Detroit @ Arizona preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 16, 2012 ) Detroit 10, Arizona 38

The Detroit Lions have started 2-0 only three times since 2000, but they will try to make it twice in three years when they travel to face the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. Coming off a disappointing 4-12 campaign, the Lions started the season with a 34-24 victory over Minnesota and put up big offensive numbers. The Cardinals, who lost 11 of their last 12 games last season, look to avoid their first 0-2 start since 2005.

Arizona had a 24-13 lead after three quarters last week against St. Louis but sputtered on offense in the fourth quarter en route to a 27-24 defeat. The Cardinals have won four straight meetings and nine of the past 12, including a 38-10 victory in Detroit's last trip to the desert last December. Arizona intercepted Matthew Stafford three times - returning two for touchdowns - in last season's win.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Lions -1.5. O/U: 47.5.

ABOUT THE LIONS (1-0): Detroit came out of Week 1 healthy but is likely another week away from getting receiver Ryan Broyles back from a knee injury. The Lions can survive without Broyles thanks to a bevy of offensive weapons including Calvin Johnson and Reggie Bush, who had 90 rushing yards and 101 receiving yards in his Detroit debut. The defense had a tough time bottling up Adrian Peterson but was otherwise solid in the opener, holding the Vikings to 330 total yards and forcing four turnovers.

ABOUT THE CARDINALS (0-1): New starting quarterback Carson Palmer had a solid outing in Week 1, passing for 327 yards and two touchdowns, but he also threw an interception and was sacked four times. The Cardinals might be without two major offensive weapons as receiver Larry Fitzgerald and running back Rashard Mendenhall both are questionable with hamstring injuries. The defense was tough against the run but susceptible to the pass last week, which is not a positive sign against Stafford and his stable of weapons.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Detroit continues to struggle with the red-zone issues that plagued it last season, scoring touchdowns on only three of six trips inside the 20 in Week 1.

2. Arizona's 390 total yards in Week 1 were more than it had in any game last season.

3. Lions DT Nick Fairley had 1 1/2 sacks last week and has 5 1/2 in his last six games dating to last season.

PREDICTION: Lions 31, Rams 23