Fansided

NFL Trick or Treat: Breaking Down the Contenders

By Pete Schauer

Oct 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) reacts after throwing his second touchdown pass in the first quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) reacts after throwing his second touchdown pass in the first quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 26, 2014; London, UNITED KINGDOM; Detroit Lions receiver Calvin Johnson (center) reacts during the NFL International Series game against the Atlanta Falcons at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 26, 2014; London, UNITED KINGDOM; Detroit Lions receiver Calvin Johnson (center) reacts during the NFL International Series game against the Atlanta Falcons at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Trick: Detroit Lions (6-2)

Yes, readers, I know the Detroit Lions just came back from being down 21 points at halftime to beat the Atlanta Falcons in London–I watched while drinking my morning coffee on Sunday–but I’m not buying into Detroit’s 6-2 record.

Maybe it’s because the teams the Lions have beat this season are a combined 17-29? Oh, wait, that’s definitely the reason.

That, and the fact that Detroit can’t get a running game going and can’t seem to stay healthy, with Calvin Johnson and Reggie Bush missing significant time.

The Lions rank 31st in the rushing department (79.6 YPG), and I’m a true believer that there needs to be a strong balance between the run and pass to be successful in the NFL.

As Detroit’s schedule gets tougher in the second half–games against the Cardinals, Patriots and Packers loom–look for the Lions to reveal themselves as pretenders.

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