RAMS (10-1) at LIONS (4-7)
When: Sunday, 10 a.m.
Where: Ford Field
Line: Rams by 10
TV/radio: FOX Ch. 11; 710-AM, 93.1-FM, 1330-AM (Spanish)
RAMS OFFENSE vs. LIONS DEFENSE
The Lions did fine last week, when they allowed Chicago only 23 points and 264 yards, but the Bears had a backup quarterback who threw for 230 yards and two touchdowns. And of course, the Lions lost to Chicago again, in part because of another fourth-quarter collapse. In their last two games, they’ve allowed a total of 26 fourth-quarter points, compared to 16 points in the first three quarters, combined. The Lions have had a fairly stout run defense this season, but presumably the Rams are fine with putting the ball in the hands of quarterback Jared Goff, who was magnificent Nov. 19 against Kansas City, and Todd Gurley presumably is healthy after he tweaked an ankle against the Chiefs. EDGE: RAMS
LIONS OFFENSE vs. RAMS DEFENSE
Detroit has been downright dismal. Yes, the Lions have played some good teams of late – Chicago, Minnesota, Carolina and Seattle – but they totaled 333 yards against the Bears last week, and that’s the most they’d had in a game since mid-October. Quarterback Matthew Stafford has fallen under criticism from the locals, but within the past month he lost his top two receiving targets, Golden Tate (trade) and Marvin Jones (knee injury), and four weeks ago, he was sacked 10 times by the Vikings. That’s not a misprint. The Rams’ defense has its well-chronicled issues when it comes to run defense and big pass plays, but unless their running game comes up big, it’s going to be more of the same for the Lions. EDGE: RAMS
SPECIAL TEAMS
Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein missed an extra point last week, and based purely on eyeball analysis, he doesn’t seem to be handling kickoffs with quite the same power as he did before his early-season groin injury. Still, Zuerlein remains nearly automatic. Lost in the excitement of last week’s victory over the Chiefs were two massive punts by Johnny Hekker, the latter of which covered 68 yards and backed up the Chiefs nearly to their own end zone before their final attempt at a game-winning drive. Detroit kicker Matt Prater continues to thrive in his 12th season. Prater has made his last 11 field-goal attempts and has yet to miss an extra point this season. The Lions aren’t much of a threat when it comes to kickoff and punt returns. EDGE: RAMS
COACHING
It’s quite a visual contrast, if nothing else. The Rams’ Sean McVay sports a styled, close-cropped haircut and a light beard, while Detroit’s Matt Patricia’s look includes a long beard, a hoodie and an ever-present pencil tucked behind his ear. They’re already starting to get a little flummoxed with Patricia in Detroit. The Lions fired Jim Caldwell because he couldn’t get a playoff win, but Patricia is 4-7 in his first season and offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter, who has been in that role since 2015, is overseeing a unit that seems to be heading in the wrong direction and isn’t particularly strong at anything. EDGE: RAMS
INTANGIBLES
One just never knows. The only real risk for the Rams in this game is that they come out flat. They got a Thanksgiving bye week, and they’re coming off an extraordinary stretch of opponents that included Green Bay, New Orleans, Seattle and Kansas City. They also have a high-profile game at Chicago next week. The Rams can’t afford to be sleepy in this one. A year ago, they were not. They came out of their bye week, flew to New York and demolished the Giants 51-17. The Lions are 3-3 at home this season, and given that their playoff hopes are all but officially over, they might relish the role of being spoilers. That’s probably their best hope in this one. EDGE: RAMS
MATCHUP TO WATCH
Rams cornerback Marcus Peters vs. Lions receiver Kenny Golladay. Rams cornerback Aqib Talib is expected to return from ankle surgery, which cost him eight games, but the Rams figure to play it smart here, ease him back in, and keep Peters on Golladay. Talib will defend … someone. The Lions’ next-most productive receiver is Bruce Ellington, who has 12 catches for 80 yards this season. Detroit gets some production from throwing the ball to running backs, but if Peters can keep Golladay under 100 yards, the Rams should be fine. Golladay had eight catches for 113 yards two weeks ago against Chicago.
PREDICTION: RAMS 28, LIONS 17
If the Lions pull this off, it would be the upset of the season. On paper, and based on recent results, there’s just no reasonable path to victory for Detroit. The Lions’ best chance figures to be an attempt to grind things out with their running game and hope that the Rams melt into a turnover puddle. In their last four games, the Lions have scored a total of seven points in the first quarter, so look for the Rams to attempt to pounce early. The Lions have only four interceptions this season, the third-fewest in the NFL, so this will be another chance for Goff to put up big yardage and for the Rams to clinch another NFC West title.
