Headline: Saints Look to Keep Slim Playoff Hopes Alive at Giants in Week 14
The New Orleans Saints will continue their improbable march toward the playoffs this weekend but things certainly don’t get any easier. In Week 14, New Orleans travels to MetLife Stadium to take on a Giants squad that, like the Saints, will be looking to avenge a disappointing Week 13 loss.
Headline: Lions Relegated to Spoiler Role in NFC North – Lions and Packers at Lambeau Week 14
Many of us had December 9 circled on our calendars as an NFC North matchup that could determine the state of the division. Instead, we will see a matchup a chronically underachieving Detroit squad against a Green Bay team that has shaken the early season doldrums and has looked every bit the Super Bowl challenger that we envisioned before the season started. Sunday’s game has major implications – unfortunately for Detroit, none of the implications involve them!
Detroit Lions (4-8) vs. Green Bay Packers (8-4)
Date/Time: Sunday, December 9, 8:20 PM ET
Venue: Lambeau Field
Broadcast: NBC
Lions vs. Packers Betting Lines from betonline.com
Spread: Packers -6 1/2 (-110)
Moneyline: OFF
Over/Under: 52 points
ATS Matchup Stats | Gambling Insight!
Check out our in-house Handicapper!!! Buy Razor Ray’s Picks Today!
Before the season started nobody would have predicted that the Detroit Lions would be battling for yet another Top 10 pick in the 2013 draft but that is just where we are 12 games into the season. The good news for Detroit is that Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson are on the verge of rewriting the record books again. The bad news is that no matter what they do their running game and defense will more than likely fail their end of the bargain.
Detroit leads the NFL in passing through 13 weeks with an average of 312.50 yards per game and they are 21st in rushing. Matthew Stafford has thrown for 3429 yards and 14 touchdowns. Calvin Johnson is living up to his Megatron name with 1257 yards so far this season; however, he has only tallied four touchdowns.
Johnson has 790 yards receiving in the last five games and he did have five catches for 143 yards in the first meeting between the two teams. The Lions can score points as well – they are 11th in the NFL with an average of 25.00 points per game.
The Lions will absolutely need more from their running game this week – Adrian Peterson showed last week that the Packers can be run on. Do I trust Mikel Leshoure? Nope!
Detroit’s defense has been a problem all season long. Despite some serious talent on the O-line, this team is prone to big plays and their games often result in shootouts because of it. The Lions are 18th against the pass and 19th versus the run. They give up 26.25 points per game – good for an ugly 25th in the NFL. This unit has given up an average of 31.75 points per game during the Lions four game losing streak as well.
The Green Bay Packers have emerged from their 2-3 start but have gone 6-1 since. Have they looked unstoppable in their wins? Not exactly. Are they getting it done in a host of different ways? Absolutely.
Injuries have been a big part of the 2012 season thus far for Green Bay and by the looks of it, there will be some starters on both sides of the ball absent again this week. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Green Bay is surprisingly 11th in the NFL in passing thanks to fill-ins Randall Cobb and James Jones. Greg Jennings is back healthy but now Jordy Nelson is in danger of missing a week or two. Fear not Packers fans – Aaron Rodgers can make anyone look like an All-Pro. The question surrounding this offense is the O-line that has been shaky to say the least this year. Keeping Rodgers healthy and upright is paramount for this team – the line will be tested for sure against Detroit’s pass rush.
The Green Bay defense has also been playing without some quality starters – Clay Matthews and Charles Woodson are in danger of missing this week as well. Still, the Packers defense is 17th against the pass, 15th versus the run and they are 13 in points against – 21.58 per game.
Betting Prediction:
• The total has gone OVER in 5 of Detroit’s last 6 games
• The total has gone OVER in 13 of Detroit’s last 16 games on the road
• The total has gone OVER in 4 of Detroit’s last 5 games when playing on the road against Green Bay
• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Detroit’s last 7 games when playing Green Bay
• Green Bay is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
• Green Bay is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Detroit
• Green Bay is 13-1 SU in its last 14 games when playing Detroit
• Green Bay is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
Late game meltdowns have become a pattern for the Detroit Lions as of late – I see the same thing happening here. The Lions defense has been BAD the last month and Aaron Rodgers has been very good. Rodgers also has a good history against Detroit – in his last two games Rogers has a 70% completion percentage and seven touchdowns versus Detroit. The Lions will put up a fight but when it comes down to the end, Green Bay, on home field, in December against a struggling team won’t be denied.
Pick: Green Bay Packers -6 1/2
Headline: Seahawks Return Home to Take on Lowly Cardinals in Week 14
The Seattle Seahawks get back to the friendly confines of CenturyLink Field this week after two road games produced a win at Chicago and a disappointing loss at Miami. Their opposition this week? The Arizona Cardinals – losers of eight straight games and seemingly with little optimism for the rest of the season. .
Headline: 49ers Looking for a Bounce Back – Fins Pay Visit in Week 14
The San Francisco 49ers will be happy not to see the St. Louis Rams again this season – the Rams have played them to a tie and they beat the 49ers in Week 13 to take a little lustre off of Colin Kaepernick. Controversy? What controversy?
With the Falcons win last week over the Buccaneers they have the NFC South, pretty much wrapped up, but their only loss of the season was against the visiting Saints.
With the Falcons win last week over the Buccaneers they have the NFC South, pretty much wrapped up, but their only loss of the season was against the visiting Saints.
The Bengals (2-2) have got back in the playoff picture by winning their last 2 games and getting back to .500. There is a good chance they will get over .500 in this game since the Raiders (3-7) have lost 3 straight games and are only 1-4 on the road this season.
Surging Seahawks Battle Slumping Dolphins in Week 12
The Miami Dolphins return home this week with their tails between their legs to take on the Seattle Seahawks – a team that has proven dangerous in every aspect of the game the last few weeks. For Miami, it’s simple – win or kiss you improbable playoff hopes good-bye. For Seattle, it is just as simple – win and keep your realistic playoff hopes alive.
Battle of the NFC West Basement – Cards Host Rams in Week 12
It was only a few short weeks ago that the NFC West was looking like the most improved division in Football with all but one of the teams overachieving. That was then, this is now!
The Broncos (7-3) have a 3-game lead in the AFC West and they have won 5 straight games. They face a reeling Chiefs team that has lost 7 straight games and is winless at home.
Headline: Surging Bucs Hope to Gain Some Ground On 1st Place Atlanta
Two of the hottest teams in the NFL meet in a marquee NFC South battle this Sunday when the one-loss Falcons head to Tampa to take on a Buccaneers team that has won four straight games. Both teams are within the top 6 in scoring in the NFL and each has their own set of strengths on defense.
Headline: Panthers and Eagles Meet in the “Disappointment Bowl” Monday Night
Two of the most disappointing teams in the NFL clash on Monday Night Football this week- Ugh! The Eagles will be looking to snap a six game losing streak against a Carolina team that has lost two straight.
Headline: Saints Look to Keep Momentum Going in Week 12 vs. Juggernaut 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers head out on the road with their new starting quarterback in tow to take on the New Orleans Saints in Week 12 – a team on quite a role and staring at an improbable playoff picture in the NFC.
Headline: Improved Browns Host Battered Steelers in Week 12
The Pittsburgh Steelers will start their third quarterback in three weeks Sunday when they head to Cleveland for what figures to be a close AFC North battle with the improving Cleveland Browns.
Tom Brady has led the Patriots to 4 straight wins and in that span he has 11 TD and 0 INT. The Jets snapped their 3-game losing streak in their last game and earlier this season they gave the Pats a tough game losing in New England in OT.
Headline: Desperate Lions Kick Off Thanksgiving Festivities Against Juggernaut Texans
The Detroit Lions face a virtual must-win on Thanksgiving Day and unfortunately for them, they face arguably the most balanced team in the NFL, the Houston Texans.
