Detroit Lions at Carolina Panthers odds, picks and predictions

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The Detroit Lions (1-1) visit the Carolina Panthers (0-2) Friday in the final week of the NFL preseason. Kickoff from Bank of America Stadium is at 8 p.m. ET (CBS). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Lions vs. Panthers odds, and make our expert NFL picks and predictions.

The Lions were blown out 25-7 by the Jacksonville Jaguars to drop to 1-1 in preseason action. Detroit has now lost 6 of their last 8 preseason games. QB Nate Sudfeld threw for 80 yards and a TD against the Jaguars while QB Teddy Bridgewater, who is competing for a roster spot, had just 34 passing yards on 11 pass attempts.

Detroit is 4-1 against the spread in their last 5 road games and 19-7 in their last 26 games overall.

Carolina dropped to 0-2 in preseason action after losing 21-19 to the New York Giants, their 5th preseason loss in their last 8 overall. The Panthers have only managed to score 19 points in 2 games. QB Matt Corral threw for 71 yards on 13 attempts while his competition for a roster spot, QB Jake Luton, had the only passing TD for the Panthers. RB Raheem Blackshear had 31 rushing yards and a TD. Carolina has struggled to finish drives, going a combined 8-for-23 on 3rd downs in 2 games.

The Panthers are 4-1 against the spread in their last 5 home games and 6-2 in their last 8 games overall.

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Lions at Panthers odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 11:33 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Lions +165 (bet $100 to win $165) | Panthers -200 (bet $200 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Lions +4.5 (-110) | Panthers -4.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 37 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Lions at Panthers picks and predictions

Prediction

Lions 21, Panthers 13

Moneyline

BET THE LIONS (+165).

I’m in love with this line. The Panthers and their rookie QB Bryce Young have looked bad on offense. He will need more help from his offensive line if they want any chance to succeed this season. I know Carolina is good at home ATS, but that matters little when it comes to a preseason game.

The Lions are the better team on paper and have to show better in this last game before their opener against the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs. They have a lot of important rosters spots to lock down by the end of this game, the biggest being 3rd-string RB after Justin Jackson suddenly retired, Jermer Jefferson got injured again, and Mohamed Ibrahim was waived after an injury. RBs Craig Reynolds and Benny Snell Jr. are battling for the final spot and both players will get a lot of touches in this game.

You’ve also got 2 veteran QBs battling to be Jared Goff‘s backup. Rookie QB Hendon Hooker will likely be put on the practice squad while Sudfeld seems to have the lead on Bridgewater.

Against the spread

I love the Lions on the moneyline, so I’ll obviously take them with the points as well for a little insurance.

BET THE LIONS +4.5 (-110).

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Over/Under

BET UNDER 37 (-110).

Both the Panthers and the Lions have been under this total in their 4 combined games. Carolina did not score a single point in their 1st preseason game against the Giants. Detroit put up just a single TD in their 2nd preseason game against the Jaguars.

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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