Detroit Lions Vs. New York Giants 2016: Odds, Point Spread Prediction, TV Start Time & How To Watch Live Online
Week 15 of the 2016 NFL schedule will see a number of games that will be crucial to the teams vying for a playoff position, and the Detroit Lions versus the New York Giants might be the biggest one of all.
Both the Lions and the Giants control their own destiny when it comes to making the 2016 NFL playoffs, but each team is also in a peculiar situation.
According to CBS Sports, coming into this game, both Detroit and New York have identical 9-4 records, yet the next three games of the schedule for both are crucial. In fact, when these two teams meet up Sunday afternoon the loser of this game might find themselves in a situation in which they have to win their remaining two games just to make the postseason.
It just so happens that the Lions and Giants schedules to finish the season are perfect for them if they can win out. However, even though the Lions are the No. 2 seed in the NFC heading into this matchup, if they stumble in their final three games, they could actually miss the postseason.
The same could be said for New York.
Currently the No. 5 seed, the Giants have the Washington Redskins right on their tail. Washington is the No. 7 seed in the NFC, but only one game out of the playoff race. If New York loses to Detroit and Washington, they could be on the outside looking in this postseason.
Yes, that is how close the NFC playoff race is.
For the Lions to beat the Giants on the road is simple. All they need is Matt Stafford to continue to play like Superman, and it shouldn’t be a problem. The real question at game time will be how well Stafford’s throwing hand has healed.
Stafford reportedly suffered torn ligaments and a dislocation in his middle finger last weekend in the first quarter when the Detroit Lions were facing the Chicago Bears. Stafford was “Un-Stafford” like, throwing two interceptions, including a pick six, while trying to deal with the pain. Stafford eventually had his finger taped and wore a glove on his throwing hand.
In the end, Stafford led a game-winning touchdown drive in the 4th quarter, and the Lions survived with a 20-17 win.
Glove or no glove, Stafford will be ready for this big game.
“It’s never fun when it’s on your throwing hand but I’ll figure it out and we’ll go from there,” he said. “(The glove) is not really for my state of mind, it’s for what’s going to be functional. So whatever’s most functional, with what I can perform the best with, that’s what I’ll go with.”
What could be difficult though for Detroit is their lack of ability to run the football. The Giants are much improved from last season on defense, and they are in the top 10 in points against and yards allowed this season. With New York finally having a healthy squad for the first time in what must seem like years for quarterback Eli Manning, the Giants are going to be a tough task for Lions to overcome this weekend.
Las Vegas odds makers have the New York Giants listed as a 4 point favorite, with the over/under number set at 41.
This game should be a great one. Both teams are rolling and the stakes are high, so picking a winner won’t be easy. The Giants get the edge in this matchup because of their defense. If Detroit is without Theo Riddick for the second straight game, they will be in a world of trouble running the ball.
Riddick has been great this season for the Lions, but even with him in the lineup, Detroit still ranks in the bottom five of the league rushing the football.
It’s a close one, but the Giants pull away in the end.
Pick — NY Giants -4
Fans can catch all of the action nationally on FOX. The game will also be streaming live online through NFL.com for paid subscribers. However, if you don’t have a subscription, don’t worry. You can watch this key game and every game this weekend live online for free by signing up for NFL.com’s free seven-day trial. You can can click here for all of the information. Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.
[Featured Image by Al Bello/Getty Images]
