Site was a bit hung up so apologize for lateness. Down to -2 so that's helpful. Gonna punch quick so get it.

Getting the Lions below a field goal in this spot feels like a bit of a trap, but out of the four main units on the field Saturday, Detroit's offense is by far the only one with any superiority. The Lions have won and covered three straight on the road -- all against better teams than the Panthers -- and they are on a 7-0 ATS streak (6-1 straight up with the lone loss to the Bills). Detroit has found some answers stopping the run over the last three weeks, and that's about the only thing Carolina does well.

The Lions have won six of their last seven and have covered the spread in all seven. The Panthers had won three of four until losing at home to the Steelers last week. Carolina went from rushing for 223 yards at Seattle in a win to just 21 yards against Pittsburgh. The Panthers might have more success running the ball against the Lions' 31st-ranked defense (398.5 total yards per game), but I’m on the Lions to cover and keep their momentum rolling.

It is not just that Detroit's only straight-up loss in its last seven games was a no-shame three-pointer to Buffalo. Lions QB Jared Goff has been lights-out, with not a single interception thrown in the past six outings, some of them on heavy passing days. Detroit has shed its reputation as a team that stumbles on the road; the last three away gigs have turned into SU wins. The freezing temperatures should not bother a team from the Motor City.

The Lions have won six of seven, losing only to the Super Bowl-favorite Bills by a field goal, and they are reasonably healthy entering this game. Jared Goff has thrown one interception over his last eight games. Detroit's run defense has improved significantly, which should come in handy versus a Panthers team determined to run the ball. Carolina averaged 1.4 yards per carry last week versus Pittsburgh and had no rushes longer than five yards. Lay the short number.

On the surface, the Lions offense took a step back in cold weather last week. But their yardage total was the most the elite Jets defense has allowed since Week 2. They'll have an easier time against a solid but not great Panthers defense, where the Detroit O-line can win the battle of the trenches. Carolina's offense flopped against the Steelers as the run game disappeared, and the Lions run defense has been dominant the last two games while allowing 100 rush yards just once in the last five. That unit is also racking up sacks (eight in last two weeks), so while Sam Darnold has an easier matchup this week, it's not necessarily easy. The Lions are a playoff-caliber team and should beat a bad Panthers team here.