Detroit, MI- A battle of the best two teams in the NFL is going happening this Sunday at 4:25pm. The Detroit Lions who have won their last four games, bring their 7-2 record up against the NFL’s best 8-1 Arizona Cardinals. Both teams come in with top-notched defenses with Detroit being ranked first. The Lions are number one in the NFL in rush defense, allowing just 78 yards a game on the ground. The Cardinals counter with one of the league’s best passing defenses allowing just over 200 yards to quarterbacks this season. That will be the challenge for Matthew Stafford of the Lions as he has thrown for over 250 yards in each game this season. He will have Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate to throw to but with a cornerback like Patrick Peterson for the Cardinals, things won’t be easy for the two receivers.
The Cardinals will be without quarterback Carson Palmer as h tore his ACL in their last game against the St. Louis Rams. Former Michigan State standout Drew Stanton will start for the Cardinals where he has won two of the three games he’s started already this season. The Lions will be without defensive tackle Nick Fairley as he still recovering from a knee injury he sustained in the London game against the Atlanta Falcons. James Ihedgibo will play for the Lions after suffering a mild concussion last week against the Miami Dolphins. The x-factor for this game is Reggie Bush, he has not looked the same the last few weeks being bothered by a sore ankle that plagued him all season. With both Tate and Johnson demanding a lot of coverage from the Arizona defense, Bush should be able to get out in the open field and make big play after big play.
The Lions come with the league’s worst rushing attack, the run game will also have to be factor if the Lions wish to tie the Cardinals for the best record in the league. Expect to see another defensive struggle for the Lions, the defense will keep them in the game but for how long is the question. While the Lions do have a 7-2 record, their offense has been a bit disappointing this season. Despite having Calvin Johnson, Golden Tate, and Reggie Bush in the lineup, Stafford has yet to utilize the talent that is around him. He’ll have to be at the top of his game for the Lions to win this game. Prediction is that the Lions will win this game 21-17, but hopefully it won’t come down to another late game winner.
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