NFL Free Pick : Detroit’s Last Stand 9/27

• 25 September 2015

Our NFL Free Pick for 9/24 focuses squarely on the Detroit Lions (0-2).  In a division with Green Bay, most would have placed the Lions as the second best team.  With a bevy of skilled players, the key worries were thought to be on the defensive front.  A collapse in San Diego followed by a route in Minnesota spoke differently.  Now we have one of those last stand games and there opponent is the visiting Broncos (2-0).  With Detroit getting +3, does a sense of desperation increase their chances to cover tonight?

NFL Free Pick : Sunday Night Football

Who is off in the combination that Calvin Johnson has twelve catches but has been targeted twenty two times?  Matthew got clobbered in the middle of the Charger game and has not really looked the same.  Now is not the time to try to achieve the balance sought in the offense.  Sacrificing everything to not go down to 0-3 means that Calvin must be your focus.  Forget getting Ameer his touches to develop a player.  The season is at risk here.

Running Game

For Denver and the dying arm of Peyton, getting the running game going is paramount for the development of this 2-0 team into a deep playoff run.  The center of the line will be the point of contention here.  Detroit gave up a boatload of yards to the Vikings last week on the ground.  If center Matt Pradis can hold his own against Detroit’s Ngata then the Broncos will have real success trying to get an anemic rushing attack off of the ground.

Game plan should be clear to Denver and they have ten days to prepare it.  Detroit is going to air it out.  Denver does not want to give anyone the impression they can be thrown on by letting the Lions pass roughshod over their secondary.  This is essentially a make or break game for the confidence of the current coaching staff in Matthew Stafford.  If they cant win here with him shouldering the load then you look to the future in the running game.  Stafford responds and you should invest in the Lions cover at +3 points.  Good fortune and we will check in tomorrow here at HRWager.