Anthony Richardson is trying to take another big step as he helps the Colts navigate their matchup with the Lions.

Detroit (9-1) – Indianapolis (5-6)

Sunday, 1:00 pm EST, Fox

BetMGM NFL Odds: Lions at 7 1/2.

Against the spread: Lions 8-2, Colts 8-3.

Series record: Colts lead 22-19-2.

Last meeting: The Colts beat the Lions 41-21 in Detroit on November 1, 2020.

Last week: Lions beat Jaguars 52-6, Colts beat Jets 28-27.

Lions offense: total (3), rushing (3), passing (6), scoring (1).

Lions defense: total (13), rushing (5), passing (27), scoring (5).

Colts offense: total (21), rushing (16), passing (21), scoring (19).

Colts defense: total (28), rushing (28), passing (26), scoring (17).

Turnover differential: Lions plus-9, Colts minus-1.

Lions player to watch

WR Amon-Ra St. Brown. The All-Pro receiver has been nearly flawless lately, setting a franchise record with a touchdown catch in eight straight games. He caught all 11 passes thrown his way last week and 24 of 26 over the past three weeks. This week he’ll have to deal with a pass defense that he’s struggled with most of the season. If the situation repeats this week, the NFL’s top-scoring team could add much more to its point total.

Colts player to watch

QB Anthony Richardson. After a two week break and then, regaining his starting job, Richardson pitched the best complete game of his NFL career against the reeling Jets. This week’s game presents a significantly tougher challenge against one of the NFL’s Super Bowl favorites, as Richardson will need to show that last week was a trend and not a fluke.

Key match

The Lions’ running backs run the defense against the Colts. When the Colts lost Pro Bowl DT DeForest Buckner earlier this season, Indy struggled to contain the running backs. Things have changed since Buckner returned. The question now is whether they can hold on to one of the league’s most dynamic duos in David Montgomery and Jamir Gibbs — controlled by one of the NFL’s top offensive lines.

Key injuries

Lions TE Sam LaPorta could play after missing the game with a shoulder injury. LB Alex Anzalone, who broke his left forearm last week and is expected to miss several games, was placed on IR along with S Ifetu Melifonwu, who is out with an ankle injury.

The Colts are relatively healthy. LT Bernhard Reimann (knee) did not practice Wednesday and RT Braden Smith (foot) did limited work. If one or both are unable to play, Indy could end up playing its third straight game with three rookies on its offensive line.

Episode notes

Indy has won five of the last six games in this series. Detroit’s only win during that span was a 39-35 win at Indy in 2018. … These teams participated in two joint practices in suburban Indy in August 2022. … Jim Caldwell was the head coach and leader of both franchises. The Colts reached the Super Bowl following the 2009 season and were dumped by the Lions after going 9-7 in 2017. Peyton Manning threw six touchdown passes in Detroit on Thanksgiving Day 2004. … The first matchup between these franchises resulted in a 27–17 victory for Detroit in October 1953.

Statistics and more

The Lions have won eight straight games to earn the best record in the NFC, which ties the NFL’s best record with Kansas City. … Detroit won nine of its first 10 games of the season for the first time since 1934, when it started 10-0 and finished 10-3 in the franchise’s first season in the Motor City. … The Lions are looking to sweep past four AFC South teams, defeating the other three 130-43. They surpassed the 50 point mark. against Tennessee and Jacksonville, and last week’s 46-point margin was the most lopsided win in franchise history. … The Lions are the third team in the Super Bowl era to win at least three of their first 10 games by 35 points or more, joining the 1973 Falcons and the 1969 Vikings. Detroit is the first team to rush for 100 yards and score one touchdown in each of its first 10 games since the 1975 Miami Dolphins. The Lions have rushed for one goal in an NFL-record 24 straight games, including the playoffs. … Montgomery, Gibbs and St. Brown each scored a touchdown in a single game, an NFL record eight times this season. … Lions QB Jared Goff has 30 incompletions and 15 touchdowns over his last five games. He also threw five interceptions during that period, all against Houston in Week 10. … Detroit is allowing 94.8 yards rushing per game and scoring just 35 points on 110 passes on a 31.8% completion rate allowed. … Kerby Joseph leads the NFL with seven interceptions. His 15 interceptions since 2022 are the most in the league. … DB Brian Branch ranks second in the league with 13 passes defensed this season. … The Colts snapped a three-game losing streak last week and are one game behind Denver (6-5) for the seventh and final AFC playoff spot. … Indy lost both road games against the NFC North (Green Bay and Minnesota) and beat Chicago at home. … The Colts will wear Indiana Night uniforms with black helmets, blue jerseys and blue pants. … Richardson made one pass and ran another two points, including last week’s last-minute game winner. … Since entering the league in 2021, Jonathan Taylor has the third-most rushing yards (4,086). Only Derrick Henry and Josh Jacobs have more. … WR Michael Pittman Jr. needs four catches to pass Ty Hilton for second place in receptions (374) among Colts players through his first five seasons. … WR Alec Pierce continues to lead the league with 22.7 yards per catch. … Indy’s defense has forced a league-high 12 fumble recoveries this season and is tied for the league record with nine fumble recoveries. … Colts DE Quitie Paye has at least one sack in three straight games, the third-longest active streak in the NFL.

Fantasy advice

Lion’s defense. Of course, Goff, Gibbs, Montgomery and St. Brown are safe choices. But Richardson’s inconsistent streak over his first two seasons combined with Detroit’s strong, aggressive and opportunistic defense is also a solid play.

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