Arizona Cardinals at Detroit Lions NFL Picks & Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd on December 16, 2009

The 8-5 NFC West leading Arizona Cardinals take on the 2-11 Detroit Lions Sunday in a Week 15 NFC non-division showdown. Week 14 was one both teams would like to forget. The Cardinals fell 24-9 to San Francisco behind seven turnovers and the Lions were absolutely destroyed 48-3 by Baltimore. These two teams last met in the 2007 season with the Cards winning 31-21 behind a big three-touchdown day from Kurt Warner. Arizona has won seven on the last 10 meetings, but it trails 31-23-5 in the all-time series. NFL lines makers have listed the Arizona Cardinals as a 12-point favorite with the total set at 47.

Want more bang for your buck with your NFL betting? Bet your NFL picks at Bodog where our readers get a special $100 match bonus!

After starting the season 5-0 on the road, Arizona has now lost two straight road contests. Detroit provides the Cards with a good opportunity to get back on track, but if they play like they did on Monday night, they can’t beat anybody. Kurt Warner is a Hall of Fame QB in my book when you check his resume, but he looked nothing like a Hall of Famer last week. He had one of those games, like he has maybe once or twice a season, where nothing goes right. The good news is that Warner normally follows those games with an MVP-type performance. Facing the Lions’ bottom of the barrel pass defense will definitely give him that opportunity this week.

If Warner has a big day, it likely means that wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald will have a big day. Fitzgerald leads the Cards with 85 grabs for 991 yards and is tied with the Cowboys’ Miles Austin for most receiving touchdowns in the NFL with 10. He will be a very tough matchup for the poor Detroit secondary Sunday. It is worth noting that the Cardinals are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a straight up loss. If you like Arizona to bounce back strong Sunday and to cover the number in the process, bet the Cardinals at -12 at Bodog.

The Lions are 2-4 at home this season where they have been their most competitive, only losing by 7.5 points on average. It’s been another tough season for the struggling franchise, but they do have some good things to take away from it. For one, it appears they found their franchise QB in Matthew Stafford, who has thrown for 2,267 yards and 13 touchdowns against 20 interceptions despite missing some time due to injury. It’s tough to play as well as he’s played on a bad team. Just ask Brady Quinn. The Lions were dealt a big blow last week when they lost Kevin Smith for the year with a knee injury, but this could turn out to be a blessing in disguise as it gives the team a chance to evaluate rookie running back Aaron Brown. Brown has been returning kicks all season, but now the team will see if he might have a future as an every down back. Perhaps, he will end up as the next great back from TCU following in LaDainian Tomlinson’s footsteps. It is worth noting that the home team is 8-0 ATS in the last 8 meetings. If you like Detroit to keep this one within the number, bet the Lions at +12 at Bodog.

Take your man to the cleaners Sunday with winning pro football picks from World Champion Handicapper Jimmy Boyd!

If you liked this article, you may also be interested in: