Raiders vs. Lions 2015 picks and predictions: Oakland expected to bounce back in Detroit

The Oakland Raiders have been one of the league’s pleasant surprises this season. They’ll try to avoid a speed bump when they visit the Detroit Lions at Ford Field this Sunday.

The Raiders are enduring a two-game losing streak, but at 4-5 they’re well alive in the AFC Wild Card race. Oakland’s success can be attributed to an offense that’s become one of the most exciting in football.

Derek Carr is enjoying a huge season, having thrown for 2,396 yards, 21 touchdowns and just six interceptions in nine games. He has dynamic new weapons in running back Latavius Murray and wide receivers Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree. The result is an offense that ranks sixth in the league in passing yards per game and averages 25.2 points per game, good for ninth in the league.

But the offense can’t completely make up for a defense that ranks 23rd in rushing and 31st in passing yards allowed per game. The defense was further weakened this week when the NFL handed down a one-year suspension to pass rusher Aldon Smith. The Raiders will score enough points to stay competitive, but that sieve of a defense could ultimately keep them out of the playoffs.

The Lions are toast at 2-7, but at least they got one monkey off their backs last week. Detroit pulled an upset over the Green Bay Packers on the road, which was the first time in 24 years the Lions had won at Lambeau Field. They did everything in their power to give that game away, however, and it ultimately came down to a shanked field goal attempt by Mason Crosby.

Despite having stalwarts like Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson, Detroit remains a mess on offense. The Lions’ ground game is the worst in the NFL. They totaled just 45 rushing yards last week and have only gained more than 100 yards once this year, in an overtime win against the Chicago Bears. Even though they’re coming off a historic win, this team is going nowhere fast and head coach Jim Caldwell is one of the lamest ducks in football.

So it’s no surprise that the Raiders, even on the road, are heavy favorites in this one. CBS Sports’ panel went 5-3 in favor of Oakland, while our experts at SB Nation went 7-1 in picking the Raiders. Joel Thorman was the only one bold enough to pick Detroit.

SB Nation presents: Lions shock Packers to snap lengthy Lambeau losing streak