Carolina at Detroit

The Lions looked like world beaters to start the season, going 5-0, scoring 31.8 points per game. But, since then they have gone 1-3, scoring under 20 points in all three losses. Clearly this team wasn't who we thought they were. This is a real tricky spot for the Lions. They have Green Bay coming up just four days after this game. They haven't won on Thanksgiving in a long time, and get a shot to be the first to take down Green Bay, so you know that is on their minds. Cam Newton has made a huge impact on the Panthers’ offense perhaps more than any player in the league has for his team. The problem is that the Panthers are close, but just can't win the games. We see teams like this every year - poor record, but the points matter and thus is the case for the Panthers where the points have mattered in three of their last eight games. Posted as a +6.5 points or more dog they are a perfect 3-0 ATS. The Lions have simply been a different team without Jahvid Best in the backfield. The offense has struggled to find the end zone so laying a touchdown here is quite dicey. Carolina can score enough to hang in this one, and with one eye on Turkey Day the Lions just might get caught here. Carolina is the pick.