SNF – Steelers vs Chiefs Week 12 Gambling Preview
The Detroit Lions have lost four of their last six and are at risk of falling back of the Chicago Bears and Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Wild Card race.
Venue/Stadium: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
Time/Date: 8:20 PM ET – Sunday December 4, 2011
NFL Odds from Bodog
Money Line: Saints -450
Spread (ATS): Saints -9
Over/Under: 54
Now comes the tough task of winning on the road against the New Orleans Saints and their high-powered offense, minus their best defensive played.
Defensive tackle Ndamakong Suh was suspended two games by the NFL for an incident in the team’s loss to the Green Bay Packers in which he stomped on opposing player, and while that defeat had to sting for Lions’ fans, the news that they will be without Suh for their next two games has to be even worse.
The suspension could not have come at a worse time for Detroit, which will attempt to slow down Drew Brees and a passing attack that ranks first in the country. The Saints are averaging a league-best 324.2 passing yards per game, and rank first in total offense with 449.6 yards per game overall.
New Orleans is coming off of a 49-24 win over the New York Giants on Monday Night Football in which they finished with 577 total yards from scrimmage, the second-most in franchise history, and it is that balance that has to scare the Lions. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
While Detroit is ranked sixth in the NFL against the pass, that number is somewhat skewed because of the fact that they rank an awful 23rd against the run, with teams looking to run first against them and then go up over the top.
The Lions’ offense has scored at least 45 points in the team’s only two wins through the past seven weeks, but quarterback Matt Stafford and company won’t have an easy time outscoring the Saints.
Stafford finished with 276 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions in the loss to Green Bay, and while he has shown flashes throughout his career, he is nowhere near close to being an elite quarterback like Brees.
As much as the Lions need this game, New Orleans is chasing a division title and home field advantage in the playoffs, so they will be playing with focus and urgency.
As long as their offense continues to fire on all cylinders the Saints have the chance to run the table and catch the San Francisco 49ers for second in the NFC, which given their recent play isn’t unlikely.
NFL Betting Pick: Saints
