Afternoon Lions Links for Saturday 9-12-15

Lions Articles:

National Media:

Ranking every NFC team by projected finish (6. Detroit Lions - There are four teams with 11 or more players on their roster with a PFF rating above 80, and the Lions are one of them. Even though they lost all of their defensive tackles in the offseason, which was previously a position of strength, they replaced them well with Haloti Ngata (86.2) and Tyrunn Walker (73.5). The offense should be better this year than last, assuming WR Calvin Johnson (89.2) can stay healthy. The main thing holding the team back is QB Matthew Stafford (74.3), and having only a few Pro Bowl-caliber players. There were only four games last year where Stafford had an above-average PFF grade for a quarterback. The results for this team should be similar to last year unless Stafford steps up: a wild card spot and probably an early playoff exit.):   https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2015/09/12/ranking-every-nfc-team-by-projected-finish/

Ranking the league’s top wide receiver duos (2. Lions - Calvin Johnson (71 catches, 1,077 yards, eight TDs in 13 games) and Golden Tate (99 catches, 1,331 yards, four TDs in 16 games): Johnson and Tate are truly different talents who make up a lethal combination. Johnson, entering his ninth season in the NFL is still the prototype at the position with his 6-foot-5, 236-pound frame built with speed and power. Tate blossomed last season when Johnson was forced out with ankle and elbow injuries and is a relentless target always fighting for position.):   http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2015/09/12/broncos-receivers-rankings/72143336/

NFL's most optimistic fans? Facebook ranks every fan base from 1-32:   http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/facebook-study-reveals-kansas-city-chiefs-have-most-optimistic-fans-091115

Local Media:

OPPOSING VIEW: Chargers excited about Melvin Gordon:   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/OPPOSING-VIEW-Chargers-excited-about-Melvin-Gordon/38cd4a46-9867-4b62-bd5b-f5e4da465192

Lions-Chargers connection:   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/article-1/Lions-Chargers-connections/a43a8d97-4a1b-40c4-a4b1-6663d70aefc7

Seidel: 13 reasons why these Lions could be tremendous:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/12/detroit-lions-matthew-stafford-ameer-abdullah/72159440/

Yes, NFL debut is a big deal for Lions rookie Tomlinson:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/12/detroit-lions-laken-tomlinson/72154922/

Lions vs. Chargers: Disrupting Rivers paramount:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/11/lions-vs-chargers-disrupting-rivers-paramount/72127564/

Detroit Lions' Ameer Abdullah worried about dodging linebackers, not zombies ... for now:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/detroit_lions_ameer_abdullah_z.html

Detroit Lions hype leaner, meaner Haloti Ngata:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/detroit_lions_haloti_ngata_2.html

Detroit Lions moving on to Josh Bynes, who is not DeAndre Levy:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/detroit_lions_moving_on_to_jos.html

Detroit Lions expected to be without starting right side of offensive line:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/detroit_lions_expected_to_be_w.html

Detroit Lions could be contenders but key will be more offense, says NFL analyst Steve Mariucci:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/detroit_lions_could_be_contend.html

Detroit Lions Jim Caldwell — Always prepared, no excuses:   http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150912/detroit-lions-jim-caldwell-x2014-always-prepared-no-excuses

Detroit Lions — Five keys to the opener at San Diego Chargers:   http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150912/detroit-lions-x2014-five-keys-to-the-opener-at-san-diego-chargers

Previews and Predictions:

Week 1 Previews and Predictions:   http://captainbluelionslinks.blogspot.com/2015/09/week-1-previews-and-predictions.html