This is a big game for Detroit. Without the playoffs in sight, this nationally televised game is their SuperBowl. The Lions always play well on Turkey Day. As bad as they have been over the past decade, they have won six of their last eight outright and covered better than that against the spread!
New England won the SuperBowl last year by playing good defense and running the ball. This year however, New England’s running game is in shambles, ranked 30th in the league. Antowain Smith has had just one 100+ yard game this season and is averaging less than 50 yards/game over the last three. In fact when it comes to the run, the Lions are better than the Patriots offensively and defensively.
The Patriots are winless against the spread this year as favorites in six games while Detroit is 4 out of 5 ATS at home this year.
And you can bet if this game goes into overtime and the Lions win the toss, they will take the ball! Lions head coach Mornhinweg needs this game to make up for last week’s bad call and to quell rumors that his job is on the line. Take the Lions to cover.