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Detroit Lions picks vs. Indianapolis Colts: Can the Lions win their 6th straight on road?
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- Detroit Lions picks vs. Indianapolis Colts: Can the Lions win their 6th straight on road?
How long can we keep spitting "This is the first time since 1960/1950/1930 that the Detroit Lions have ..." -type stats at you? Don't worry, we've still got plenty ...
For example, In Sunday's game against the Colts in Indianapolis (1 p.m., Fox), not only will the Lions be going for their first nine-game win streak and first 10-1 start since 1934 (the team's first season in Detroit , when they won 10 straight to open the year, then lost their final four), they'll be going for their sixth straight win on the road this season. The Lions have NEVER won six straight regular-season games on the road in a single campaign, and they've only won six straight on the road once in franchise history, spanning the end of the 2010 and the beginning of the 2011 seasons.
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(And we know you were wondering: Since the NFL went to a 16-team schedule in 1978 (and a 17-gamer in 2021), 47 teams have won at least six in a row on the road in a single season — including the New England Patriots doing it six times — but never the Lions.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) celebrates a touchdown against Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024.
So can they make history for another week with a win at Lucas Oil Stadium? Four Free Press sports writers have some thoughts on that. Just kidding, they all say yes, of course. But read on to find out why ...
DAVE BIRKETT: Detroit Lions vs. Indianapolis Colts scouting report
Dave Birkett
The Lions have feasted on the dregs of the AFC South this season, beating the Jaguars and Tennessee Titans by a combined score of 104-20, and were lucky to eacape a road game against the division-leading Texans . The Colts aren't nearly as bad as the Jaguars or Titans, but they've lost twice to the Texans and aren't in the same class as the Lions.
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They'll need to control the clock with their rushing attack and have Richardson at his playmaking best Sunday to have a chance to win, but I don't see Aaron Glenn allowing that to happen. The Lions will have an array of pressures cooked up to confuse Richardson and have the offensive firepower to force the Colts to play from behind. In a stadium that will be filled with Lions fans, there's no reason this team shouldn't win its ninth straight game. The pick:Lions 31, Colts 17.
Carlos Monarrez
The Colts have plenty to play for as they sit on the bubble of AFC playoff contenders at 5-6. Anthony Richardson is a young, mobile, strong second-year quarterback whom Dan Campbell would have you believe could stiff-arm the entire 1985 Bears defense. Nice try, but Richardson has also thrown five TDs and seven picks. Lions win this one in a walk. The pick:Lions 40, Colts 17
Jeff Seidel
The Colts can't stop the run, which is a recipe for disaster against the Lions. Oh, and the Colts can't stop the pass. They are giving up 374.5 yards a game — before playing the Lions. Game over. This is going to be another one of those runaways. The only thing that gives me pause is QB Anthony Richardson, who was significantly better against the Jets . But it was just one game. He's completing less than half his passes and has more interceptions (seven) than TD passes (five). The pick:Lions 37, Colts 14.
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Shawn Windsor
Who are we to pick against the Lions these days? Or ever again? Indianapolis is at home, yeah. But what does that matter when Lions fans take over stadiums and force the "home" team to use a silent count, as they did in Houston two weeks ago. Indianapolis also has a mobile quarterback. So, sure, he might pick up a first down or two with his feet. But is Anthony Richardson going to beat the Lions? The pick:Lions 31, Colts 16.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions picks vs. Indianapolis Colts: Going for 6th road victory
