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Sunday Night Football Picks: LA Rams vs Detroit Lions

by Mike Allen - 9/5/2024

Sunday Night Football predictions LA Rams vs Detroit Lions Jared Goff

In a rematch of last season’s NFC Wild Card Game, the LA Rams visit Dan Campbell’s Detroit Lions in a massive Week 1 matchup on Sunday Night Football. We saw an incredible contest in the playoffs, and I expect the same this week.

The storylines are everywhere in this game. We have two Super Bowl quarterbacks playing against the only former team each QB has had. About halfway through the regular season last year, a lot of people were talking about Matt Stafford retiring with a bad neck. He quickly quelled those rumors when the neck healed up, returning to form late in the season to lead the Rams to the postseason with an average of more than 300 yards passing over his final six games.

Both defenses are mediocre, while each offense is elite. The public has already poured in on the over, which now sits at 51 points, the highest of any Week 1 game in the NFL.

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Rams at Lions Betting Odds

LA Rams (+3.5) @ Detroit Lions (-3.5)

Most of the money and the tickets have come in on Detroit here. The line moved a bit, but I expect it to creep up even farther with the injury news at key positions for the Los Angeles Rams. Second-year YAC-man Puka Nacua is banged up heading into this week, and don't even get me started on the Rams' offensive line. More on that in a moment.

Moneyline

Rams: +155

Lions: -185

Hey, if you want to avoid that hook, you can always pay a little bit extra and take the Lions on the moneyline.

Point Spread

Over 52: -110

Under 52: -110

This betting line opened up at 51.5, recently dipped to 51, and here we are at 52. That does seem low for a game that could easily go for 60. Even with early season primetime under betting trends not south of 70% in 2023, 87% of the money that has come in is on the over.

I get it, but I believe both teams will try to establish the run early and often, with Detroit having more success. That said, I have to pass on the under as well because there's simply too much accuracy and firepower from each offense to make that bet.

Rams at Lions Betting Analysis

Many people believe the biggest difference in this game will be the defenses. Which one will be able to get off the field when it matters? For me, I give the Lions a slight edge on defense. The loss of Aaron Donald is monumental, and the team has to prove to me that they haven't regressed at that position. The most glaring difference between the two teams is on the offensive line. On one side of the ball, Campbell's Lions have maybe the best front five in football. As for LA, they have a suspension, as well as several recent key injuries to that line. The Rams won't even be able to start a center at center. Will we see any hiccups on the road at Ford Field this week? I think so.

Rams at Lions Betting Pick

This is the Detroit Lions' game to lose. They have the best offensive line in the league. They have a quarterback who is 7-0 against the spread in Week 1. They have a home-field advantage. If Detroit can get out to an early two-score lead they take into the locker room, they will likely cover the 3.5 points.

I see the Lions wearing down the Rams with their 1-2 punch at running back. The likely late garbage points from one of the Rams' receivers may be enough to get within a field goal, but not enough to slay the Lions.

With the injuries and suspension, this is like the very best vs the very worst O-line in the NFL. That's enough for me.

Pick: Lions (-3.5)

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