Bob Balfe
Lions -3 over Rams
The storyline going into this game is the quarterbacks. QB Jared Goff was traded to Detroit, and QB Matthew Stafford was traded to Los Angeles. Stafford got the better end of the deal so far, winning the Super Bowl two years ago. The Rams have outstanding individual talent but are not the best team. The Lions have more raw talent and depth. Detroit has the better offensive line and a slightly better defensive line. The Lions have not hosted a playoff game at home for 30 years, meaning the atmosphere will be electric. The Rams were 5-4 on the road this year due to the need for more depth on defense and bad special teams play. Los Angeles had many injuries in the running back position, but Kyren Williams became a superstar when he got his chance. The Rams have bigger-name receivers, but football is a team game. The Lions are the better team. The Rams individuals would shine in an all-star competition, but football is won and lost in the trenches on the field. The Rams’ special teams were the worst in the league, so we will see if that bites them today. The betting public is all over the Rams today. I don’t see it. Look for Jared Goff to outlast Matthew Stafford in a back-and-forth battle. The Lions’ front seven on defense will force a significant turnover that will send them to the next round. Goff finally gets his chance in the big lights to get back at his old team for trading him. Take the Lions.
Opinion play for Packers to keep it close in the early game.
Lions -3 over Rams
The storyline going into this game is the quarterbacks. QB Jared Goff was traded to Detroit, and QB Matthew Stafford was traded to Los Angeles. Stafford got the better end of the deal so far, winning the Super Bowl two years ago. The Rams have outstanding individual talent but are not the best team. The Lions have more raw talent and depth. Detroit has the better offensive line and a slightly better defensive line. The Lions have not hosted a playoff game at home for 30 years, meaning the atmosphere will be electric. The Rams were 5-4 on the road this year due to the need for more depth on defense and bad special teams play. Los Angeles had many injuries in the running back position, but Kyren Williams became a superstar when he got his chance. The Rams have bigger-name receivers, but football is a team game. The Lions are the better team. The Rams individuals would shine in an all-star competition, but football is won and lost in the trenches on the field. The Rams’ special teams were the worst in the league, so we will see if that bites them today. The betting public is all over the Rams today. I don’t see it. Look for Jared Goff to outlast Matthew Stafford in a back-and-forth battle. The Lions’ front seven on defense will force a significant turnover that will send them to the next round. Goff finally gets his chance in the big lights to get back at his old team for trading him. Take the Lions.
Opinion play for Packers to keep it close in the early game.
SGP: DAL/GB (-105)
DAL Pollard 25+yds rush
+14.64U last 6 days
