Morning Lions Links for Wednesday 9-16-15

Lions Articles:

National Media:

Trouble brewing: Playoff teams that should worry (LaDainian Tomlinson: Losing Ndamukong Suh will keep the Lions out of the playoffs. I'll say Detroit. For the Lions to give up a lead like they did Sunday, I think it speaks to what they don't have on the defense. To me, it looks like their defense isn't going to be as strong this season. Obviously, losing Ndamukong Suhto free agency was huge.  Because of the defensive changes, Detroit is going to have to rely on its offense to carry the squad. The Lions have found themselves on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoffs more times than not, and I think they're a team that probably won't make it this year.):   http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000530951/article/seahawks-colts-among-2014-playoff-teams-that-should-be-worried

Heroes and Villains: Mariota wows, Chip narratives die (Heroes - 3.  Ameer Abdullah: The hype was real. Detroit's rookie running back is already flashing the qualities as a long-term find for the Lions. Hisspeed off the cut reminds me of former Browns and Falcons star Eric Metcalf, while his quickness has drawn comparisons to Barry Sanders. We're getting to the point whereMatthew Stafford -- surrounded by weapons -- has run out of excuses.):   http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000531141/article/heroes-villains-mariota-shines-chip-narrative-fails

Six projected contenders on alert after Week 1 losses (Detroit Lions: The Lions had the Chargers down and looking demoralized with a 21–3 lead on the road in the second quarter but proceeded to allow 30 unanswered points en route to San Diego’s 33–28 victory on Sunday. That’s the kind of gut punch that can set the tone for a season, especially for a Lions club that faces a challenging early schedule, with a trip to newly humbled Minnesota this week, followed by games against three 2014 playoff qualifiers: Denver, at Seattle, Arizona.):   http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/09/15/nfl-week-2-steelers-eagles-lions-colts

Local Media:

STATS PACK: Key stats from opening loss:   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/article-1/STATS-PACK-Key-stats-from-opening-loss/01e61bd2-fc9b-4ca9-9a6e-07492de039b7

Dissecting Ingram's big hit on Lions' Stafford:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/15/melvin-ingram-matthew-stafford-detroit-lions/72323384/

Sharp: Lions must allow Stafford freedom to take chances:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/columnists/drew-sharp/2015/09/15/detroit-lions-coaches-matthew-stafford/72352008/

Silver does the math: Lions look like sub-.500 team:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/15/detroit-lions-538-nate-silver/72312704/

Second look: Chargers scheme neutralized Johnson:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/15/second-look-chargers-scheme-neutralized-johnson/72340320/

Lions’ Ihedigbo awaits word from NFL on Allen hit:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/15/lions-ihedigbo-awaits-word-nfl-allen-hit/72308850/

Zenner’s dream becomes reality as a Lion:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/15/zenners-dream-becomes-reality-lion/72352112/

Detroit Lions second look: Play-calling or execution? Looking back at Week 1 offense:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/detroit_lions_second_look_re-e.html

Detroit Lions second look: Philip Rivers killed defense with lightning-quick release:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/detroit_lions_second_look_phil.html

Lions' Theo Riddick phased out of RB rotation, and that probably won't change:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/lions_theo_riddick_phased_out.html

Detroit Lions players dish on what they like to eat before games:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/detroit_lions_players_dish_on_1.html

Golden Tate's proposal included a homeless guy, the ocean and a Cover-0 blitz:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/golden_tates_proposal_included.html

Pat Caputo - Why the season could already be on the line for the Detroit Lions Sunday at Minnesota:   http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150915/pat-caputo-why-the-season-could-already-be-on-the-line-for-the-detroit-lions-sunday-at-minnesota

PFF Grades: O-line struggles lead to defeat:   http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/9/14/9324277/lions-chargers-pff-grades-offensive-line-struggles-poor-tackling-lead

Power Rankings:

Week 2 Power Rankings:   http://captainbluelionslinks.blogspot.com/2015/09/week-2-power-rankings.html