Arizona Cardinals vs. Detroit Lions, 12/9/18 NFL Predictions & Odds

Lions vs. Cardinals Prediction

Which struggling NFL team will pick up a win this afternoon when the Arizona Cardinals play host to the Detroit Lions at 4:25PM ET?

Game Snapshot & Odds

127 Detroit Lions at 128 Arizona Cardinals

Sunday, December 9, 2018

4:25PM ET – State Farm Stadium

TV: FOX

Public Betting Trends

According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Lions are favored on the road in this game, as they are getting odds of -2.5 points against the Cardinals. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 40.5 points. The public betting for this game currently has 60 percent going on the Lions on the road.

Cardinals snap losing streak

The Arizona Cardinals are coming off a surprising 20-17 win at Green Bay last weekend to snap a 3-game losing streak and ultimately lead to the firing of Mike McCarthy as head coach of Green Bay. The Cards are now 3-9 overall, 6-5-1 against the spread and 7-5 with the under. They have covered in three of their last five games.

The Cardinals come into the weekend with the league’s worst offense. They rank last in scoring (14.6 ppg) and total offense (239.3 ypg). They also have the league’s worst passing attack (153.3 ypg). Rookie Josh Rosen has thrown for 1,670 yards and 10 touchdowns with 11 interceptions this year. Leading receiver Christian Kirk is on IR with an injury. He had 43 catches for 590 yards. David Johnson is leading the offense with 761 rushing yards and six touchdowns. Defensively, Arizona is giving up 25.8 points and 361.3 yards per game. Their pass defense does rank fourth in the NFL, allowing just 220.4 yards per game. They have 38 sacks as a unit, with Chandler Jones leading the defense with 12.

Lions struggling

Detroit had its last three games come at home and they dropped the last two games, including a 30-16 loss to the Rams last weekend. Detroit is 4-8 overall, 6-6 against the spread and 6-6 with the over/under total. The Lions are just 1-5 against the spread over their last six games.

The Lions have been getting worse on offense as injuries have mounted. They now average just 21.2 points and 340 yards per game. Matthew Stafford has thrown for 3,086 yards and 18 touchdowns with 11 interceptions. He has been sacked 36 times and is dealing with a back injury that has him questionable to suit up today. Leading rusher Kerryon Johnson is out due to a knee injury and second-leading receiver Marvin Jones Jr. is on IR. Kenny Golladay is the leading receiver with 55 catches for 854 yards and five touchdowns. Defensively, the Lions are giving up 26.3 points and 354.5 yards per game.

NFL Betting Trends

Arizona

The Cardinals are 5-0-1 against the spread in their last six conference games and 5-2-1 ATS in their last eight against a losing team.

Detroit

The Lions are 7-1-1 against the spread in their last nine against a team with a losing record and 1-5 ATS in their last six conference games.

Prediction:

I know the Cardinals aren’t a good team, but the Lions aren’t either. I find it hard to believe they can be a road favorite given how poorly they have looked on offense over the last month. While the Lions defense has played respectable, they still are far from strong and may not travel well today. The Cardinals have a pass rush that should cause a lot of problems for Stafford, should he play. Stafford has looked like he has given up and is not taking the chances we were accustomed to see him taking throughout his career. His conservative play will allow the Cardinals to win and cover today.

NFL Prediction: Arizona Cardinals +2.5

Related: Lions vs. Cardinals Total Prediction