Detroit Lions

Connected Franchise Mode Strategy CFM Team Rating: 86 Offense: 85 Defense: 89 Offensive Scheme: Vertical Defensive Scheme: Attacking 4-3 Strengths: QB, WR, FS Weaknesses: LE, HB, C 2014 Team Rankings 2nd NFC North (11-5-0) Passing Offense: 12th Rushing Offense: 28th Passing Defense: 13th Rushing Defense: 1st 2014 team leaders Passing: Matthew Stafford: 4,257 Rushing: Joique Bell: 860 Receiving: Golden Tate: 1,331 Tackles: DeAndre Levy: 151 Sacks: Ndamukong Suh: 8.5 Ints: Glover Quin: 7 Key Additions WR Lance Moore CB Rashean Mathis DT Tyrunn Walker Key Rookies G Laken Tomlinson HB Ameer Abdullah CB Alex Carter Owner: Edward Crocker Legacy Score: 0 Coach: Jim Caldwell Level: 19 Legacy Score: 700 Offensive Scheme: Vertical Defensive Scheme: Attacking 4-3

Offensive Scouting Report

• QB Matt Stafford still has one of the biggest arms in the NFL, but he will need to be more consistent on short passes to lead the Lions to the promised land. There is no use in upgrading his Play Action rating, since the Lions rarely run the ball.
• HB Reggie Bush moves on from the Lions; however, Joique Bell is ready to step in and take over in the passing game. While he doesn’t have the top end speed, he is a reliable option for a pass-heavy team.
• WR Calvin Johnson got some help last year with the emergence of Golden Tate from Seattle, who actually out-gained him in yards. Make no mistake: This is still Johnson’s team, and he should be targeted downfield anytime there is single coverage. To really get the most from the Lions, keep developing their young talent at TE, which will hurt teams who focus solely on the outside receiving options.

Defensive Scouting Report

• The defensive line has a whole new look for the Lions with Nick Fairley and Ndamukong Suh leaving town. This creates more opportunity for Ezekiel Ansah, who is already one of the best young pass rushers in the league.
• ROLB DeAndre Levy is an excellent option beside MLB Stephen Tulloch, who is coming off an injury. These players may not be household names, but they perform very well on the field.
• The Lions’ secondary deserves to be considered in the league’s top 10 after solid seasons by both safeties. Your best bet is to play lots of zone coverage with Darius Slay and Rashean Mathis, who both have pretty good size for the position.

Schedule

Key Players

• Johnson should be your main target in the red zone with a high throw and aggressive catch.
• What makes Megatron so good is his ability to line up in so many different positions and still rack up catches.

• As if the size and speed weren’t enough, Ansah can also knock balls loose with big hits because he has a 90 Hit Power rating.
• Keep developing Ansah’s block shedding so he won’t be a liability in the run game; for now keep a linebacker behind him.

• Tomlinson is more of a run blocker, but he should have plenty of time to develop into an all-around starter.
• Utilize Tomlinson’s Acceleration rating on plays like counters, where he will be pulling to the edge.

• Fauria needs an upgrade to either his run blocking or route running to be a true threat on an every-down basis.
• Big Joe is a TD machine in the red zone; line him up on the side opposite Calvin Johnson.

OFFENSIVE DEPTH CHART

DEFENSIVE DEPTH CHART

SPECIAL TEAMS

Best Offensive Plays

BEST RUN: Strong Close — HB Off Tackle

Setup:

• This is always one of our favorite formations, and the HB Off Tackle is a rare but excellent run.
• This run will only be successful if you are patient. Don’t turn on the gas until your HB has his blocks set and is beyond the line.

Advanced Setup:

• Sub in a tackle at TE.

Running Plays

MAN COVERAGE ZONE COVERAGE MAN BLITZ ZONE BLITZ

BEST PASS: Pistol Ace — Skinny Posts

Setup/Reads:

• The timing of the posts is crucial; if it’s not right you will see far too many passes batted down by LBs.
• Against man-to-man coverage utilize those TE hot routes, which should get a free release off the line.
• Against the blitz, you can easily max protect this formation and pick up nearly any pressure in the game.

Advanced Setup:

• Slant either TE.
• Wheel the HB.

Passing Plays

MAN COVERAGE ZONE COVERAGE MAN BLITZ ZONE BLITZ

Best Defensive Plays

BEST RUN DEFENSE: 5-2 Normal — Cover 1

Setup:

• Learning to shift your defensive line in the direction of the TE will turn this from a good run defense into a great one.
• If the offense starts running outside runs from shotgun formations, dump the 5-2 for something with better pass coverage.
• The Lions don’t quite have the same level of talent on the defensive line, but they still have plenty of options for the 5-2.

Player to Control:

• Any defensive lineman

Run Defense

MAN COVERAGE ZONE COVERAGE MAN BLITZ ZONE BLITZ

BEST PASS DEFENSE: Big Dime 4-1-6 — Buck Slant 3

Setup:

• The flats will be left open on this play. If it is a third and short situation, switch to man coverage.
• Don’t always rush with the blitzing LB; start towards the line and drop over the middle to confuse the QB.
• If your opponent starts to catch on to the pressure, flip the play or switch to a Cover 3 defense.

Player to Control:

• Blitzing LB on the left of the screen

Pass Defense

MAN COVERAGE ZONE COVERAGE MAN BLITZ ZONE BLITZ