Kickoff: Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET
Line: Detroit -3, Total: 48

The Saints look to get back to .500 when they head to Ford Field on Sunday to take on the Lions.

New Orleans is coming off a bye, and the team is 5-0 (SU and ATS) with an extra week of rest over the past five seasons. Detroit went to Minnesota last week and won 17-3 while holding the Vikings to just 212 yards of total offense. Lions offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi should be able to help his defense prepare for the Saints high-octane offense, as he spent 2007 to 2013 as an offensive assistant/QB coach with New Orleans. These teams have played just 10 times since 1992, with the Saints going 7-3 (SU and ATS) in those contests. Since 1992, Detroit is 5-17 ATS in all games where the total is greater than or equal to 49.5. The Lions are also 10-28 ATS after having won three of their past four games in that time. The Saints, however, are 2-9 ATS in road games where the total is greater than or equal to 45.5 over the past two years. Both teams figure to be without their top pass catchers, as New Orleans TE Jimmy Graham (shoulder) and Detroit WR Calvin Johnson (ankle) are both doubtful to play.

Who will prevail in this NFC clash on Sunday? For the answer, connect to NFL Best Bets for all the StatFox Experts picks throughout the 2014 regular season and playoffs. The experts have been sizzling over the past four weeks, combining for a 39-24 ATS mark (62%). StatFox Dave is 72% ATS (13-5) in Best Bets during this timeframe to improve to 61% ATS (17-11) on the season, while StatFox Scott is 69% ATS (11-5) in Best Bets during these four weeks, and 58% ATS (14-10) on the season. StatFox Brian has gone (69% ATS) (9-4) in NFL Best Bets since Week 3 to increase his season Best Bets mark to 57% ATS (12-9), and continues to roll in NFL Totals with a stellar (78%) record (14-4) for the season.

New Orleans heads to Detroit with a chance to get its season back on track and the matchup should be a good one for QB Drew Brees (1,574 pass yards, 9 TD, 6 INT). Brees has dominated the Lions in his career, going 4-0 (SU and ATS) with 14 TD and 1 INT. He has also thrown for 379.2 yards per game in those contests. Unfortunately for Brees, this Lions defense is much improved, and TE Jimmy Graham (34 rec, 376 yards, 3 TD) will be out. One player who could help spark this offense is RB Mark Ingram (143 rush yards, 3 TD), who is returning from a hand injury he suffered early in the season. Ingram was a monster in the first two weeks of the year and he could significantly help this team in the red zone. As good as New Orleans can be offensively, it will need to improve on the defensive end. The Saints are allowing 267.6 passing YPG (25th in NFL) and have now surrendered 34.5 PPG over their past two contests. The Lions are capable of putting up big offensive numbers, so New Orleans will need to make sure they’re disciplined defensively. They should benefit from Detroit playing without star WR Calvin Johnson (22 rec, 348 yards, 2 TD).

The Lions played an unbelievable game defensively in a 17-3 victory over the Vikings, and are now allowing just 197.2 passing yards per game (1st in NFL) and 73.5 rushing yards per game (2nd in NFL). They have also held their past four opponents to a mere 11.0 points per game. While they are unlikely to completely stop the Saints offense, this is the best defensive team in the NFL, and they should be able to make life difficult for Drew Brees. QB Matthew Stafford (1,592 pass yards, 7 TD, 4 INT) will need to be better in this game than he has been against the Saints in his career. The Lions’ quarterback is 0-3 SU and ATS versus New Orleans under Sean Payton and has thrown only four touchdowns with six picks in those games. With Calvin Johnson out, things won’t be easier for him. He’ll need to make high percentage throws, while looking for WR Golden Tate (38 rec, 495 yards, 1 TD) regularly. Tate has been the most reliable receiver for the Lions this season and he should be able to break free for a couple of big plays against this porous New Orleans secondary. RB Joique Bell (226 yards, 2 TD) will likely lead this backfield in carries once again, and his powerful style of running will open things up for Stafford to find his receivers. The Lions also expect to have elusive RB Reggie Bush (161 rush yards, 1 TD) back on the field after he missed last week with an ankle injury.