Can Detroit and Indy Light Up the Scoreboard? Over/Under Pick

NFL Week 12 Betting Lines and Odds

Key Matchup Preview: NFC North Leaders Face AFC Wild Card Hopefuls

The Detroit Lions and the Indianapolis Colts are set to square off this Sunday in the 1 o’clock slate as the Lions will head to Lucas Oil Stadium for an NFC vs AFC showdown. These two teams have had very different seasons to date, but are both coming off of key victories and looking to build momentum. While their positions in the playoff battle are quite different entering week 12, there is a lot at stake on both sides. There will be plenty of firepower in this contest and it will be one that you won’t want to miss. The public is going to continue to hammer the Lions, since they have proven to be one of the more profitable teams in 2024. Is that the right move this weekend? Keep reading below to find out who I think is the team most trustworthy to help you turn a profit.

Detroit Lions Analysis: Super Bowl Contenders Face Key Defensive Injuries

Sitting at 9-1 on the 2024 NFL season, the Detroit Lions look like one of the most complete groups in the entire league. As expected, they have excelled on offense, but it is the defensive proficiency that has led to many calling them a true Super Bowl contender. Jared Goff has fit in perfectly within this system and has accounted for nearly 2500 passing yards and 20 touchdowns. Goff has the good fortune of playing with a highly skilled group of offensive weapons, and can freely choose between Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and Sam Laporta in the passing game. St. Brown has caught 65 of his 78 targets on the year to the tune of 685 yards and 9 touchdowns. St. Brown has also found the endzone in 8 straight games coming into week 12. The Lions have not had to solely rely on Goff and his arm either. With a running back tandem of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery the Lions posses the 3rd ranked rushing attack in the league, averaging over 150 yards per game. With the balance between the pass and the run, Detroit has kept opposing defenses off balance and has averaged 33.6 points per game. They convert nearly 50% of their 3rd down opportunities as well and know how to sustain drives that lead to points on a consistent basis. The biggest surprise for the Lions in 2024 has been the emergence of their defensive unit. This group has limited opponents to just 17.7 points per game which ranks 6th in the NFL. Not to mention, they are also the best team in terms of defending 3rd down opportunities and have held opponents to just a 30.4% conversion rate. They will be without pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson the rest of the way, and just lost their second leading tackler Alex Anzalone for at least the next four weeks.

Indianapolis Colts Breakdown: Richardson’s Return Sparks Playoff Hopes

The Colts have been one of the more bizarre storylines on the 2024 league year. Indianapolis is currently second in the AFC South with a 5-6 record, but somehow, they are only one game out of the final wild card spot. There is plenty left to play for, for this squad. After switching quarterbacks a few times this year, the Colts have returned the starting job to Anthony Richardson. Richardson has been shaky on the year, but after being relegated to the bench, he returned with a vengeance last week. The young QB completed 67% of his pass attempted for 272 yards, 1 touchdown and added another 2 touchdowns on the ground. Richardson looked like the player the Colts had hoped for when they drafted him a few years back. In the receiving corps, the Colts have been led by Josh Downs who has 50 receptions and 567 yards this year. With Indy though, it varies from game to game, and the production could come from any one of Downs, Pittman, Pierce or Mitchell. The consistency has not been there and the Colts currently have the 21st rated passing offense, averaging just 202.2 yards per game. Indy will continue to lean on running back Jonathan Taylor who is averaging a healthy 4.5 yards per carry. Taylor has missed some time, but is now fully healthy and looking to add to the 5 touchdowns he has already collected this season. There is not much to say about the Colts’ defense, as they rank near the very bottom in total yards, passing yards and rushing yards allowed per game. Somehow, they have only given up an average of 22.7 points per game, which may be their lone bright spot. Defending the explosive Lion offense is a tall task for any group, and I am not sure that Indianapolis is up for that challenge, but only time will tell.

Expert Game Prediction and Best Betting Pick

My Pick: Over 49.5 (-110)

Take the over in this one. Heck, the Lions may drop 40 points themselves. I just don’t see a way that Indianapolis can even slow these offensive playmakers down, and there are too many weapons to eliminate. Goff will allow Gibbs and Montgomery to chew up yardage and pick his spots for his downfield throws. On the other side of the field, the Colts have some momentum behind the resurgence of Anthony Richardson. The loss of Alex Anzalone may open up the middle of the field, allowing Jonathan Taylor to rack up yardage. This game may not end up being close, but I expect the scoreboard to light up constantly.