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Lions vs Cardinals preview, predictions, betting odds, live stream info

By Phil Watson

Sep 15, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) covers Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) during the second half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 15, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) covers Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) during the second half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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Detroit Lions vs. Arizona Cardinals

Drew Stanton will get a chance to play the team that drafted him in the second round in 2007 when he resumes the starting job Sunday for the Arizona Cardinals against the Detroit Lions.

Stanton was 2-1 earlier this season starting in place of an injured Carson Palmer, a job with a longer-term future now that Palmer is out for the year with a torn ACL.

The Cardinals (8-1) and Lions (7-2) are five games over .500 at the same time for the first time ever—which is saying something for franchises that have been in the NFL since 1920 (Cardinals) and 1930 (Lions).

It’s also two teams that are experiencing something of a championship drought. The Cardinals’ last NFL title came in 1948, when the team was still in Chicago, and the Lions haven’t won it all since 1957.

Details for Sunday’s game are below:

Date: Sunday, Nov. 16
Start Time: 4:25 p.m. Eastern
Location: Glendale, Ariz.
Stadium: University of Phoenix Stadium
TV Info: FOX
Live Stream: NFL Sunday Ticket
Radio: Sirius XM Radio
Ticket information: For Cardinals ticket info click here. For Lions ticket info click here.

Keys to Victory

For the Cardinals, Stanton doesn’t have to be great—just efficient. He has not thrown an interception this season and he’s still throwing to Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd and John Brown, who have all been very good this season.

The Lions have the best defense in the NFL and it is strongest up the middle with defensive tackles Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley and middle linebacker C.J. Mosley. And the Lions aren’t beating themselves this year with poorly timed penalties and turnovers and after going 2-6 a year ago in games decided by four points or fewer, Detroit is 3-1 in those games in 2014.

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Lions plus-1, Cardinals minus-1

Moneyline: Lions plus-100, Cardinals minus-120

O/U: 41½

Prediction

The Cardinals have just kept rolling—save for one bad day in Denver—and coach Bruce Arians won’t have to scale the offense back while turning to a veteran backup in Stanton who has spent the last three seasons in Arians’ system. The Lions are 3-1 on the road, but Reggie Bush is banged up.

Final Score: Cardinals 24, Lions 20

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