NFL Sportsbook – Improving Lions Hope to Extend the Jets Woes

The New York Jets were a major early season favorite in the eyes of the NFL Sportsbook but their recent play has the oddsmakers a tad skeptical about the team as they travel to Ford Field to take on the emerging Detroit Lions on Sunday.

The Lions are coming off of an impressive victory over the Washington Redskins while the Jets will be looking to rebound from a home shutout loss to the Green Bay Packers.

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NEW YORK JETS (5-2) vs. DETROIT LIONS (2-5)

Sunday, November 7, 1:00 PM ET
Ford Field, Detroit Michigan
Broadcast: CBS

NFL Sportsbook Odds:

New York Jets: -4 (-110)
Detroit: +4 (-110)

Moneyline: NY Jets -220: Detroit +180

Total: 41 points

It is surprising to see the Jets as NFL Sportsbook 4 point favorites over the perennial doormat Detroit Lions. Surprising not because they are favored but surprising because of the narrow spread set out by the NFL Sportsbook. Have the Jets already peaked or was their Week 8 performance merely a blip?

The Jets offense has fallen back to earth in recent games. Mark Sanchez, who was so good taking care of the ball early in the season has thrown two interceptions in each of the last two games and the rejuvenated LaDainian Tomlinson’s numbers have steadily decreased as the season has worn on.

The sure handed receivers are dropping passes and the offense as a whole is not scoring.

All told, the Jets still have the league’s 3rd best rushing offense and the NFL’s 27th ranked passing offense – not exactly the numbers you’d expect from an elite team.

The Jets defense is still strong although the numbers don’t necessarily support the claim that they are among the NFL elite. They are ranked 18th against the pass and 8th against the run. Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson will be a handful on Sunday for sure!

Most of the NFL Sportsbooks had the Detroit Lions floundering this season again and when Matt Stafford went down early in the season, the prospects for a turnaround looked bleak.

But the Lions have steadily improved. Youngsters are ruling in Motor City! Look no further than the fact that they are scoring more (26.1 points per game) than they are being scored upon (23.6 points per game).

Matthew Stafford returned from injury last week and showed absolutely no signs of rust. Against Washington, he passed for 212 yards and four touchdowns, three to the NFL’s newest mega-star Calvin Johnson.

Johnson, Brandon Pettigrew and to some extent, Nate Burleson have propelled the Lions to the 7th ranked passing offense. Jahvid Best has been a bust and the Lions have the 30th ranked running game.

The Lions defense despite their ranking is also an emerging unit, anchored by Ndamukong Suh who already looks like a well schooled veteran. They are ranked 19th against the pass and 27th versus the run, but are a much better squad than their rankings suggest.

NFL Sportsbook Outlook:

The New York Jets are 8-1 S/U in their last nine games on the road but are just 2-4 S/U in their last six games against the Lions. They are 5-0 ATS as road favorites and 7-3 in their last 10 games overall as favorites. New York is 6-1 ATS in their last seven games against teams with losing records.

The Detroit Lions are 3-17 S/U in their last 20 games, are 4-15 S/U in their last 19 games at home and are 8-15 ATS in their last 23 games at Ford Field. However, the Lions are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games overall and are 4-2 S/U versus the Jets in their last six meetings.

The way to beat the New York Jets is through the air and that is precisely where the Lions strength lies. However, the Jets will be motivated to avenge what was an underwhelming performance last week.

If the Jets want to talk the talk, they have to walk the walk. Bottom line is that New York’s defense is just too strong and the Lions defense is just too porous for the Jets to not win big in this game. I like the Jets by at least 10 in this one.

NFL Sportsbook Pick: New York Jets -4