Los Angeles Rams vs. Detroit Lions 9/8/24 – The 2024 NFL season will get underway on Saturday with a great match between the Lions and the Los Angeles Rams. Both teams finished the preseason with identical 2-1 records, meaning they were well prepared for the start of the regular games. This game is slated for Ford Field and will be aired on NBC. It also promises to be exciting and critical, quite different from the current week’s games. This battle for tiebreakers for fans and bettors looking for premium game day picks will be quite interesting since both teams are keen to start the campaign on the right note.
Los Angeles Rams vs. Detroit Lions 9/8/24 Game Info |
|
| When: | Sunday, September 8, 2024, at 8:20 PM ET |
| Where: | Ford Field |
| TV: | NBC |
| Stream: | NFL Game Pass |
Los Angeles Rams (2-1 Preseason) vs. Detroit Lions (2-1 Preseason)
The Los Angeles Rams have displayed a powerful offensive system, even in the preseason, particularly in running and passing the ball. Boston Scott led the charge with 157 yards rushing over three games on an average of 4.4 yards per rush. This might come in handy against the Detroit defense, which was sometimes found to be deficient against the run last season. Whittington was also well-received at the catching end, with 126 yards on 11 catches. The Rams’ ability to exploit these strengths will be crucial, especially as they face a Detroit team similarly strong in offense, which might parallel the Jets against 49ers, where ground and aerial attacks will dictate the pace.
On the other hand, the Detroit Lions have also geared up their offense for the primetime this season. Hendon Hooker, although under some rush and getting sacked six times, luckily completed passes with 65.9% efficiency indicating instead the scope of improvement. Standing at 3.1 yards per carry average knight looks to be struggling to improve on his average game yardage of 25 yards so frequently finds holes in the Rams’ defense. The leading receiver in this product is Isaiah Williams, catching the ball for 123 yards and 11 completions. The synergy between Hooker and Williams will be vital for breaking down the Rams’ defense, akin to the dynamics expected in the upcoming Cardinals vs. Bills clash.
Stetson Bennett QB vs. Hendon Hooker QB
Stetson Bennett of the Rams had accuracy and decision-making problems, as demonstrated by the five interceptions –598 yards and 57.5 ratings in two games. However, to this point in the season, his deep ball accuracy has been a cause of concern, and with the hapless Detroit Defense, the Rams would require him to step up his precision. Bennett’s ability could prove decisive as to whether the Rams can take advantage of the Lions and their weaker defense.
Hendon Hooker for the Lions, however, does not instill the same sense of concern when he steps into the pocket, and that’s a welcome change. Forgetting about the mistakes that Hooker has made, it’s still easier to argue that even the more pessimistic completion rate and player’s turnover rate are not enough in this situation. His contribution to the game will be significant for the protection of the Lions’ offense, especially as it relates to the elimination of turnovers and the effective use of pressure.
NFL Odds/Point Spread: Detroit Lions -3.5 -101, Total Odds: 52.5
The betting lines suggest a slight edge to the Lions at -3.5, reflecting confidence in Detroit’s ability to cover the spread at home. The total set at 52.5 indicates expectations for a high-scoring game, aligning with both teams’ recent trends of hitting the over.
Los Angeles Rams Betting Trends
The Rams are formidable against the spread, going 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games, indicating their ability to perform better than betting expectations. However, their trend of the total going over in 6 of their last 8 games suggests their games tend to be high-scoring, often involving defensive lapses.
Detroit Lions Betting Trends
Detroit has been strong both ATS and SU, especially at home where they are 8-1 SU in their last 9 games. Their capability to outperform both betting lines and opponents at Ford Field makes them a formidable home team.
Los Angeles Rams vs. Detroit Lions 9/8/24 Betting Picks
Drawing from the assessment and current state of things, we recommend bettors pick the Detroit Lions to cover the spread. The home advantage and the better performance of their quarterback in the preseason give them that edge over the Lions. But in view of the Rams’ pattern to go over and both sides’ offensive potentials, putting your money in the range of over 52.5 is also a good move.
When it comes to NFL Week 1 predictions, a final score prediction could see the Detroit Lions winning by a narrow margin, in this case, a likely 30-24. There’s no doubt as to potentially this game offers some level of discomfort, and therefore, some obviously interesting prop bet options could include certain things such as quarterback plays, total points.