The Lions and Seahawks — a preseason Super Bowl favorite and an emerging contender — will renew their NFC rivalry when they meet at Ford Field in the second portion of Week 4's Monday Night Football (8:15 p.m. ET, ABC, ESPN+). The Sporting News breaks down the odds for this exciting conference clash and dishes out the best bets and top props ahead of the action.
Detroit, which represents the biggest Super Bowl liability for many sportsbooks, has a .700 winning percentage since the start of the 2023 NFL season. One of the teams that continues to have the Lions' number, though, is the Seahawks. Seattle, which is 3-0 under new head coach Mike Macdonald, has won six straight meetings with Detroit, and Geno Smith has never lost a game at Ford Field.
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When these squads met last September, Smith completed 32-of-41 passes for 328 yards and two TDs, both to Tyler Lockett. Kenneth Walker III added two scores, DK Metcalf gobbled up 75 yards, and cornerback Tre Brown punched in a pick-six that ultimately served as the difference when the game ended 36-31.
The Lions will be looking to avenge that home loss, which ultimately kept them from winning the No. 1 seed in the NFC (forcing them to travel to San Fran for the NFC title game, which Detroit lost by a field goal). Jared Goff sure has weapons, including playmakers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jahmyr Gibbs. Dan Campbell's squad has also enjoyed DPOY-level pass-rushing from Aidan Hutchinson.
This should be a fun one, so let's get to the odds and unveil our best bets for this conference clash. Here's the Sporting News betting preview and prediction for Lions vs. Seahawks on Monday Night Football.
Lions vs. Seahawks odds, spread, over/under
All odds and data courtesy of Sports Interaction.
- Spread: Lions -3.5 (-110) | Seahawks +3.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: OVER 46.5 (-110) | UNDER 46.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Lions -190 | Seahawks +155
Detroit opened as a -4.5 favorite with a -210 moneyline but moved to -3.5/-190 after the injury reports.
Lions All-Pro center Frank Ragnow will be out with a torn pectoral, while stud safeties Brian Branch (concussion) and Ifeatu Melifonwu (ankle) are both listed as questionable. All-Pro tight end Sam LaPorta (ankle) might also be sidelined.
The Seahawks could be without some key cogs, too. Kenneth Walker III (oblique) is in danger of missing his third straight game, while defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (hamstring) and defensive end Leonard Williams (ribs) are both questionable.
Should you bet the Lions against the spread vs. the Seahawks?
Call us crazy, but we're staying with the 3-0 Seahawks in this one — at least against the spread. Mike Macdonald has this Seattle team playing inspired football on both sides, and Geno Smith has fared too well historically against the Lions for us to back the home favorites to cover. The key will be containing Detroit pass-rushing monster Aidan Hutchinson, and getting the ball out quick.
One storyline that hasn't been covered nearly enough is the looming absence of Lions All-Pro center Frank Ragnow (torn pec). He's the beating heart of this Detroit o-line, and one of the main reasons Dan Campbell and Ben Johnson have been able to establish one of the better running games in the NFL.
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The Lions still have one of the best run-blocking linemen in the league in right tackle Penei Sewell. But without Ragnow it's tough to envision backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs dominating like usual (the Lions average 163 rushing yards per game).
Without that 1-2 RB punch clicking on all cylinders — and Sam LaPorta likely out — Jared Goff could have trouble connecting with wideouts Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. Seattle defensive backs Riq Woolen, Devon Witherspoon, Julian Love, Rayshawn Jenkins, and Tre Brown make up one hell of a Seattle secondary.
In Week 3, the Seahawks bottled up the Dolphins' De'Von Achane for 30 yards on 11 carries (2.7 YPC). In Week 1, they held the Broncos' Jaleel McLaughlin and Javonte Williams to a combined 50 yards on 18 carries (2.8). This unit is far better than oddsmakers realize, and it's likely licking its chops against a Lions team that has scored 36 points over the past two weeks.
Seattle's offense also deserves respect. DK Metcalf is back to playing Pro Bowl-level football, catching 14-of-20 targets for 233 yards and two TDs over the past two weeks. If Kenneth Walker can suit up after a two-week absence due to an oblique injury, Geno Smith might extend his Ford Field record to 3-0. Detroit should win at home, but we like Seattle to cover.
Our Pick: Seahawks +3.5 (-110)
Should you bet the Lions-Seahawks OVER?
Every betting report we have seen indicates that the public is overwhelmingly favoring the OVER. We'll stick to our contrarian method of thinking and go UNDER, as we expect this one to occasionally get ugly with sacks and turnovers.
As mentioned, Goff's usually potent protection and strong running game could both suffer some negative regression on Monday night. And Seattle's underrated defense will be up for the primetime challenge. The Seahawks have limited opponents to 14.3 points per game this season, and they have a good chance of holding Detroit under 21 with Ragnow and LaPorta sidelined.
Casual bettors will look at the 37-31 shootout between these teams last September. But scoring is down this season, and both these squads have ever-improving defenses. Consider betting the UNDER or opting for a four-point teaser that gets you Seahawks +7.5 and a total UNDER 53.5 (+125 mini-SGP).
Our Pick: UNDER 46.5 (-110), or Mini-SGP with Seahawks +7.5 and UNDER 53.5 (+125)
Final score prediction: Lions 24, Seahawks 21
Top player prop for Lions vs. Seahawks
DK Metcalf more receiving yards than Amon-Ra St. Brown (+125)
Everyone loves betting Amon-Ra St. Brown props, but the wideout often sees blank coverage by strong opposing secondaries. And with Goff missing his All-Pro center and tight end, the Sun God could have trouble breaking free for chunk yardage throughout the primetime tilt.
Metcalf, meanwhile, has gone back to receiving beast mode, racking up 233 yards over the past two weeks (33 more than ARSB in that span). The Lions have DBs Brian Branch (concussion), Ifeatu Melifonwu (ankle), and Ennis Rakestraw (hamstring) all in danger of missing Week 4, so the smart money will be on DK ahead of MNF.
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