What: (6-7) Detroit Lions at (7-6) New York Jets
When: Sunday, December 18th at 1:00 PM
Where: Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ
Spread: Jets -1
Over/Under: 43.5
Weather: 38 Degrees and mostly cloudy with 10 mph winds
TV: CBS (Ian Eagle and Charles Davis)
Detroit is looking to stay in the playoff hunt with a 3rd straight win and sixth in the last seven games. New York needs a win to keep pace with the Patriots for the final playoff spot in the AFC. They have played each other 14 times and have split the series, 7-7. The Jets won the last meeting 48-17 in the 2018 season opener.
The Lions come into the matchup ranked 5th in points per game at 26.8. The Jets are 22nd with 20.3 points per game. Defensively, the Lions are 31st in points allowed with 26.7. The Jets are 6th in points allowed with 18.7.
Detroit is playing with a ton of confidence. The offense has been near unstoppable, and the defense is improving week to week. Jared Goff will need to improve his road performance however as he has only thrown for two touchdowns when away from Ford Field compared to the 20 touchdowns he has thrown for at home. The addition of rookie WR Jameson Williams and his speed could help with opening the field up.
Detroit could be catching a break as quarterback Mike White could not get cleared by doctors in order to play. In White’s place is much maligned second year signal caller Zach Wilson. The Jets could also be without their best defensive lineman in Quinton Williams who is suffering from a calf issue and has not practiced. If out, a consistent running game could lead to some play-action opportunities downfield for Detroit.
PREDICTION: Getting a win on the road in the NFL is difficult but with all of the injuries that the Jets are going through, it seems like this could be a game the Lions can steal. Momentum and health are on Detroit’s side. As I said last week, the Honolulu blue kool-aid is flowing, give me Detroit 23 Jets 17.
NFL POWER RANKINGS TOP 5
1. Philadelphia Eagles (12-1): They are the best team in the NFL. Jalen Hurts is an MVP candidate. The defense is top 5.
2. Dallas Cowboys (10-3): The defense and Dak struggled against the worst team in the league. They got the win, but they need a bounce back win this week against the Jags.
3. Kansas City Chiefs (10-3): The best team in AFC is rolling. Mahomes is doing the normal Mahomes things, and the defense is creating pressure and has 42 sacks on the season.
4. Buffalo Bills (10-3): The offense has been going through some issues but still remremains in scoring. If they get homefield throughout playoffs, could be difficult to beat.
5. San Francisco 49ers (9-4): This is a scary team. Even the possibility of going onto their 4th QB (Brock Purdy has a rib issue) doesn’t seem to faze them. That defense will travel.