Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is a sleeper MVP candidate. He showed why last Sunday, leading the Lions to yet another come-from-behind victory, this time over Washington. Since 2014, Stafford has engineered more game-winning drives (12) than any other quarterback in the league.
Lions vs. Texans 2016 picks and predictions: Detroit favored to win its 4th straight game
Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is emerging as a sleeper MVP candidate.
With that information in mind, it's understandable why the 4-3 Lions are favored entering this game against the Houston Texans. The 4-3 Texans have lost a couple of brutal contests this season, including a 27-9 drubbing at the hand of the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football. Brock Osweiler barely completed 50 percent of his passes in his homecoming and only totaled 131 yards. Through seven weeks this season, he's posted a mediocre passer rating of 71.9, hardly becoming of a $72 million quarterback.
But on paper, the Lions appear to be a favorable matchup for Osweiler. They have the 10th-worst pass defense and could have trouble covering DeAndre Hopkins. It would be a huge boost for the Texans if they can engineer a couple of big plays. They failed to do that in the second half against Denver, getting shut out in the fourth quarter.
Conversely, the Texans have the second-best pass defense. Stafford is playing well, but keep in mind, his comeback last week came while cornerbacks Josh Norman and Bashaud Breeland were sidelined.
The Lions aren't favored in this game because of the stats, but because of the trends. They've won three straight games -- including a victory over the Philadelphia Eagles -- and appear to be rolling. The Texans, meanwhile, look very exposed.
Most of the experts expect the Lions to continue their hot streak. Over at CBS Sports, seven of their eight analysts are high on Detroit. ESPN bucks the trend, with only three of their eight prognosticators who have submitted picks going with the Lions.
Eight of our 10 experts here at SB Nation think the Lions will be victorious for the fourth consecutive week.
| Game | RVB | Stephen White | Thomas George | Jeanna Thomas | Adam Stites | Tyler Tynes | Louis Bien | Joel Thorman | Fooch | OddsShark computer |
| DET vs HOU | DET | DET | DET | DET | DET | DET | DET | DET | HOU | HOU |
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