Do Or Die For Baltimore Ravens, To Face Detroit Lions Sunday

NFL News - December 8th, 2009 - Written by Bryan

Baltimore's playoff hopes rest on the shoulders of Sundays games when they host the Detroit Lions. Following a defeat on Monday night, the Raven's find themselves needing to win out. When the Lions come to town it may be without rookie starting quarterback Matthew Stafford due to injury, compounding the woes of their 2009 season.

The NFL Week 14 Betting Odds have installed the Ravens as 13 points favorite to defeat the Lions this week at home, which would help the Raven's last-effort playoff campaign. The over/under is sitting at 40. This contest will mark the first time Baltimore and Detroit have played against each other since back in 2005, with Detroit winning that affair 35-17 as 1 1/2 point favorites.

In their loss Monday night, the Ravens struggled to move the ball on offense, compiling only 185 yards total, which included four turnovers. Quarterback Joe Flacco was also sacked three times, and flustered out of the pocket on many more occasions. This break down in the offensive lines needs to be addressed by Sunday or the Ravens could be in for a repeat performance against the Lions.

At 6-6, Baltimore is on the outside looking in if the playoffs happened today, but fortunately for them, they have four games remaining. Head Coach Jim Harbaugh knows this better than anyone.

"We've got plenty to be encouraged about," Harbaugh told reporters. "We're in a tight race for the wild card, we are every bit in it. Everybody, they'll say what they'll say. It's a week-to-week proposition in this league."

Detroit is awaiting news to find out if Stafford will be good to go this week, or sit out due to a shoulder injury. Stafford injured the shoulder several weeks ago, but has played through the pain, including throwing a game winning touchdown pass against the Cleveland Browns with no time left after being slammed into the ground, dislocating his non-throwing shoulder.

He re-aggravated the injury this past game in a loss to Cincinnati. Stafford has told reporters that the injury is "painful" and will "consider resting it."

When asked of the status of his rookie QB, Lions head coach Jim Schwarz said "I've got a pretty good idea of his status, but I don't feel any need to tell Baltimore that information."

If Stafford is not able to go, that will leave Detroit with back up quarterback Daunte Culpepper. Culpepper has appeared in several games this year, completing 37 of 65 passes for 433-yards, a touchdown and two interceptions.

Betting trends for this contest indicate that Baltimore is 9-0 ATS when facing a team with a losing record (the Lions are 2-12). The total has also gone the under in five of Baltimore's last six games. For the Lions, following an ATS win, they 10-2-1 in their last 13.