Week 5: Detroit at Green Bay

Keys to the Game:

Detroit: David Akers made all 4 of his FG attempts last week. The Lions need every red zone trip to be a TD to win in Green Bay.

Green Bay: Franklin and Lacy might sound like an 80s cop show but they give the Packers a genuine running threat and that makes Rodgers likely to have a huge day.

Verdict: This is a must win for the Packers at 1-2 coming off their bye and it could be a classic. The Lions will score their points as this Packers defense is stopping very little but they won’t keep up with Rodgers. Who cares that the total points line is at 53.5? Not me – this game will smash that number.

Prediction: Green Bay by 7

Suggested Bet: 5 points over 53.5 points at 10/11

Week 4: Chicago at Detroit

Keys to the Game:

Chicago: The Bears had great balance against the Steelers (30 passes/28 runs) and more of the same is needed against the Lions.

Detroit: The Bears defense is outscoring some NFL offenses right now and the Lions need to keep them out of the end zone.

Verdict: The talent on these two teams is very similar but the Bears just feel like a team less likely to beat themselves right now. Chicago are a 3 point underdog but in a close game I think they will win by a field goal.

Prediction: Chicago by 3

Suggested Bet: 2 points Chicago to beat Detroit at 5/4

Week 3: Detroit at Washington

Keys to the Game:

Detroit: The Redskins secondary is a mess and then Calvin Johnson appeared over the horizon…

Washington: It’s an insult to our intelligence to suggest that RGIII is fine and the games have dictated his lack of running. If he’s fine let’s see the read option early.

Verdict: The Redskins have been absolutely awful in the first half of both their games so far. The Lions have the offense to hurt Washington especially if Reggie Bush is cleared to play.

Prediction: Detroit by 7

Suggested Bet: 4 points Detroit to beat Washington at Evens

Detroit at Arizona

Keys to the Game:

Detroit: Reggie Bush has the hot hand so keep giving him the ball.

Arizona: With Fitzgerald a potential game time decision it’s time for Michael Floyd to step up.

Verdict: Detroit have a lat of ways to hurt you right now and the addition of Reggie Bush seems to have transformed the Lions. Palmer looked good in week one but if Fitzgerald is out or ineffective it’s hard to see the Cardinals avoiding a 0-2 start.

Prediction: Detroit by 5

Suggested Bet: 1 point Detroit -1.5 to beat Arizona at 10/11

Minnesota at Detroit

Keys to the Game:

Minnesota: The Vikings will keep giving the ball to AP and hope he keeps defying logic

Detroit: The Lions have to avoid the slow starts in games that have plagued them over the last 2 years. If they are level at half time they’ll win.

Verdict: Will it be the 41 TD Matthew Stafford of 2011 or the 20 TD 2012 version? The Lions are weak in the secondary but the Vikings are not the team to take advantage of that. Detroit should win but I don’t trust them to cover the spread.

Prediction: Detroit by 3

Suggested Bet: No bet