Afternoon Lions Links for Friday 9-28-12

Articles:

It's not make it or break it, but it's big:   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ohara/article-1/OHara-Its-not-make-or-break-but-its-big/4cabef1d-20d4-419e-be9f-5bbe04b43bff

Lions fans don't have to like Jared Allen, but they should respect him:   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Lions-fans-dont-have-to-like-Jared-Allen-but-they-should-respect-him/56f73117-0b7e-4c54-af4f-4b7ac27fa8f8

Notebook - Fairley and Hill have big shoes to fill Sunday and Percy Harvin could be a handful:   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Notebook-Fairley-and-Hill-have-big-shoes-to-fill-Sunday-and-Percy-Harvin-could-be-a-handful/1b365f4e-4a0d-4330-862f-26f8302c783c

Special teams have been a mixed bag through 3 weeks:   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Special-teams-have-been-a-mixed-bag-through-three-weeks/39c84bbe-9d5b-4669-bc36-0f64882aeb14

Stafford participates in Lions practice again Friday:   http://blogs.detroitlions.com/2012/09/28/quaterback-matthew-stafford-participates-in-lions-practice-again-friday/

Avril - We're motivated even more to go out and get pressure now:   http://blogs.detroitlions.com/2012/09/28/avril-were-motivated-even-more-to-go-out-and-get-pressure-now/

Matt Sheppard - Lions have to bring the heat:   http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/sports/football/lions/matt-shepard-lions-have-to-bring-the-heat-from-the-defensive-end-position

Lions hoping to get Johnson involved earlier in games ... if they can:   http://www.freep.com/article/20120928/SPORTS01/120928049/detroit-lions-calvin-johnson?

Dave Birkett chat:   http://live.freep.com/Event/Thread.aspx?Id=61388

Lions offense looks to get early jump vs Vikings:   http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120928/SPORTS0101/209280429/1126/sports0101/Lions-offense-looks-get-early-jump-vs-Vikings

Final Word - NFC North:   http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/64148/final-word-nfc-north-48

5 most desperate teams (Lions #3 on this list):   http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000067159/article/five-nfl-teams-most-desperate-to-win-in-week-4

Articles from Opposing Team's Media:

Vikings take momentum to Motown, trying to stop 11 game NFC North slide:   http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_21653929/vikings-take-momentum-motown-trying-stop-11-game

Video - Vikings media talks about CJ at around 1:16:   http://www.startribune.com/video/171556601.html#hpmfv

Game Previews and Predictions:

Gridiron Gab's week 4 Lions-Vikings Preview (He picks the Vikings to win 27-21):   http://www.nflgridirongab.com/2012/09/28/gridiron-gab-week-four-preview-minnesota-at-detroit/

LionsGab Lions-Vikings Sabermetrics (He picks the Lions to win 30-29):   http://www.lionsgab.com/2012/09/28/vikings-at-lions-week-four-sabermetrics/

PFF's week 4 picks (6 out of 8 experts pick the Lions to win):   https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/09/28/pff-pickem-week-4/

Video:

Schwartz media session:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Media-Session-Jim-Schwartz/24c0a5df-8c2c-4087-b4d4-ce4187ffe56a

Audio:

Schwartz on sirius:  http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/audio/Jim-Schwartz-on-Sirius-Radio---09-27-12/7b1d2da6-bdfc-4e28-acce-17ec09baf650