The Detroit Lions have had an up-and-down season, but there is nothing like a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars to fix some problems.
Blaine Gabbert and company have lost four straight games and are 1-6 on the season. The team performed well in each of the last two games, but it did not do enough to pull out the victory.
However, the Lions need some help to get back into the playoff hunt after coming into the year with huge expectations.
Here is everything you need to know about Sunday's clash.
Where: EverBank Field, Jacksonville, Fla.
When: November 4 at 1 p.m. ET
TV: FOX
Live Stream: NFL Sunday Ticket
Listen: Lions Radio Affiliates, Jaguars Radio Affiliates
Spread: Lions (-3.5) via Vegas Insider
The Jaguars are playing at home, but they do not have that great of an advantage in a mostly empty stadium. The squad is 0-3 at EverBank Stadium this year and is unlikely to greatly improve upon this mark.
Detroit should be able to continue its recent good play and come out with a significant victory.
Over/Under: 44 via Vegas Insider
Jacksonville has scored 15 or fewer points in four of seven games this year. Unfortunately, the Lions might be too inconsistent on both sides of the football to trust in this type of bet.
Over the course of the season, Detroit has lost a game by a score of 44-41, as well as a score of 13-7.
You might want to stay away from the over/under in this game.
Injury Report (via ESPN)
Lions
CB Bill Bentley (Shoulder) IR
CB Jacob Lacey (Concussion) Questionable
LB DeAndre Levy (Hamstring) Questionable
LB Stephen Tulloch (Knee) Questionable
WR Titus Young (Knee) Questionable
S Luis Delmas (Knee) Questionable
WR Calvin Johnson (Knee) Probable
Jaguars
RB Montell Owens (Shoulder) Questionable
WR Laurent Robinson (Concussion) Probable
CB Derek Cox (Back) Questionable
Fantasy Big Plays
Lions: Matt Stafford
Stafford had gotten too dependent on Calvin Johnson at the beginning of the year. Defenses were double- and triple-teaming the talented receiver and he was being shut down for the most part.
However, the quarterback has recently found new targets in Titus Young and Ryan Broyles. The more he can throw to other receivers, the more success he will have for the rest of the season. This will also lead to future success for Megatron.
Jaguars: Rashad Jennings
Blaine Gabbert had a good game against the Green Bay Packers last week, but Jennings is more likely to have consistent success.
The backup running back totaled 115 yards from scrimmage as a replacement for Maurice Jones-Drew against the Pack.
Detroit has the No. 9 pass defense and the No. 18 run defense. This means good news for Jennings and fantasy owners.
Lions Key to Victory: Spread the Field
Eight different players caught passes for the Lions last week against the Seattle Seahawks. Overall, Stafford completed 34 passes, only three of which went to Calvin Johnson.
This led to arguably Stafford's best performance of the season.
The Lions should not ignore the Pro Bowl receiver completely, but setting the defense up with shorter passes to other players could go a long way towards future success.
Jaguars Key to Victory: Increase Production on Ground
In the Jaguars' only win this season, Maurice Jones-Drew rushed for 177 yards and a touchdown. While it is unlikely to count on this type of performance every week, this is the only 100-yard rushing game for Jacksonville this year.
The team needs to keep rushing the ball, even if it gets stuffed a few times early or the Lions get off to a quick lead. The biggest mistake teams make is abandoning the run.
Rashad Jennings needs to get at least 20 carries to control the clock and help set up the play-action pass later in the game.
Prediction: Lions 27, Jaguars 17
The Jaguars are struggling on both sides of the football. They were able to stay within 10 points of the Packers, but that was a pretty banged-up opponent. Detroit is relatively healthy and should have a passing onslaught against this defense.
Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1392570-lions-vs-jaguars-spread-info-line-and-predictions
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