Patriots vs. Lions: TV Info, Spread, Injury Updates, Game Time and More

Offensive fireworks should be abundant when the New England Patriots travel to face the Detroit Lions in Week 3 of the NFL's preseason.

Both teams will likely play their starters through at least the first half, if not through the third quarter. With Tom Brady on one side and Matthew Stafford on the other, it's a guarantee that both teams' secondaries will be tested extensively.

Fresh off the heels of an embarrassing 4-12 campaign in 2012, there is much optimism in Detroit regarding the Lions' chances of rebounding this year.

Running back Reggie Bush brings an added dimension to Detroit's offense, while rookie pass-rusher Ziggy Ansah has already proven to be an impact player on the team's defense. 

For New England, 2013 is just another year in which the Super Bowl is a reasonable expectation. As long as Brady and Bill Belichick are the men leading the way, the Patriots will be the team to beat in the AFC East and a tough out in the playoffs. 

Here's what you need to know about this upcoming preseason game.

Where: Ford Field, Detriot, Mich.

When: Thursday, Aug. 22, at 7:30 p.m. ET

Watch: Not on national TV; check your local listings.

Live Streaming: Preseason Live

Listen: Online at NFL Audio Pass 

Betting Lines (via Covers)

Over/Under: 46 pts.

Spread: Detroit (-2.5)

Given the ability both teams have to put points on the board, take the over on the points.

Bet on which team will win a preseason game at your own peril, though. While it's true this game is as close as it gets to a regular-season contest, both coaching staffs will be tinkering with different combinations at multiple positions, and anything can happen.

Injury Report (via ESPN.com)

New England

• Danny Amendola, WR: Probable (undisclosed)
• Rob Gronkowski, TE: Out (arm, back)

Detroit

• David Akers, K: Probable (hip)
• Darius Slay, WR: Probable (knee)
• Calvin Johnson, WR: Probable (knee contusion)

Patriots Players to Watch: Kenbrell Thompkins (WR) and Zach Sudfeld (TE)

One of the things that history will remember about Tom Brady is his affinity for turning unheralded receivers into Pro Bowlers. It's something he's done throughout his career, but judging by what he's done thus far in the preseason, Brady hasn't shown us anything yet. 

Brady enters the 2013 NFL season without his top five pass-catchers from a year ago. For most quarterbacks, such a turnover would likely be a death sentence. For Brady, however, it's just another day at the office.

Through two games, Brady has completed 18 of 20 passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns—video-game numbers.

As noted by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, two of the young men who have shined as his sidekicks are undrafted free agents Thompkins and Sudfeld. Both of them are being hailed by many fantasy football experts as solid sleeper picks. 

Fantasy football owners would be smart to pay close attention to Hopkins and Sudfeld, as would defensive coordinators around the league.

Lions Player to Watch: Reggie Bush, Running Back

Lions fans surely hope Bush represents an end to the franchise's yearly endeavor to find some sort of balance on offense. Matthew Stafford attempted more passes last year than any other quarterback in the league, and Drew Brees was a distant second. 

Through two games of limited action, Bush hasn't looked sharp as a runner, rushing for 20 yards on 11 carries with zero touchdowns.

While nobody should expect the former USC star to put up numbers comparable to Adrian Peterson, it's clear Bush must do better, as noted by Pro Football Talk:

He'll face a stiff test this week against the Patriots' front seven, too—a unit that spearheaded the league's No. 9-ranked rush defense in 2012.

As a receiver, Bush showed himself to be just as dynamic as ever in the team's second preseason game. In less than a half of play, he caught five passes for 44 yards, including a short pass he turned into an 18-yard gain.

His ability to make big plays on dump-off passes will certainly be a boon to Stafford and the offense.

However, Bush must be able to pound out tough yards between the tackles in order to give Detroit's offense the balance it needs to protect Stafford from getting hit too often and from throwing interceptions. 

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