ESPN 3y

Bridgewater or not, both Lions and Panthers need to generate heat

Lions (4-5) at Panthers (3-7)

1 p.m. ET | Fox

Matchup rating:
14.5 | Spread: DET -2.5 (48)

What to watch for: Will either team get enough pressure on the quarterback to disrupt the other's offense, particularly the Lions since there's some question on whom Carolina might start at quarterback? Even if Teddy Bridgewater plays, his sprained knee might limit his mobility. Neither team has been very good at producing sacks. The Panthers rank 27th in the league with 11, and the Lions are 25th with 13. -- David Newton

Bold prediction: Lions running back Adrian Peterson will have 75 yards rushing and a touchdown in a vintage outing against a Carolina run defense allowing 124.5 yards per game and 4.77 yards per carry. With D'Andre Swift potentially missing this one, Peterson will get some workload help from Kerryon Johnson and Jamal Agnew out of the backfield. -- Michael Rothstein

Stat to know: Detroit wide receiver Marvin Jones has a receiving TD in three straight games, tied for the longest streak of his career (Weeks 6-8 of 2013). He is fresh off an eight-catch, 96-yard receiving day versus Washington in Week 10.

Injuries: Lions | Panthers

What to know for fantasy: No defense is allowing more receiving yards per game to running backs than the Lions (53.7), and Panthers running back Mike Davis has hauled in 87% of his targets this season. Fun fact: There has yet to be a game this season in which multiple Davis targets hit the ground. See Week 11 rankings.

Betting nugget: Carolina is 1-4 ATS at home this season. Read more.

Rothstein's pick: Lions 27, Panthers 23

Newton's pick: Lions 30, Panthers 23

FPI prediction: CAR, 51.7% (by an average of 0.6 points)

Matchup must-reads: Lions must keep giving Swift the ball ... As frustration sets in for young Panthers, Thompson speaks up ... Griffen, Peterson bond over wrestling matches ... McCaffrey likely out, Bridgewater questionable

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