Matt Stafford

Off-and-Running Lions Host Rested Seahawks

The last time the Seahawks played at Ford Field was 2012 and the Lions beat and covered a Seattle team that would go on to win seven of its last eight games and reach the divisional round of the NFC playoffs. Although the Lions are just 3-3 overall this season, their convincing 32-21 win at Miami in Week 7 means they’ve now covered in five straight games to boast a 5-1 record against the spread.

Coming out of their bye week, the Seahawks have covered in three of their past four games and are 3-2-1 ATS and 3-3 overall. The Lions opened as 2.5-point favorites before the line grew to -3, while the Seahawks moneyline opened at -105 and the point total is 49.

SHARK BITES
  • The Seahawks are 5-3 after their bye during Pete Carroll’s tenure.
  • The visiting team is 1-5 ATS in the last six games in this matchup.
  • The Seahawks are 1-3 SU and ATS in their last four games in the Eastern time zone.

Seahawks vs Lions Game Center

WHAT WE LEARNED: WEEK 7

Lions – It appears Detroit may finally possess a rushing game. Rookie Kerryon Johnson rushed 19 times for 158 yards, a remarkable 8.3 yards per rush average. Over his past four games, Johnson is averaging 96 rush yards per game and 6.8 yards per rush. Johnson’s season average of 6.4 yards per rush ranks second in the NFL to San Francisco’s Matt Breida.

Matthew Stafford’s TD-to-INT ratio is 11-to-1 over the past five games. On average, Detroit’s defense has allowed fewer than three red-zone trips to opposing offenses over its past three games.

Seahawks – When we last saw Seattle, they were beating up the Raiders across the pond. Pete Carroll’s crew is averaging 27.5 points per game at home, but only 20.3 on the road. Detroit has allowed 23 points per game over the past five games, but the only reason their points allowed per game average isn’t higher is because Mason Crosby missed five kicks a few weeks ago. Seattle’s improvise-on-the-fly offense can score on this Lions defense.

NEXT LEVEL TRENDS – LOCKETT UP

Seattle’s Tyler Lockett has scored a touchdown in five out of six games this season. The Seahawks are 8-5 straight up and 9-3-1 against the spread when their speedy receiver finds the end zone. Detroit has allowed two passing touchdowns per game.

NEXT LEVEL TRENDS – FEED STARVIN’ MARVIN

Detroit’s Marvin Jones led the Lions with nine touchdowns last season and has scored three in six games this year despite a reduced role. Detroit is 9-4 straight up and 9-3-1 when Starvin’ Marvin scores six. The Seahawks secondary has allowed the second-fewest passing touchdowns this season (8, tie).

NEXT LEVEL TRENDS – GOLDEN TATE BRIDGE

Golden Tate averaged better than 97 receiving yards per game in September, but has dipped to 38 receiving yards per game the past two times out. Granted, Kerryon Johnson’s workload and the Lions building healthy leads factor into Tate’s disappearance. However, it’s interesting to know that Detroit’s only 24-21 ATS when Tate posts 50 or more receiving yards.

DETROIT, MI FORECAST

The cosy confines of Ford Field will be a comfortable 70 degrees.

Detroit’s Matt Prater missed two field goals in Week 1 against the Jets, but he’s been nearly perfect ever since, converting 12 of 13 field-goal tries and 16 of 16 extra points. Sebastian Janikowski has made eight of 11 field goals with six coming from 40 yards and beyond. He’s converted 24 of 31 field goals inside a dome during his 19-year career.

MY PICK

This game will be won by the team with the stronger rush attack and, at least for now, that is Detroit. Kerryon Johnson’s consistent production has opened up passing lanes Matthew Stafford hasn’t been privy to in five years and thus Stafford’s interception rate has dipped significantly. Granted, Russell Wilson is known for pulling a fourth-quarter rabbit out of a hat any given Sunday, but I think Seattle’s rushing game limitations and inconsistencies won’t allow it to take full advantage of a Lions defense allowing nearly 140 yards on the ground per game. Plus, the early kickoff does the Seahawks no favors coming out of the bye.

I’m leaning Lions straight up and the OVER.

The Seahawks are 5-3 after their bye during Pete Carroll’s tenure.away The visiting team is 1-5 ATS in the last six games in this matchup. The Seahawks are 1-3 SU and ATS in their last four games in the Eastern time zone.away
Back to Top