Judging by their performance over the first three weeks of the preseason, the Detroit Lions appear as if they're finally going to be a factor in 2011 after years of futility. However, August results aren't always an indicator of success, as the team can attest to.
The Lions went 4-0 in the 2008 preseason, yet didn't win a single time afterward in becoming the first franchise to go 0-16 in NFL history. Detroit also put together an unblemished preseason mark in 1990, a year it ended up 6-10 in the regular season.
Still, one can't help but take notice with the way the Lions, who will wrap up their 2011 exhibition slate with Thursday's clash with the Buffalo Bills from Ralph Wilson Stadium, have acquitted themselves through the first three games. After routing Cincinnati in its opener and squeaking by Cleveland in the second week, Detroit really raised some eyebrows with its effort against the powerful New England Patriots on Saturday.
The Lions, who haven't finished above .500 since 2000 and last made the playoffs in 1999, dominated a New England squad that registered a league-best 14-2 record in the 2010 regular season and played Tom Brady and the majority of its starters into the third quarter. The offense rolled up 468 total yards in the 34-10 home victory, while the defense continually harassed and frustrated Brady all throughout the evening.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford was nearly flawless for Detroit, completing 12- of-14 passes for 200 yards and two touchdowns in just one half's worth of action. Cliff Avril led the defensive charge with a pair of sacks as the Lions pressured Brady into a subpar 12-of-22, 145-yard, one interception showing under center.
Stafford, limited to just three games in 2010 by a shoulder injury that required surgery, has been sensational this entire preseason. The 2009 No. 1 overall pick has made good on 77.4 percent (24-of-31) of his throws for 356 yards and five touchdowns without an interception.
Though head coach Jim Schwartz hasn't revealed his plans for Thursday's game, expect Stafford and the first-team units to see limited time against the Bills. Schwartz did say that wide receiver Nate Burleson (elbow) and defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch (shoulder) are two regulars unlikely to suit up.
Buffalo, which also hasn't been a postseason entry since 1999, is hoping it can improve upon last year's 4-12 record and last-place finish in the AFC East. The Bills haven't been as impressive as their Thursday-night opponent, dropping their first two preseason tests before rallying for a 35-32 overtime decision over Jacksonville last Saturday at Ralph Wilson Stadium.
The Bills trailed 32-17 early in the fourth quarter before accumulating 15 unanswered points to send the contest into extra time, with backup quarterback Tyler Thigpen connecting with Paul Hubbard for a four-yard touchdown and the subsequent conversion try with just 38 seconds left. Kicker Rian Lindell later drilled a 40-yard field goal in overtime to account for the winning margin.
Like Stafford, Buffalo starting signal-caller Ryan Fitzpatrick was razor-sharp on Saturday, throwing for 165 yards and two scores on 11-of-12 passing before exiting at halftime.
The Bills, who open the regular season at defending AFC West champ Kansas City on Sept. 11, still have a few starting jobs up for grabs heading into this game. Second-year wide receivers Donald Jones and Marcus Easley are competing to be the replacement for the recently-traded Lee Evans, while Demetrius Bell and Andy Levitre are battling to be Fitzpatrick's main protector at left tackle.
Easley made his case by catching a team-best five passes for 51 yards and a touchdown against the Jaguars.
Detroit kicks off its 2011 campaign with a visit to Tampa Bay.
The Lions and Bills have faced off in the preseason 30 times previously, including every year since 2002. Detroit owns an 18-11-1 advantage in the all- time series and has won the last three matchups, the most recent being a 28-23 triumph at Ford Field.
Buffalo exacted some revenge, however, with a 14-12 home victory over the Lions during Week 10 of last year's regular season.
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