The Baltimore Ravens look to go 2-1 this week when they visit the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Baltimore is coming off an exciting win against rival Kansas City Chiefs while the Lions lost 35-17 to the Green Bay Packers on Monday night. Detroit needs a win to prevent their first 0-3 start since the 2015 NFL season. The Baltimore Ravens have won five of their last eight road games. With that being said, it's time to continue our NFL odds series and make a Ravens-Lions prediction and pick.
Here's how the bookmakers have set the odds:
NFL Odds: Ravens-Lions Odds
Ravens: -9 (+100)
Lions: +9 (-120)
Over: 49.5 (-108)
Under: 49.5 (-112)
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Why The Ravens Could Cover The Spread
On Sunday night, Baltimore squeaked out a victory against the Kansas City Chiefs, coming back from an eleven-point deficit in the 4th quarter. Lamar Jackson was spectacular in the game, rushing for 107 yards and two touchdowns. Jackson threw for 239 yards as Marquise Brown finished with 113 receiving yards and a touchdown. The Ravens showed some resiliency, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Baltimore's defense shut out the Chiefs in the 4th quarter and forced Mahomes to throw his first career interception in September. They also caused the game-winning fumble on a halfback draw play up the middle.
Last season, the Ravens were 6-0 against the spread when scoring more than 32.4 points. The Lions are allowing 38 points to opponents so far this season. Last week, Aaron Jones found the endzone four times against the Lions, and therefore, Lamar Jackson should have a field day on the ground. In their last sixteen road games, the Ravens are 11-5 against the spread and 8-2 against the spread in their last ten games overall.
Why The Lions Could Cover The Spread
In the first half of Monday night's game, Jared Goff showed strong clock management and accurate passing. He led the Lions to a 17-14 lead at halftime with two touchdown passes to his tight ends. The second half was a completely different story as Detroit was outscored 21-0 and fell to Green Bay to move to an 0-2 record. However, the Lions have a few playmakers that could give the Ravens some trouble. TJ Hockenson, D'Andre Swift, Jamaal Williams, and Quintez Cephus have all looked very solid through the team's first two games.
Sunday's matchup comes down to whether or not the Lions as a whole can finish the game. They have been stagnant at certain times in both weeks and, as a result, have lost any momentum they gained in those games. Defensively, the Lions did sack Aaron Rodgers three times for a loss of thirty yards on Monday night. Therefore, they could cause some issues for Lamar Jackson if they contain him and force him to throw the ball. Additionally, Detroit is 8-3 against the spread in their last eleven games in September.
Final Ravens-Lions Prediction & Pick
In the first half of Monday night's game, I thought that the Lions would upset the Packers by the way they were playing. They kept their foot on the gas, only punted once, and held Rodgers and Co. to 14 total points. The second half was a completely different story, and they blew any chance they had to win the game. I expect a similar type of game versus the Ravens, where the Lions will keep it close for a few quarters and then blow it in the fourth quarter. Jared Goff will struggle against this physical defense as well. I predict the Ravens to win 31-17.
Final Pick: Ravens -9
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