The Lions’ season-opening win over Oakland was impressive on a number of levels. They ran the ball effectively, they forced turnovers, their passing game was solid and they did not fold after blowing a lead. But it was also one of those victories you had to wonder whether was the result of the Lions’ good play or the Raiders’ ineptitude. The Raiders are a bad football team. Certainly worse than I had anticipated.
But after watching replays of every game played during the first week of the season, I have come to the conclusion there are a number of NFL teams that aren’t much better than the Raiders. The Browns are just brutal. The Chiefs, as another example, are struggling, too. There isn’t much offense from a lot of teams. The Redskins, for example, had to run the ball to set up with their winning score in overtime vs. Miami. Their passing game, like at least half the NFL teams, is limited. I am still not sure about the Lions’ defense despite an excellent performance by their defensive front at Oakland. The Raiders’ offensive line is weak. The offensive line from the Lions’ opponents this week, the Vikings, is much stronger. But the Vikings can’t throw the ball worth a lick.
Guess my point is, don’t discount the Lions’ offense, particularly their passing attack. It’s still true that defense wins championships, but there are so many teams whose downfall is going to be their offense this season that it’s a huge advantage for the Lions they aren’t one of them.

Random Thoughts

- Two series key the Tigers’ postseason fate. One is the Yankees and Red Sox this weekend. The Red Sox have a better chance of knocking off the Yankees than any team left on their schedule. And it will be more than interesting next week if the Tigers somehow manage to sweep the Indians in Cleveland. I still see the Indians as vulnerable.

- I can’t believe sometimes how judgmental fans are about young players making their major league debuts. It’s amazing how many fans have already dismissed Andrew Miller and Cameron Maybin. Miller won some key games and pitched well for the Tigers until just before he was hurt. Maybin was called to the major leagues with only three weeks remaining in his minor league season. Don’t people realize much it helped their development to see time in the major leagues this season?

- If Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis doesn’t insert mobile quarterback Demetrius Jones and go to a spread offense Saturday against Michigan, he isn’t nearly as smart as he thinks he is.