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Jeremy Perry
Lions vs. Washington Point Spread: NFL Predictions, Week 12 Odds
After dealing injuries and some terrible luck throughout the first couple of months of the season, the Detroit Lions were finally hit by an injury that they couldn’t overcome: franchise quarterback Matt Stafford (fracture in his back). Now after three straight losses, the Lions will look to rally without Stafford and try to get back in the win column against an inferior opponent in the Washington Redskins. Meanwhile, Washington has alternated between three different quarterbacks this season but has just one win in 10 games. Rookie Dwayne Haskins will get the start here but he has looked lost so far. Can they be competitive win or at least be competitive in this spot?
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Detroit is 5-1-1 straight up and 4-2-1 against the spread (ATS) in its last seven road games. The Lions haven’t secured a single win by more than five points this season, though, so keep that in mind as you’re asked to lay three points here. In fact, two of their three victories were by exactly three points. Detroit is 4-6 ATS overall this season.
Meanwhile, Washington has lost nine straight home games. The Redskins are just 2-7 against the spread in those nine losses. Washington is also 3-7 ATS this season, which is tied for the second-worst record in the NFL.
Detroit Lions
Despite the injury to Stafford, the Lions continue to fight hard in every single game. Detroit hung around with the Dallas Cowboys until the final minutes of a 35-27 loss, continually fighting back in a game where they could have quit many times. They also were in it until the end the previous week in Chicago when they were a seven-point road dog.
The good news is that Jeff Driskel looked okay, throwing for 478 yards, three touchdowns and just one pick. Meanwhile, running back Bo Scarbrough went for 55 rushing yards and a score last week. The Lions might not be able to keep up with a high scoring offense like the Cowboys, but they should be able to keep up with Washington. Washington scored 17 points last week – tied for their most since Week 2 – but keep in mind that 14 of that came in garbage time when they were losing 34-3. Detroit has scored 24 points or more in three of its last five games. If the Lions can hit that mark again in this one, they should be able to pick up a win on the road.
Washington Redskins
The Redskins have looked terrible in back-to-back losses to the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets. Sam Darnold just threw for 293 yards and four touchdowns on the Washington defense. Meanwhile, rookie quarterback Dwayne Haskins was held to 214 passing yards and two touchdowns with an interception. As mentioned, most of those 214 passing yards came when the Jets led 34-3 in the final frame as Haskins had about 100 yards passing through three quarters of play. He was also sacked six times. There is no doubt that Haskins isn’t ready to be an NFL starter. However, management wants to see what they have in him this season in order to make a decision on whether they want to stick with him or reevaluate the position in the offseason.
Washington will try to protect Haskins by running the football with Adrian Peterson and Derrius Guice. However, that tandem was held to just 49 rushing yards on 16 touches against the Jets. If the Redskins fall behind early again in this one, it will force them to turn to Haskins and once again leave him overexposed.
DET
WAS