Texans vs. Lions: Spread Info, Line and Predictions

The Detroit Lions (4-6) are hoping to keep their playoff hopes alive by winning their first Thanksgiving matchup in nine years. However, the Houston Texans (9-1) have different plans for the outcome of this one.

Houston has had to answer some questions internally after being put on upset alert in a narrow Week 11 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in overtime last week. That game proved, if nothing else, that anything can and will happen in the NFL.

Unlike the Jaguars, the Lions are a team that thrives on coming back, not leaping out to a big lead. This game, though, isn't a good week to get put into a hole. Houston runs the ball and controls the clock better than anyone in the league and falling behind early could certainly spell doom for the Lions.

Don't let the record fool you. These Lions have played everyone they've faced to the wire, losing five of their six games by eight points or fewer.

When: Thursday, Nov. 22 at 12:30 p.m. ET

Where: Ford Field, Detroit, Mich.

TV: CBS

Live Stream: NFL Sunday Ticket

Listen (radio): 97.1 The Ticket WXYT FM (Detroit); SportsRadio KILT 610 AM and KILT 100.3 FM (Houston)

Spread: Texans -4 (via Bovada)

Houston is coming off of a game in which it again showed concerns in its secondary. It certainly hasn't been a recurring problem, but it has happened twice now. Aaron Rodgers threw six touchdowns against them in Week 6's disaster loss and Chad Henne put up four of his own last week while only being sacked once.

This is a good thing for the Detroit Lions and odds makers. The Lions may find a way to lose this game, because well, they're the Lions. Playing from behind and not playing much defense can only be carried by the passing game for so long.

Expect the Texans to win but not to cover.

Over/Under: 50.5 (via Bovada)

This game will likely be a high-scoring affair due to the potential explosiveness of each of these two offenses. Matthew Stafford is statistically the No. 1 passer in terms of yards per game (301.8) and Calvin Johnson is the league's top wide receiver in that category (1,117).

Houston has shown it can put up points in droves in response to its defensive lapses. A couple of lapses on Thanksgiving are likely against the Stafford and Johnson connection. Even playing assignments correctly doesn't guarantee Johnson isn't going to make a play that makes you go, "Wow!"

Look for a high-scoring and exciting game that breaks 51 points easily.

Injury Report via CBS Sports (as of 11/21/2012)

Houston Texans

NT Shaun Cody, Back/ribs, Questionable

DE Jared Crick, Neck, Probable

TE Owen Daniels, Back, Probable

S Quintin Demps, Back, Probable

LB Tim Dobbins, Shoulder, Questionable

LB Bradie James, Thumb, Probable

WR Lestar Jean, Knee, Probable

CB Johnathan Joseph, Hamstring, Questionable

CB Brice McCain, Knee, Probable

LB Jesse Nading, Foot, Probable

WR DeVier Posey, Knee/hamstring, Questionable

LB Darryl Sharpton, Neck/knee/hip, Probable

DE Antonio Smith, Ankle, Questionable

RB Ben Tate, Hamstring, Questionable

QB T.J. Yates, Right elbow, Probable

Detroit Lions

DE Cliff Avril, Knee, Questionable

S Erik Coleman, Eye, Questionable

S Louis Delmas, Knee, Questionable

CB Drayton Florence, Concussion, Questionable

K Jason Hanson, Left foot, Probable

DT Sammie Hill, Knee, Questionable

WR Calvin Johnson, Knee/thumb, Probable

CB Jacob Lacey, Foot, Questionable

LB Ashlee Palmer, Chest, Questionable

DT Ndamukong Suh, Knee, Questionable

DT Corey Williams, Knee, Questionable

WR Titus Young, Not injury related, Out

Fantasy Big Plays

Houston: RB Arian Foster

The league's most talked about running back is coming off of a strange performance in which he failed to gain 100 yards or score against a Jacksonville team that he ran pretty easily on in Week 2. Foster, though, should not be discounted in any league formats. He has shown he has the ability to run effectively against any defense behind the Texans' zone-blocking scheme.

Foster isn't likely to have a repeat performance like last week. Likewise. Matt Schaub will most likely not be throwing for over 500 yards again, although it is possible. Even if this game turns into a shootout, Foster should be able to get something going on the ground or in the passing game to appease fantasy owners after last week's performance. 

Like turkey on Thanksgiving, Foster's going to be eating up the Lions' defense in Detroit.

Projected Stats: 26 carries, 123 yards, 1 TD; 4 receptions, 55 yards, 1 TD

Detroit: WR Calvin Johnson

You can't stop him, you can only hope to contain him. Megatron has been on an absolute tear this season, especially in the last two weeks. In that span he has put up two touchdowns on 17 receptions and 350 yards receiving.

Houston's defense has been susceptible to the random torching this season. None was more random than last week's 350-plus yard effort from backup Jacksonville QB Chad Henne. Justin Blackmon exploded for 236 yards and one score as the Jags pushed the Texans to the brink in OT.

Johnson will be the go-to guy, as usual, and will end up having a solid if not spectacular Thanksgiving game for his fantasy owners.

Projected Stats: 10 receptions, 112 yards, 2 TDs

Key to Victory

Matthew Stafford

This game begins and ends with the Houston Texans' ability to slow down Stafford's big arm. The Lions' QB had two touchdowns last week in the team's loss to Green Bay. Unfortunately, one of them was to Packers DB M.D. Jennings who returned it 72 yards for a Green Bay touchdown.

Houston will need to pressure Stafford early and often as the Packers did. They sacked him four times and kept the heat on for much of the game. However, Stafford hasn't been under fire as much this season, being sacked 22 times (13th in NFL).

If the QB has time to find receivers, and he will, it's going to be another long day for the Texans' secondary. This time, though, it's on national television for everyone to see.

Prediction

Both teams are coming off of a week they'd like to forget, although the Texans did bounce back to get the win. Their minds don't have much time to dwell on those feelings because Thursday is rapidly approaching.

NFL players have short memories but the Lions will see some of the things Green Bay and Jacksonville did to take advantage of the weaknesses in the Texans' secondary. Matthew Stafford will have a big game but will have his usual lapses and a poor completion percentage that will stall several drives.

Houston will get out to an early lead and try to run the ball to burn clock. It will work until the late surge by the Lions nearly gives them the comeback win.

Final Score: Houston 31, Detroit 28

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