The Detroit Lions (3-5) host the Washington Football Team (2-6) Sunday at Ford Field for a 1 p.m. ET kickoff. Below, we preview the Washington-Lions betting odds and lines and make our NFL picks and predictions.
Washington at Lions: Betting odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 6:30 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Washington +140 (bet $100 to win $140) | Lions -167 (bet $167 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Washington +3 (-106) | Lions -3 (-115)
- Over/Under: 45.5 (O: -115 | U: -106)
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Washington at Lions: Game notes
- Washington is now on its third starting quarterback—Alex Smith—after QB Kyle Allen exited last week’s 23-20 loss to the New York Giants with a dislocated and fractured left ankle. Smith passed for 325 yards in fill-in duty but also threw three costly interceptions.
- The Lions lost at the Minnesota Vikings 34-20 last week, their second double-digit defeat in a row. QB Matthew Stafford was pulled in the fourth quarter by team officials, who feared he suffered a concussion. Stafford cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol and is active for Sunday’s game.
- Washington picked up a home win last season vs. Detroit 19-16, and covered as a 4-point underdog. Stafford was injured for the game, but that’s not much of an excuse when you take into account Washington finished with a worse record last year.
Washington at Lions: Key injuries
Washington
- QB Kyle Allen (ankle) out
- LT Geron Christian (knee) out
- PK Dustin Hopkins (groin) questionable
- WR Dontrelle Inman (hamstring) out
Lions
- LB Jarrad Davis (knee) questionable
- WR Kenny Golladay (hip) out
- TE T.J. Hockenson (toe) questionable
- G Halapoulivaati Vaitai (foot) questionable
- DT Nick Williams (shoulder) questionable
Washington at Lions: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Washington 28, Detroit 20
Money line (?)
It’s fair to be concerned about Smith considering the gruesome injury he suffered in 2018, but when right, he’s a much better option than the previous two Washington starters.
As the season progresses, I expect Washington to be better off with Smith under center and this is a great matchup for Smith to settle into his new role. Detroit’s defense is 25th in opponent’s QB Rating and 29th in touchdown percentage.
GIMME WASHINGTON (+140) for 1 unit.
Against the spread (?)
This Lions offense is a lot less scary without WR Kenny Golladay. Stafford has thrown six of his seven interceptions in the games Golladay didn’t play and the game he exited early with an injury.
Washington’s defense ranks sixth in Football Outsiders’ DVOA and it is first in pass defense DVOA. Without Golladay, I cannot see Stafford doing much through the air and Detroit’s rushing attack won’t pick up the slack considering it is ranked 24th in rushing yards per game.
Also, Smith has enough weapons to get this Washington offense going. WR Terry McLaurin is a borderline Pro Bowl receiver and watch out for dual-threat RB J.D. McKissic, who played for Detroit last season. More importantly, the Lions give up the most fantasy points per game to running backs and that’ll help a Washington ground game that is ranked 29th in rushing yards per game.
BET WASHINGTON +3 (-106) at 2.5 units.
Over/Under (?)
Washington is definitely a defense-first team and I’ve outlined my concerns for Detroit’s offense without Golladay. That being said, I lean OVER 46.5 (-115) because I think we’ll see Washington’s best offensive performance to this point of the season.
A lean is not necessarily a bet, proceed at your own caution.
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Also see:
- Secondary one of few bright spots in 2020 (Washington Wire)
- 11 prospects to know for Detroit in 2021 draft (Lions Wire)
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