Cleveland Browns at Detroit Lions NFL Picks & Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd on November 18, 2009

The 1-8 Cleveland Browns head to Ford Field to take on the 1-8 Detroit Lions this Sunday in a Week 11 bottom feeder’s ball. Last week, the Browns showed defensive improvement against the Ravens, but the offense was horrible in a 16-0 loss. The Lions hung in there for a while against Minnesota, as they normally do when playing the Vikes, but ultimately fell 27-10. These teams haven’t met since 2005 when Detroit pulled out a 13-10 victory. That win marked the Lions fourth in the last five meetings in the matchup and improved them to 16-5 all-time against the Browns. NFL odds makers have listed the Detroit Lions as a 3.5-point favorite with the total set at 38.5.

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Browns QB Brady Quinn did not provide the boost coach Mangini was looking for. His accuracy wasn’t there and he looked as if he lacked any sort of confidence. I’ll also say that the coaching staff didn’t show much confidence in him either with all the screen plays and underneath routes the were calling. It really allowed the Ravens to bottle everything up since Cleveland never challenged them down the field. Quinn needs to have a strong game this week for the sake of his confidence. The Lions’ league-worst pass defense should give him that opportunity.

According to the numbers, the Browns have the NFL’s worst overall defensive unit, but this unit is way better than the numbers would have you believe. If the offense was able to move the football to give the defense a chance to catch its breath once in a while, I have no doubts that this unit would be in the top half of the league. It would be easy to just lose hope, but the defense must continue to leave it all out on the field and one of these games the offense will do its part. It is worth noting that the Browns are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games as a road underdog of 3.5-10.0 points and the Lions are 3-10 ATS in their last 13 home games. If you like Cleveland to pull off the small upset on the road this week, bet the Browns at +3.5 at BetUS.

For the Lions to take care of business at home this week, they are going to need big games from Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson. Last season, Johnson busted out with five 100-yard receiving performances. This season, he has only one and has missed two games with a knee injury. This would be a good spot for Johnson, who has 32 catches for 436 yards and a touchdown, to have a breakout game, as it would likely mean a Detroit win.

Defensively, Larry Foote is listed as questionable Sunday, but it would be nice to have the former Michigan linebacker on the field, especially since he is 11-0 in his career against the Browns. Foote is having a tremendous year, leading the team in tackles, and he brings over a winning attitude from six seasons in Pittsburgh. It is worth noting that the Browns are 3-11-1 ATS in their last 15 games overall. If you like Detroit at home laying a small number this week, bet the Lions at -3.5 at BetUS.

World Champion Handicapper Jimmy Boyd is coming off another winning Sunday in the NFL and he has you covered with more winning football picks this week!

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