The Riders have devoted fans across the country. No one wants to rain on their enthusiasm. Sorry Riders fans, this doesn’t look good. You are going to have to pick the Lions on this one even when your boys are given maybe double digit points.

It starts with injuries. QB Harris is out for the season. Starting center Godber is out and maybe LT Council. The Riders O-line has struggled immensely giving up 4 sacks/game (7 last week) against a Lions’ pass rush that has the 2nd most sacks in the league. The Riders are last in avg. rushing gain on 1st down. The Lions’ “D” allows the 2nd least avg. yards rushing on 1st down. QB Fine is starting his first game. It could get ugly for pass protection. And even if he has some time occasionally, the Lions’ “D” is 1st or 2nd in almost every category in the league on pass defense.

On the other side of the ball the Riders will be missing MLB Dean, DL Lanier and at least two starting DBs. Their “D” has been solid this year but won’t be able to get off the field with all the 2 and outs the Rider “O” will serve up. And the Lions’ run game is rounding into form. It will allow their very solid O-line to set up solid pass protection for QB Adams to find his bevy of star receivers (Whitehead, Rhymes, Hatcher and now Hollins) and pick apart the hurting Rider “D”. To add insult to injury the Lions are coming off a bye week (teams are 6-1 this season after a by week) and are healthy. They are 5-0 ATS in their L5 at home and 7-3 ATS in their L10 after a bye. So, Riders fans, hold your nose, lay the points and take the Lions. Everyone else, just leave your nose out of it.