LA Rams at Detroit Lions odds, picks and predictions

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The penultimate game of Week 1 is a matchup between the LA Rams and Detroit Lions on Sunday Night Football. Kickoff from Ford Field in Detroit is set for 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Rams vs. Lions odds, and make our expert NFL picks and predictions.

The Rams come into the season after going 10-7 in 2023. Their campaign ended with a 24-23 loss to the Lions in the wild-card round in January, so they’re opening the 2024 season in the same place last season ended for them. QB Matthew Stafford, WR Cooper Kupp and WR Puka Nacua are all healthy for Week 1, though the defense will be missing DT Aaron Donald following his retirement in March.

The Lions reached the NFC Championship Game last season after beating the Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first 2 rounds. The San Francisco 49ers beat them in the conference title game but they’re on track to be a contender in the NFC once again with QB Jared Goff, WR Amon-Ra St. Brown and DE Aidan Hutchinson all back.

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Rams at Lions odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 1:50 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Rams +185 (bet $100 to win $185) | Lions -225 (bet $225 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Rams +4.5 (-110) | Lions -4.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 52.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Rams at Lions key injuries

Rams

RT Rob Havenstein (ankle) questionable
TE Tyler Higbee (knee) out

Lions

S Ifeatu Melifonwu (ankle) doubtful
DT D.J. Reader (quadriceps) questionable

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Rams at Lions picks and predictions

Prediction

Lions 27, Rams 24

Moneyline

January’s meeting between the Rams and Lions came down to the wire, with Detroit pulling off a 1-point home win. The Rams are better equipped to challenge the Lions this season, but with their starting left tackle and cornerbacks missing, it could be a tall task to win outright Sunday.

PASS on the money line, as the Lions at -225 is not a price worth paying.

Against the spread

The Rams are 2-1 ATS in their last 3 meetings against the Lions, only failing to cover as 17-point favorites in 2021; they still won that game, 28-19. As good as the Lions were against the spread last season (14-6), the Rams weren’t far behind at 11-6-1 – 3rd-best in the NFL.

The Rams offense is loaded with talent and the defense is more well-rounded up front despite losing Donald. That’ll keep this game close, even on the road in a hostile environment. BET RAMS +4.5 (-110).

Over/Under

The total has gone Under in each of the last 3 meetings between these teams. After they combined for 38 points in the 1st half during January’s playoff game, they scored just 9 total points in the 2nd half, with no touchdowns.

As explosive as both of these offenses could be this season, Week 1 typically comes with some slow starts on that side of the ball, especially considering neither quarterback played in the preseason. BET UNDER 52.5 (-110).

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

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