Arizona Cardinals Given Big Spread Against Detroit Lions

NFL News - December 15th, 2009 - Written by John

There's no doubt about it. Kurt Warner was ugly in a 24-9 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, but there are few remedies better than seeing the Detroit Lions coming up the following week. After turning the ball over three times, Warner will -- to be exponentially better this week when the Arizona Cardinals travel to Detroit with another chance to lock up the division.

The Cardinals are 10 1/2-point favorites, according to BetUS, in the second-biggest spread of the day, with an over/under of 46 in the NFL Week 15 Betting Odds. Other sportsbooks have the spread at 11 1/2.

That may change moderately in the coming days if it is reported that quarterback Matthew Stafford is in the lineup. It likely won't make a giant difference, but clearly the Lions are a better team with the rookie under center. Recovering from a sore shoulder, Stafford was deactivated last week against the Baltimore Ravens, giving Daunte Culpepper his second start of the season.

He was limited to only 135 yards on a 47-percent completion rate, and was picked off twice. Dennis Northcutt led the team with 39 yards receiving, while Calvin Johnson was just behind with 37.

Either way, it was bad news for a team that has had to claw to it's only two wins of the year. Stafford has thrown for over 2,200 yards in his rookie year with 13 touchdowns, but is second in the league with 20 picks.

And if there's anyone in the league who can relate to his recent struggles, it's Warner. The 38-year old was hammered by San Francisco's defense last week, throwing two interceptions and fumbling once. He was sacked five times, harassed several other occasions, and it didn't help that four other players also fumbled.

It was a puzzling performance after the Cardinals had won four of their last five, and Warner had thrown 12-straight touchdowns since his previous interception.

Two games ahead of the Niners with three left to play, a win on Sunday would give Arizona it's second-straight divisional title for the first time ever.

It appears this game is destined for the over. Detroit has crossed that mark eight times in it's last 10 home games, although they are 1-6-1 ATS overall recently.

Arizona has hit the over in 14 of it's last 18 December games, and are 6-2 ATS in it's last eight road games.

The home team has covered the spread in each of the last eight meetings, hitting the over in seven of those games.