Detroit Lions (+7)* at New England Patriots
Prior to Detroit laying an egg in Arizona, the formerly 7-2 Lions had been stealing games in dramatic, unsustainable fashion. While the Patriots’ run of five double-digit wins in six games seems unlikely to continue forever, so too did the tightrope-walking Lions’ four-game win streak.
Now that Detroit has been dealt a loss, the team can step back, reassess, and attack New England with a defense that still ranks at the top of the list in both points and yards allowed. The Lions still have not allowed an opponent to score more than 24 points all season.
With a defense that keeps its team in every game, the Lions simply need to break through with an offense that appears to be under-performing when considering the weapons it touts. The Patriots’ defense has put together an overall solid campaign, but one of its statistical weaknesses is a secondary that has allowed the tenth-most passing touchdowns in the league. A Lions team that ranks tenth in passing attempts per game, but has the seventh-fewest receiving touchdowns in the league is due to break out and allow those numbers to converge.
Detroit’s defense holds the Patriots down while the offense does enough to pull out a field goal victory in a tight contest. Lions beat both the Patriots and the spread.
