The Los Angeles Rams (-9.5) are heading east to visit the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. This early afternoon matchup is scheduled to get going at 1:00 p.m. ET and FOX will broadcast the action.
Betting Preview: Detroit Lions vs. Los Angeles Rams
Detroit is a live dog here and is currently getting 9.5 points. The Rams are also receiving -440 moneyline odds while the Lions are +310. Vegas has set the over/under (O/U) at 55 points. If the favorites fall behind early on, it’ll likely create a solid live betting opportunity.
The surprising Rams are 4-5-2 against the spread (ATS) and have gained 8.6 units so far. The team’s posted an O/U mark of 6-5.
The Lions have lost 3.5 units this season. The team is 6-5 ATS and also has an O/U record of 6-5.
The Rams have gone 10-1 straight up (SU) in 2018 while the Lions are 4-7 SU.
The Rams just scored a 54-51 victory over Kansas City in Week 11 in which Jared Goff completed 31 passes for 413 yards and four touchdowns. Todd Gurley II (55 rushing yards on 12 attempts) led the ground attack while Brandin Cooks (eight receptions, 107 yards) and Tyler Higbee (six catches, 63 yards) handled the receiving duties in the win.
Detroit just lost a 23-16 game to Chicago in Week 12. Matthew Stafford completed 28-of-38 passes for 236 yards and two interceptions. LeGarrette Blount (88 yards on 19 rush attempts, two TDs) spearheaded the running game while Theo Riddick (seven receptions, 48 yards) and Bruce Ellington (six catches, 28 yards) led the pass-catching corps in the loss.
Los Angeles has run the ball on 45.2 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Detroit has an overall rush percentage of 38.7 percent. The Rams have produced 138.5 rush yards/game and have 15 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Lions are putting up 101.4 rushing yards per game and have eight total rush TDs.
The Rams offensive scheme has averaged 323.5 yards through the air overall and has 26 passing scores so far. The Lions have produced 259.5 pass yards per contest and have 17 total pass TDs.
Los Angeles has let opponents rush for an average of 119.9 yards and pass for 274.3 yards per game. The Detroit defense has allowed 257.7 yards per game to opposing passers and 117.1 yards per game to opposing runners. The Rams are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of 7.02 to opposing QBs, while the Lions have given up an 8.12 ANY/A.
Offensively, Goff is already up to 3,229 passing yards this year. He’s completed 230-of-342 attempts with 24 passing scores and only six interceptions. He has a sparkling 9.07 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 8.48 over the last two games.
Todd Gurley II (923 rushing yards, 12 rush TDs, 401 receiving yards, four receiving touchdowns this season), Brandin Cooks (864 receiving yards, three receiving TDs) and Robert Woods (815 receiving yards, four TDs) have all played key roles lately.
Matthew Stafford has connected on 249-of-369 passes for 2,621 yards, 16 TDs and 10 INTs for Detroit. His ANY/A stands at 5.74 for the year and 4.71 over his last two games.
We’re expecting the Lions to control tempo by feeding their running backs early and often. In addition to Kenny Golladay (691 receiving yards, four receiving TDs this season), LeGarrette Blount (270 rush yards, five rush TDs) and Kerryon Johnson (641 rush yards, three rush TDs, one TD) have delivered significant production to the Detroit offense.
Los Angeles Rams at Detroit Lions Betting Prediction
SU Winner: Lions, ATS Winner: Lions, O/U: Under
Team Betting Notes
- The Detroit offense has lost five fumbles this season while Los Angeles has lost three.
- The Detroit D has produced 32 sacks on the year while Los Angeles has 29.
- Los Angeles has averaged 5.0 yards per rush attempt over its past three outings and 5.1 over its last two.
- Detroit has averaged 3.8 yards per carry over its last three matchups and 4.1 over its past two.
- In its last three games, Detroit is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- The Over/Under for Los Angeles’ last game was set at 63.5. The over cashed in the team’s 54-51 triumph over Kansas City.
- Over its last three games, Los Angeles is 0-2-1 ATS and the over cashed in each of those three.
- The O/U for Detroit’s last matchup was 43. The under cashed in the 23-16 loss to Chicago.
