49ers vs. Lions Predictions, Odds, Picks

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

3 minute read

Sept. 12, 2021

Jonathan Willis
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

San Francisco 49ers vs. Detroit Lions Predictions

Score Prediction - 49ers 30 Lions 17

The Detroit Lions might be the worst team in football this year. Detroit traded away franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford in exchange for Jared Goff, two first-round picks, and a third-round pick in an open rebuilding effort this offseason. The Lions don’t have a lot of talent on the roster, and they are pegged to finish at the bottom of the NFC North by most prognosticators. That has led to the Lions being the biggest home underdog in Week 1 when they face the San Francisco 49ers.

Detroit lost its two best receivers this offseason. Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones Jr. are both with other teams entering the 2021 season, leaving Goff with no real proven targets in the passing game. Tight end T.J. Hockenson has been somewhat underwhelming since the Lions took him with the eighth overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, but he is likely to be Goff’s favorite target early as Tyrell Williams, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Kalif Raymond are uninspiring receivers.

D’Andre Swift is a promising, young running back though, and this is a decent offensive line. Tackles Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell could constitute a very good tandem by the end of the season if Sewell develops quickly, and center Frank Ragnow is solid.

That offensive line could open some holes against a San Francisco front seven that isn’t intimidating as it was in 2019. Nick Bosa is coming back from a major injury, and Javon Kinlaw is listed as questionable to play on Sunday. Arik Armstead is good, yet he might not be as effective considering the other issues on the defensive line.

For now, Jimmy Garoppolo is still the starting quarterback in San Francisco. Garoppolo is going to start at least Week 1 against Detroit, and he should post solid numbers considering the 49ers are healthy and have a lot of talent. Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and Mohamed Sanu Sr. constitute an enviable trio of receivers, and George Kittle is the best tight end in the NFC.

The Detroit Lions have lost 12 straight home games when playing as underdogs. (AP)

San Francisco 49ers vs. Detroit Lions Best Bets

• San Francisco +7.5

San Francisco 49ers vs. Detroit Lions Game Odds

• San Francisco -350
• Detroit +280
• San Francisco (-7.5) -110
• Detroit (+7.5) -110
• Over 45.5 -110
• Under 45.5 -110

Odds Provided by BetMGM - Subject to Change

San Francisco 49ers vs. Detroit Lions Betting Resources

• Venue: Ford Field
• Location: Detroit, Michigan
• TV-Time: FOX - 1:00 p.m. ET

• Vegas Odds
• Futures Odds
• Line Movements

San Francisco 49ers vs. Detroit Lions Betting Analysis

Garoppolo will silence the doubters for now in a comfortable Week 1 win over Detroit. San Francisco will be able to establish the run with Raheem Mostert and Trey Sermon ripping off nice chunks of yardage, and Garoppolo will thrive in play action. Goff is likely to throw at least one interception against ball-hawking safeties Jimmie Ward and Jaquiski Tartt.

San Francisco 49ers vs. Detroit Lions Betting Trends

• Detroit has lost 12 straight home games when playing as the underdog.
• San Francisco has failed to cover the spread in five straight games when playing as the favorite.
• Detroit has seen the point total go OVER in 10 straight season opening games.

Where to place a bet this NFL Season?

• Use our exclusive BetMGM Bonus Code VIBONUS1500 to unlock BetMGM’s welcome offer for new sportsbook users!
• Compare the latest NFL Odds from the best sportsbooks before placing a bet on this week's games.
• Check out the North Carolina Sportsbooks just before they launch legal online sports betting.

VegasInsider Staff

More from VegasInsider Staff