Week 6: Five Detroit Lions Players To Watch Vs The Jacksonville Jaguars

1. RB D’Andre Swift

Swift has been a part of the Lions offense but not nearly as much as we all expected through the first quarter of the season. I believe this is in part because of COVID-19 and no minicamp and preseason for the rookie. His four rushing attempts in week four were productive as he averaged five yards per rush. He also had four receptions for 30 yards. Going forward, he needs to be a bigger part of this offense if the Lions want to grow their future star running back.

2. DE Trey Flowers

Flowers has flown under the radar this season. Although he makes a difference on the field, it’s not always shown on the stat sheet with plays that force the runningback back inside, and he kept his role as contain and things of that nature. Flowers needs to start adding some more impact plays, though, in addition to all the other things he brings to the table. Part of his struggle is no one else on the defensive line needs any extra attention to teams can stack on Flowers and take him out of the play.

3. TE TJ Hockenson

Hockenson leads the Lions this season in receptions, yards, and touchdowns. With Golladay back in the mix, that probably won’t continue too much longer; however, after deep-diving into the Lions, receiving stats through five games are putrid compared to last year. Let’s hope the big guys Like Hockenson can get things going.

4. CB Jeffery Okudah

Okudah will finally have a chance to show his skills vs. a not top 5 wide receiver. He has had a rough start to his career and mostly because he has gone through a gauntlet of top-five talent crossed from him. He may or may not feel the heat because it is not a direct matchup; however, in this game and the 2020 NFL’s draft’s other top ten overall picks at his same position in CJ Henderson Jr.

Some fans have debated whether Henderson Jr would have been a better pick for the Lions after his week one debut. However, thoughts have called once Okudah saw the field after missing the first game of the year and has improved week to week as Henderson Jr has seemed to have fallen off since his hot start.

5. WR Kenny Golladay

In his only two games this season, Golladay is close to passing everyone on the roster in terms of receiving stats in half as many games played. Classic double-edge sword situation where this means he is standing out and showing his worthwhile also showing how weak the Lions passing game has been so far this season.

GAME PREDICTION:

The Lions are rested and good to go besides the players remaining on IR and had an extra week to prepare for the 1-4 Jaguars. I believe this can be a breakout game for a few Lions, as mentioned above, and will walk away victorious. Lions 31-27. That’s being said, I have been wrong a few times this year, so I will start keeping a yearly record of my predictions and hopefully improve on them. So far this season, I am 1-3 in predicting the Lions win or loss.

I hope you enjoyed my five Lions to watch, follow me on Twitter for more great content @Gullett_James

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