While it wasn’t exactly a statement game, the Detroit Lions certainly made a point in last week’s 42-17 drubbing of the Denver Broncos.
For starters, the defense showed up for this first time since before we changed the clocks, and the offense – specifically the recently turnover-prone Jared Goff — was firing on all cylinders, and then some. Goff tossed five touchdown passes, Jahmyr Gibbs went for 100 yards on the ground (and David Montgomery another 85), Sam LaPorta got in the box three times, Amon-Ra St. Brown went over 100 yards (and got a score), and even Jameson Williams showed up, catching four balls for 47 yards.
All in all, a red letter day for the Lions.
Now at 10-4, the Lions head to Minnesota, where a victory Sunday would clinch the NFC North title.
And Michigan online sportsbooks like their chances, as they’re a field goal favorite at most books, with DraftKings offering -115. If you allow the hook and give 3.5 points, you can get the Lions at -105 at BetMGM.
On the moneyline, the Lions are -170 at Caesars, and the consensus total of 47 is robust — especially for the 2023 version of the NFL.
Prop central
One interesting prop right from the jump — well, two interesting props — are the touchdown numbers for Gibbs and Montgomery. Outside of Week 3, which Montgomery missed, at least one of them has scored each week. This week, at FanDuel, Montgomery is +115 to find the end zone, Gibbs is at +120 at Caesars. Translation: At plus numbers like those, betting both to find the paint would have led to a profit in every week but one this year.
On the passing front, Goff is looking to continue his dominant performance from last week, and he’s -135 at DraftKings to throw over 1.5 touchdowns. His passing yardage prop is at 245.5 at -115 at PointsBet, a Fanatics Experience.
St. Brown once again has the highest yardage prop for Lions receivers, with Caesars offering 77.5 at -115.
St. Brown is +130 to find the paint at FanDuel, while LaPorta is +175.
Meanwhile, the Lions are certainly drawing live in the futures department.
To win the NFC, they’re as much as +950 at Caesars — good for fourth in the conference after San Francisco, Philadelphia, and Dallas.
As for raising the Lombardi Trophy? It’s +2200 at Caesars.
Photo: Rey Del Rio/Getty Images
