Detroit, MI
Preview: Can Cardinals Upset Lions?
ARIZONA — The Arizona Cardinals play host to the Detroit Lions in Week 3.
John Maakaron covers the Lions for Lions on SI. He recently answered a few questions for Cardinals on SI ahead of the matchup:
1. The Lions are 1-1 approaching this week. After a mixed bag of results, what’s the overall feeling so far for this team?
John Maakaron: “The Lions have left some plays out there on offense early in the year, leading to pedestrian production in the first two games. As a result, there is a feeling that the Lions are capable of much more even with a 1-1 start. Overall, there is a sense of confidence still within the team’s locker room even after last week’s struggles.”
2. From a Detroit perspective, how are the Lions viewing the Cardinals after a pretty eye-opening performance?
Maakaron: “The Lions are well aware of the potency the Cardinals have, particularly on offense. The explosiveness that was on film against the Rams will not be taken lightly. In particular, the Lions are prepping for the difficulties posed by Kyler Murray as well as the physicality of rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrision Jr.
“Offensively, the Lions are hoping that they can create mismatches. However, the Cardinals pose plenty of threats including safety Budda Baker. Dan Campbell called Baker, ‘an issue’ for his ability to find the football. The Lions are preparing for a good battle, and looking to make a statement after struggles to begin the year.”
3. Everybody knows the star players for Detroit, but enlighten fans in the desert on some underrated names to know ahead of Sunday:
Maakaron: “One player who may not get as much national love is defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike. Riddled with injuries over much of his first three seasons, the 2021 second-round pick is now fully healthy and putting it all together. Through two games, Onwuzurike has been a strong contributor up front.
“The Lions have several talented options on the defensive line, with Onwuzurike joining Alim McNeill and nose tackle DJ Reader. With Aidan Hutchinson bringing the heat off the edge, the defensive line as a whole is becoming one of the team’s bigger strengths.”
4. What factors/matchups do you believe will ultimately determine the outcome?
Maakaron: “The Detroit Lions could be without starting linebacker Alex Anzalone due to a brain injury suffered in Sunday’s loss. As a result, the likes of Jack Campbell and Derrick Barnes would assume the top responsibilities. Kyler Murray’s mobility and ability to escape the pocket would put those linebackers’ discipline to the test.
“For the Lions’ offense, the interior will need to have a better day after struggling against the Buccaneers. Success up front from Frank Ragnow, Graham Glasgow and Kevin Zeitler will help the Lions’ chances of running the ball efficiently.”
5. Final prediction:
Maakaron: “The Lions and Cardinals have the personnel similarities that indicates a close game. However, I like the Lions to find their identity on the ground after last week’s struggles and leave Arizona with a 26-24 win.”
We answered our own set of questions – you can read that here.
Make sure to bookmark Cardinals On SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more.
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Dan Gilbert paid for an army of Cleveland Cavaliers fans to take over Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena for Game 2 of the NBA playoffs against the rival Detroit Pistons.
Gilbert, the longtime Cavs owner who has founded several Detroit-based companies and owns much of the real estate in downtown Detroit, sent seven bus loads of Cavs season ticket holders up I-75 North on Thursday, May 7, to wear maroon and gold shirts that read “BEAT DETROIT!”
Coworkers Rick Amador, 46, of Lorain, Ohio, and Eric Karr, 24, of Strongsville, Ohio, said they were thankful their trip to the playoffs in Detroit was fully paid for.
“Dan Gilbert fully paid for all of our tickets, paid for the shirts that you see here today,” Amador said. “He paid for the swag and he brought us here, fed us. We had a party at The Beacon [in Detroit, owned by Gilbert]. DJ, food, it was phenomenal.”
[ Pistons vs Cavaliers score updates, Game 2 highlights, commentary ]
Gilbert earned a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State and a law degree from Wayne State in downtown Detroit.
“I’m just ready to bring a dub home to Cleveland,” Karr said. “It’s been a long time coming. We got lucky with LeBron [James] always coming here and now it’s time for us to build our own future and win our own championship. All of them. Yes, Donovan [Mitchell] has to have his legacy game.”
The Pistons on Tuesday night won Game 1 of the best-of-seven series, 111-101, in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Games 3-4 will be in Cleveland on Saturday afternoon and Monday night.
As for a prediction for the rest of the series?
“Five games, Cavs win it,” Karr said without hesitation.
On the roster: Aidan Hutchinson, DJ Wonnum, Derrick Moore, Payton Turner, Tyler Lacy, Tyre West, Ahmed Hassanein
Twentyman: Hutchinson, 25, was named Second-Team All-Pro after setting a new career single-season high in sacks (14.5) while leading the NFL with 100 total pressures. Hutchinson is the first player in franchise history to log multiple 10.0-sack seasons through the first four years of a player’s career. With Al-Quadin Muhammad and his 11.0 sacks last year signing with Tampa Bay in free agency, the Lions needed to find Hutchinson a new running mate on the opposite edge.
Detroit added Wonnum in free agency and Moore in the NFL Draft and like what both bring to the table. It will be interesting to see how their unique skillsets fit in Kelvin Sheppard’s defense. Onwuzurike is a defensive tackle by trade but could also get some run as the big end.
While Detroit’s 49 sacks were the fourth most in the NFL last year, Detroit’s average time to pressure of 2.92 seconds was the slowest in the NFL, per Next Gen Stats. It wasn’t always the kind of pressure that affected the timing of opponent passing attacks as opposing quarterbacks finished with a 92.5 rating against Detroit’s defense, which ranked 19th.
On roster: Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, Malcolm Rodriguez, Jimmy Rolder, Damone Clark, Trevor Nowaske, Joe Bachie
Twentyman: The departure of Alex Anzalone means the Lions will have a new starter at the WILL in 2026. The leading candidate to fill the role is the veteran Rodriguez. Rolder has an interesting skillset, but is he ready to step in right away after playing limited defensive snaps at Michigan? Could the versatile Clark potentially be a fit there too? The competition for the starting WILL spot will be one of the better ones to watch in camp.
It will also be interesting to see how Sheppard might evolve his scheme after an extensive sit-down with head coach Dan Campbell this offseason going through all the cut-ups on defense from last year. Detroit wants to be more adaptable and versatile. Will Barnes’ SAM role change at all within the defense? Will a team that played the most base defense of any team in the NFL last year play more nickel?
DETROIT – The sound and speed of the Detroit Grand Prix return to city streets in three weeks.
“Racing is in our blood. It’s in our DNA,” event chairman Bud Denker said.
Entering its fourth year downtown, the race hosts the NTT IndyCar Series and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship from May 29 through May 31.
“We’re not here once every 15 or 20 years like the Super Bowl or the Draft or Final Four,” Denker continued. “This event happens in our city every single year. You can plan on it.”
Racing up Franklin Street and down Jefferson Avenue, drivers can always count on a challenge from the nine-turn, 1.7-mile circuit.
“One little error and you’re going to hit a wall and end your day,” five-time Belle Isle winner and Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing sports car driver Jordan Taylor said. “It takes a lot of risk. It takes a lot of commitment. The car has to be fast. This is one of those events where you need everything to go right.”
The Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear took the green flag for the first time in 1982 as a Formula One event, transitioning to IndyCar/CART in 1989.
Through layout and location changes, the event continues to reflect the city’s culture.
“Energy, warmth, and sense of togetherness make the Detroit Grand Prix special,” Reden Le said. A student at the College for Creative Studies, Le designed the poster for this year’s race. “Working on this poster made me actually see how the community in Detroit is so diverse and so fun.”
The fun includes concerts, festivities, and promotions adjacent to the track throughout race week, along with documented economic and charitable impacts.
“We love racing for all those reasons,” General Motors Vice President of Performance and Motorsports Jim Campbell said. “Certainly, to have a race in our hometown means a lot, and it’s also a great way to give back.”
Approximately 1,350 volunteers sign up with the Detroit Grand Prix Association each year, but community assistance goes both ways.
“We put thousands of people to work,” Denker added. “We bring 100 million dollars to the city every year, and we show off these kids.”
Members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Detroit created seven murals adorning the wall to the right side of the pit lane exit.
Serving as a clear reminder of the community that makes this race what it is, they’re also tough for drivers to see at speeds in excess of 180 miles per hour.
“We’re one of only 20 cities in the world that have a downtown street course event,” Denker said. “We should never take that for granted.”
The track build has already begun, with most construction occurring at night to avoid disrupting traffic.
Friday, May 29, is Fifth Third Free Prix Day, welcoming fans to grandstands one and nine with no ticket required.
Reserved seats for all three days are on sale now.
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