NFL Trends and Indexes - Week 15 (Thursday, December 12 - Monday, December 16)

[Udog]

NFL

Sunday, December 15

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Sunday's NFL Week 15 betting cheat sheet: Late action
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Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland Raiders (+4.5, 41.5)

Kansas City has turned in four straight solid offensive performances, averaging 384.5 total yards over that span, but the banged-up defense struggled during the three-game skid. The defense returned to form with a dominant effort against Washington and could get linebacker Justin Houston (11 sacks) back from an elbow injury this week. Despite the three-game hiccup, the Chiefs allow an AFC-best 17.2 points per game.

Oakland is sticking with Matt McGloin at quarterback as the undrafted rookie has compiled a respectable 88.7 rating with 957 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions in four games as the starter. The Raiders likely will mix in some plays for quarterback Terrelle Pryor, who adds another element to the AFC's best rushing attack at 134.4 yards per game.

ODDS: Oakland opened as a 3.5-point dog but has been bet down to +4.5. The total is up a half-point to 41.5.
WEATHER: Temperatures will be in the high-50s with sunny skies.
POWER RANKINGS: Kansas City (-2.5) + Oakland (+5.5) - home field (-3.0) = Raiders -5
TRENDS:

* Chiefs are 5-1 ATS in their last six road games.
* Raiders are 7-0 ATS in their last seven games following an ATS loss.
* Under is 8-1-1 in Oakland's last 10 home games.


New York Jets at Carolina Panthers (-10.5, 40.5)

Rookie quarterback Geno Smith appeared headed for a benching after a wretched three-game stretch in which he threw zero touchdowns and six interceptions, but he bounced back with a solid effort in the win against Oakland, posting his highest passer rating since Oct. 7. Running back Chris Ivory is averaging 81.8 yards and has rushed for three TDs in the past five games.

Although Panthers quarterback Cam Newton threw for only 160 yards last week - his lowest total since the season opener - he provides a dual threat with an average of 57.3 yards rushing in the past four. Greg Hardy leads a defense that is fourth in the league with 41 sacks. The Panthers can clinch a playoff berth with a win and losses by San Francisco, Arizona and Dallas.

ODDS: Carolina has held steady as an 11-point fave, with the over/under set at 40 1/2.
WEATHER: Temperatures will be in the high-40s with partly cloudy skies.
POWER RANKINGS: New York (+4.5) + Carolina (-4.5) + home field (-3.0) = Panthers -12
TRENDS:

* Jets are 3-9 ATS in their last 12 games on grass.
* Panthers are 19-7 ATS in their last 26 games vs. teams with losing records.
* Home team is 5-0 ATS in the last five meetings.


Green Bay Packers at Dallas Cowboys (-6.5, 49)

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers' status is up in the air for this weekend's clash in Dallas, although Packers backup Matt Flynn could expect to have some success against the Cowboys, given how Dallas' defense has played of late. Green Bay could be in for a long day against Dallas running back DeMarco Murray, as the Packers rank 25th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed.

Tony Romo has thrown more touchdowns than interceptions in each of his last six games, racking up 12 scores and two picks during that stretch. Surprisingly, standout tight end Jason Witten only has 10 total receptions over the last four games and has surpassed 53 receiving yards just once in his last eight contests. The Cowboys are 1-2 against the NFC North this season.

ODDS: The Cowboys opened as 6.5-point faves. The total opened at 49.
WEATHER: N/A
POWER RANKINGS: Green Bay (+5.3) + Dallas (-2.0) + home field (-3.0) = Cowboys -10.3
TRENDS:

* Packers are 13-5 ATS in their last 18 December games.
* Cowboys are 2-7 ATS in their last nine games vs. teams with losing records.
* Favorite is 8-2 ATS in the last 10 meetings.


New Orleans Saints at St. Louis Rams (+6.5, 47.5)

Saints quarterback Drew Brees (4,107 yards, 33 touchdowns) went over the 4,000-yard passing mark for the eighth consecutive season during a standout performance against the Panthers in which he passed for 313 yards and four touchdowns. What stood out more to Brees when he dissected his recent strong play with reporters this week is that he has thrown just one interception over the past five games.

St. Louis has scored just 23 points during a two-game losing streak after scoring 80 in two victories that preceded the setbacks. Running back Zac Stacy (721 yards) has exceeded expectations and needs a strong finish to join Eric Dickerson (1983) and Jerome Bettis (1993) as the only rookies in franchise history to record 1,000-yard seasons. Defensive end Robert Quinn ranks second in the NFL with 13 sacks.

ODDS: The Rams opened +5.5, but the line has been bet up a point to 6.5. The total is up 1-point to 47.5.
WEATHER: N/A
POWER RANKINGS: New Orleans (-6.0) + St. Louis (+3.5) - home field (-3.0) = Saints -6.5
TRENDS:

* Saints are 1-6 ATS in their last seven games on turf.
* Rams are 7-0-1 ATS in their last eight home games vs. teams with winning road records.
* Over is 8-1 in the last nine meetings in St. Louis.


Arizona Cardinals at Tennessee Titans (+2.5, 41.5)

Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer did not practice leading up to last week's game versus St. Louis, but he overcame an ailing elbow to throw for 269 yards and a TD in the 30-10 rout. Palmer has curbed his turnover-prone ways in the past four games, throwing for eight touchdowns against two interceptions despite a running game that ranks 26th at 90.2 yards per game.

Tennessee surrendered an NFL-worst 471 points last season and the defensive woes have resurfaced in the past month, with opponents averaging 33 points in the past four defeats. Backup Ryan Fitzpatrick threw five touchdowns passes and zero interceptions in his first three games since Locker went down, but has been picked off four times in the past two games.

ODDS: The Titans are 2.5-point dogs after opening at +3. The total is steady at 41.5.
WEATHER: Temperatures will be in the low-30s with partly cloudy skies.
POWER RANKINGS: Arizona (-3.0) + Tennessee (+3.0) - home field (-3.0) = Cardinals -3
TRENDS:

* Cardinals are 7-1 ATS in their last eight games vs. teams with losing records.
* Titans are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 December games.
* Over is 8-2 in Tennessee's last 10 games vs. teams with winning records.


Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers (+1.5, 41.5)

Bengals QB Andy Dalton is enjoying his best season and is coming off a three-touchdown, no-interception performance in last week’s 42-28 victory over the AFC South-leading Indianapolis Colts. Dalton is getting plenty of help from the two-headed running attack of BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Giovani Bernard, who combined for 147 yards on the ground last week while adding to the passing game as well.

Pittsburgh nearly pulled off a spectacular victory over the Miami Dolphins last week with a series of laterals on the final play that ended with Antonio Brown in the end zone. Replays revealed that Brown had nicked the sideline on his way to the goal line, leaving the Steelers with a 34-28 setback and a very hard road to the playoffs. Brown needs 10 catches to become the second receiver in Pittsburgh history to reach 100 in a season.

ODDS: The Steelers are installed as 1.5-point dogs, with the total up one point to 41.5.
WEATHER: Temperatures will be in the low-20s with mostly cloudy skies and wind blowing across the width of the field at 10 mph.
POWER RANKINGS: Cincinnati (-4.5) + Pittsburgh (+1.0) - home field (-3.0) = Bengals -2.5
TRENDS:

* Bengals are 15-6-1 ATS in their last 22 games.
* Steelers are 4-1 ATS in their last five games vs. NFC North foes.
* Under is 22-7 in Cincinnati's last 29 December games.


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[Udog]

NFL

Sunday, December 15

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Patriots at Dolphins: What bettors need to know
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New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins (+1, 45.5)

The New England Patriots will begin life without Rob Gronkowski for the second time this season as they attempt to clinch their fifth consecutive AFC East title and 10th in 11 years on Sunday when they visit the Miami Dolphins. The Patriots have rallied in each of their last three contests to post a dramatic victory - including last week's stirring 27-26 triumph over Cleveland despite seeing their star tight end suffer a gruesome season-ending knee injury. New England also played the comeback card in the first meeting with Miami, overcoming a two-touchdown halftime deficit en route to a 27-17 victory on Oct. 27.

The lone hiccup in the Patriots' divisional dominance came in 2008, when the Dolphins seized the title. Fast forward to the present, Miami has won two in a row and four of six to keep pace with Baltimore (7-6) for the AFC's final postseason berth - although the Ravens won a head-to-head contest earlier in the season. The Dolphins eclipsed the 30-point plateau for the first time in last week's 34-28 victory over Pittsburgh.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS.

LINE: Miami opened +2.5 and is now +1. The total opened 45.5.

WEATHER: Temperatures will be in the low-80s with a 25 percent chance of rain.

ABOUT THE PATRIOTS (10-3): Coach Bill Belichick was matter of fact when discussing the loss of Gronkowski, saying that "We've played a lot more of this season without him than with him." New England's offense sputtered a bit as it adjusted to his initial absence, which lasted the first six weeks of the campaign following offseason surgeries on his forearm and back. Tom Brady will likely need to continue to lean on wideout Julian Edelman (team-leading 76 receptions) as well as Shane Vereen and the running game to counteract the loss of his Pro Bowl tight end.

ABOUT THE DOLPHINS (7-6): Despite being sacked a league-high 47 times, Ryan Tannehill has steadily improved and matched a career best with three touchdown passes last week versus the Steelers. Versatile tight end Charles Clay reeled in two to extend his team lead to seven in that department and has seven catches in each of the last two contests. Clay, who had five receptions against New England in the first meeting, has 678 yards receiving for the second-best total by a Miami tight end since Randy McMichael (791, 2004).

TRENDS:

* Patriots are 5-2 ATS in their last seven meetings.
* Patriots are 0-4 ATS in their last four road games.
* Dolphins are 4-0 ATS in their last four games overall.
* Under is 5-1 in Patriots last six vs. AFC East.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. Miami RB Lamar Miller cleared the league's concussion protocol and is line to play versus New England. Miller rolled up 89 yards on 18 carries in the teams' first meeting.

2. The Patriots have won seven straight against the Dolphins, but just seven of their last 13 meetings in South Beach under Belichick's watch.

3. Miami speedy WR Mike Wallace will likely be matched up with New England CB Aqib Talib, who is nursing a hip injury.


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[Udog]

NFL

Sunday, December 15

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Seahawks at Giants: What bettors need to know
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Seattle Seahawks at New York Giants (+6.5, 41.5)

The Seattle Seahawks take a second stab at wrapping up the NFC West crown when they visit the New York Giants on Sunday. Seattle had a seven-game winning streak snapped by division rival San Francisco last weekend and can also move closer to clinching home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs with a win over the Giants. New York is a disappointing 5-8 and was eliminated from playoff contention when it was routed by San Diego last Sunday.

Giants defensive end Justin Tuck has seven sacks over the past three games and is insisting he and his teammates won’t be wallowing in despair with nothing to play for against the Seahawks. “The last thing you want to be is embarrassed,” Tuck said after Wednesday’s practice. “And this is a team that, if you’re not ready to play, they will embarrass you … and then laugh at you about it.” Seattle will be missing a couple key defensive pieces as linebacker K.J. Wright broke his right foot in the loss to the 49ers and cornerback Brandon Browner (groin) will sit out for the fourth consecutive game.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX.

LINE: Seattle opened as a 7-point road fave and is now -6.5. The total opened 41.5.

WEATHER: Temperatures will be in the high-30s with partly cloudy skies. Wind will blow across the field at 14 mph.

ABOUT THE SEAHAWKS (11-2): Seattle was hoping receiver Percy Harvin (hip) might play for the second time this season but it is looking unlikely. “He just hasn’t quite gotten over the hump,” coach Pete Carroll said on Wednesday. “He has a lot of new movement in that hip that he hasn’t had before and he’s trying to become accustomed to that.” Quarterback Russell Wilson (23 touchdowns, seven interceptions) is excelling and standout running back Marshawn Lynch ranks fifth in the NFL with 1,042 yards. Star cornerback Richard Sherman (four interceptions) hasn’t picked off a pass since Oct. 28 against St. Louis.

ABOUT THE GIANTS (5-8): Quarterback Eli Manning (3,254 yards, 16 touchdowns) shares the NFL interception lead of 20 with rookie Geno Smith of the Jets and has gone eight consecutive games without reaching 300 yards. He’s also painfully aware that his struggles are a big part of the reason why New York will miss out on the postseason for the second straight campaign. “I thought we were prepared to have a big year and do some good things,” Manning said. “It was just tough. We had some opportunities to win some games that we didn’t – that were very close and definitely within reach in the fourth quarter and we didn’t take advantage of those opportunities.”

TRENDS:

* Over is 4-0 in the last four meetings.
* Seahawks are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 road games.
* Giants are 5-1 ATS in their last six vs. NFC.
* Over is 6-2 in Giants last eight home games.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. Seattle is tied for second with 28 takeaways, while New York has committed an NFL-high 34 turnovers.

2. Giants WR Victor Cruz had eight receptions for 161 yards and a touchdown when the teams met in 2011 – a game the Seahawks won 36-25.

3. The Seahawks rank first in total defense (287.1) and second in scoring defense (15.8).


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[Udog]

NFL weather report: Sunday's forecasts

Seattle Seahawks at New York Giants (+6.5, 41.5)
There will be a 25 percent chance of rain with wind blowing across the field at 14 mph. Temperatures will be in the high-30s.

Chicago Bears at Cleveland Browns (Pick, 44)
There is a 47 percent chance of snow in the forecast with temperatures in the mid-20s. Wind will blow toward the NE endzone at 16 mph.

Buffalo Bills at Jacksonville Jaguars (+2.5, 43)
There is an 89 percent chance of rain in the forecast. Temperatures will be in the mid-60s with wind blowing across the field at 11 mph.

New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins (+1, 45.5)
Temperatures will be in the low-80s with a 25 percent chance of rain. Wind will blow across the field at 8 mph.

San Francisco 49ers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+5, 41)
Temperatures will be in the mid-70s with a 52 percent chance of showers. Wind will blow across the field at 8 mph.

Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland Raiders (41.5, 4.5)
Temperatures will be in the low-60s with clear skies.

New York Jets at Carolina Panthers (-11, 40.5)
Temperatures will be in the high-40s with clear skies. Wind will blow toward the SE endzone at 7 mph.

Arizona Cardinals at Tennessee Titans (+2.5, 41.5)
Temperatures will be in the mid-30s with partly cloudy skies.

Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers (+1.5, 41.5)
Temperatures will be in the low-20s with a 22 percent chance of snow. Wind will whip across the field at 13 mph.

[Udog]

Where the action is: Sunday's NFL line moves

It's hard to believe, but we are in Week 15 of the NFL season. A couple of quarterback changes have nabbed headlines this week and have predictably had a major impact on lines.

We talk to Mike Perry, an oddsmaker with Sportsbook.ag, about the action coming in on some of Sunday's matchups and where the lines could close come kickoff:

Washington Redskins at Atlanta Falcons - Open: -4.5, Move: -7

Things couldn't have gone much worse for these two NFC teams. The Washington Redskins have turned to backup QB Kirk Cousins and sharp bettors backed the home fave as soon as lines were opened.

"Less than an hour after we opened our NFL lines, we got sharp bet on Atlanta so moved to -5.5," Perry tells Covers. "Monday afternoon, we got another wiseguy play on the Falcons so moved to -6. On Tuesday, another sharp play on Atlanta -6, caused us to move to current number of 7. Can see why the sharpies like Atlanta, as the Redskins are an absolute mess right now and the Mike Shanahan relationship with RGIII is something out of a bad soap opera."


Chicago Bears at Cleveland Browns - Open: -2, Move: +1

The Bears are another team with some changes under center in Week 15. Despite playing incredibly well, Josh McCown will be holding the clipboard as Jay Cutler returns to run Marc Trestman's offense.

"On Wednesday, we got sharp play on Chicago +2 so moved to Browns -1," Perry says. "Then on Thursday, when it was announced that Cutler would start, the line moved two points to Bears -1. Seventy-nine percent of cash is backing Chicago."


New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins - Open: +3, Move: +1

While the Patriots can clinch the AFC East crown with a victory in Miami, there still remains questions about just how good they actually are. Add to that the fact that TE Rob Gronkowski is out for the rest of the season and sharps have come in to back the home Dolphins.

"They (Patriots) have won a couple of close, controversial games, and now are without Gronk," Perry said. "On Wednesday afternoon, we got sharp play on the Fins +3, so moved to Pats -2. Thursday another sharp play game on Miami, so moved to current number of NE -1. Sixty percent of cash is on the Patriots."

[Udog]

NFL betting: NFC West is the ATS king

The NFL's three best teams ATS this season all hail from what used to be considered the doormat division of the NFL, the NFC West.

The Seattle Seahawks, the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals are all sporting 9-4 records ATS this season. That is quite a turnaround considering just a few years ago the Seahawks won the division with a 7-9 record.

These three teams are all favored Sunday, with the Seahawks as 7-point faves at the New York Giants, the 49ers as 5-point faves at Tampa Bay and the Cards as 2.5-point faves at Tennessee.

[Udog]

Essential betting tidbits for Week 15 of NFL football

- Seattle's ballhawking defense will be licking its chops Sunday. The Seahawks are tied for second in the league with 28 takeaways, while their opponent - the New York Giants - lead the league with 34 turnovers.

- The Chicago Bears have troubles traveling to Cleveland. They've lost their last four visits at the Browns.

- In his last four games, Browns WR Josh Gordon has registered a mind-boggling 774 yards receiving.

- The Indianapolis Colts will look to keep the tradition of beating the Houston Texans at home. The Colts have are 11-0 all time against the Texans.

- Wade Phillips tipped Case Keenum to start versus Indy despite being pulled against the Jags. Keenum threw for a career-high 350 yards and three TDs versus the Colts in the previous meeting.

- The Jacksonville Jaguars have won three-straight games and have stopped turning the ball over. The Jags were minus-7 in the turnover department during their 0-8 start but are plus-five over the last five games.

- Courtesy of @ATSstats - When the Buffalo Bills played as a road fave in the month of December, they are 8-2 SU since 1996. Buffalo is -2.5 at Jacksonville Sunday.

- The Patriots have won seven straight against the Dolphins, but just seven of their last 13 meetings in South Beach under Belichick's watch.

- Dolphins RB Lamar Miller has struggled all season long, but had one of his best games in the first meeting with New England. jiller rushed for 89 yards on 18 carries in the 27-17 loss.

- Sunday's matchup between the Eagles and Vikings features two of the most talented backs in the NFL in Adrian Peterson and LeSean McCoy. Peterson (who is questionable) rushed for only 13 yards before exiting the game versus the Ravens last week, while McCoy rumbled in the snow for 217 in the 34-20 win over the Lions.

- Kirk Cousins will start at QB for the Redskins. The second-year pro is 12-of-25 for 107 yards and two picks in two appearances this season.

- Falcons QB Matt Ryan should look to TE Tony Gonzalez Sunday. Gonzalez had 13 catches for 123 yards and TD in last years meeting with the Redskins.

- The 49ers have cashed in for bettors while on the road this season. The Niners are 5-0 ATS in their last five road games (5-1 ATS on the road this season). San Fran is a 5-point road fave at Tampa Bay Sunday.

- Bucs linebacker Lavonte David is the only player in the league with at least 100 tackles, five interceptions and five sacks.

- The Oakland Raiders have the best rushing attack in the AFC with 134.4 yards per game.

- The Raiders host the Chiefs Sunday, where the Under is 7-1 in the last eight meetings. Sunday's total is currently 41.5.

- Carolina's defense is tough. But at home is on another level. The Panthers have allowed just five touchdowns in six home games this season.

- Such stats do not bode well for the poor New York Jets and QB Geno Smith. Smith has thrown for a combined 230 yards and five interceptions in his last two road games.

- Since Oct 1., Packers RB Eddie Lacy ranks third in the NFL with 836 rushing yards.

- The Cowboys are 11-4 in the last 15 matchups with the Green Bay Packers and are 6.5-point faves at home Sunday.

- New Orleans averages just 18.8 points on the road compared to 32.9 at home. Saints are 6.5-point faves at St. Louis Sunday.

- The Rams offense has been feeble of late, scoring just 23 points during a two-game losing skid.

- The Arizona Cardinals are tied for the best ATS record in the NFL at 9-4. They are tied with fellow NFC West teams Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers.

- The Titans are looking to avoid their first five-game home losing streak since 1996, when the franchise was still based in Houston.

- Bengals QB Andy Dalton has a QB rating of just 67.8 in five games versus the Steelers.

- The Steelers are 3-1 ATS against AFC North teams this season. They are 1.5-point home dogs against Cincy Sunday night.

[Udog]

NFL

Monday, December 16

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Monday Night Football betting: Ravens at Lions
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Baltimore Ravens at Detroit Lions (-6.5, 50)

Two teams clawing to stay in their respective playoff races square off Monday night when the Detroit Lions host the Baltimore Ravens. Both are bordering on must-win situations, as the Lions enter the weekend tied with Chicago atop the NFC North and the Ravens are tied with Miami for the last AFC wild card. "Our playoffs start this week," Detroit running back Reggie Bush told the team's website. "It doesn't start in three weeks. It starts right now."

The Lions do have some wiggle room by virtue of two head-to-head wins over the Bears, but their margin for error became slimmer when they lost 34-20 in blizzard-like conditions in Philadelphia last week. Bush sat out that game after aggravating a calf injury during warmups - a huge blow on a day when passing was nearly impossible - but is expected to be back on the field against Baltimore. The Ravens won a wild one a week ago, topping Minnesota 29-26 in a game that saw six lead changes in the fourth quarter.

TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, ESPN.

LINE: Detroit opened -6 and is now -6.5. The total opened 47.5 and is up to 50.

ABOUT THE RAVENS (7-6): Baltimore hasn't been able to do much on offense all year and has been especially ineffective in the running game, long a staple of its success. Receiver Torrey Smith, who needs 37 receiving yards to reach 1,000 for the first time in his career, is a legitimate deep threat, though, and the Lions have given up a lot of big plays. The Ravens' defense isn't at the elite level as in years past but is still strong against the run, though the secondary could have trouble with Detroit star Calvin Johnson.

ABOUT THE LIONS (7-6): The offense sputtered in the snow in Philadelphia, as two of the Lions' three touchdowns came on special teams and Detroit committed three turnovers, bringing its total to 15 over the past four games. Detroit leans heavily on its passing game, and quarterback Matthew Stafford needs just 27 passing yards for his third consecutive 4,000-yard season. The defense has been solid against the run, last week notwithstanding, but is susceptible to the pass.

TRENDS:

* Home team is 4-0 ATS in their last four meetings.
* Ravens are 1-8 ATS in their last nine games in December.
* Under is 6-0 in Lions last six Monday games.
* Lions are 2-5 ATS in their last seven games overall.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. Flacco needs 262 passing yards to become the first Ravens quarterback with five consecutive seasons of 3,500 yards.

2. Johnson needs seven yards to become the first player in NFL history with 5,000 receiving yards in a three-year span.

3. Ravens K Justin Tucker has made 27 consecutive field goals, the longest active streak in the NFL.


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[Udog]

NFL

Monday, December 16

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Tale of the Tape: Baltimore Ravens at Detroit Lions
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The Baltimore Ravens look to continue their improbable run at an AFC playoff berth as they visit the Detroit Lions in the NFL Monday nighter.

The defending-champion Ravens look to be all but out of the postseason picture, but have reeled off three-straight wins to remain in the hunt. The Lions are in the same position, but are coming off a subpar effort in a 34-20 defeat at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Here's the breakdown in our betting tale of the tape:

Offense

Baltimore's offensive attack has been the team's weak spot for most of the season, but has steadily improved over the course of the team's winning streak. The Joe Flacco-led pass assault averages a modest 227.9 yards per game - ranking it in the lower half in the NFL - but tossed three touchdowns in last week's 29-26 triumph over the Minnesota Vikings. The run game remains a black hole, averaging a paltry 82.3 yards per game while compiling just six scores.

The Detroit passing game is among the most potent in the league, coming into the game with an average of 297 yards per contest. Matthew Stafford has thrown 27 touchdown passes on the season, with All-Pro wide receiver Calvin Johnson the biggest beneficiary (1,351 yards, 12 TDs). Detroit has scuffled when it comes to rushing yards - averaging just 112.5 per game - but has racked up 12 touchdowns on the ground, led by Joique Bell's seven scores.

Edge: Detroit


Defense

The days of the Ravens owning one of the league's most imposing defenses are long gone, but Baltimore remains at least respectable on the defensive side of the football. They've surrendered an average of 232 passing yards per contest, having allowed 21 touchdowns while forcing just nine interceptions. The Ravens have piled up 37 sacks, and have been particularly stingy against the run - surrendering just 3.8 yards per carry and three scores this season.

Detroit has followed the same recipe as Baltimore on the defensive end through the first 13 games. The Lions have struggled against the pass for the most part, allowing opposing quarterbacks to average 256 yards while giving up 22 touchdowns and snagging 13 interceptions. Teams have had a difficult time running against Detroit, however, averaging just 4.1 yards per attempt while scoring nine TDs.

Edge: Baltimore


Special Teams

Baltimore boasts one of the more impressive return games in the league entering Monday night, averaging 25.7 yards per kickoff return and 14.8 yards per punt return - and having scored a touchdown on both. Opponents are averaging just 22.8 yards per kickoff-return try and 9.6 yards per punt-return attempt. Veteran kicker Justin Tucker has been close to automatic all season long, connecting on 29-of-31 field-goal attempts - including 13-of-15 from 40-plus yards.

Like the Ravens, Detroit has recorded a kick-return and a punt-return touchdown, averaging 26 yards per kickoff return and 9.9 yards per punt return. The Lions are allowing a whopping 26.1 yards per kickoff return, but have limited opponents to 126 yards on 25 total punt returns - and a long run of just 17 yards. Kicker David Akers hasn't been as sharp as he has in recent years, missing five of his 20 field-goal chances and he's just 3-of-6 from between 40 and 49 yards.


Notable Quotable

"Their reputation, they definitely live up to it. I don't know if you want to call it physical or dirty. Whatever the refs see, that's what they see. But needless to say, I'm not going to spark any fire." - Ravens RB Ray Rice on the Lions defense

"Sometimes you just need to know when to keep your mouth shut, but you know, he's a rookie, he'll learn." - Lions WR Calvin Johnson in response to Ravens FS Matt Elam, who referred to Johnson as "old"


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