Baltimore Ravens vs. Detroit Lions Predictions, Odds, Picks

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

7 minute read

Sept. 23, 2021

Stuart Durst
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

The Ravens are coming into this game on 'Cloud 9'. They just beat the Chiefs in a national prime-time spot after a tough loss Week 1. I doubt we see much money coming in on the Lions this week. The Lions are 0-2, although they don't look quite as bad as some people predicted. They've managed to keep games against the Packers and 49ers relevantly competitive, and I wouldn't be shocked if they do it again. The Lions do have the home field advantage for this 1 p.m. ET game on CBS, being played at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan.

Score Prediction: Baltimore 27, Detroit 20

Best Bet: Detroit +8

Best Bet: T.J. Hockenson (DET/TE) Over 5.5 receptions

Baltimore Ravens vs. Detroit Lions Predictions

I'm not running to the door to bet on this one, but I do think this is a point too high. The Lions aren't a great team by any means. In fact, they might have the worst defense in the league but there's opportunity for a backdoor cover here. Jared Goff may not have McVay as the puppeteer anymore, but he's shown to be a solid quarterback throughout his NFL career.

The Ravens are clearly the better team, and have a history of stomping on bad teams but I think this could really be a nice look-ahead spot for them. After coming off a high Sunday night, they may get caught slipping without fully focusing throughout the finish of this game. With the 8-point spread I'll take a chance on the backdoor cover, a likely scenario is that this Lions team scores late to bring the game within covering distance like they did Week 1.

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Baltimore Ravens vs. Detroit Lions Betting Odds

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The Ravens are currently 8-point favorites on most sportsbooks, meaning they are expected to win by more than a touchdown. If you want to bet on the Lions, then I would probably wait until Sunday as this line will only get bigger.

The game total is currently set at 50. The Lions have done a good job at putting up garbage time points, and the Ravens secondary is still missing a couple starters. This could be something to keep an eye out for.

Baltimore Ravens vs. Detroit Lions Betting Resources

• Matchup: AFC North vs. NFC North
• Date: Sunday, September 26, 2021
• Venue: Ford Field
• Location: Detroit, Michigan
• TV-Time: CBS - 1:00 p.m. ET

• Line Movements
• Betting Trend Movements
• Weather Report
• Injury Report
• Super Bowl 56 Betting

Baltimore Ravens Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 1-1
• ATS: 1-1
• O/U: 2-0
• ATS - Home: 1-0
• ATS - Away: 0-1

Something we talk about a lot are the Ravens losing JK Dobbins, Gus Edwards, and many other running backs before the start of the season. What I've really focused on is the injuries in the secondary, as they limited Tyreek Hill last week but have still been burned on deep balls against both Derek Carr and Patrick Mahomes.

I think the Ravens play a pretty traditional game plan. Despite the fact that they lost all their running back depth, they also proved that running backs are a dime a dozen in the NFL with Williams quickly coming in and rushing for 55+ yards in both of his appearances so far. I think they continue to spread the ball around with Williams, Murray, and Jackson all getting their fair share of carries.

Marquise “Hollywood” Brown has been really good this season, and that means a lot coming from me. He's not someone I've been high on this year, but the Lions cornerback core is absolutely terrible. I don't think they will have to pass the ball much in this game but I really wouldn't be surprised if he had 100+ yards in the limited opportunities he will have as a big play threat.

Detroit Lions Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 0-2
• ATS: 1-1
• O/U: 2-0
• ATS - Home: 1-0
• ATS - Away: 0-1

Jared Goff has found his alpha in this offense, his name is TJ Hockenson. The huge tight end out of Iowa has been everything one could imagine, and Goff clearly likes him. He serves as this teams security blanket, No. 1 option and deep ball threat.

The Ravens have had to face Darren Waller and Travis Kelce in two straight weeks, so I'm not expecting the nightmare to end this week. Hockenson is a top 5 tight end and I expect them to pepper him with targets. The Ravnes are fairly susceptible over the middle, and when playing prevent defense, I think Hockenson could see north of 10 targets this week.

There isn't a lot to discuss with this team. I think their biggest chance of staying close is a backdoor cover when the Ravens have a big lead. Baltimore is coming off a huge week and I doubt they are going be losing sleep about facing the Lions.

The Chicago Bears have gone OVER the point total in four of its last five road games. (AP)

Inside the Stats - Baltimore Ravens

• Record: 1-1
• Division Standing: 1st - AFC North
• Points Scored: 63
• Points Allowed: 68
• PS/G: 31.5 (4th)
• PA/G: 34 (29th)

Inside the Stats - Detroit Lions

• Record: 0-2
• Division Standing: 3rd - NFC North
• Points Scored: 50
• Points Allowed: 76
• PS/G: 25 (13th)
• PA/G: 38 (31st)

Key Players to Watch

• BAL: Lamar Jackson - QB (28 carries, 193 yards, 2 TD)
• BAL: Marquise Brown - WR (12 catches, 182 yards, 2 TD)
• DET: Jared Goff - QB (64/93, 584 yards, 5 TD, 2 INT)
• DET: T.J. Hockenson - TE (16 catches, 163 yards, 2 TD)

Baltimore Ravens vs. Detroit Lions Betting Conclusion

Hockenson over 5.5 Receptions is my favorite prop in this game. He has 9 and 11 targets in his first two games of the season and put up stat lines 8-66-1 and 8-91-1 against Green Bay and San Francisco.

Yards is another good option with Hockenson, but I think when pressure hits Goff he will look to check-down early and often. When game spreads are this bad, its great to still find profitable spots in the prop market. You can take advantage of bad game script and huge lines knowing the lesser team is going to be forced to throw the ball a lot.

Baltimore Ravens vs. Detroit Lions Betting Trends

• Baltimore has covered the spread in eight of its last 10 games.
• Baltimore has gone UNDER the point total in four of its last six games.
• Detroit has lost 12 of its last 13 home games.
• Detroit has gone OVER the point total in four of its last five games.
• Baltimore has covered the spread in six of its last seven games when playing as the favorite.

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• 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.
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