The well-rested Detroit Lions, coming off a pseudo bye following their victory in Green Bay last Thursday, return home Sunday afternoon for a Week 5 outing against the winless Carolina Panthers.
The Lions will be looking for a dose of revenge after being rocked at home last season as a 2-point favorite by Carolina 37-23, the most lopsided victory for the Panthers in 2022.
This time the Lions are listed as a much heavier favorite after opening as a 6-point choice in odds posted by the Westgate SuperBook in May. The over/under then was 44.5.
Through four weeks, Detroit is 3-1 against the spread; Carolina 0-3-1. Detroit is 2-2 in the over/under category. Carolina games have gone under three times.
Odds for Panthers vs. Lions: point spread, moneyline, total
This marks the Lions' fourth straight game as a favorite, which is quite an achievement since there was a span from 2020 to early 2022 that the Lions were an underdog 25 straight times.
Their only loss in this current stretch as the betting choice occurred in Week 2 at home against Seattle, which defeated Detroit 37-31 as a 4.5-point dog. And in an ironic twist, that was also a game in which the Lions were coming off an extended break, having upset Kansas City 21-20 as a 4-point underdog in the Thursday night season opener in KC.
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Panthers betting news, injury report
Carolina's postseason chances with new coach Frank Reich and rookie QB Bryce Young already were super gloomy with a 0-4 record, but 0-5 would virtually end their playoff dreams, if indeed they still have any.
Not only has no team ever qualified for the postseason after such a start, but only one in history recovered to have a winning record -- the 1962 Buffalo Bills at 7-6-1. But for bettors with faith in the Panthers, they are available at Caesars Sportsbook at +1800 to reach the postseason and +55000 to win the whole shebang.
On the injury front, leading rusher Miles Sanders is dealing with a groin issue and was limited at practice Wednesday. For Philadelphia last season, he rushed for 1,269 yards at 4.9 a carry, but this year has only 158 yards at 2.9 a rush.
Also, key cornerback Donte Jackson (shoulder) was limited in Wednesday's drills. The team already was without top CB Jaycee Horn (hamstring, IR).
Lions betting news, injury report
Last week's 34-20 drubbing of Green Bay gave the Lions a 3-1 record and as many wins as the rest of the NFC North teams combined. At -190 (FanDuel), they are the third heaviest favorite to win a division this season. And their Super Bowl odds are +2000 (Caesars).
What really stuck out in Week 4 was Detroit's rushing game, with 211 yards on 43 carries and also how the defense held the Packers to 23 first-half yards in taking a 27-3 lead. That's the fewest yards after two quarters for anyone in the league this year.
Injury-wise, there's good news and bad news for the Lions. First the bad: Amon-Ra St. Brown, the team's leading receiver, didn't practice Wednesday because of an abdominal injury. And fellow starting WR Josh Reynolds was limited with a groin injury.
But the good news is that fellow WR Jameson Williams, who was suspended by the league the first four games because of gambling, is returning Sunday. He was the 12th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Panthers vs. Lions props picks
Here are other markets to bet on Sunday's game:
Halftime Leader/Final Result (DraftKings):
- Panthers/Lions: +700
- Panthers/Panthers: +600
- Panthers/Tie: +3000
- Tie/Lions: +1600
- Tie/Panthers: +3000
- Tie/Tie: +6000
- Lions/Lions: -220
- Lions/Panthers: +1300
- Lions/Tie: +3500
And FanDuel offers an enticing prop regarding passing yards by Carolina rookie Bryce Young.
- Bryce Young Under 218.5 yards: -114.
In his three-game career (he missed one with an ankle injury) he topped out at 204 yards last week when he completed 71.8 percent of his throws against a Minnesota pass defense that ranks second worst in the league. Now he'll be going against the fourth best unit.
Panthers vs. Lions predictions
Detroit QB Jared Goff, who ranks fourth in the league in yards per pass (7.9), will be going against a depleted Carolina secondary and also have the benefit of a punishing running game spearheaded by Montgomery and rookie Jahmyr Gibbs, the No. 12 overall selection in the 2023 draft.
They will be working behind one of the NFL's best offensive lines.
And on defense the Lions likely will bring more pressure than the Panthers can handle. Over the past two weeks, Detroit has had seven sacks against Atlanta and five last week vs. the Packers. Meanwhile, Carolina's Young went down a season-high five times against the Vikings.
Then there's the matter of crowd noise in Detroit's dome, which is sold out for the season. Carolina, which leads the league in false starts with 12, three more than anyone else, could be in trouble. As a point of reference, the Bears committed nine such infractions in a memorable game at Detroit in 2011.
Prediction: Lions minus the points and over
How to watch Panthers vs. Lions
- Date: Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023
- Kickoff: 1 p.m. ET
- Location: Ford Field -- Detroit, MI
- Where to Watch: Fox
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