The Detroit Lions (2-11-1) travel to meet the Atlanta Falcons (6-8) for a Week 16 game Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Lions vs. Falcons odds and lines, and make our best NFL picks, predictions and bets.
The Lions pulled off one of the more surprising wins of the season, spanking the 10-win Arizona Cardinals by a 30-12 count last Sunday. Detroit has won two of the past three, while covering five of the previous six outings.
The Falcons have picked up two wins in the past four outings, going 2-2 ATS during the stretch. The Under has hit in five of the previous six games for the Falcons, thanks mostly due an average of just 13.8 PPG on offense during the run.
Lions at Falcons odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 7:55 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Lions +225 (bet $100 to win $225) | Falcons -290 (bet $290 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Lions +6.5 (-110) | Falcons -6.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 42.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
PLAY: Try our new, free daily Pick’em Challenge and win. Play now!
Lions at Falcons key injuries
Lions
- WR Trinity Benson (reserve/COVID) out
- WR Quintez Cephus (reserve/COVID) questionable
- QB Jared Goff (reserve/COVID) doubtful
- WR Kalif Raymond (shoulder) questionable
- WR Josh Reynolds (thigh) questionable
- RB D’Andre Swift (shoulder) questionable
Falcons
- WR Tajae Sharpe (foot) doubtful
Let’s Make This Interesting
Place your legal sports bets online in New Jersey and Colorado with Tipico Sportsbook, a trusted, global sports-betting leader. Iowa, get ready, Tipico is coming to your state soon! New customer offer: Deposit $10 or more, get $100 in instant bet credits! 21+, see Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. Bet now!
Lions at Falcons odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Falcons 23, Lions 12
Money line
The Falcons (-290) are too expensive to play laying nearly three times your potential return. After all, they’re the Falcons. Plus, the Lions (+225) have been playing hard for head coach Dan Campbell down the stretch.
AVOID.
Against the spread
The FALCONS -6.5 (-110) are worth playing lightly, mainly because Campbell said Friday that it is “highly unlikely” Goff comes off the COVID list, meaning QB Tim Boyle is likely to start. With the receivers room decimated by COVID and injury, and Swift a question mark to play in the backfield, Detroit could be missing quite a few parts on offense.
Over/Under
The UNDER 42.5 (-108) is the way to go here. The Atlanta offense has been struggling quite a bit in recent games, and the Detroit offense will be a shell of itself without Goff, some of the receivers and perhaps Swift. This could be a very low-scoring battle.
Also see: All Week 16 odds and lines
Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire’s official sportsbook partner in CO, NJ and, soon, IA. Bet now!
If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter and SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Access more NFL coverage:
TheHuddle Fantasy Football | BearsWire | BengalsWire | BillsWire | BroncosWire | BrownsWire | BucsWire | CardsWire | ChargersWire | ChiefsWire | ColtsWire | CowboysWire | DolphinsWire | EaglesWire | FalconsWire | GiantsWire | JaguarsWire | JetsWire | LionsWire | NinersWire | PackersWire | PanthersWire | PatriotsWire | RaidersWire | RamsWire | RavensWire | SaintsWire | SeahawksWire | SteelersWire | TexansWire | TitansWire | VikingsWire | WashingtonFootballWire | DraftWire | TouchdownWire | TheListWire
Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1367]