LIONS VS CARDINALS FREE PICK, NFL FREE PICKS, NFL PREDICTION 9/22/24

Detroit Lions @ Arizona Cardinals (DET -3, 51.5)

NFL ODDS, NFL PREDICTIONS, NFL PREVIEWS

LIONS VS CARDINALS FREE PICK, NFL FREE PICKS, NFL PREDICTION 9/22/24

Detroit Lions @ Arizona Cardinals

 All of a sudden, the Arizona Cardinals look like one of the most dangerous teams in the NFL. Yes, their 41-point explosion in week 2 did come against a severely depleted Rams side, but there is clearly a lot to be excited about on offense. Firstly, Kyler Murray is truly back to his brilliant best. He is utilizing his legs to return to the evasive and creative mastery that made him so special before his injury, and he now benefits from a fantastic array of weapons.

So far this year, the Cardinals are in the top 7 for most offensive categories, including scoring the second most points with 69. Marvin Harrison Junior silenced the doubters with a remarkable 130-yard, 2 touchdown first half performance against LA, suggesting that he really can be the missing link that this team has desperately needed to unleash their offensive potential. After two consecutive four-win seasons, it shows just how far the Cardinals have come that they are only 3 point underdogs against a Detroit Lions side that were just two quarters away from representing the NFC in the Super Bowl, and this offensive turnaround is the reason why.

Detroit have been sturdy on defense so far this season, led by a rampaging Aidan Hutchinson, who already has 5.5 sacks to his name. He is in the hunt for a Defensive Player of the Year Award, and is supported well by an improving secondary. The Lions invested heavily in the secondary over the offseason, bringing in Carlton Davis and drafting Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw, who will have their hands full with Marv and company. They have shown signs of promise, but Arizona are a unique offense to defend against, and they should put up points here.

The good news for neutral fans is that Detroit should also put up points. Their loaded offense have delivered the second most yards per game this season with 413, but have walked away with only the 16th most points, with just 21 per game. This is partly because of some costly errors from quarterback Jared Goff, who already has 3 interceptions, but also because of a dismal 27% red zone scoring rate, which is 28th in the NFL.

With players like Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Sam LaPorta, Jahmyr Gibbs, and David Montgomery on the roster, they have all the talent they need, they just need to cut out the mistakes and be more clinical in the red zone. Arizona’s defensive statistics look impressive because they just held a very depleted Rams side to just 10 points, but the reality is, that they are talent-poor and very attackable on the ground and through the air. This is shaping up to be a very enjoyable and explosive game.

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