Lions vs. Saints: Spread Info, Line and Predictions for 2012 NFC Wild Card

In what will be a rematch from a few weeks ago, the No. 3-seeded New Orleans Saints will host the No. 6-seeded Detroit Lions in the NFC's Wild Card Round. In many ways these teams are quite similar, so it should be a highly entertaining game.

The Lions will be making their first playoff appearance since 1999, and they have done it thanks to the passing game. Quarterback Matthew Stafford is the leader, as he threw for over 5,000 yards and 41 touchdowns this year, while freakish wide receiver Calvin Johnson pulled in 16 scores of his own.

New Orleans is similar in that regard as quarterback Drew Brees broke the single-season mark for passing yardage. Unlike the Lions, who lost last week, the Saints enter the postseason on an incredible hot streak, winning their past eight games and going 13-3 on the year.

The Saints have a decided advantage on home field as they went a perfect 8-0 under the roof of the Superdome this season. Detroit is certainly comfortable playing indoors in its own right, though. While New Orleans is the big favorite, the Lions will be amped to be back in the postseason. With two fantastic offenses clashing, this should be a very exciting contest.

Where: Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, La.

When: Saturday, Jan. 7 at 8 p.m. EST

Watch: NBC

Spread: New Orleans (-10.5)

The Saints beat the Lions 31-17 about a month ago, so conventional wisdom would say to take New Orleans giving up 10.5 points. At the same time though, the Lions offense has been clicking on all cylinders for the past month, and they are certainly capable of going blow for blow with the Saints.

The New Orleans defense really stepped up late in the season, while the Lions are coming off a game in which they let Green Bay Packers backup quarterback Matt Flynn throw for six touchdowns. While that is something to take into account, I expect Detroit to be pumped up to stay within striking distance, albeit in a losing effort.

Over/Under: 59

Although 59 points is a pretty steep over/under in the NFL, these two teams are perfectly capable of eclipsing that number. When you consider the fact that the Saints have scored at least 42 points in three straight games and that the Lions have scored at least 28 in four consecutive contests, this game screams over.

It could just be a smoke screen, like these types of lines always seem to be, but I have supreme confidence in both offenses and very little confidence in Detroit's defense after its performance last week. With Brees and Stafford chucking the ball around for their respective teams, there will be tons of possessions, tons of chances to score and tons of points on the board.

Lions' Key Injuries (according to Yahoo! Sports)

Doubtful: DB Louis Delmas (knee), DB Aaron Berry (shoulder)

Questionable: DL Corey Williams (hip), DL Nick Fairley (foot), DB Chris Houston (hand, knee), DB Amari Spievey (knee)

Probable: RB Kevin Smith (ankle), WR Calvin Johnson (Achilles), DL Cliff Avril (back)

Saints' Key Injuries (according to Yahoo! Sports)

Out: WR Lance Moore (hamstring)

Questionable: LB Jonathan Vilma (knee), DB Malcolm Jenkins (neck)

Biggest X-Factors

WR Titus Young (DET)

With all of the attention that opposing defenses pay to Calvin Johnson, quarterback Matthew Stafford often has to look elsewhere. While wide receiver Nate Burleson and tight end Brandon Pettigrew get their fair share of looks, Stafford's most explosive secondary option is rookie slot machine Titus Young.

Young had a very solid debut year with 48 grabs for 607 yards and six touchdowns. Young has serious big-play ability, and he has been on the receiving end of a long Stafford touchdown strike on several occasions. If the Saints are successful in containing Johnson to some degree, then Young will need to come up huge.

RB Darren Sproles (NO)

Never mind the fact that he is just 5'6". Darren Sproles has been the Saints' most effective running back all season long. While he wasn't given the lion's share of the carries, he was still able to rack up 603 yards on the ground, averaging 6.9 yards a pop. Also, he hauled in an incredible 86 passes for 710 yards.

Sproles is also an incredibly dangerous return man, so he can strike at any moment and completely shift the momentum of the game. All told, Sproles reached pay dirt on 10 occasions this season whether it was rushing, receiving or in the return game. Sproles is a massive part of the New Orleans offense despite his diminutive size, and he will have much to say about the Saints' success.

Keys to Lions Win

There are many factors that will have to come into play if the Lions are going to pull off the upset. The first and most obvious is that Matthew Stafford and the passing game has to continue to be dominant. The aerial assault is Detroit's bread and butter, and it must continue to be so. Perhaps as importantly though, the defense has to stiffen significantly.

The best way to do that is for Kyle Vanden Bosch and Cliff Avril to pressure Drew Brees. While Brees is smart and accurate enough to deal with a pass rush, you simply can't sit back and let him pick you apart. Another thing that would help is if running back Kevin Smith can have some success on the ground. He was doing so against New Orleans a month ago, but got injured. If he runs well it could really open up the offense.

Keys to Saints Win

For the Saints, it is very simple—if they continue to play the way they have over the past two months, then they will win this game. Drew Brees has had a historically great season as he continues to pile up 300-yard and multi-touchdown games. The Lions were decimated by a backup quarterback last week, so there is little keeping Brees from throwing for 400 yards and four scores.

Defensively, the Saints have done a great job clamping down for the most part during their winning streak. If they can force Stafford into a couple turnovers, then it will give the Saints offense some good field position, making it even more dangerous. Even if the defense is only average though, Brees should certainly be good enough to spur New Orleans to victory.

Prediction

Saints 38, Lions 31