The Detroit Lions have won three of their last four games, earning them a spot in the playoffs for the first time since the 1999 season.  That’s the good news.  The bad news is that they are playing the Saints.  The Saints are 8-0 this yearat home and they have outscored their opponents by an average of 41.1 points to 17.9 points per game.  The Saints beat the Lions 31-17 just five weeks ago in New Orleans.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Lions have the ball:  The Lions have a puncher’s chance in this game as they are going to fight fire with fire.  Matt Stafford is likely going to throw 40-50 passes tomorrow night against the Saints.  The Saints only had 33 sacks and 9 interceptions this year, so Stafford should have time to throw the ball without having to worry about throwing pickoffs.  Stafford will likely focus on getting the ball to Calvin Johnson (96 rec, 1,681 yards and 16 TD grabs) early in this game.  If the Saints start paying too much attention to Calvin Johnson, Stafford will start throwing ball around the field to Brandon Pettigrew, Tony Scheffler, Nate Burleson and Titus Young.  The wildcard for he Lions tomorrow will be RB Kevin Smith.  The Saints allowed  108.6 yards rushing per game and 5.0 yards per carry this year during the regular season.

When the Saints have the ball:  The Saints are going to come out throwing the ball, as usual tomorrow night.  The Lions have 41 sacks and 21 interceptions so far this year, so Brees is going to have to be sharp to make plays down the field on the Lions.  That being said, the Lions are giving up 239.4 yards passing so far this year, so Brees could have a field day.  Brees will spread the ball around to TE Jimmy Graham and WRs Marques Colston, Devery Henderson and Robert Meachem in this game.  The Saints are not just a passing team though, as the Lions will likely find out tomorrow.  They spread the carries around to Darren Sproles (also a great receiver out of the backfield), Chris Ivory and Pierre Thomas against a Lions’ D that is giving up 128.1 yards rushing per game and 5.0 yards per carry this year.

PREDICTION:  SAINTS 37, LIONS 27

The Lions need either a win over the Packers or a Falcons’ loss at home to the Bucs to give them the #5 seed in the playoffs.  That means the Lions are going to play this like a regular game.  They are on a 3-game winning streak right now.  The Packers got back on the winning track against the Bears last weekend.  The Packers will likely get their starters a little work in the first quarter, before putting in the second team.  The Packers beat the Lions 27-15 in Detroit on Thanksgiving.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Lions have the ball:  The Lions are going to come out throwing the ball against the Packers.  They need the O-Line to give Matt Stafford time to throw the ball so that he can have another huge game.  Stafford is going to spread the ball around to Calvin Johnson, Titus Young, Nate Burleson, Brandon Pettigrew and Tony Scheffler are likely going to overwhelm the Packers’ backups on D.  The Lions are going to rest Kevin Smith in this game, which could set up Maurice Morris for a lot of carries this Sunday.

When the Packers have the ball:  The Lions aren’t likely going to have to worry about Aaron Rodgers and his excellent receiving corps too much in this game as the Packers have nothing to gain by playing them.  Matt Flynn will be playing QB most of this game for the Packers and this will be a showcase for him as he will be a free agent this summer.  He will have to beat the Lions with the backup WRs, TEs and RBs as the Packers are going to look like a team playing in the pre-season.

PREDICTION:  LIONS 31, PACKERS 20

The Lions can clinch a playoff spot for the first time since 1999 with a win today.  The Lions have won two games in a row, but they weren’t easy wins against the Vikings & Raiders.  They are going to have to really step up to beat the Chargers.  The Chargers also need this game if they are going to make the playoffs this year.  The Chargers are red hot right now as they have won their last three games by a combined score of 109-38!  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Lions have the ball:  The Lions are going to come out throwing the ball against the Chargers.  Matt Stafford should have time to throw the ball, so he’s going to likely get the ball to Calvin Johnson a lot in this game.  He will spread the ball around to, as he will make the Chargers pay for ganging up to stop Johnson.  Brandon Pettigrew, Tony Scheffler, Nate Burleson and Titus Young will all be in on the action in the passing game today.  Kevin Smith will lend ground support for the Lions today.

When the Chargers have the ball:  The Chargers are a really good offensive team as they run the ball well (117.4 yards rushing per game) and they pass it even better (272.6 yards passing per game), so the Lions’ D better be ready for a challenge.  RBs Ryan Mathews and Mike Tolbert are both outstanding runnners and receivers out of the backfield.  The front seven is going to have to stop (or at least slow down) the Chargers’ running game, while still putting pressure on Philip Rivers.  That is going to be easier said than done.  Rivers has a lot of big targets in Antonio Gates, Vincent Jackson and Malcom Floyd, so the corners and safeties are going to be challenged all day long.

PREDICTION:  CHARGERS 31, LIONS 30

The Lions got back on the right track last weekend with a tough 34-28 win over the Vikings.  The Lions really need this game if the are going to make the playoffs this year.  The problem the Lions have is that the Raiders need this game too for all of the same reasons that the Lions do.  The Raiders have lost their last two games by a combined score of 80-32!  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Lions have the ball:  The Lions are going to get Kevin Smith back for this game as they should have more balance on offense.  The Raiders are giving up 141.0 yards rushing per game and 5.2 yards per carry so far this year, so Smith is in line for a nice game.  The Lions are going to have to give Matt Stafford time to throw the ball as the Raiders are a heavy blitzing team.  If he has time to throw the ball, he should have success getting it down the field to Calvin Johnson.  Brandon Pettigrew, Tony Scheffler, Titus Young and Nate Burleson give Stafford even more weapons to throw to and that will give the Raiders’ secondary fits in this game.

When the Raiders have the ball:  The Raiders are likely going to feed the ball to Michael Bush early in this game against a Lions’ D that is allowing 136.1 yards rushing per game and 5.1 yards per carry.  The Lions will have to slow Bush down and then get after Carson Palmer.  Palmer has a bunch of really fast WRs who love to run deep patterns, but Palmer is also prone to throwing pickoffs.  The Lions already have 18 interceptions so far this year, so they are likely to add to that total as Palmer sometimes gets sloppy with the ball.

PREDICTION:  LIONS 31, RAIDERS 23

The Lions have lost 3 of their last four games and 2 in a row, so they need to right the ship if they want to make the playoffs this year.  The Lions beat the Vikings earlier this year 26-23 in O.T. in Minnesota.  The Vikings have lost 4 games in a row in which they have given up a combined 131 points.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Lions have the ball:  This is a perfect matchup for the Lions’ offense.  If the Lions can keep DE Jared Allen away from QB Matt Stafford, he’s going to have a huge game.  Calvin Johnson is going to have a monster game this weekend against the depleted secondary of the Vikings.  But, look for Stafford to spread the ball around to other guys to keep everyone involved and happy.  Maurice Morris will likely have a tough time though as the Vikings are very stingy against the run on D.  The Vikings are only giving up 3.8 yards per carry, so Morris will have to fight for every yard he gets.

When the Vikings have the ball:  The Vikings are likely going to come out running the ball as Adrian Peterson is likely to be back.  Toby Gerhart and Percy Harvin are also likely to get in on the action running the ball this weekend as the Lions are giving up 125.0 yards rushing per game and 4.8 yards per carry.  The Lions will try to get a lot of pressure on rookie QB Christian Ponder as he is prone to making big mistakes.  That being said, WRs Percy Harvin and Devin Aromashodu are game breaking type deep threats, so the CBs and safeties of the Lions are going to be challenged deep.

PREDICTION:  LIONS 34, VIKINGS 17

The Detroit Lions are 2-4 in their last six games, as they are playing pretty awful football right now.  The New Orleans Saints have won three games in a row.  They are 5-0 at home this year where they have outscored opposing teams 208-93 so far this year.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Lions have the ball:  The Lions don’t want to get into a shootout with Drew Brees.  The best chance for the Lions to compete in this game is to run the ball and throw short passes.  The Saints are giving up 117.1 yards rushing per game and 5.0 yards per carry so far this year, so Kevin Smith and Maurice Morris might have some success running the ball.  Matt Stafford’s broken right index finger has caused him to be inaccurate the last few weeks and he has thrown a lot of interceptions.  If he doesn’t protect the ball in this game, the Lions are going to get blown out.  If Stafford is feeling good, he could have a good night throwing the ball to Calvin Johnson, Brandon Pettigrew, Nate Burleson, Titus Young and Tony Scheffler against a Saints’ D that is allowing 253.7 yards passing per game this year.  The Saints also only have six interceptions all season long.

When the Saints have the ball:  The Saints always come out throwing the ball in home games as they try to get a lead with the pass and grind the game out on the ground.  The Lions have 29 sacks and 15 interceptions this year, so Brees will have to get rid of the ball quickly, while making good decisions.  He is really good at doing just that when playing in the SuperDome.  TE Jimmy Graham is turning into Brees’ go to man, so the Lions’ safeties and linebackers are going to have to step up this weekend.  He also has a nice set of WRs and RB Darren Sproles is lethal catching passes out of the backfield.  Mark Ingram, Pierre Thomas and Darren Sproles give the Saints’ offense another thing the Lions’ D will have to worry about Sunday Night as they are all productive RBs.

PREDICTION:  SAINTS 37, LIONS 24

The Detroit Lions have their biggest game of the year today on Turkey Day.  The Lions have their eyes on winning the NFC North as they have two games left with the Packers.  The Packers have their eyes on going 19-0 this year.  This should be an exciting game as the Lions and Packers are averaging a combined 65.6 points per game so far this year.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Lions have the ball:  The Lions can’t afford to fall behind to the Packers, as it will be almost impossible to come back against them.  Matt Stafford is going to be the key to this game for the Lions, so the O-Line is going to have to protect him from OLB Clay Matthews and his cohorts on the Packers’ D.  The Packers are giving up 289.3 yards passing per game so far this year, so Stafford should have some success throwing the ball, but he will have to be careful as the Packers already have 19 interceptions so far this year.  The not so secret weapon for the Lions in this game is going to be Kevin Smith.  Smith made the Panthers pay for overplaying the pass last week and he will look to do the same to the Packers today.

When the Packers have the ball:  The Packers aren’t going to change for any team and why should they?  After all, Aaron Rodgers has an awesome QB Rating of 128.8 so far this year, so no one has come close to slowing him down this year.  The Lions need to get after him in the pass rush to get him to hurry the ball and maybe make some mistakes.  The Lions already have 15 INTs this year, so the potential is there to make the Packers pay for any mistake throwing the ball.  Ryan Grant is going to be the main ballcarrier in this game for the Packers with James Starks out due to injury.  Grant could have a solid game as the Lions are giving up 134.7 yards rushing per game so far this year and 5.0 yards per carry.

PREDICTION:  PACKERS 34, LIONS 31 IN O.T.

Both of these teams are coming off beatdowns as the Lions lost 30-13 against the Bears in Chicago last weekend, while the Panthers were getting thumped 30-3 at home against the Titans.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Lions have the ball:  It’s no mystery as to what the Lions are going to do offensively this Sunday.  They are going to air it out with Matt Stafford spreading the ball around to Calvin Johnson, Titus Young, Nate Burleson, Brandon Pettigrew and Tony Scheffler.  The Panthers don’t have a big time pass rush, so Stafford should have time to look around the field and attack a Panthers’ D that is allowing 223.9 yards passing per game.  The Panthers don’t defend the run too well either, so the Lions will give the ball to Maurice Morris and Keiland Williams in an effort to keep them semi-honest on D.

When the Panthers have the ball:  The Panthers throw way more than they run the ball, which plays into the Lions’ strength.  The Lions already have 26 sacks and 11 interceptions so far this year, so they won’t back down from Cam Newton and his quality supporting cast.  The Lions will likely double Steve Smith and dare Cam Newton to beat them by throwing the ball to someone else.  He has other solid targets in TEs Greg Olsen and Jeremy Shockey as well as WR Legedu Naanee.  The Panthers have solid RBs in DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart but they don’t use them right.

PREDICTION:  LIONS 28, PANTHERS 23

The Lions beat the Bears 24-13 in Detroit just five weeks ago, but things have changed since then.  The Lions have only won 1 of their last three games since the Bears’ game.  The Bears have won three straight games since the last meeting with the Lions.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Lions have the ball:  The Lions are going to come out of the locker room chucking the ball down the field.  As long as the O-Line keeps DE Julius Peppers away from Matt Stafford, he will likely have a huge game this Sunday.  The Bears are giving up 264.3 yards passing per game this year, so Lions’ WR Calvin Johnson must be licking his chops watching game film.  Stafford will probably spread the ball around to keep his other WRs and TEs happy and making the Lions’ offense even more dangerous.  TEs Brandon Pettigrew and Tony Scheffler as well as WRs Nate Burleson and Titus Young are also going to get shots at the Bears’ secondary on Sunday.  RBs Maurice Morris and Keiland Williams will get a few carries apiece in an effort to keep the Bears’ D somewhat honest.

When the Bears have the ball:  The Lions are going to have to go all out to stop Matt Forte and that’s not going to be easy.  He is not only the main runner for the Bears, but he’s also lethal out of the backfield in the passing game.  The Lions must also get  a good pass rush on Jay Cutler, as he has improved right along with his protection.  He doesn’t seem to have a favorite WR, so that makes the Bears very hard to defend.

PREDICTION:  BEARS 26, LIONS 23

The Detroit Lions have stumbled as of late as they have lost two games in a row and both of them were at home (49ers and Falcons).  So maybe a road trip will do the Lions some good.  The Broncos are coming off a 18-15 come from behind win against the Dolphins in Miami.  This will be Tim Tebow’s first start in Denver this year.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Lions have the ball:  The Lions are going to attack the Broncos’ secondary early in this game, as they are giving up 247.5 yards passing per game.  Opposing QBs have a 104.2 rating against the Broncos so far this year.  Matt Stafford will be aiming for WR Calvin Johnson, but he will need to keep the other WRs active this weekend.  TE Brandon Pettigrew might also have a big game for the Broncos tomorrow.  The Lions need to get to a quick lead and take the Broncos out of their running game tomorrow.  They will need to keep the pedal to the metal too as they can’t allow Tim Tebow time to work his magic in the 4th quarter.  Maurice Morris and Keiland Williams will handle the running game tomorrow.

When the Broncos have the ball:  The Broncos are definitely a run first team with Tim Tebow at QB.  The Lions are giving up 129.4 yards rushing per game and 5.0 yards per carry so far this year, so look for the Broncos to turn loose Knowshon Moreno, Lance Ball and Tim Tebow against them.  The Lions will have to get after Tebow, as he was sacked 7 times last weekend.  Tebow likes to throw to TE Daniel Fells and WR Demaryius Thomas, so the Lions will have to give them special attention, while also keeping tabs on WR Eric Decker.

PREDICTION:  LIONS 24, BRONCOS 13