Detroit Lions (1-4 SU, 4-1 ATS) vs. New York Giants (3-2 SU, 3-2 ATS), Week 6 NFL, 1:00 p.m. EST, Sunday, October 17, 2010, New Meadowlands Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J. TV: FOX
by Ryno of Predictem.com
Betting Odds: Det +10/NYG -10
Over/Under Total: 44.5
The Detroit Lions hadn’t beaten a team by 38 or more points since a 44-0 home win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on December 17, 1995. That was back when the Lions were a playoff team, Barry Sanders was the running back, and Herman Moore and Johnnie Morton were catching passes from Scott Mitchell.
Fifteen years later, the Lions finally did it again. They beat the St. Louis Rams last week, 44-6, their largest margin of victory in 15 years. That’s good news for the Lions. The bad news is that it was their first win of the season. Now, they have to go on the road to face the New York Giants, a team that is hitting its stride right now after two straight impressive victories over good teams.
After the Giants started the season with a win over the Carolina Panthers, a team that is still winless and is one of the worst teams in the NFL, they lost two straight games to the Colts and Titans. But the Giants rebounded by giving the Bears their first and only loss thus far, 17-3, in a game that the Giants defense dominated. They recorded 10 sacks and sent Bears QB Jay Cutler out of the game with a concussion.
Last week, the Giants went into Houston and put a beating on the Texans, 34-10. Giants QB Eli Manning threw two interceptions but he also threw for 297 yards and three touchdowns. WR Hakeem Nicks, who has been an elite WR all year long, had a great game with 12 receptions for 130 yards and two touchdowns. Steve Smith also caught a touchdown pass. Ahmad Bradshaw ran for 67 yards, and Brandon Jacobs ran for 41 yards and a touchdown. The Giants defense again came up huge, holding QB Matt Schaub to 196 yards and an interception, and holding RB Arian Foster, who had been piling up yards every game this season, to 25 yards on 11 carries.
In the Lions’ 44-6 win over the Rams last week, QB Shaun Hill had a terrific game, completing 23-of-45 passes for 215 yards and three touchdowns. He spread the ball around nicely to his receivers, as none of them had more than four receptions or one touchdown. Nate Burleson, Calvin Johnson and Brandon Pettigrew each caught a touchdown pass. RB Jahvid Best had 67 rushing yards on 18 carries. The Lions committed no turnovers and they intercepted two passes and recovered a fumble. Two of their touchdowns came on a kickoff return and an interception return.
Lions QB Matthew Stafford has been injured since Week 1 and it’s still uncertain when he is going to return. It is possible he could play Sunday but it is unlikely.
The only way the Lions have a chance to stay in this game is if they don’t turn the ball over. The Giants defense has been a force lately. If the Lions can score some points and not give the ball away to the Giants, then that will be their best chance. Even so, the Giants offense has too many weapons for the Lions to stop. For the Lions to keep it close, they would also have to create some turnovers to lead to easy scoring opportunities.
Despite the Lions being 1-4 SU, they are 4-1 ATS this season. And their only ATS loss was by a point at Minnesota when they were 13-point dogs and lost 24-10. Other than that game, their other three losses were all by within five points.
The Lions are 4-1 ATS in their last five games overall. The Giants are 1-4 ATS in their last five games following an ATS win. In the last five meetings between these teams, the underdog is 4-1 ATS and the road team is 5-0 ATS.
Ryno’s Pick to Cover the Point Spread: I see the Giants pressuring Shaun Hill BIGTIME which will force him into making many mistakes. I believe the Giants are starting to get hot and will roll the Lions at home. Lay the points and bet on the Giants to cover.
