Detroit Lions

Lions at Saints: Preview, Prediction, Odds

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Detroit Lions vs. New Orleans Saints

Don’t look now, but the Detroit Lions have a comfortable lead in the NFC North. With the Minnesota Vikings now having lost two-straight, the Motor City Cats now are sitting pretty in the division. That said, they’d love nothing more than to be able to increase their cushion. That will entail going on the road to the Superdome in NFL Week 13 and topping the New Orleans Saints.

The MO of the Lions to this point has been playing down to lesser teams and then Matthew Stafford coming through in the clutch. That’s fair, but we’ve also seen this team in top-gear against quality teams. Detroit’s offense and Stafford might be the most dangerous they’ve ever been. While their defense can’t say remotely the same thing, that’s a weapon for this team right now.

Meanwhile, the Saints haven’t had the same amount of success in the win-column. That said, Drew Brees and his offense are as lethal as ever. Mark Ingram and Tim Hightower have added the rushing element and they’ve been near impossible to stop. With their defense also being lackluster, though, this Week 13 matchup has real shootout potential.

Here are the keys to victory for this contest:

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Keys to Victory

You can’t discredit a team being clutch like the Lions have been this season. Playing well when the heat is on is a discernible skill and a valuable one at that. However, getting into that type of situation against the Saints is living a little too close to the edge. As clutch and quick-striking as Stafford and the Detroit offense may be, Brees and New Orleans can match or even better it. Subsequently, the Lions need to establish themselves early and not necessitate heroics to get the win. That doesn’t mean the game can’t be close, but Detroit can’t put themselves in a hole to climb out of on Sunday if they want to be successful.

Meanwhile, the Saints need to do their best to control the clock in this game. The advantage their offense has over Detroit’s lies in Ingram and Hightower. Both backs have proven capable of going out and moving the sticks while also keeping time of possession in favor of New Orleans. Being able to do so against a powerful offense that lacks that dynamic will be key for the Saints establishing control. If they can do that, it’ll be huge for the home team.

Odds

Point Spread: New Orleans -6.5
Moneyline: New Orleans -280, Detroit +240
Over/Under: 53

Prediction

While I can 100 percent see New Orleans winning this game, I will say that this spread seems way too high. What’s more, it still doesn’t feel like Detroit is getting any kind of respect. Even though they can’t put themselves in a position where they need a game-winning drive against a potent Saints offense, they have the firepower to avoid that situation. And despite the spread and being on the road, I think they do.

Pick: Detroit Lions: 34, New Orleans Saints: 28

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