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

By Connor Muldowney

Oct 4, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) carries the ball after a catch during the second half against the St. Louis Rams at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) carries the ball after a catch during the second half against the St. Louis Rams at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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Arizona Cardinals vs. Detroit Lions

The Arizona Cardinals will be traveling to Ford Field to take on the Detroit Lions coming off a tough home loss a week ago to the St. Louis Rams, their first defeat of the year.

Carson Palmer has been playing solid this season, passing for over 1,100 yards and 10 touchdowns with three interceptions while the run game has shuffled through three guys with Chris Johnson leading the way, channeling his inner CJ2K. Palmer will have a tough task of defeating a still very talented 0-4 Lions squad.

The Lions, on the other hand, haven’t won a game this year and are coming off a very difficult and controversial loss to the Seattle Seahawks a week ago.

We will find out just how resilient this Detroit Lions team is on Sunday afternoon as they will be looking to put the loss against Seattle behind them. Detroit has home-field advantage, so it could look to start a winning streak here.

Details for Sunday’s game are below:

Date: Sunday, Oct. 11
Start Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
Location: Detroit, MI
Stadium: Ford Field
TV Info: FOX
Live Stream: Sunday NFL Ticket
Radio: For Cardinals radio affiliates, click here. For Lions radio affiliates, click here.
Ticket information: For Lions ticket info, click here. For Cardinals ticket info, click here.

Keys to Victory

Arizona Cardinals 

Larry Fitzgerald is still playing like a young star, seemingly proving to be an ageless wonder. If Carson Palmer can continue to utilize that connection, this offense will be fine. With Ezekiel Ansah rushing the quarterback better than anyone on this defense and just as good as anyone in the league, Palmer will need to get the ball out fast.

The defense will need to take a page out of the Seattle Seahawks’ book as they shut down Calvin Johnson for the most part as well as holding the Lions’ run game to minor gains.

Detroit Lions

This is easy, get the offense going. The defense can only carry this team so far, especially with the amount of weapons the offense has. Coming off a near-win against the Seahawks, confidence has likely been gained, but Calvin needs to put that terrible fumble behind him and become Megatron once again.

Ameer Abdullah will need to take over the run game and really give the Lions something to cheer about in the rushing attack. The rookie will need to have a big day in the way Todd Gurley did last week against the Cardinals.

Betting Odds

Line: Cardinals -3
Moneyline: Cardinals -160, Lions +140
O/U: 45

Prediction

Matthew Stafford will finally get the offense going a little bit as there will be some flashbacks to the dominant Megatron days. Calvin will record over 100 yards and a touchdown catch in this one while Abdullah will finally hit his stride on the ground.

Arizona will hold the lead, 21-20, until late in the fourth, but Stafford’s last-drive effort will come out successful, unlike last week.

Final Score: Cardinals 21, Lions 27

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