Detroit offense vs. Arizona defense

	LIONS OFFENSE
	Ranking in the NFL:
	Run	21
	Pass	14
	Tot. Yds.	19
	Scoring	12
	Int's allowed	7
	Sacks allowed	32
	CARDINALS DEFENSE
	Ranking in the NFL:
	vs. Run	30
	vs. Pass	4
	Total yds. allowed	13
	# of Ints.	8
	# of Sacks	17
	Turnover differential	-16

The Lions were fortunate to escape with a win against the Rams and backup QB Gus Frerotte deserves all the credit. Because he lacks Charlie Batch's mobility, Frerotte was under extreme pressure down the stretch but he hung in the pocket and made big throws.

More impressive than his 57-yard Hail Mary to Germaine Crowell was the game-winning touchdown pass to Johnnie Morton. Frerotte wanted to go Crowell's way but he smartly recognized double coverage and checked back to the opposite side of the field and threw a strike to Morton on a stop-fade route. On that one play, Frerotte demonstrated the poise under pressure that all teams seek in a No. 2 guy. Frerotte might again get the call this week if Charlie Batch's injured finger prevents him from gripping the ball.

Regardless of who starts at quarterback, the Lions must throw the ball deep to Crowell. The threat of Crowell has opened up things underneath for nickel back Sedrick Irvin, who continues to pick up necessary yards after the catch to sustain drives. Irvin is filling a much-needed complimentary role in the Lions' passing game and he will be even more valuable if Frerotte is in the lineup because the Lions will not be able to rely on Batch's escape ability.

The Lions will be able to pick the Cardinals apart if they contain RDE Simeon Rice, who has nine of the team's 17 sacks. Rice needs to catch LOT Ray Roberts on one of his off days. Roberts has been dominant the last four games, but he has a history of surrendering costly sacks.

Arizona's secondary is holding up well despite the lack of pressure but safeties Tommy Bennett and Kwamie Lassiter need to start making more plays on the ball. The Cards rank among the league leaders in pass defense, giving up just 171 yards per game but that stat is deceiving because teams have not been forced to throw the ball on them. The one thing that separates this unit from last year's is their inability to force turnovers -- a tough job against Detroit's conservative game plan.

Detroit couldn't run the football against St. Louis' penetrating front four but they get a reprieve this week against an Arizona defense that is giving up 143.1 yards per game. Arizona's backup defensive linemen are playing admirably but too many of their tackles are being made five yards downfield. The thing that is killing the Cards is their lack of depth up front. The starters are being forced to log exhaustive minutes, which means the Lions should stick with Greg Hill and Irvin on the ground.

The key to the Lions' four game winning streak has been a resurgent run defense that has allowed just 62.8 yards per contest the past five weeks. Various injuries have deprived the Cardinals of establishing any chemistry along the offensive line and they will have a tough time against the Lions' swarming defense. Arizona's interior trio of LOG Matt Joyce, OC Aaron Graham, and ROG Lester Holmes is the least athletic group in the league and they will have their hands full containing DTs Luther Ellis and James Jones.

Where the Cardinals stand to suffer most is when defensive coordinator Larry Peccatiello blitzes MLB Stephen Boyd. With Ellis and Jones occupying the interior, it will be up to FB Joel Makovicka to pick up the run blitz with his lead block. This scheme has allowed OLB's Chris Claiborne and Allen Aldridge to come in behind Boyd to make plays.

Last week, QB Dave Brown was sacked six times by a Jets defense that had only eight sacks in their first seven games. The Cardinals need to find a way to score points early on Sunday because their offense has proved they are incapable of coming from behind. Detroit's banged up secondary needs some extra help this week so don't look for the Lions to use excessive blitzing to generate pressure.

Arizona will be in good shape if they can handle the Lions' four-man rush because the Cards should be able to take advantage of some individual matchups with their receiver trio. The Lions have been positioning FS Mark Carrier extremely deep in the secondary to prevent giving up big plays. What this will do is open up the middle of the field behind the dropping LBs.

If the offensive line can give Brown room to step up in the pocket and deliver the ball, the Cardinals should have success throwing across the middle to Frank Sanders and David Boston. RDC Terry Fair has really been coming on for the Lions and looks more sure in coverage than at any point in his short career.