St. Louis Rams (0-7 2-5 ATS) vs. Detroit Lions (1-5 2-4 ATS) NFL Week 8, Ford Field Detroit MI 1 PM EST Sunday November 1, 2009 on FOX
By Jason Green of Predictem.com
Point Spread: Rams +3.5 / Lions -3.5
Over/Under: TBA
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In a big battle between two weak teams this Sunday the Detroit Lions host the St. Louis Rams. The reason I say this is a big battle is the fact both teams are weak and the loser may come out on top, as they have a legit chance for the #1 pick in the next NFL draft. The Lions have 1 win and the Rams have yet to win a game this season. Neither team features a strong offense or defense and if I were to pinpoint all of the problems each team has this would be one hell of a long preview. The Lions may get #1 pick QB Matt Stafford back for this game, so that is something good for the Lions, but that's about it. The Rams still have a shot at a win since they still face Seattle and Tennessee, but the rest of the teams they face this season have a winning record. The Rams have lost 17 straight games dating back to last season.
Last week the Lions had a bye, but in the previous week they were blanked losing to the Green Bay Packers 26-0. In their last game the Rams were embarrassed, at home no less, losing to the Indianapolis Colts 42-6.
To say the Lions played poorly in their shutout loss to the Packers 2 weeks back is an understatement, as they only had 149 total yards, were 0 for 10 on 3rd down conversions, and were out-gained in passing yards 71 yards to 328 yards. The one good thing for the Lions is that their defense had 5 sacks in the game. The Lions were huge 14-point underdogs for the game so they did not cover the spread and the posted total of 48 was nowhere near being reached.
In the Rams loss to the Colts last week they did have 155 rushing yards, but were out-gained in passing yards 235 to 117 and QB Marc Bulger had a horrible game going 14/26 for only 140 yards with 0 TD's and 2 INT's. His first pass was a 50-yard bomb on a flea flicker, but after that he played terrible. The Rams were 14-point home underdogs and did not come close to covering the spread. The posted total of 45 was reached with 48 points scored in the game.
To say the Rams are having problems scoring is like saying Peyton Manning is a decent QB: MAJOR UNDERSTATEMENT! The Rams have are averaging 10 points a game this season and they have been shut out twice already.
The Lions really hope Stafford comes back in their game against the Rams, as against the Packers QB's Daunte Culpepper and Drew Stanton were a combined 11/25 and combined for 3 interceptions and no TD's.
3rd string QB Drew Stanton may get the start in this game, as Stafford is recovering from a knee injury and Culpepper has an injured hamstring.
The one bright spot for the Rams this season is that RB Steven Jackson (635 yds) is having a solid season. However, he does not have a TD this season and since 1970 only Tiki Barber has had more rushing yards without a rushing TD through seven games of a season.
Detroit's rushing defense is decent, as they are allowing only 112.3 yards per game on the ground. Their front line D is also solid at getting to the QB, as they have 15 sacks this season.
Rams' QB Marc Bulger (780 yds 3 TD 3 INT) is struggling big time and it is not all his fault, as the Rams have one of the weakest WR corps in the league. Bulger ranks 27th in QB rating this season, but if Stafford goes it is not much better since he ranks 29th.
The Lions biggest offensive weapon is WR Calvin Johnson, who will probably miss this game with a knee injury.
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The Lions rushing offense ranks 25th in the league and they are only averaging 3.7 yards per carry.
Both teams have to hold onto the ball since each is having major trouble scoring. The Lions are -4 in turnover differential and the Rams are -7.
Jason's Pick: This is a game between a couple of teams that are struggling on both sides of the ball. The loser of this game may end up the winner, as they will get a higher draft pick. I think with the Lions in trouble at the QB position I see the Rams upsetting them with Steven Jackson having a big game leading St. Louis to their first win of the season.
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