Arizona Cardinals (8-5) 7-6 ATS, 4-9 O/U at Detroit Lions (2-11) 3-9-1 ATS, 6-7 O/U, NFL Week 15, Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan Sunday December 20, 2009 1:00 p.m. EST
By Wilson of Predictem.com
Point Spread: Arizona -12/Detroit +12
Over/Under: 46.5
The Arizona Cardinals travel to the motor city this weekend to take on the two-win Detroit Lions. Arizona will be looking to rebound after an upset loss to the San Francisco 49ers last week 24-9. Detroit is also coming into this contest after a loss as they were pounded by the Baltimore Ravens 48-3 at Baltimore.
Detroit has just one win in their last five games, and Arizona has three wins in the last five contests.
Arizona is averaging 23.5 points per game, and 352 yards of total offense with 258 passing yards and 93 yards rushing per outing. The Cardinals average time of possession is 30 minutes.
Defensively, the Cardinals allow 19.8 points per game to their opponents. They give up an average of 360 yards total offense with 249 through the air and 111 yards on the ground. Arizonas defense tends to play a bit stronger on the road as they have only allowed 16.4 points per contest as the visitors.
Detroit enters the game averaging 16 points per game, and 297 yards total offense with 201 yards passing and 95 yards on the ground. Detroits average time of possession is 28 minutes.
The Lions defense allows 31.2 points per game, and they have the record to prove it! Detroit gives up 400 yards of total offense per game with 272 yards by way of passing yards and another 128 yards rushing. They do a tiny better at home but nothing to brag about.
The Cardinals are 5-2 SU, 4-3 ATS, and 2-5 O/U on the road this season. They are also 4-4 SU, 3-5 ATS, and 2-6 O/U as the favorite this year.
The Lions are 2-4 SU, 2-4 ATS, and 2-4 O/U at home this season, and they are 1-10 SU, 3-7-1 ATS, 5-6 O/U as the underdog this year.
Arizona won the last two meetings between these two squads; 31-21 in 2007, and 17-10 in 2006.
The betting line on this game opened at Detroit +11 with a total of 47. Most offshore sportsbooks are showing Detroit at +12 and the O/U 47. The Las Vegas Hilton Sportsbook is showing the Lions +12.5 with a total of 47 as well. If you take a cab further up the strip to the Mirage Sportsbook you will get the Lions +11, and across the street at Planet Hollywood Sportsbook you will find the line is Detroit +12.
The over is 14-4 in Arizonas last 18 games in December. The Cards are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 road games, and 13-5 ATS in their last 18 games overall. The over is 8-1-1 in Detroits last 10 games in week 15. The Lions are 3-12 ATS in their last 15 home games.
Head to head, the home team is 8-0 ATS in their last 8 meetings. The over is 7-1 in the last 8 meetings.
Kurt Warner has a QB rating of 93.7 to accompany his 66 percent completion rate. Warner has 3,181 passing yards and 23 touchdowns on the season. He also has 13 interceptions.
Detroits QB, Matthew Stafford has a QB rating of 61 to go along with a 53 percent completion rate. Stafford has 2,222 passing yards, 13 TDs, and 20 interceptions on the season.
The Cardinals may have the better the record but the way they played last week at San Francisco may be of concern. Arizona had three offside penalties and three fumbles. They didnt look like a team that was on the cusp of winning the division. Detroit will likely not be a problem for the Cards but Arizona better clean up their game or they might get bumped out early this year.
Wilsons Pick: Detroit finds a way to cover this huge number at home. Luck to ya.
