WHO: Detroit Lions (7-7) at Carolina Panthers (5-9)
WHEN: Saturday, December 24th at 1:00 pm on Fox
WHERE: Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina
SPREAD: Lions -2.5
OVER/UNDER: 43.5
WEATHER: 33 degrees and sunny with 14 mph winds
PREVIEW: The Lions come in having won 4 of their last 5 games while the Panthers have won 3 of their last 5. Detroit is favored by 2.5 points and have a 57%-win probability. This will be the 11th meeting between the two teams with Carolina holding a 7-3 advantage. The Panthers won the last meeting, 20-0 at home. With a victory, and losses by the Seahawks and Commanders Detroit would be sitting alone in the final NFC wild-card playoff spot come Saturday night.
WHEN THE LIONS ARE ON OFFENSE:
This game feels like the offense should go through the run. Carolina gives up 130 yards a game on the ground. Let Jamaal Williams and company pound the rock so Jared Goff can effectively utilize play-action. The Panthers don’t give up a lot of yards through the air, so having a balanced attack with the running game leading the way should help the offense. Jared Goff on the road is a different QB. He’s only thrown 3 touchdowns in 6 road games. The Lions are 3-3 in those games. That tells me that he isn’t losing games for them. He’s been careful with the ball and making sound decisions with it regularly. If he makes good decisions and the running game is effective, they should win the game.
WHEN THE LIONS ARE ON DEFENSE:
Don’t let Sam Darnold do to you what he did in 2018. Ok, I’m kidding but the sentiment is the same. Pressure him. Pressure him and reap the rewards. Detroit’s defense has been much better than their ranking would show, especially in the last 5 games. The Panthers don’t have the skill players they once had but they can score. Don’t let them get into a rhythm. The Panthers are only a game out of their division race so they will be showing up. Good teams end other teams’ seasons. The Lions can do that on Saturday. Limit the running game—pressure Darnold. Come home a winner.
PREDICTION: I’ve been right the last 2 weeks; can the Lions make me look good a 3rd week in a row? If they play their game, I think they will win. They have to get a lead early and not allow the Panthers to gain any momentum. I think they will. This team has just been on a roll, and I see it continuing. Give me Lions 27 Panthers 24. Brand. New. Lions.
NFL POWER RANKINGS TOP 5
- Philadelphia Eagles 13-1: They only need to win 1 out of the next 3 to secure the division. With Jalen hurting, they need to rest him before the playoffs.
- San Francisco 49ers 10-4: With that defense, does it matter who plays QB?
- Kansas City Chiefs 11-3: They almost got beat by Houston but they are still one of the best teams. Every team has a bad game.
- Buffalo Bills 11-3: Great win against Miami in the blizzard. The defense is missing Von Miller.
- Dallas Cowboys 10-4: Almost dropped them out in favor of the Bengals. Should be 12-2 if not for 2 double-digit collapses. When does Dan Quinn get some blame?
