The New England Patriots (-6.5) are set to pay a visit to the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. This Sunday Night game kicks off at 8:20 p.m. ET and fans can catch the action by tuning in to NBC.
Betting Preview: New England Patriots at Detroit Lions
In this Sunday game, New England is labeled as the favorite and is currently giving up 6.5 points. The Patriots are also receiving -260 moneyline odds while the Lions are +220. If one team can get out in front early on it’ll produce a worthwhile betting opportunity in-game. Oddsmakers have set the over/under (O/U) at 51 points.
The game’s total has swung up after initially being set at 50. The opening line has yet to change.
The Patriots are 1-1 against the spread (ATS) and are down 0.3 units so far. The team’s recorded an O/U mark of 1-1.
The Lions have been a disappointment to moneyline bettors this season, losing 3.8 units. The team is 1-1 ATS and has an O/U record of 2-0.
The Patriots are 1-1 straight up (SU) in 2018 while the Lions are 0-2 SU.
The Pats look to bounce back after a 31-20 defeat to Jacksonville in Week 2. The Pats defense allowed the Jaguars to pass for 377 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for 104 yards. Offensively, Tom Brady completed 24-of-35 passes for 234 yards and two touchdowns. Sony Michel (just 34 yards on 10 rush attempts) led the ground attack while James White (seven receptions, 73 yards) and Phillip Dorsett (five catches, 44 yards) shared the receiving duties in the defeat.
In Week 2, San Francisco got the win against this Detroit crew by a score of 30-27. Matthew Stafford completed 34-of-53 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns. LeGarrette Blount (38 rushing yards on eight attempts) spearheaded the running game while Theo Riddick (nine receptions, 47 yards) and Golden Tate (seven catches, 109 yards) led the receiving attack in the loss.
New England’s run the ball on 42.6 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Detroit has a rush percentage of 23.9 percent. The Patriots have produced 102.0 rush yards per game and have yet to record a touchdown on the ground this year. The Lions are logging 68.5 rush yards per game and have yet to record a rushing TD.
If 2018 numbers are any indication, then the Lions could own an edge along both the offensive and defensive fronts. Their offensive line has yielded just two sacks while their D-line has registered eight sacks. The Patriots offensive line has allowed four sacks and their defense has forced only three sacks.
The Pats offensive scheme has averaged 255.5 yards through the air overall and has five passing TD so far. The Lions have recorded 323.5 pass yards per outing and have four total pass score.
New England has allowed opponents to rush for an average of 135.5 yards and throw for 276.5 yards per game. The Detroit defense has allowed 202.0 yards per game to opposing passers and 179.5 yards per game to opposing runners. Both teams allow similar adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) to the opposition, as the Pats have given up an ANY/A of 6.65 to opposing QBs, while the Lions are allowing an ANY/A of 6.75.
Stafford has managed to complete 34-of-53 passes for 347 yards, three TDs and zero INTs for Detroit. His adjusted net yards per pass attempt sits at 7.07 for the year and 5.10 over his last two games. In the other locker room, Brady has amassed 234 passing yards this year. He’s connected on 24-of-35 attempts with two passing touchdowns and has yet to throw an interception. Brady has a 7.03 ANY/A, including 6.95 over the last two games.
New England Patriots vs. Detroit Lions Betting Pick
SU Winner: Patriots, ATS Winner: Patriots, O/U: Over
Team Betting Notes
- The Detroit D has sacked opposing quarterbacks eight times this season. New England has registered three sacks.
- Detroit has lost one fumble this season while New England has lost three.
- Both teams have produced zero pass plays of 40 or more yards. The Patriots have have made one pass play of 30+ yards while the Lions have created zero such plays.
- The New England defense has allowed zero pass plays of 40 yards or more, while Detroit has given up one such play.
- Both defenses have produced zero rushing plays of 20 yards or more. The New England offense has recorded four running plays of 10+ yards while Detroit has accounted for zero such plays.
- Both teams have allowed one rushing plays of 20 or more yards. The Patriots have given up six running plays of 10+ yards while the Lions have given up five such plays.
