Detroit Lions

Franchise Mode Strategy Overall Team Rating: 82 Offense: 81 Defense: 85 Offensive Scheme: Vertical Offense Defensive Scheme: Attacking 4-3 Strengths: QB, FB, ROLB Weaknesses: C, MLB, SS 2015 Team Rankings 3rd NFC North (7-9-0) Passing Offense: 9th Rushing Offense: 32nd Passing Defense: 14th Rushing Defense: 19th 2015 Team Leaders Passing: Matthew Stafford: 4,262 Rushing: Ameer Abdullah: 597 Receiving: Golden Tate: 813 Tackles: Stephen Tulloch 107 Sacks: Ezekiel Ansah: 14.5 INTS: Glover Quin: 4 Key Additions LOLB Tahir Whitehead WR Marvin Jones RG Geoff Schwartz Key Rookies RT Taylor Decker DT A’Shawn Robinson C Graham Glasgow Coach Jim Caldwell Level: 13 Offensive Scheme: Vertical Offense 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’s no use in upgrading his Play Action rating since the Lions rarely run the ball.
• This is the time to ignore overall rank, especially when it comes to running backs. Coming off a much better season than expected, Ameer Abdullah should be your number 1 HB. He led the Lions in overall yards last season and he may well do the same again this year. Once Detroit strengthens their line, there will be more opportunities for the running game.
• There’s a new WR corps in town and while continuing to focus on building the team, look to Golden Tate to lead the team. 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 new defensive line is looking solid and will continue to get better this season. 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 Quin Glover, who both have pretty good size for the position.

SCHEDULE

Key Players

• Tate should be your main target in the red zone with a high throw and aggressive catch.
• Continue to develop Tate’s confidence by throwing to him often, but understand that he will be a major target on the field.

• 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 continues to improve in the run game. For now, keep a linebacker behind him.

• Decker is a great run blocker; however, he’s agreat all-around player and should be considered starting material.
• Utilize Decker’s Acceleration rating on plays like counters, where he will be pulling to the edge.

• Ebron needs an upgrade to either his run blocking or route running to be a true threat on an every-down basis.
• Eric is a TD machine in the red zone; line him up on the side opposite Golden Tate III.

Offensive Depth Chart

Defensive Depth Chart

Special Teams

Best Offensive Plays

best RUN: Pistol Ace – HB Dive

Running Plays

best PASS: Gun Ace Twins - Posts

passing Plays

Best Defensive Plays

Best RUN D: 5-2 Normal – Fire Zone 2

Run Defense

Best PASS D: Dollar 3-2-6 – Cover 4 QB Contain

Pass Defense