Detroit's next opponent, the Cleveland Browns, are currently 0-8 on the year, but don't try to tell Lions' players this is an easy matchup.
"It goes back to what I said in the past," wide receiver Golden Tate said this week. "It's never about who we're playing. It's always about us – what type of practices we're going to have. Are we going to do our assignments correctly? If we do that, it doesn't matter who you're playing.
"We're going to play Detroit Lions football back at home. We shouldn't need to pump ourselves up, and we shouldn't need to do anything other than what we're doing."
Despite their record, the Browns have a lot of young talent, and do a lot of things well, especially on defense.
"They're aggressive," head coach Jim Caldwell said of Cleveland's run defense. "They're downhill. A lot of times you get some run stunts and things of that nature. They come after you pretty good."
For more insight into Sunday's Lions-Browns matchup, check out the following:
SPARKS ON OFFENSE
The Lions' offense is coming off an improved performance last week in Green Bay. Both Tate and Marvin Jones Jr. recorded more than 100 yards receiving apiece, with Jones also notching two touchdowns.
While Jones takes pride in being a complete receiver, his work down the field has been especially good. Only Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton (10) and Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (8) have more 25-plus-yard receptions than Jones' seven.
"It forces (a defense) to get a safety over the top, or you have to do something," Tate said of Jones' downfield ability. "I know the trust Marvin and Stafford have between each other is at an all-time high right now.
"I think when Stafford sees one-on-one or sees a good look, I think he gets excited. I think they both get excited."
With all the success Stafford has been having with his receivers lately, will he add another one to the mix, maybe a certain defensive player we've seen run with the offense a couple times?
Cornerback Jamal Agnew played one snap of offense vs. Pittsburgh Week 8. He gained 12 yards on a jet sweep. In three snaps last week in Green Bay, Agnew gained four yards on a run, and was involved in the play fakes on the other two.
"If you hand him the ball he can really threaten a defense, which he's got really, really good speed, sometimes that can open up some other things," offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter said Thursday. "So, Jamal's done a nice job.
"It's not easy having to you know ... being a rookie, being a young guy in this league and being asked to do something on the other side of the ball. And he's done a nice job with that and we look to continue to sort of look around and utilize our resources."
DECKER'S STATUS
Tackle Taylor Decker practiced again this week, making it two in a row. It's a good sign for Decker, who is getting close to a return to game action.
"He's been working and we're trying to simulate as much as we can sort of game-like sort of situations," Caldwell said. "He's been doing those things well. We've got another day of work today, so he's close."
The team waive-injured tackle Greg Robinson Friday before practice. Robinson had been filling in for Decker before suffering an ankle injury.
OTHER NOTEWORTHY ITEMS:
- You asked. Now watch wide receiver Golden Tate answer your fan-submitted questions in this week's #AskALion episode.
- Tim Twentyman takes a look at where all four teams in the NFC North stand after nine weeks of action.
- Catch up on all the news from Teryl Austin's and Jim Bob Cooter's Thursday press conferences.
- How did safety Glover Quin blow up the Packers' fourth-down attempt? Find out in this week's Film Review.
