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Lions vs. Rams: Bold predictions for Week 13

By Brenden Armour

DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 23: LeGarrette Blount #29 of the Detroit Lions runs while playing the New England Patriots at Ford Field on September 23, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 23: LeGarrette Blount #29 of the Detroit Lions runs while playing the New England Patriots at Ford Field on September 23, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Defense

The Rams’ offense is walking into Ford Field Sunday ranked fifth overall in passing yards per game, second overall in rush yards per game, and second overall in total offense per game. The Lions’ defense meanwhile, will be walking into the game ranked 13th in passing yards given up per game, 14th in rushing yards given up per game, and 13th in total defense per game.

Rams’ standout running back Todd Gurley leads the league in touchdowns from scrimmage with 17 total touchdowns and has the second most rushing yards in the league behind only Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (only behind by 31 yards). Gurley averages five yards per attempt on the ground, and 98.4 yards per game on the ground (plus another 40 yards receiving per game).

Although the Lions have been known as one of the worst run defenses in the league this year, something very interesting has happened over last three weeks. Over the last three weeks, Motown’s run defense has been the best in the entire league. They are giving up less than 50 yards per game on the ground.

Lions’ beat reporter Dave Birkett of Detroit Free Press recently wrote about this turn of events for the Lions run defense saying:

"“The Detroit Lions have the best run defense in the NFL over the season’s past three weeks… The Lions have allowed an average of 49.3 yards rushing in their past three games, nearly 100 yards less than they allowed over the season’s first nine weeks (142.5). And they’ve done it while playing against two of the league’s best rushing offenses … “"

There are probably many factors that go into this recent change, such as the acquisition of the league’s best run defending nose tackle Damon Harrison, and also just something as simple as the players finally settling into the scheme and running it right. The Motown defense has been on a roll stopping the run and I bet they’ll continue their hot streak against the best running back in the NFL.

Prediction: The Detroit Lions’ defense holds running back Todd Gurley to under 60 yards rushing (the league’s second-leading rusher) and gives up only one touchdown to the league’s leader in touchdowns from scrimmage.

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