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The Detroit Lions and Baltimore Ravens have identical records, but are in vastly different spots in their respective playoff races. The 6-5 Ravens sit in the second wild card spot in the AFC, while the 6-5 Lions are out of the postseason picture and need a strong finish in the much tougher NFC. These teams will face off in Week 13 in a critical matchup for both sides.
The Ravens are at home and have an impressive defense, which may be enough to make them slight favorites in this showdown. However, the Lions may have the more talented roster overall. This figures to be a very competitive matchup as long as Lions star quarterback Matthew Stafford is healthy enough to play.
Kickoff for this regular season Week 13 game is set for Sunday, December 3, 2017, at 1 p.m. ET at M&T Bank Stadium.
Odds Analysis
There is no line on this game yet as the oddsmakers await the status of Stafford. Both teams are dealing with a handful of injuries, but it is the availability of the Detroit quarterback which has the ability to swing the spread.
Check back soon as there should be a line pretty quickly. It is expected to favor the Ravens.
Player To Watch
Injury Report
Alex Collins — The Ravens leading rusher was not at practice Wednesday and is listed as questionable with a calf injury heading into Monday’s matchup against the Texans. It’s unclear when Smith sustained the injury. Smith has 630 rushing yards on the season.
Ronnie Stanley — The Ravens left tackle is also questionable heading into this matchup against Detroit after injury his knee in Monday’s contest. The former first-round pick said he heard something pop at the time of injury, but finished the game for Baltimore.
C.J. Mosley — The Ravens linebacker has been nursing an ankle injury and was limited in practice this week again. He had 12 tackles in his team’s win against the Texans last Monday.
Marlon Humphrey — The Ravens rookie cornerback is also dealing with an ongoing injury thigh injury. He played just seven snaps against Houston. The first rounder has 16 tackles and one interception in his first season for Baltimore.
Tavon Wilson — The Lions starting safety is done for the season after being moved to injured reserve with a shoulder injury. Wilson has been dealing with the injury all season long and aggravated it again in the team’s loss to Minnesota on Thanksgiving Day.
Matthew Stafford —The Detroit quarterback suffered an ankle injury against the VIkings last week, but said he will start against the Ravens this week. Stafford was tight-lipped about the injury to reporters and participated in practice this week.
Player To Watch
Joe Flacco — The Ravens’ defense has been impressive this season, but this team won’t stick around long in the playoffs if they don’t get more production out of their quarterback. Flacco is only averaging 170.5 pass yards per game while tossing nine touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
Flacco has only thrown for more than 200 passing yards once in the past six games. The Lions have the capability to score, and if Stafford gets going, Flacco is going to need to show he can keep up. He hasn’t inspired much confidence this season so far.
Free ATS Pick
Baltimore is on a nice roll but the offensive issues are too glaring. The Lions have better balance provided Stafford plays. He seems to be trending positively, and if he is out there, Detroit is the choice to both cover the spread and win this game outright.
The Ravens are a decent team but if they fall behind it could be trouble.
NFL Odds: Lions 27, Ravens 20
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