Detroit offense vs. Carolina defense

	LIONS OFFENSE
	Ranking in the NFL:
	Run	15
	Pass	19
	Tot. Yds.	19
	Scoring	10
	Int's allowed	6
	Sacks allowed	23
	PANTHERS DEFENSE
	Ranking in the NFL:
	vs. Run	30
	vs. Pass	23
	Total yds. allowed	29
	No. of INTs	1
	No. of Sacks	15
	Turnover differential	-6

The Lions got a strong relief effort from Gus Frerotte last week but starting QB Charlie Batch is expected back this week from a bruised throwing arm. One player the Lions might not get back this week is WR Herman Moore, who left last Sunday's game with another leg injury. Detroit's receiver tandem of Johnnie Morton and Germane Crowell played better last week but that was only because the Vikings didn't play much press coverage.

Much like what the Chiefs did to them in Week 3, aggressive Panther DCs Doug Evans and Eric Davis will make it hard for the Lions receivers to release off the line of scrimmage, which could mean the another long day for the Bobby Ross' passing game. Batch's injury might affect his arm strength so look for the Lions to go with a more conservative and shorter passing game.

Two positives the Lions can pull from their last-minute win over Minnesota is the play of No. 3 WR Brian Stablein and TE David Sloan. The pair combined for only five catches and 54 yards but they made plays at crucial times when the offense appeared to be going exclusively through Morton and Crowell.

Carolina blitzed consistently all afternoon last Sunday against San Francisco, pressuring Niner QB Jeff Garcia into a 22-for-45 outing. Though they only sacked Garcia two times, the Panthers' front seven is clearly beginning to make strides and should be able to get to Batch against the Lions' banged up offensive line.

Injuries have robbed Detroit's front of any chance to gel as a unit. While it appeared they were recognizing the blitz a week ago, the lack of execution ultimately did them in.

Ross finally followed through on his promise to give RB Greg Hill a legitimate chance to prove himself and he responded with 67 yards on 11 carries, including a 36-yard romp in the first half. Hill and Ron Rivers should have big afternoon against one of the worst run defenses in the league. Carolina is giving up nearly 145 yards rushing per game but the defensive line is no longer being pushed around at the point of attack. Despite giving up 124 yards on 24 carries last week to the Niners, the Panthers are optimistic that they've turned things around.

The Lions will continue to distribute the carries between all of the backs but look for Hill to get another long look on Sunday because speed backs can get to the corner against the Panthers, especially on the left side of the Panthers' defensive line, where Antonio Edwards will start this week for the injured Jason Peter. Barrett Brooks earns his first start this week at right tackle and he should hold the upper hand in the run game against an edge rusher like Edwards.

Detroit's run defense held up well last week without MLB Stephen Boyd. Backup Scott Kowalkowski started in the middle and failed to record a solo tackle. The player that raised his game the most in Boyd's absence was SS Ron Rice, who quickly came up to plug the run and ended with a team-high seven tackles. With RB Robert Smith out of the game and the team staked to an early deficit, Viking coach Dennis Green abandoned the running game early and never really tested the mettle of the Boyd-less run defense.

Look for offensive coordinator Gil Haskell to pound the ball early on Sunday to see just how well the Lions will respond with journeyman Kowalkowski in the middle. The Panthers have surely seen plenty of tape from last season when the Lions were shredded for over 150 yards rushing on weekly basis without Boyd in the lineup.

Panther QB Steve Beuerlein made some poor throws last week against the Niners but he repeatedly bounced back and helped his team put points on the board. Beuerlein received better protection from his line last week but the Lions pass rush will be much more formidable, especially with LDE Robert Porcher near full strength. If Beuerlein isn't forced to rush his throws, he should have good success against the Lions' secondary. Detroit reserve DCs Robert Bailey and J.B. Brown played commendably the past couple of weeks but they were exposed for what they are -- backups -- when Jeff George was inserted in the second half.

Carolina No. 3 receiver Patrick Jeffers made an impact last week with starters Mushin Muhammad and Rae Carruth ailing. Carruth will sit on Sunday, leaving the team without a true deep option. Jeffers hadn't done much this season since coming over from the Cowboys but he used his size well last week against San Fran's diminutive corners en route to a six-reception, 93-yard outing. On the heels of last week's performance, look for Beuerlein to show more confidence in Jeffers, who should take advantage of height mismatches over the Lions' secondary.

Detroit could get back starting LDC Bryant Westbrook, who has played in only two games this season, which would at least bring some better size to the unit. Because the Panthers haven't used their backs effectively in the passing game all season, FS Mark Carrier must make sure that TE Wesley Walls doesn't run free down the middle of the field.