Elaine Thompson / AP
Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) has the ball knocked loose by Seattle Seahawks strong safety Kam Chancellor (31) in the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 5, 2015, in Seattle. The fumble went out of bounds in the end zone and was ruled a touchback. The Seahawks beat the Lions 13-10.
Sunday, Oct. 18, 2015 | 2 a.m.
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We've reset the Play of the Day with fresh bankrolls and turned it into a yearly competition. Our three sports writers have restarted with $10,000 bankrolls to continue using on odds from the South Point.
Detroit Lions minus-3 vs. Chicago Bears: $440 to win $400
Since my NFL picks column posted earlier this week, this is the selection that has received the most blowback. It’s only made me like it more.
No one can quite comprehend backing the last winless team in the NFL. But it’s actually easy considering the Lions are taking on one of the only teams in just as bad of shape.
Yes, the Bears have won two games. Pardon me for not being sold on that pair of wins by a total of three points over two teams with a combined 3-7 record.
Chicago’s point differential stands at minus-56, a point worse than the Lions’ own tally. Detroit’s 42-17 loss as 4-point home underdogs to Arizona last week was a debacle, but it’s not as if the Lions are going to gift six turnovers in every game.
A rebound is far more likely. Detroit would have won in the NFL’s toughest venue against the two-time defending NFC champions two weeks ago if not for an officiating error.
There’s no way this line would have stayed at a field goal for a game at Ford Field, where the Lions have beaten the Bears in each of the last two years, if the upset over the Seahawks held. The value is on the home team.
Current Standings (as of July 1): Brewer (18-14, $11,060), Bern (13-14, $10,200), Keefer (10-24-1, $4,091)
Lifetime standings: 2014-15 Champion Bern (94-87-1), Keefer (94-108-3), Brewer (87-101-2)
Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.
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