TODAY’S GAMES

* The line: Detroit by 6.

* Story line: How are Lions doing it? They have an anemic offense and a defense too dependent on forcing turnovers, yet they make enough plays to keep winning. Detroit is a game ahead of Tampa Bay in the NFC Central and needs at least two more wins to secure a wild card. The Patriot offense hasn’t exactly been firing on all cylinders over the last two games, posting a total of two touchdowns against the Browns and Bengals, two of the worst defenses in the league.

* Keys to the game: The line play will be the deciding factor, as the Patriots have no answer for the Lions’ offensive or defensive fronts. QB Charlie Batch versus New England’s zone coverage. With RB James Stewart banged up, the Lions need the inconsistent Batch to step up and find holes in the Patriots’ zone coverage. QB Drew Bledsoe vs. the Lion secondary. Bledsoe’s success will rely on his receivers getting free of the Lions’ ball-hawking defensive backs.

* Injury report: NE--RB J.R. Redmond (ribs, questionable). DET--S Kurt Schulz (ankle, questionable); RB James Stewart (hip, questionable).

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THE MATCHUPS NEW ENGLAND DETROIT Points scored 16.6 (26) 19.4 (T19) Points allowed 19.9 (14) 19.8 (12) Passing offense 191.7 (19) 169.5 (26) Rushing offense 86.8 (25) 98.6 (23) Passing defense 210.4 (15) 211.7 (16) Rushing defense 120.5 (20) 120.7 (21) Time of possession 28:56 (24) 29:28 (21) Turnover ratio -2 (T18) +5 (11) Red zone touchdown % 41.7 (22) 42.1 (21)

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The pick: Detroit. Lions are 2-0 since Bobby Ross quit and are coming off a confidence-boosting victory over the Giants. The Patriots? They’re getting worse, not better.

--Research by ROY JURGENS; picks by ROBYN NORWOOD