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Lions at Saints: Game preview, odds, prediction

By John Buhler

Dec 21, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Detroit Lions defensive end Jason Jones (91) sacks New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) in the third quarter of the game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Detroit Lions defensive end Jason Jones (91) sacks New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) in the third quarter of the game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New Orleans Saints will host the Detroit Lions on Sunday afternoon in Week 13. Here is a game preview, the betting odds, and a final score prediction.

Week 13 is under way in the NFL. One interesting game happening between two NFC Playoff contenders in the 1:00 p.m. ET hour will feature the Detroit Lions (7-4) and the New Orleans Saints (5-6). Kickoff from the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans will be at 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, Dec. 4. FOX will have the telecast.

Detroit will have had 10 days to get ready for the Saints in Week 13. The Lions stunned their NFC North rival Minnesota Vikings on Thanksgiving Day to improve to 7-4. Detroit just so happens to lead the NFC North by a game over the same Vikings. The Lions also completed the season sweep of Minnesota on Thanksgiving Day.

New Orleans blew the doors off the Los Angeles Rams in Week 12 to improve to 5-6. The Saints are in win-now mode, as they are two games back of the Atlanta Falcons (7-4) in the NFC South standings. New Orleans is playing great on offense and will need to lean on that side of the ball to reach the NFL Playoffs.

Odds

Point Spread: New Orleans -6
Moneylines: New Orleans -250, Detroit +210
Over/Under: 53.5

According to OddsShark.com, the Saints are laying six points at home to the visiting Lions. The associated moneylines are New Orleans -250 and Detroit +210. This game’s over/under comes in at a combined 53.5 points.

Here are the trends to know about the Lions: 1.) Detroit is 6-1 straight up and against the spread in its last seven games. 2.) The Lions have gone under all of their last five games. 3.) They are 5-10 straight up in their last 15 road games. 4.) Detroit has gone under in 17 of its last 23 road games.

Here are the trends to know about the Saints: 1.) New Orleans is 6-1-1 in its last eight games against the spread. 2.) The Saints have gone under in four of their last six games. 3.) The point total has gone over in nine of the Saints’ last 11 home games.

Don’t be shocked if this game comes down to the wire. It probably will, as these are two of the most exciting teams in the NFC for different reasons. New Orleans can put up points with the best of them with their balance offensive attack. Detroit only plays in close, low-scoring games. Though they are not sexy, every fourth quarter of a 2016 Lions game is a must-watch television spectacle.

Playing in a dome won’t effect the visiting Lions, as they play their home games in a dome at Ford Field. New Orleans will keep the Lions at a score distance for most of the game. However, the Lions’ sneaky-good defense will keep it tight for all 60 minutes.

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New Orleans needs this game more than the Lions. Desperation and being at home gives the Saints a one-score victory over the Lions. This will be the 12th straight game this season that Detroit will play decided by seven points or less.

Pick: Saints 28, Lions 24

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