NFL odds and lines Week 15: Lions vs. Cardinals

When your ninth consecutive loss is a 58-0 beatdown by a division rival, it doesn't seem like the following week's spread could be high enough. But with the struggling Lions coming to town - losers of five straight in their own right - the Cardinals are just seven-point underdogs.

After winning their first four games and covering three spreads, the dilapidated Cardinals have lost nine straight and gone 2-6-1 against the spread. The recent beating they took from the Seahawks has head coach Ken Whisenhunt continuing his quarterback carousel, benching John Skelton in favor of Ryan Lindley after Skelton threw four picks against Seattle. With opponents receiving short fields on every other possession, the Cardinals may struggle to win another game this season.

The Lions, despite their five-game skid, have been much better than the Cardinals. They were jobbed out of a win against Houston on Thanksgiving and have lost to Indy, Minnesota and twice to Green Bay. Detroit was competitive in every one of those games in the roughest part of their schedule. As it stands, the Lions are 4-8-1 against the spread and have not been reliable favorites. They are 2-5 in games they are favored with lone covers against Seattle and Jacksonville.

The Lions defense is also banged up, with three members of their secondary and Nick Fairley all missing practice on Wednesday. The health of Detroit's defense will be key in covering the spread on Sunday.

For all of the odds on this week's NFL games and all kinds of other sports, check out Odds Shark. SB Nation also has all of the Week 15 NFL odds. For more on the Lions, check out Pride of Detroit. For more on the Cardinals, head over to Revenge of the Birds.