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Detroit Lions predictions vs. Rams: Will Stafford spoil Ford Field’s first playoff game?

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Detroit Lions predictions vs. Rams: Will Stafford spoil Ford Field’s first playoff game?


Free Press sports writers share their predictions for the Detroit Lions’ first-round playoff game Sunday night against the Los Angeles Rams (8 p.m., NBC):

Dave Birkett

I don’t love this matchup for the Lions. In fact, of all the NFC wild-card contenders, I thought the Rams were the trickiest draw. They played some of the best football in the NFL late in the season, have one of the most dominant defensive players the game has ever seen and have a passing game with the talent at quarterback and receiver to give the Lions’ underwhelming secondary fits. But I think the Lions have a more complete roster overall, and homefield advantage has to count for something. The atmosphere Sunday will be unmatched for the Lions’ first home playoff game in 30 years, and in a game where one or two mistakes can make all the difference, that could be enough to put the Lions over the top. The Lions need to get their running game going again so not everything is on Goff’s shoulders against his old team. If that happens, and if Goff plays mistake-free football, I see the Lions advancing to a divisional round rematch with the Cowboys next week. The pick: Lions 28, Rams 27.

LIONS VS. RAMS: Dave Birkett scouting report

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Carlos Monarrez

Other than the 49ers and Ravens, the Rams present the least-favorable matchup the Lions could have in the entire playoffs because they boast two elite receivers, an elite running back, a Hall of Fame defensive tackle and a savvy quarterback who is one Super Bowl ring away from being a Hall of Fame lock. The Lions’ biggest weakness is their defense, and specifically the ability to pressure the quarterback, which they’ve manufactured by blitzing. But Matthew Stafford has been great at not only beating the blitz this year, but also making defenses pay for the gamble with big-time throws. Even if Sam LaPorta plays, it’s hard to imagine him being very effective in the multiple ways the Lions need him to be. The Lions’ best chance is to control the clock and keep the ball out of Stafford’s hands. The pick: Rams 33, Lions 28.

JEFF SEIDEL: Meet 4 Lions fans who have had a front-row view of organization’s rebuild

Jeff Seidel

Of course, it had to be Stafford. Of course, it would play out like this. Everything about this game is scary for the Lions and not because Stafford played in Detroit. It’s because Stafford is still a fantastic quarterback with some fantastic, hard-to-stop weapons. The one thing that will tip this in Detroit’s favor is the Lions’ running game. The Lions will win with some complementary football, running the ball as much as possible, eating up clock and trying to keep Stafford on the sideline. Oh, and get ready for some wild Dan Campbell gambles, as he will do against good offenses, trying to steal a possession. The pick: Lions 28, Rams 24.

SHAWN WINDSOR: Lions aren’t battling curses, storylines; Stafford, Rams are legit threats

Shawn Windsor

If we knew Sam LaPorta would be fully healthy this would be a different pick — maybe. But the Rams are ballin’ and it might not matter anyway. They’ve won seven of eight, have beaten good teams in this stretch and their loss was to Baltimore … in overtime. Stanford has elite receivers and one of the best backs in football in his huddle. He’s also got experience. In the end, he makes one more play. The pick: Rams 31, Lions 28.

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Detroit, MI

Cooler Temps With Some Rain: Metro Detroit Weather

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Cooler Temps With Some Rain: Metro Detroit Weather


SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN — Steady rain showers will move into southeastern Michigan on Thursday as cooler temperatures settle in the region, according to the National Weather Service.

Showers will move into southeastern Michigan along and south of Interstate 94 toward the Ohio border during the morning hours with temperatures in the 50s across the region, according to the weather service.

The showers will steadily move north and engulf the metro Detroit area by the afternoon hours when the rain becomes more widespread with highs only reaching the low 60s, according to the weather service.

Showers will continue throughout the afternoon and evening hours, before leaving southeastern Michigan sometime around 8 p.m., according to the weather service.

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Friday will be clear and sunny across southeastern Michigan with highs touching the mid 60s, according to the weather service.

More rain is expected Saturday across southeastern Michigan with spotty showers throughout the afternoon hours, according to the weather service.

There will be lots of sunshine with highs reaching 70 degrees Sunday across southeastern Michigan for Mother’s Day, according to the weather service.



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Detroit man last of 7 sentenced in fatal drug distribution scheme

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Detroit man last of 7 sentenced in fatal drug distribution scheme


A Detroit man was sentenced to prison Wednesday for a fatal drug distribution scheme on the city’s east side that resulted in overdoses and at least one death last year, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced.

Lavante Brown, 30, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison before U.S. District Court Judge Bernard Friedman. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute with the intent to distribute a controlled substance and distribution of fentanyl resulting in death on May 16, said Dawn Ison, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, in a news release.

Brown was the last of seven defendants in a drug conspiracy that resulted in overdoses and at least one death, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

“These defendants believed that they could take over areas of our city, destroy neighborhoods, and risk others’ lives with impunity,” Ison said. “But these sentences should serve as notice that federal law enforcement will not stand idly by while drug dealers do harm to our community.”

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An FBI probe found that a group of dealers operated an on-demand drive-thru for drugs, including crack cocaine, heroin and fentanyl, on Yacama Avenue on Detroit’s east side.

Customers bought drugs by driving to the street, where they were served at their car window with drugs at any time of day, as many times as they could afford, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. The incessant drug activity plagued residents and resulted in home abandonments, said prosecutors, who added that the abandoned homes were used to further drug distribution.

“Drugs sold from Yacama caused many overdoses, including at least one fatal overdose,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Brown was among six others across Metro Detroit who pleaded guilty to offenses related to the sales of controlled substances on Yacama:

  • Anthony Foster, 38, of Detroit pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a controlled substance; he was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
  • Willie Swift, 58, of Detroit pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a controlled substance; he was sentenced to over 10 years in prison.
  • Terrance Hall, 34, of Eastpointe pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute with the intent to distribute a controlled substance and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
  • Dana Hudson, 46, of Detroit pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a controlled substance and was sentenced to five years in prison.
  • David Terry, 41, of Harper Woods pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a controlled substance and was sentenced to over four years in prison.
  • Justin Fields, 33, of Rochester Hills pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a controlled substance. He was sentenced to one day of custody with credit for time-served, followed by three years of supervised release.

“Today’s sentencing marks a significant victory in our relentless fight against opioid trafficking and its devastating impact on our community,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, special agent in charge of the FBI in Michigan.

“This case sends a strong message that we will not tolerate activities that endanger our citizens’ lives and will continue to work tirelessly to hold those responsible accountable. I commend the diligent efforts of the FBI’s Oakland County Gang and Violent Crime Task Force in bringing these criminals to justice.”

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Athletes compete at Special Olympics regional event in Metro Detroit

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Athletes compete at Special Olympics regional event in Metro Detroit


WARREN, Mich. (CBS DETROIT) – Nearly 1,500 athletes compete in 18 events this year for the regional Special Olympics at Macomb County Community College in Warren. 

An event of this size relies on a significant number of volunteers. 

Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel said he looks forward to this event every year. 

“You’re really giving back to the community by being with these kids again. They’re all special to every one of us,” Hackel said. 

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The Roseville High School football team was also part of a large team of organizers. 

“They help us out during the season, they come out and support us so why not come and support them,” said D’Ondre Fordham, a junior at Roseville High School. 

For junior quarterback Jordan Simes, volunteering at an event like the Special Olympics is personal to his family. 

“I am honored. I have a cousin with disabilities, and it is hard for him and my family to cope with everything, so it means a lot,” Simes said. 

Roseville High School head coach Vernard Snowden said helping out at this event every year is very important to the school and his program. 

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“I just think for them to be active in the community, as well as our CI department seeing them active, not just for our program but for our community as a whole,” Snowden said. 

Athletes competed in a variety of events today, like sprinting and bocci ball. 

Win, lose, or draw, for the athletes and volunteers, this Special Olympics regional event continues to be a success year after year.

“That being said, what these kids are getting out of it, really makes you feel like you are part of something very special,” Hackel said. 

Some of the winners from the regional event will compete at the end of the month in Mt. Pleasant. 

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The Special Olympics Summer Games will take place on May 30-31 and June 1. 



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