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Top 5 Storylines to Follow When Detroit Lions Face New York Jets

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By @BrianKalchik

Top 5 Storylines to Follow When Detroit Lions Face New York Jets

Geno Smith Jets
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Heading into their Week 4 matchup, the Detroit Lions are 2-1 and the New York Jets are 1-2. The Jets are coming off a crushing home loss on Monday night to the Chicago Bears while the Lions are coming off a convincing home win over the Green Bay Packers. Here are five storylines to follow before and during Sunday's matchup.

5. Detroit's Problems At Right Tackle

Cornelius Lucas Lions
Tim Fuller-USA Today Sports

5. Detroit's Problems At Right Tackle

Cornelius Lucas Lions
Tim Fuller-USA Today Sports

Without LaAdrian Waddle, the right side of Detroit's offensive line has been in flux, especially at right tackle. Backups Garrett Reynolds and Cornelius Lucas have both been poor in game action, and facing a blitz-happy defense in the Jets won't make things any better. If there is a matchup that the Jets' defense can exploit, it will be this one.

4. Detroit's Running Game On The Road

Joique Bell Lions
Tim Fuller-USA Today Sports

4. Detroit's Running Game On The Road

Joique Bell Lions
Tim Fuller-USA Today Sports

This season, Detroit's running game has been great at home and struggled on the road. In two home games, the Lions have averaged 34 rushing attempts and 95 yards per game. In one road game, the Lions ran the ball just 18 attempts for 70 yards. If the Lions can get the ground game going on the road, Detroit can win the time of possession battle and wear out the Jets' defense with long and sustained drives.

3. New York's Secondary

Antonio Allen Jets
Getty Images

3. New York's Secondary

Antonio Allen Jets
Getty Images

A weakness heading into the 2014 season, the Jets' secondary hasn't disappointed their detractors. Already thin without Dee Milliner, the Jets' secondary struggled the past two weeks against Green Bay and Chicago. Antonio Allen, normally a free safety, is now the Jets' top corner. Things don't get much easier this week as the Jets face Calvin Johnson, Golden Tate and a great passing offense led by Matthew Stafford.

2. Detroit's Defense Without MLB Stephen Tulloch

Stephen Tulloch Lions
Tim Fuller-USA Today Sports

2. Detroit's Defense Without MLB Stephen Tulloch

Stephen Tulloch Lions
Tim Fuller-USA Today Sports

The leader of Detroit's defense since 2011, Lions MLB Stephen Tulloch was lost for the season last week after suffering a torn ACL while celebrating a sack. Tulloch helped Detroit rank first in run defense, allowing 63.7 yards per game, and third in pass defense, averaging 180.7 yards per game. DeAndre Levy will likely make the switch to middle linebacker, but Detroit's depth will be tested without Tulloch.

1. New York's Quarterback Controversy

Geno Smith Jets
Getty Images

1. New York's Quarterback Controversy

Geno Smith Jets
Getty Images

Geno Smith has improved from Year 1 to Year 2, but is still prone to making the big mistake, which was evident in the Jets' loss to Chicago on Monday night. The Jets are 1-2 right now and another loss could lead the coaching staff to consider a change at the position. Smith might be the long-term solution, but Michael Vick is the better short-term solution who could help the Jets win now.

Brian Kalchik is a Detroit Lions writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google+.

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