Atlanta Falcons at Detroit Lions odds, picks and predictions

[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]

The Atlanta Falcons (2-0) visit the Detroit Lions (1-1) Sunday in Week 3 NFL action. Kickoff from Ford Field is set for 1 p.m. ET (FOX). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Falcons vs. Lions, and make our expert NFL picks and predictions.

Atlanta escaped with a 25-24 victory over the Green Bay Packers in Week 2 but was unable to cover as a 3-point favorite. The Falcons have scored 24 or more points in each of their first 2 games as QB Desmond Ridder has completed 68% (34-of-50) of his passes for 352 yards, 2 TDs and 1 INT while also rushing for 38 yards and 1 TD.

Detroit suffered a 37-31 OT loss to the visiting Seattle Seahawks in Week 2, failing to cover as a 5-point favorite. The Lions’ offense looked very good in the loss, but their defense proved to still have a lot of unanswered questions. QB Jared Goff completed 28 of his 35 passes for 323 yards, 3 TDs and 1 INT but the defense allowed 328 passing yards, 2 passing TDs and 2 rushing TDs while only racking up 1 sack and 1 tackle for loss vs. Seattle.

FOOTBALL NEVER STOPS
Live games, analysis and more 7 days a week: Get ESPN+

Falcons 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 10:19 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Falcons +140 (bet $100 to win $140) | Lions -165 (bet $165 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Falcons +3 (+100) | Lions -3 (-120)
Over/Under (O/U): 46 (O: -110 | U: -110)

[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]

Falcons at Lions key injuries

Falcons

CB Jeff Okudah (foot) questionable
RB Cordarrelle Patterson (thigh) questionable

Lions

OL Taylor Decker (ankle) out
S Kerby Joseph (hip) out
RB David Montgomery (thigh) doubtful
CB Emmanuel Moseley (knee, hamstring) out
WR Josh Reynolds (groin) questionable
WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (toe) questionable
OL Halapoulivaati Vaitai (knee) out

Falctons Lions picks and predictions

Prediction

Lions 28, Falcons 21

Moneyline

PASS.

I like the Lions to win here but as (-165) favorites the line is a little too risky. Bet on the spread and/or total instead.

Against the spread

LEAN LIONS -3 (-120).

I like the Lions to cover here as I like their defense to slow down this Atlanta rushing attack. Detroit’s defense only allowed Seattle to pick up 82 yards on 25 carries, leading me to believe that they should have some success slowing down rookie RB Bijan Robinson and 2nd-year RB Tyler Allgeier.

Detroit should be able to force Atlanta to be a pass-heavy offense, which favors the Lions in this game. If the Lions can do that and limit their own turnovers they should cover Sunday.

Over/Under

BET OVER 46 (-110).

Atlanta has yet to score fewer than 24 points in a game and the Lions proved that their offense is legit last week. I expect this to be an offense-heavy game that sees a lot of pass attempts for Detroit and I don’t think Atlanta’s secondary can contain a group that’s 4th in the NFL in passing yards per game (283.0).

Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]

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

Follow @payton_shanks on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.

Access more NFL coverage:

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1367]