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The 49ers head east to Detroit for Week 1 of the 2021 NFL season. The 49ers are heavy favorites here but don't be surprised to see this game end up closer than expected. It’s time to continue our NFL odds series and make a 49ers-Lions prediction and pick.
In what seems like a huge mismatch on paper, the Lions will be fighting hard in their first game under new head coach Dan Campbell. Meanwhile, the 49ers have Super Bowl in their sight as they resume the Garoppolo era at quarterback. This game could have serious upset potential. Don't sleep on the Lions.
Here’s how the bookmakers have set the lines for Sunday's matchup.
NFL Odds: 49ers-Lions Odds
San Francisco 49ers -7 1/2 (-111)
Detroit Lions +7 1/2 (-109)
Over 45 points (-105)
Under 45 points (-115)
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Why The 49ers Could Cover
After a disappointing 2020 season that saw this team miss the playoffs, the 49ers are set to bounce back to their 2019 form, a season that saw them almost win the Super Bowl. With a healthy Jimmy Garoppolo under center gain after missing most of last season with an ankle injury, the 49ers are expected to be contenders for the NFC West crown.
This is a dynamic offense that should have no trouble putting up points against a bottom-half-of-the-league Lions defense. Kyle Juszczyk is one of the best tight ends in football and I'd expect him to find the endzone at least once in this game.
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San Francisco's defense, led by Nick Bosa, is familiar with Jared Goff, who has played all of his brief career up to this point in the NFC West. Taking advantage of a rebuilding Lions defense, the Jimmy G. and the 49ers get out to a 14-0 lead and don't relinquish that lead. The defense, one of football's stingiest, has the potential to pressure Goff into multiple interceptions as well.
Why The Lions Could Cover
I don't understand the dislike with Jared Goff as Detroit's new quarterback. He literally made the Super Bowl in his third season in the NFL, leading a dominant Rams team to a 13-3 record in 2018. While the Lions will miss Matthew Stafford behind center, I'm a huge fan of the Goff trade.
He's a proven NFL quarterback that was one big games, and will be a great veteran presence on this team as well considering much of this roster is rather inexperienced in the league.
Detroit's offense is nothing to get too excited about, but D'Andre Swift has the chance to be one of football's best running backs this season in a run-heavy offense. As for why the Lions could cover, I think this game ends up hitting the under total by far, and the Lions keep it close in a game similar to that Pats/Rams Super Bowl in 2019. Dan Campbell is a passionate coach who will rally his players to step up in this first game of the season, also the first for Campbell as head coach in Detroit.
Clearly the Lions are the underdogs here, but there's a chip on their shoulder. If the Lions defense can get to a still-recovering Garoppolo, and Goff plays like he did in his NFC West days, the Lions can keep this game within a few points. Ultimately, I still think the 49ers win, but not by much.
Final 49ers-Lions Prediction & Pick
The Lions lead this game at halftime looking for the upset victory. However, late miscues by a porous defense allow the 49ers to drive down the field for a game-winning touchdown in the game's final minutes. The 49ers win, 17-13, but the Lions cover the spread.
FINAL PICK: Lions +7 1/2 (-109)
