Arizona Cardinals vs. Detroit Lions Matchup Preview (12/19/21): Betting Odds, Depth Charts, Live Stream (Watch Online)

Arizona Cardinals vs. Detroit Lions Matchup Preview (12/19/21)

The 10-3 Arizona Cardinals travels to the Motor City to play the 1-11-1 Detroit Lions at Ford Field.  The Cardinals are coming off a 30-23 loss to the Rams last Monday night.  Arizona is 3-3 at home this season, but 7-0 on the road.  The Lions lost their 11th game of the season in week 14 to Denver, 38-10.  Arizona is 1-3 in games when allowing at least 24 points this season, 9-0 when allowing fewer than 24 points.  Detroit has scored more than 24 points twice this season, they scored a season-high 33 points on opening day.  

Arizona Cardinals vs. Detroit Lions Betting Odds

Arizona is a 13-point road favorite against Detroit in week 15.  Detroit is 8-5 against the spread this season; 1-5 at home.  The Cardinals are 4-0 against the spread in their last four games following an against the spread loss.  The Lions are 5-0 against the spread in their last five games after allowing more than 350 total yards in their previous game; Denver gained 363 total yards in week 14 against Detroit.  The home team is 12-3 against the spread in their last 15 meetings.  The underdog is 7-2 against the spread in their last nine meetings.

Each team is missing at least one star player on offense, and it’ll be interesting to see who steps up and delivers the big play.

My Prediction: Cardinals win 31-20, but don’t cover the 13 points and go over 47 points.  

US States with Legal Sports Gambling

TV Schedule

Date: 12/19/21
Time: 1:00 PM ET
Location: Ford Field
TV Coverage: FOX

Arizona Cardinals vs. Detroit Lions Live Stream

Where can you watch Cardinals vs. Lions online? You can stream this game, and many other NFL games live online with Hulu. Hulu has a 7 Day free trial and is cheaper than cable options at $5.99/month. Watch Cardinals vs. Lions Free Online Now.

hulu free trial

Arizona Cardinals Analysis

The Cardinals offense is averaging 28.2 points per game, ranking them fourth in the NFL and averaging 374.8 yards of total offense which ranks them ninth in the league.  Arizona has had at least 400 total yards 20 times under Kliff Kingsbury since 2019.

Kyler Murray is one of the most dynamic players in the NFL, capable of winning a game with his arm or legs.  Unfortunately, his 383 passing yards and 61 rushing yards weren’t enough to beat the Rams on Monday night; he did have two costly interceptions in the game.  Murray has rushed for at least 40 yards in a game 16 times in his career.  The former number one overall pick in 2019 has thrown for 2,782 yards with 19 touchdowns, a 106-quarterback rating and a league leading 71.6 completion percentage.  Additionally, he has 267 yards on the ground with five touchdowns.  

James Connor had 125 yards from scrimmage (31 rushing and 94 receiving) and two rushing touchdowns in the loss to Los Angeles.  This season, he is leading the team in rushing with 661 yards on 179 carries: averaging 50.8 yards per game.  He also has 29 catches for 303 yards.  Per PFF, each of his 14 rushing touchdowns this season have been scored in the red zone: most in the NFL.  Connor has scored at least one touchdown in seven straight games.  He is tied with John David Crow (14 in 1962) for the second-most rushing touchdowns in a season in Cardinals’ history.  He sustained an ankle injury in the loss to the Rams and he’s questionable for the game on Sunday vs. Detroit.  Chase Edmonds would likely play in place of Connor.  Edmonds who has rushed for 430 and a touchdown has been out the last five games due to injury.

Christian Kirk is leading Arizona in receiving this year with 53 catches for 718 yards and five touchdowns: averaging 55.2 receiving yards.  DeAndre Hopkins is out for at least the regular season due to a knee injury.  He’ll end the season with 42 catches for 572 yards and eight touchdowns: averaging 13.6 yards a reception.  In the loss to the Rams, A.J. Green led the team in receiving with seven catches for 102 yards.  He’s averaging 15.6 yards per reception this season.  The former Georgia Bulldog is the fifth active player with 10,000 plus career receiving yards (10,084). 

Arizona is allowing 321.6 yards of total offense to their opponents, ranking them fifth in the league and 19.5 points per game, which ranks them fourth in the NFL.

The Cardinals have 35 sacks as a team in 2021.  Markus Golden leads the team with 10 sacks.  Additionally, he has eight tackles for loss and 16 quarterback hits.  In his 10th season, Chandler Jones has 9.5 sacks, eight tackles for loss and 22 quarterback hits.  With 106.5 career sacks, the former New England Patriot is one of the most underrated pass rushers in the last 20 years.

Arizona Cardinals Depth Chart

QB: Kyler Murray
RB1: James Conner
RB2: Chase Edmonds
WR1: Christian Kirk
WR2: Rondale Moore
WR3: AJ Green
TE1: Zach Ertz

Detroit Lions Analysis

In 2021, the Lions are 28th in the league in total offense averaging 311.3 yards per game.  They’re scoring 16.4 points per game, ranking them 30th in the NFL.  

Detroit’s passing attack is averaging 200.8 yards per game which is 27th in the league.  In the loss to Denver in week 14, Jared Goff threw for 215 yards, one touchdown and an interception.  In his first season as a Lion, the former number one pick in the 2016 draft has thrown for 2,791 yards, 14 touchdowns, eight interceptions with a 66.2 completion percentage in 12 games.  He’s also been sacked 32 times, losing a league leading 268 yards in the process.  Many expect Jared Goff to be back at least for next season, but will the Lions use their first-round pick on a quarterback such as Kenny Pickett or Matt Corral?

The Detroit running attack is averaging 110.5 yards per game ranking them 17th in the NFL.  D’Andre Swift is the Lions leading rusher this season with 555 yards on 140 carries and four scores this season: averaging four rushing yards per attempt.  He injured his shoulder on Thanksgiving against the Bears and has not played since.  Jamaal Williams has started nine games for Detroit this season.  Last week against Denver he ran for 71 yards on 17 carries:

averaging 4.2 yards per carry.  Williams has carried the ball 110 times for 459 yards and two touchdowns: averaging 45.9 yards per game. 

Detroit’s tight end T.J. Hockenson leads the team in receiving this season with 61 receptions for 583 yards; he also has four touchdowns.  But he is now out for the season after having thumb surgery on Thursday morning.  Amon-Ra St. Brown who’s the Lions second leading receiver will be expected to step up in the absence of the Lions All-Pro Bowl tight end.  He has caught 57 passes for 511 yards: averaging 39.3 yards per game.  The rookie from USC is averaging nine yards a reception. 

The Lions’ defense is allowing 379.2 yards per game which is 28th in the league.  They’re also allowing 27.2 points per game ranking them 29th in the NFL.

Linebacker Charles Harris is leading the team in sacks with six.  He also has 23 solo tackles, six tackles for loss and 13 quarterback hits. 

Detroit Lions Depth Chart

QB: Jared Goff
RB1: D’Andre Swift
RB2: Jamaal Williams
WR1: Amon-Ra St. Brown
WR2: Kalif Raymond
WR3: Josh Reynolds
TE1: T.J. Hockenson
TE2: Brock Wright

Arizona Cardinals vs. Detroit Lions Daily Fantasy Picks

Rondale Moore is a player I would without a doubt try to get on your roster if you’re in a keeper league.  A second-round pick in the 2021 draft, Moore is one of the most dynamic players in Big Ten history.  When he gets the ball in space, he’s a dangerous player.  On the season, the former Purdue Boilermaker has 51 receptions for 426 yards and a touchdown.  

Kalif Raymond has 39 catches for 443 yards and three touchdowns.  He’s averaging 11.4 yards per catch this season.  Raymond has been targeted 11 times the last three games and figures to get more opportunities due to injuries.  

Post
Scott has been a sports fan since he received a New York Mets jacket as a toddler. He’s been playing fantasy baseball and football for over 20 years, dating back to Frank Thomas being one of his first fantasy baseball picks. As a professional, he has covered the NFL, MLB, NCAAF, and NCAAB and is looked to as the go-to guy for fantasy sports amongst family, friends, and co-workers.

Hot NFL Matchup Previews Stories

Featured NBA Articles