Headline: NFC West Slug-fest – Seahawks Host 49ers in Battle of Best of the West
The San Francisco 49ers will attempt to finally put an end to the NFC West race when they head to Seattle Sunday to take on the only team that can catch them in the division standings. The 49ers have looked tremendous since Colin Kaepernick took over the reins while the Hawks have established themselves as a true contender in the NFC – as complete a team as there is in NFL.
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: Battered Steelers Host Rival Ravens for AFC North Supremacy
One of the more anticipated Week 11 matchups has been significantly watered down with the news that Ben Roethlisberger is highly doubtful to play after sustaining a separated shoulder on Monday night.
Headline: Top Defenses Clash in Battle of 7-1 Teams – Texans Visit Bears Sunday Night
In what is the most anticipated game on the Week 10 schedule the Houston Texans head to Soldier Field to take on the Bears with second place in the NFL on the line. Both teams have been very impressive on both sides of the ball thus far and both will be looking to prove why they are serious contenders for the Super Bowl during their nationally televised showdown.
Headline: Cowboys Try to Knock Falcons from the Unbeaten Ranks in Week 9
The Dallas Cowboys face their second straight elite NFL team Sunday when they travel to Atlanta to take on the unbeaten Falcons. Atlanta was impressive yet again last week in defeating the Eagles 30-17 while the Cowboys were impressive minus the first quarter in a thrilling Week 9 loss to the Giants. Sunday will be a statement game for both teams – who wants it more?
Headline: Put Up or Shut Up Time for the Packers – Green Bay versus Houston in Week 6
Who thought that the Green Bay Packers would have four losses after six weeks of the 2012 season? Liar! This absurd suggestion could become a reality when the struggling Packers visit the top team in the NFL Houston on Sunday night. Both teams sustained significant injuries in Week 5 – it will be interesting to see just how they adjust this week.
Headline: Saints Look For Elusive First Win at Home versus San Diego
Who would have thunk it? Not me! The New Orleans Saints look to snap a miserable four game losing streak when they host a confident Chargers team coming off a win last week in Kansas City. It’s not that the Saints have been a total disaster – it is the defense that has been absolutely dreadful and not giving its offense a chance.
Headline: NFC East Battle Highlights Week 4 Schedule
The New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles will renew hostilities on Sunday night with top spot in the NFC East on the line. The Giants have looked terrific since their Week 1 loss while the Eagles, despite winning their first two games have looked less than spectacular so far.
Headline: AFC Elite Meet in NFL Game of the Week – Patriots vs. Ravens in Week 3
Two teams coming off shocking losses attempt to rebound on Sunday when the New England Patriots, losers at Arizona in Week 2 travel to Baltimore to take on the Ravens who dropped their Week 2 game to the Eagles. One of these teams will be 1-2 after this weekend – nobody could have seen that coming!
Handshake Bowl II – Detroit Lions in Early Litmus Test versus 49ers in Week 2
Week 2 of the NFL schedule features a number of marquee matchups with one taking place by the Bay. The San Francisco 49ers, impressive winners in Week 1 on the road over the Green Bay Packers play their home opener on Sunday versus a Detroit Lions team that may have been lucky to escape the NFL’s opening week with a win over the St. Louis Rams.
It’s Manning Time Again! Broncos Open at Home versus Steelers
In one of the most anticipated opening Week games in years, Peyton Manning and his Denver Broncos (still sounds weird to say!) play host to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night. Both teams are early Super Bowl contenders and both will be using this game as a measuring stick for just exactly where they are as a team.
The Baltimore Ravens have been in a battle for the AFC North all season. Now, it will come down to three games and their ability to get the job done on the road.
It seems ironic that the best game that the New York Giants have played this season actually ended with a loss, as despite pushing the defending Super Bowl champions to the limit, they eventually fell to the Green Bay Packers 38-35.
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.
When the Pittsburgh Steelers take the field this Sunday night under the Primetime spotlight, they will be looking to make a statement against a battered and bruised Kansas City Chiefs’ team.
Regardless of records or importance, there is no NFL rivalry quite like when the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers get together on the gridiron.
