Detroit Lions at Philadelphia Eagles
Sunday, 10/14/12, 1:00 PM EST, TV: FOX
Opening Point Spread: Philadelphia -6.5
Current Betting Line: Philadelphia -3.5
Opening Total: 48
Current Total: 47.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
Detroit will look to snap its three-game losing streak after coming off a bye, as the team has failed to build off last year’s 10-6 season and playoff berth. “That’s our challenge right now to dig our way out of this,” stated Lions head coach Jim Schwartz. The Loins rank in the top 10 in both offense (third) and defense (ninth), but are finding more ways to lose games than they are finding ways to win them. One thing that needs to clean up is penalties, as the squad is averaging nearly eight per game over its previous three games. Detroit is 3-2 ATS as a road underdog of 3.5 to 7 points, with the OVER going 3-1 in that situation.
The Lions haven’t been able to run the football this year, which isn’t something new, ranking 24th in the league in that particular category. Detroit may potentially get running back Jahvid Best back in the lineup, as he’s been on the PUP list due to concussion issues. Quarterback Matthew Stafford has thrown for just three touchdowns, but he’s still managing to find his main target downfield, with wide receiver Calvin Johnson ranking second in the league with 105.8 receiving yards per game.
Philadelphia has alternated wins and losses over its last four games, while going UNDER the total in three consecutive contests. The Eagles are coming off a disappointing 16-14 setback to the Pittsburgh Steelers as four-point road underdogs, but it served as their first against-the-spread victory of the 2012 NFL campaign. A bounce-back performance is certainly possible if the squad takes care of the football, as it will face a defense that ranks tied for last in the league with only three takeaways. Philadelphia is 0-6 ATS versus NFC North opponents.
The Eagles need to start getting after opposing quarterbacks, as they’ve tallied just seven this year after finishing last season tied for the league lead in that category. Philadelphia cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie will likely cover Johnson for most of the game, as he limited him to three catches for 35 yards during his time with the Arizona Cardinals in 2009, while also notching two interceptions.
Sports bettors will likely back the Eagles due to their 4-1 ATS mark at home in this series, while the Lions are 1-11 ATS in their last 12 games against NFC opponents.
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