NFL Football Betting – Titans vs Lions odds
Posted on 11/24/2008 1:36:05 PM
By By Stan Simmons
Online sports betting: NFL football
- WHO: Tennessee Titans (-11) vs Detroit Lions (+11)
- WHAT: NFL Football Betting
- WHEN: Thursday, November 27th – 12:30 PM ET
- WHERE: Ford Field – Detroit, MI
- KEY STATS: Titans are 17-4 in last 21 as a favorite; Lions are 3-0 in their last three games as a home underdog of 10.5 to 14 points
- PICK: Titans
Titans vs Lions picks are going to be fairly one-sided when Thanksgiving Thursday rolls around. Sportsbook bettors know that the Tennessee Titans are 10-1 and just lost their first game last weekend while the Detroit Lions have been one of the worst teams in the NFL with an 0-11 record.
The Titans running game has been absent in the previous two weeks, which has got the team into some trouble. Online sports betting sharps know that the Titans are better equipped to play with a lead than to play from behind.
Since running for a 178 net yards against the Green Bay Packers, the Titans have totaled 199 net rushing yards over the last three weeks. As the offense has become one-dimensional, it has put more pressure on veteran quarterback Kerry Collins and on the defense. In the last two games, the Titans offense has spent just 47:03 on the field while the defense has been on the field for 72:57.
But sportsbook bettors know that nothing cures any offensive ailments like a matchup with the Detroit Lions.
The Titans vs Lions matchup will boil down to the Titans rushing offense versus the Lions defense. The Lions are giving up 4.9 yards per carry, which is 31st in the NFL and have allowed more rushing yards than any other team in the league.
If you plan to bet online, keep in mind that the Lions are 0-11 for a reason and their latest contest is a perfect example. The Lions had a 17-0 lead after the first quarter and were outscored 38-3 in the final three quarters.
Part of the reason why the Lions haven’t been able to hold on to leads is because of the lack of a good running game and as a whole, their offense just isn’t capable of moving the ball consistently. The Lions have rushed for only 918 yards this season, which is the second-lowest total in the NFC.
On top of that, starting quarterback Daunte Culpepper has just two touchdowns, five interceptions, a lost fumble and has completed 50.8% of his passes.
Sportsbook enthusiasts know the bottom line in this game. The Titans are a fairly smart, efficient team while the Lions are not. The Titans lead the league in turnover differential at +11 while the Lions are 28th with a margin of -7.
STAN'S PICK: Bet the Titans in a mismatch of a contest.
Visit the BetOnline.com Betting Edge for more insight into NFL lines.
Stan Simmons first tasted football through the college game, but his football handicapping has strictly focused on the professional sport. Not many people devote as much time to the NFL as Simmons. For six days a week he works, labors and handicaps the sport, and on the seventh he rests as the games play out. Thoughts or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
