Detroit at Chicago

Let me get to the ugly here first. The Lions are 8-64 straight-up in their last 72 road games, and they are 0-20 straight-up in the last two and a half years. So it looks kind of shaky taking the Lions right? The NFL fortunately doesn't work that way. The Lions have been awful on the road, but at the same time they have been .500 on the road in division games over this same period - and with a lot less talent. The Lions are going to be a lot better this season, and with six games against teams that averaged 4.7 wins last year on the schedule, they will have plenty of opportunities. Matt Stafford was brutalized last year, leading to multiple injuries and facing third and long continuously. Enter an improved offensive line and another key - Jahvid Best. Best is going to have a big year and can break one at anytime. This should keep opposing defenses honest, allowing Stafford more time, avoiding the constant barrage of third and long. Defensively the Lions are going to get pressure with the additions up front. Chicago had a very telling stat last year. Their last 11 opponents all went for over 100 yards rushing. Jay Cutler is going to get a couple scores against a vulnerable Lions secondary, but the Lions could very well force him into a couple of mistakes as well. This has been an underdog series, with the dog going 15-7-1 ATS in the last 23. Let's face it, Chicago was 7-9 last year and laying a touchdown to anyone is a stretch. The Lions have a chance to be in it to win it late, so I'll grab the points here.