Lions (8-3) at Saints (5-6)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Caesars Superdome, New Orleans
TV: Fox
Spread (BetMGM):
Lions by 4
Lions’ keys to victory: New Orleans has a soft run defense, and QB Jared Goff’s struggles in recent weeks make an emphasis on the run game even more important for Detroit. The Lions have two talented runners in RBs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, and it’s vital that they get up to speed quickly – both to force the Saints defense to account for everything and to help Goff avoid mistakes. Defensively, the Lions must win at the line of scrimmage, and the pressure on DE Aidan Hutchinson is only going to increase if disruptive DT Alim McNeill misses time with a concussion.
Saints’ keys to victory: The New Orleans offense must generate more chunk plays, which have been hard to come by with QB Derek Carr under center. He must do a better job getting the ball to playmakers such as WR Chris Olave and TE Juwan Johnson rather than checking it down to RB Alvin Kamara with nowhere to go. Detroit’s weak pass defense will give Carr opportunities to make plays. Goff has six fumbles and interceptions over two games, and the opportunistic New Orleans defense should take advantage of that.
Matchup to watch: Lions LB Alex Anzalone vs. Saints’ Kamara. Anzalone has a lot of experience covering Kamara, one of his former teammates from the Saints’ famous 2017 draft class.
Who wins? The Lions don’t look as dominant as they were earlier this season but they’re a better-coached team than the Saints, and they have a more impressive body of work.
Lions, 27-20