Lions vs. Raiders: Make winning habit-forming
The Detroit News breaks down Sunday's Raiders-Lions game at Ford Field (1 p.m., CBS/97.1 FM).
Raiders to watch
Charles Woodson, S: The 39-year-old Heisman Trophy winner from Michigan still is playing at a high level (5 INTs). Woodson always seems to play well against the Lions. He has 51 tackles, eight INTs (three for TDs), one sack, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery against them. Woodson has 65 career INT. With his next one, he will have the most of any player not currently in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Derek Carr, QB: One of the league’s best young quarterbacks, Carr, a second-year pro with 21 TDs, has thrown for at least 300 yards and two TDs in three consecutive games.
Amari Cooper, WR: He could become the first rookie to catch at least five passes in eight of his team’s first 10 games.
Intangibles
Turning point? The start of a resurgence? The Lions are hoping last weekend’s road victory over the Packers leads to a winning streak. The Raiders are favored by one point, but the Lions could be favored on Thanksgiving against the Eagles.
Personal battles: The game features two excellent comparisons at quarterback and wide receiver. At quarterback, Oakland’s Derek Carr may be the best young signal-caller in the league; Matthew Stafford has struggled, but looked sharp against the Packers. At receiver, rookie Amari Cooper may be the heir apparent to Lions veteran Calvin Johnson.
Rush to nowhere: The Lions’ running game continues to go nowhere. Joique Bell started against the Packers and had 17 yards on 14 carries. Ameer Abdullah ran the second-half kickoff back to the 1-yard line, but still struggled in the run game.
Extra miss: First the good news: Matt Prater is 10-for-10 on FGs, including kicks of 49 and 51 yards against the Packers. Now the bad news: He missed two extra points against the Packers, something that almost cost the Lions the game.
Hurting: The Lions’ defensive backfield played well against the Packers, but lost CB Josh Wilson (knee) for the season.
Facts and figures
*The Lions’ defense has allowed 384.2 yards, including 124.1 rushing. The unit also has allowed 261 points (29.0).
*The Lions have recovered seven opponent fumbles.
*Michael Crabtree (51) and Amari Cooper (50) are the first pair of Raiders players since 2002 (Charlie Garner and Jerry Rice) with at least 50 receptions apiece through nine games. Cooper and Crabtree have combined for 101 receptions, 1,378 yards and nine TDs.
*With three sacks against the Packers, the Lions have 23, tied for 11th in the NFL. Ziggy Ansah has seven.
*Latavius Murray needs 122 yards to become the fourth Raiders running back with at least 800 rushing yards through 10 games.