of John Elway (22) for the second-longest streak in NFL history. The leader in this category is still active, but can’t extend his streak. Brett Favre had 25 consecutive home wins from 1995-98 for the Packers.

Bye week advantage: The Patriots won their eighth straight game following a bye week, tied for the second longest streak in the NFL since 1990. The Patriots improved to 9-2 overall in games following a bye week under Bill Belichick.

The Ravens are now 0-6 all-time against the Patriots during the regular season, including 0-4 in New England.

Seahawks 23, Bears 20

Devin Hester broke off an 89-yard punt return for a touchdown, his 9th career punt return TD, which ties Brian Mitchell for the second-most all-time behind Eric Metcalf (10). Hester now has 13 combined punt/kickoff returns for touchdowns, also tied with Mitchell for the NFL record.

Seahawks WR Mike Williams had 10 receptions for 123 yards, both career highs, and recorded his first career 100-yard game.

Texans 35, Chiefs 31

The Texans outscored the Chiefs 21-7 in the fourth quarter and have scored 30-plus points in all four wins this season.

Chiefs LB Mike Vrabel’s 2-yard touchdown reception was the 12th of his career (including playoffs), tied for the second-most in NFL history by a defensive player. Vrabel is tied with DB Woodley Lewis and DE Carl Mulleneax, trailing DB Wilbur Moore (17).

Dolphins 23, Packers 20 (OT)

All three of the Packers’ losses this season have been by three points.

Giants 28, Lions 20

Eli Manning passed for 177 yards and 2 TD, and now has 20,123 career pass yards to  join Phil Simms as the only Giants players to reach 20,000 yards.

The Lions suffered their 24th consecutive road loss, which ties for the longest streak in NFL history. It’s a repeat performance, though, for the Lions, who also had 24 consecutive road losses from 2001-03.

Eagles 31, Falcons 17

The Eagles won their 22nd straight game when leading at halftime, good for the longest active streak in the NFL.

Before he left with a concussion, DeSean Jackson had a 31-yard rushing TD and a 34-yard receiving TD. It’s the second time in his career he’s recorded both a rushing and receiving TD in the same game.

Picking up the slack for Jackson, Jeremy Maclin set career highs in receptions (7), yards (159) and touchdowns (2). Here’s the highlight of his 83-yard touchdown from Kevin Kolb.

Steelers 28, Browns 10

Hines Ward had five receptions for 54 yards and a TD, his 183rd consecutive game with a reception, which ties Art Monk for fourth-longest streak in NFL history. Ward and Monk trail Jerry Rice (274), Marvin Harrison (190) and Terrell Owens (185).

Phil Dawson has 235 career field goals, breaking Hall of Famer Lou Groza’s franchise record.

Rams 20, Chargers 17

The Rams led the Chargers 7-0 at the end of the first quarter and have outscored opponents 34-3 in first quarter this season.

The Chargers’ 2-4 start is their worst start through six games since 2003 when they started 1-5 and finished 4-12.

Saints 31, Buccaneers 6

Chris Ivory had himself a career day, rushing 15 times for 158 yards, both career highs.

Ronde Barber made his 172nd consecutive start, passing Hall of Famer Dick LeBeau for the longest streak in NFL history by a cornerback.

Jets 24, Broncos 20

LaDainian Tomlinson had two touchdowns, his 38th career game with two-plus rushing TDs, the most in NFL history.

Vikings 24, Cowboys 21

Favre was sacked three times and has now been sacked 516 times in his career, tied with Elway for most all-time.

Randy Moss had 5 receptions for 55 yards and now has 944 career receptions, passing Monk for fourth all-time.

Adrian Peterson finished with 73 yards and a touchdown, and now has 5,037 rushing yards in 51 career games, tied for the fifth fastest in NFL history to reach that mark.

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Vince Young limps off field for Titans

Posted: October 18th, 2010 | Frank Tadych | Tags: Tennessee Titans, Vince Young, Kerry Collins, Week 6 injuries 2010

It’s never a good thing for the Titans when QB Vince Young is down on the field, holding his knee. That was the scene at Jacksonville’s EverBank Field midway through the first quarter Monday night.

Young suffered what looked to be a left knee injury against the Jaguars when he was bent backwards after recovering a fumbled snap. Young grabbed at his left knee and was in obvious pain as trainers checked him over, but he eventually was able to walk off the field under his own power, limping noticeably.

Young was immediately brought to a training table on the sideline, where trainers fit him for a knee brace.

Kerry Collins entered the game for the Titans. Given that Young was fitted for a brace immediately, though, he could be back in the game at some point after he tests the knee on the sideline.

UPDATE: The Titans announced that Young had sprained his knee and is questionable to return.

– Frank Tadych

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McCoy gave Browns reason to believe

The Browns’ plan under Mike Holmgren called for rookie QB Colt McCoy to sit and watch this season. It’s something that never sat well with McCoy.

Given that Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace were also new to the Browns and the system, McCoy never practiced with the first team during training camp. In fact, McCoy said the only reps he really got were during the preseason games. That’s where he really got his feet wet.

As fate would have it, the Browns asked McCoy to start against the Steelers, and it’s almost as if no one believed in him. Even coach Eric Mangini said that when McCoy got in the huddle with the first team during practice last week, the rookie had such command that everyone kind of laughed, as if to say, “Who does this kid think he is!? OK, if he thinks he’s all that, we’ll give him the benefit of the doubt.”

Truth is, McCoy had to win his teammates over in a week.

One almost gets the sense that the only person who believed in McCoy going into the game — on the road against the best blitzing defense in the NFL — was McCoy.

What I learned last week watching film on McCoy, and then confirmed during Sunday’s broadcast, is that he is very accurate throwing the ball.

Both of his interceptions against the Steelers went off the hands of his intended receivers, and what I saw was a quarterback who grew as the game went on. Earlier in the game, when he felt pressure, he tucked the ball and his vision came down because he started panicking and running. During the second half, he kept this vision down the field and he was running to throw as opposed to running to run.

I don’t know that you could ever put a rookie quarterback in a more difficult situation in his NFL debut than what McCoy faced, yet I never saw him with that deer-in-the-headlights look.

I was very encouraged with what I saw from McCoy. I suspect he started to change the team’s mind, and that they feel much better about him going into his second start. I guarantee you that if Wallace is healthy, he’s the starter. But if only Delhomme is healthy, the Browns will probably start McCoy.

Based on what I saw, the Browns are talking right now about what they saw on Sunday. Is it real? Can we believe in it? McCoy made the Browns pause, and they want to see more. I’m not saying McCoy is Tom Brady, but remember, the Patriots didn’t think Brady was who he was when he first got started.

Every now and then, fate can throw you a bone. The Browns have started 16 quarterbacks since they re-entered the league in 1999. That’s a lot. There’s more to be seen, but maybe fate has thrown the Browns a bone.

– Solomon Wilcots

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Titans WR Britt sits, could face further penalties

Posted: October 22nd, 2010 | Adam Rank | Tags: Tennessee Titans, Jeff Fisher, Kenny Britt

Titans WR Kenny Britt sat out practice on Friday, because of an early-morning altercation. But coach Jeff Fisher said that Britt will not miss any time on Sunday because the incident was described as the receiver being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

But that could all change, according to Fisher who said that he is still gathering facts. Fisher is giving Britt the benefit of the doubt for now, but that could change if the investigation unearths something contrary to the receiver’s account.

“It really depends on the information I am able to obtain before kickoff. That’s really all I can say,” Fisher said.

Keep an eye on this situation and be ready to move if Britt is disciplined for his role in the altercation.

– Adam Rank

Tweet your fantasy questions to @nflfantasy. Your Tweet might end up on the air on NFL.com Fantasy LIVE.

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Vickerson, Royal out for Broncos

Posted: October 17th, 2010 | Frank Tadych | Tags: Denver Broncos, Eddie Royal, Week 6 injuries 2010, Kevin Vickerson, Matthew Willis

Broncos starting DE Kevin Vickerson and WR Eddie Royal have left Sunday’s game against the Jets due to injuries.

Vickerson left during the third quarter with an undisclosed injury. He didn’t return on the team’s next defensive drive, but no word yet from the Broncos. Marcus Thomas has taken his place at left defensive end.

The Broncos announced at the start of the fourth quarter that WR Eddie Royal is questionable to return with a hamstring injury. He has one reception for 13 yards. The team also announced WR Matthew Willis won’t return after suffering a foot injury.

– Frank Tadych

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