DETROIT LIONS VS. LOS ANGELES RAMS EXPERT PICK AND PREDICTIONS — September 8, 2024

DETROIT LIONS VS. LOS ANGELES RAMS EXPERT PICK AND PREDICTIONS — September 8, 2024 — Greetings, football fans. Welcome to our NFL coverage here at Godzilla Wins. One of several games on today’s slate features the Detroit Lions (0-0 SU, 0-0 ATS) hosting the Los Angles Rams (0-0 SU, 0-0 ATS).

Here is a look at which squad has the edge going into this matchup and why.

Kickoff

When: Sunday, September 8, 2024 @ 8:20 PM ET

Where: Ford Field, Detroit, MI

TV: NBC

Detroit Lions vs. Los Angeles Rams Odds

Odds courtesy of DraftKings

Detroit Lions vs.  Los Angeles Rams – In-Season Stats & Betting Trends

The Lions had an exceptional 2023 campaign. They won their first division crown since 1993. But back then, the division was called the NFC Central. Additionally, Detroit won two playoff games for the first time since winning the league title in 1957. Although they came short in the conference championship game against the San Franciso 49ers (34-31), the Lions are out to prove that last year’s success was not a fluke.

On the other side of the spectrum, the Rams sputtered out the gate, going 3-6 through their first nine contests. However, this group concluded the season with a 7-1 run to finish 10-7. Unfortunately, their momentum was short-lived, as the Lions eliminated them in the wild-card round by a narrow 24-23 margin. In a rematch of the competitive playoff battle between these teams, will the Lions come out on top again, or will the Rams avenge that playoff loss?

Now that we have set the stage for this Week 1 showdown let’s examine the betting trends for both teams.

The Spread

The Lions enter this matchup as a 3.5-point favorite (via OddsShark.com). Here’s a look at how both teams performed against the spread dating back to last season.

• The Lions are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games overall.
• Detroit is 5-1 ATS in its last six matchups against NFC opponents.
• In their previous eight September games, the Lions are 7-1 against the spread.
• Meanwhile, the Rams are 7-1 ATS in their last eight outings.
• Los Angeles is 6-3 ATS in its previous nine games against Detroit.
• The Rams boast a 13-5-2 record against the spread in their last 20 September contests.

Prediction: Detroit Lions (-3.5)

Over/Under

The current projected over/under total for this matchup is 52.5 points (via Bleacher Nation). Here is why going with the “over” is an intelligent choice.

• The total has gone OVER nine times in the Lions’s last 12 outings.
• Additionally, the OVER total is 4-1 in Detroit’s last five matchups against NFC West teams.
• In the Lions’ last 13 Week 1 matchups, the OVER total prevailed 12 times.
• The total has gone OVER six times in the Rams’ last eight games.
• The OVER total has cashed in in Los Angeles’s last five road contests four times.

Prediction: OVER 44.5 points

Player Prop Bet

The key player to watch for the home team is Jared Goff. He currently has -115 odds exceeding the 270.5 yards threshold and -115 odds of finishing with less than 270.5 passing yards (via DraftKings). Here’s how his 2023 stats stack up against the projected yards total.

• During the 2023 campaign, Goff averaged 269.1 passing yards per game.
• In two career matchups against the Rams (including the playoffs), Goff has thrown for 545 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
• Goff faced off against NFC teams 12 times last season. In those contests, he averaged 262.9 yards per outing.
• In eight home games last season, he averaged 280 yards in those outings.
• Across his last five outings, Goff averaged 282.4 yards per game, exceeding the yards total for this matchup all five times during that stretch.

Prediction: Jared Goff OVER 270.5 yards