Looks like Marinelli is already sending some messages. For the final game against the Packers, they have left Tatum Bell and Kalimba Edwards at home. Bell was expected to see some action on Sunday, but that won’t be the case. In fact, I believe that we have now seen the last of Bell in a Lions uniform. The Kalimba Edwards experiment is also over. This will be the fourth straight game he hasn’t dressed. He has been a major disappointment this season. Is future is a little less certain. Since he had a good season last year, Coach Rod may give him another chance in camp.

Many internet news services are reporting that the Lions will be firing Offensive Coordinator Mike Martz after the season finale. The reports say that he will be replaced by current receives coach Kippy Brown. Supposedly, this bit of news has been confirmed by several sources, including Chris Mortensen over at ESPN who seems pretty well tied in.

Personally, I think the time is right for Martz and the Lions to part ways. I don’t think Martz and Marinelli have gelled well. Martz has always considered himself a head coach and not an offensive coordinator. Dont worry about Martz, he will end up with another nice job next year with another team.

However, I don’t understand the hiring of Kippy Brown as the new coordinator. It seems a bit rushed. With the season over, I don’t understand why they don’t take some time and interview a few candidates. We have the whole offseason to think about it. Coach Rod must be very happy with Kippy to be moving this fast. Of course, this might have Matt Millens fingerprints all over it.

In the last game of the season, the Lions tangle with the Packers. Green Bay has very little incentive in this game and likely won’t play the starters too much. This will give the Lions a chance to climb to .500 for the season. TJ Ducket has been impressive lately and will get the start at RB with Kevin Jones injured. I look for him to make a statement for next year. Unless of course, Martz decided to go out with a bang and air out.

Kitna has been very vocal of late in his support of Martz and I am not sure how he will respond this week. He could be down and have an off day. Or he could be pissed and decide he is going to show everyone that Martz should be the man next year. I expect a mixed performance from him.

I think the game will be close. I should probably pick the Packers to win, but I am not going to. Instead, I will pick the Lions over the Packers as they should want the game more to get to .500 for the season. My pick is Detroit 32 Green Bay 24.

Go Lions!

I for one will be watching. And I suspect many other die hard Lions fans will also be watching. We would still like to see the Lions finish the season well and hopefully set them up for next year. I know, its an often repeated phrase, but its all we got this season.

This game will be the last home game of the season for Lions. I hope the fans turn out and support and root for the team. With the early success this season, Ford Field was rocking and a true home field advantage for the Lions. If nothing else happens this season, we need to keep that going and build on it next season.

The Chiefs come into the game with a worse record than the Lions at 4 - 10. The come into the game riding a seven game losing streak. It has been a rough season for them and its gotten worse with recent standout CB DeAngelo Hall stating very emphatically that he will not be part of an Atlanta type team again.

“I can’t do this no more,” Hall said. “I won’t do this no more, let me say that. I will not be a part of a losing team another year, no matter what I got to do, no matter who hates me, whatever. I won’t be a part of a losing team again, not if I can help it. ”

Normally, such a statement might hurt a team, but the Chiefs cant sink much lower. The only bright point this year has been the KC defensive secondary which has played well.

The Lions come into the home finale on the tails of an eight game losing streak. They would desperately like to have a chance to face the Packers next week with a shot at .500 season. Without that, the game next week is likely to be meaningless to the players other than for pride. The offense continues to sputter, which is a shame for what should have been a high powered offense. The game Sunday will likely pit the aerial attack of the Lions vs the strong Chiefs secondary.

On offense, the Chiefs will likely try to pound the ball with Larry Johnson. Many teams have had success against the Lions on the ground, most recently San Diego last week. The Chiefs passing attack has been anemic but the Lions weak secondary probably won’t help it much. In fact, if Kansas City has to resort to going to the air, I would look for the Lions defense to get some takeaways. If Johnson has a big day, it will be a long day for the Lions defense.

On offense, the Lions will be without Roy Williams again who is now on Injured Reserve. Last week, Calvin Johnson dropped several balls. His performance across his rookie season has gone much like the Lions season - started strong but fading fast as the season progressed. This guy has some talent and I would still characterize his rookie season as a success. Jon Kitna needs to return to early season form and protect the ball. He has to quit making bad decisions. If he continues those, the KC secondary will make him pay.

So, who wins this battle? The Lions have tended to be more competitive than the Chiefs despite both long losing streaks. This is a home game for the Lions. If the Lions lose, they could possibly extend their NFL record 6 consecutive seasons with 10 losses. This an opportunity for them to end that streak. I think they would love to have a chance to finish the season at .500 next week. They have made strides this season and don’t want to see all of them washed down the drain.

I am picking the Lions this week: Detroit 28 Kansas City 14

Go Lions!