Lions vs. Ravens Pick
The Baltimore Ravens look to keep their playoff hopes alive when they host the Detroit Lions at 1:00PM ET on Sunday.
The Lions lost to the Bengals 23-13 as a 13.5-point underdog in Week 13, while the combined score fell under the posted total of 42 points. Matthew Stafford threw for just 143 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions for Detroit, while Calvin Johnson caught five passes for 85 yards and a touchdown.
The Ravens lost to the Packers 27-14 as a 3.5-point underdog in Week 13, while the total went under the posted total of 43 points. Joe Flacco threw for 137 yards with a touchdowns and three interceptions in the loss.
Oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com have made the Ravens 14-point favorites over the Lions in Week 14. The over/under total for Sunday’s game has been set at 39.5 points.
Stafford is expected to miss this game with a shoulder injury, making Daunte Culpepper the starter. That doesn’t bode well for Detroit, although the Lions have had a ton of success against the Ravens in recent history.
Detroit is 5-1 against the spread in its last six games when playing Baltimore, which includes a 35-17 win at home in 2005. The last time these two teams met in Baltimore was 1998, when the Ravens beat the Lions 19-10.
We like the Ravens to bounce back and win, but we think the Lions will keep things close. Baltimore’s offense hasn’t been the same in the second half of the season as it was in the first and even though they’re playing Detroit, we think they won’t cover the two-touchdown spread.
Our free pick prediction for this game is the Lions +14 and the over 39.5. The total has gone over in 8 of Detroit’s last 11 games on the road.
Our NFL Week 14 Free Pick for this matchup is: DETROIT LIONS +14 and OVER 39.5.
117 Detroit Loins +14 Over 39.5
118 Baltimore Ravens –14 Under 39.5
Detroit is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Baltimore
Detroit is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Baltimore
Baltimore is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Baltimore is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games
DETROIT
[OL] 08/07/2009 – Damion Cook IR ( Tricep )
[DE] 08/24/2009 – Jared DeVries IR ( Achilles )
[LB] 08/18/2009 – Cody Spencer IR ( Knee )
[SS] 08/20/2009 – Daniel Bullocks IR ( Knee )
[S] 10/13/2009 – Eric King IR ( Shoulder )
[WR] 10/05/2009 – Adam Jennings IR ( Ankle )
[DE] 10/22/2009 – Copeland Bryan IR ( Leg )
[CB] 11/02/2009 – Demarcus Faggins IR ( Upper Body )
[LB] 12/10/2009 – Ernie Sims is upgraded to probable Sunday vs. Baltimore ( Hamstring )
[OL] 11/17/2009 – Stephen Peterman out indefinitely ( Ankle )
[S] 11/18/2009 – Marquand Manuel IR ( Shoulder )
[S] 12/06/2009 – Kalvin Pearson "?" Sunday vs. Baltimore ( Hamstring )
[CB] 11/16/2009 – Jack Williams IR ( Knee )
[SS] 11/25/2009 – Ko Simpson IR ( Knee )
[TE] 12/01/2009 – Brandon Pettigrew IR ( Knee )
[OG] 12/06/2009 – Daniel Loper "?" Sunday vs. Baltimore ( Back )
[CB] 12/06/2009 – William James injured last game, "?" Sunday vs. Baltimore ( Stinger )
[QB] 12/06/2009 – Matthew Stafford injured last game, doubtful Sunday vs. Baltimore ( Shoulder )
[P] 12/09/2009 – Nick Harris "?" Sunday vs. Baltimore ( Knee )
[TE] 12/10/2009 – Casey Fitzsimmons "?" Sunday vs. Baltimore ( Concussion )
[QB] 12/09/2009 – Daunte Culpepper is expected to start Sunday vs. Baltimore ( None )
BALTIMORE
[OT] 08/04/2009 – Adam Terry IR ( Knee )
[CB] 10/19/2009 – Samari Rolle IR ( Neck )
[WR] 08/14/2009 – Marcus Smith IR ( ACL )
[DT] 08/15/2009 – Lamar Divens IR ( Hip )
[LB] 09/06/2009 – Jason Phillips IR ( Knee )
[LB] 10/05/2009 – Brendon Ayanbadejo IR ( Quad )
[DB] 11/17/2009 – Haruki Nakamura IR ( Ankle )
[LB] 12/07/2009 – Terrell Suggs "?" Sunday vs. Detroit ( Knee )
[RB] 11/24/2009 – Matt Lawrence IR ( Knee )
[CB] 11/24/2009 – Fabian Washington IR ( Knee )
[TE] 12/07/2009 – L.J. Smith "?" Sunday vs. Detroit ( Ankle )
[FS] 12/07/2009 – Ed Reed "?" Sunday vs. Detroit ( Hip )
[OL] 12/09/2009 – David Hale injured last game, "?" Sunday vs. Detroit ( Concussion )
[K] 12/09/2009 – Billy Cundiff is upgraded to probable Sunday vs. Detroit ( Concussion )
[OT] 12/09/2009 – Jared Gaither injured last game, "?" Sunday vs. Detroit ( Foot )
[WR] 12/09/2009 – Mark Clayton injured last game, "?" Sunday vs. Detroit ( Hamstring )
[DT] 12/09/2009 – Kelly Gregg injured last game, "?" Sunday vs. Detroit ( Shoulder )
[LB] 12/10/2009 – Jarret Johnson "?" Sunday vs. Detroit ( Shoulder )
Posted: 12/13/09 7:10AM ET