NFL Week 4 Picks: Detroit Lions @ New York Jets
Sep 8, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions outside linebacker DeAndre Levy (54) intercepts a pass and strong safety Glover Quin (27) blocks during the third quarter against the New York Giants at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
NFL Week 4 Picks: Detroit Lions @ New York Jets
The Detroit Lions (2-1) and New York Jets (1-2) are set to face off in a week four matchup of two teams that seem to be heading in different directions. Each team scored 19 points in their last game, a very odd number but both teams had exactly the opposite outcomes. The Jets lost a game against the Chicago Bears that didn’t feel as close as the 19-27 score might have otherwise indicated. The Lions beat the Packers 19-7 in a game that seemed to be much more in favor of Detroit than the score would indicate.
That’s how the NFL goes.
Surprisingly, it was the Lions’ defense that carried them to victory against the Packers in week three, and for the Jets, it’s been no surprise whatsoever — they simply lack playmakers on the offensive side of the ball, with a defense that should be priming for playoff football.
As good as the Jets’ defense is capable of being, the Lions have been better in nearly every statistical category defensively this season, and seem to have the ability as a team to win either with an extremely explosive offense or in a dominant, low-scoring defensive battle.
Interesting Note
The Lions have not beaten the Jets in this millennium. The Jets are 3-0 against Detroit since 2001, and that’s a trend that I wouldn’t really be excited about if I were a Jets fan. It seems like a trend like that is brought up only to be broken shortly thereafter.
It also just so happens the Lions are currently the better team, but like we always say: Any given Sunday…
Stars to Watch
Jets: Sheldon Richardson — Lions: DeAndre Levy
Jets defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson is one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL right now. The Jets’ defense has a different level of nastiness with him in it, and while he’s not quite on the level of his teammate Muhammad Wilkerson just yet, this young player is really fun to watch. In fact, between Wilkerson, Richardson, Nick Fairley, and Ndamukong Suh, this game features some of the best defensive linemen in the entire NFL.
DeAndre Levy does everything for the Lions. He has become one of the best run defending linebackers in all of football, and right now is the Lions’ highest graded player at that position. He leads the team in defensive snaps and tackles, and has the ability to change the outcome of a game.
Prediction: Lions 27, Jets 23
As much as I know Jet fans want to believe their team is going to come off a tough loss to the Bears with a win against the Lions, I think now is the time that Detroit gets their first win against the Jets in this century.