In a world where NFL unders are hitting at a record rate, and where five games this week have totals under 37, the 9-3 Detroit Lions have but one thing to say: Hold my beer.
Their last four games: Beat the Chargers 41-38, beat the Bears 31-26, lost to the Packers 29-22, and beat the Saints 33-28.
Defense? We don’t need no stinkin’ defense.
On Sunday, the Lions take their Greatest Show on Turf V.2 into the elements at Soldier Field against the Bears. While much ink has been spilled about Jared Goff and his home/away and weather splits, Michigan online sportsbooks aren’t necessarily ready to fully pump the brakes. The game’s points total sits at a relatively healthy 43.5, with DraftKings offering the best odds on the over at -108.
Worth noting: This total has been bet down from 46.5. Why? Early week reports had Sunday as a not good and bordering on terrible weather day in Chicago, which probably pushed the number down. But as of this writing, it’s looking like sunshine, temps in the 30s, and not much wind. This number might creep back up as we get closer to Sunday.
As for the Lions’ chances? The books like them. They are 3-point favorites, though you’re paying for the juice, with FanDuel offering -122 odds. Pay for the hook and move it to 3.5 points, you’re at even odds at BetMGM.
Much like the total, the spread has moved since open, when the Lions were 4.5-point favorites. On the moneyline, meanwhile, FanDuel offers the best bang for the buck for Lions backers at -166.
Player prop central
The Lions cannot stop quarterbacks who run. This has been going on for some time, and Justin Fields proved it again a few weeks back when he rushed 18 times(!) for 104 yards and a score. Even if you’re backing the Lions, Fields’ rushing prop — 60.5 yards at -115 at BetMGM — has to look attractive (as does his anytime touchdown prop of +200 at the same book).
As for his counterpart? Goff’s passing yardage prop is pegged at a modest 240.5 at FanDuel at -114 on the over. If you think Goff falls below, BetMGM is offering under 243.5 yards at -110.
Amon-Ra St. Brown had an anomaly last week — his first game this season where he failed to score or go over 100 yards. This week, his anytime touchdown prop is at +130 at FanDuel, and his yardage number is a relatively pedestrian 74.5 at -114 on the over at FanDuel. He has exceeded that number in eight out of 10 healthy games this year.
Thunder and Lightning — aka David Montgomery and Jaymyr Gibbs — are looking to keep the Lions moving on the ground. Their rushing yardage props are 58.5 and 38.5 (both -114 at FanDuel), respectively.
Photo: Chris Graythen/Getty Images
