49ers Lions Betting – Surprising NFC Contenders Clash In The Motor City Sunday
Don’t look now, but the San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions, and Buffalo Bills have as many combined sports betting wins as the defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots, and New Orleans Saints. That is the nature of the NFL, as we head in to week six of the regular season with two surprise NFC teams set to clash as the 49ers travel to take on the undefeated Lions.
San Francisco 49ers @ Detroit Lions
Sunday October 16, 2011 – 1:00 PM ET
Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan
NFL Betting Lines: Detroit Lions - 4.5
While Detroit has been one of the biggest stories of the season so far, San Francisco’s hot start may have been somewhat overlooked to this point. The 49ers have won three straight including a comeback victory on the road against the Philadelphia Eagles as well as a blowout win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and now have the chance to steal the spotlight in the Motor City with another surprisingly key matchup.
NFL Betting Preview: San Francisco 49ers
A tough overtime loss to Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys in week two is all that has kept San Francisco from having the same perfect record as the Lions, and now they have the chance to spoil the party in Detroit this week. Many of the critics were silenced following a 45-point drubbing of the Buccaneers at home, but for Alex Smith and company there is still a long way to go before they reach their goals. Smith threw for 170 yards and three touchdowns in the 49ers’ win over Tampa Bay, and more importantly he didn’t throw an interception for the fourth time in five games. With Smith playing at a high level, and running back Frank Gore hitting the 100-yard mark in consecutive games, the offense is beginning to take off in San Francisco. After forcing three turnovers and holding the Bucs to just 272 total yards, and 49ers’ defense isn’t far behind.
NFL Betting Preview: Detroit Lions
After years of frustrating their fans, it appears as though the Lions have finally arrived in the Motor City, but even after a fast start there is still a long way to go this regular season. Detroit will still have to play the Packers twice including a meeting on New Years Day in the season finale at Lambeau Field, as well as games against the Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, and San Diego Chargers. That means that the connection between Matthew Stafford and Calvin “Megatron” Johnson cannot afford to suffer any letdowns this week, as the Lions look to take advantage of the 49ers’ 23rd ranked pass defense. Despite all of the accolades, Detroit’s defensive line hasn’t been as dominant as most experts originally predicted, but with rookie Nick Fairley expected to be in the lineup, this could be the perfect week for them to explode onto the scene.
NFL Betting Preview: Outlook & Pick
The Lions have already beaten three teams that made the playoffs a year ago, but they will need to build on their momentum in order to have a chance at making the postseason themselves this season. San Francisco has flown under the radar with four straight wins to pull ahead in the NFC West, but Detroit will be the toughest matchup that they will have faced, and there will be the burden of some pressure with the increased expectations following a fast sportsbook promo start.
NFL Betting Pick: Detroit Lions
