When the Detroit Lions take the field against the Seattle Seahawks in the Wild Card round of the NFL Playoffs this coming Saturday, they will most certainly have their work cut out for them. Not only are the Lions on a three-game losing streak, but they will have the daunted task of playing in one of the most feared stadiums in the NFL, CenturyLink Stadium.
As I listen to sports talk radio and browse Facebook and Twitter, it is very clear that not many fans or analysts are giving the Lions much of a chance of pulling off the upset against the Seahawks. Vegas has listed Seattle as an 8-point favorite over Detroit, making them the second biggest first round underdog, just behind the Dolphins who are 10-point underdogs against the Steelers.
But what many seem to be overlooking is the fact that the Seahawks are not playing good football of late. In their past four games, Seattle is 2-2 with those two wins coming against two of the NFL’s bottom feeders, the Rams and the 49ers. Russell Wilson has been solid in the passing game, but his 259 rushing yards for the season are the fewest of his career (Matthew Stafford has 207). In addition, this is not the Marshawn Lynch led running attack we are used to seeing in Seattle as they are only averaging 99.4 yards per game, which puts them 25th in the league.
Let’s get something clear. This is NOT a piece to say the Lions are a better team than the Seahawks but it IS a piece to say they have a chance to pull off the upset. If Matthew Stafford and the Lions offense can get on the board early and the defense can get a couple of big stops, the crowd will quiet down and the “12th Man” will no longer be a factor in the game.
There is no question in my mind the Detroit Lions will come out and play one of their best games of the season on Saturday night, but will it be enough to take down the Seahawks.
I say, HELL YES!!!!!!
Detroit Lions 23 Seattle Seahawks 20
