By Tyler Everett
Copyright newsweek
Monday Night Football matchups don’t get any better than tonight’s clash between the Detroit Lions (1-1) and the Baltimore Ravens (1-1).Don’t let either team’s record fool you. Based on what we’ve seen in recent years, and so far this season, both the Lions and Ravens should be contenders in their divisions and beyond.The Lions bounced back from an ugly Week 1 loss at NFC North rival Green Bay by crushing Chicago last Sunday.The Ravens, on the other hand, did everything but finish in a heartbreaking collapse vs. Buffalo on SNF in Week 1. They responded with an emphatic 41-17 win over the Browns in Week 2.How To Watch Detroit Lions vs. Baltimore Ravens
Kickoff: 8:15 p.m. EDT
TV: ABC/ESPN
Lions vs. Ravens Betting Odds: Spread, ML, Total
+4.5 (-112)
+4.5 (-105)
+4.5 (-110)
-4.5 (-108)
-4.5 (-115)
-4.5 (-110)
53.5 (o-115; u-105)
53.5 (o-120; u-102)
53.5 (o-110; u-110)
Lions vs. Ravens Betting News, AnalysisWhen you’re contending for homefield advantage in the playoffs, a 1-2 start could prove catastrophic in the battle for the top seed in the conference (just ask Baltimore, which started 0-2 a year ago).That should amp up the intensity in this one. While the Lions earned the 1-seed in the 2024 playoffs with a 15-2 record, the Ravens entered last year’s playoffs as a 3-seed after a 12-5 regular season, and they had to travel to Buffalo for the Divisional Round clash with the Bills.Latest Injury News For Lions vs. RavensBoth teams will be missing at least a few key players tonight, according to their latest injury reports.The Lions have ruled out starting defensive end Marcus Davenport. Detroit corner D.J. Reed, linebacker Jack Campbell, safety Kerby Joseph and OT Talor Decker are all questionable, but will likely be active tonight.The Ravens have several starters out due to injury, including FB Patrick Ricard, LB Kyle Van Noy, DT Nnamdi Madubuike and TE Isaiah Likely.Detroit Lions Betting News, Outlook
Record: 1-1
NFC North winner odds (FD): +290
NFC winner odds (FD): +800
Super Bowl 60 winner odds (FD): +1500
So much for the offseason departures of offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, center Frank Ragnow and guard Kevin Zeitler spelling the end of the Lions being an offensive force.Detroit looked as explosive as ever in Week 2, jumping out to a 28-14 halftime lead en route to a 52-21 rout of the Bears. The Lions averaged 8.8 yards per play (11.9 per passing attempt and 5.9 per rushing attempt) in that statement victory. Detroit’s defense also played well in Week 2, sacking Caleb Williams four times and forcing two turnovers in a game the Lions led 38-14 entering the fourth quarter.Detroit will need to be outstanding on both sides of the ball to pull the upset tonight. This defense should be able to hang if it can hold up against the dominant Baltimore running game, but that’s a massive if.It was easy to overlook given the final score, but the Lions allowing 5 yards per carry to the Bears last week does not bode well for their chances against Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson this evening.Baltimore Ravens Betting News, Outlook
Record: 1-1
AFC North winner odds (FD): -450
AFC winner odds (FD): +240
Super Bowl 60 winner odds (FD): +500
Entering this season, the Ravens were widely viewed as having one of the most talented — and deepest — rosters in the NFL. Nothing we’ve seen through two weeks has changed that perception.Baltimore’s ability to close games out in the fourth quarter remains in question, though. When the Bills scored 22 fourth-quarter points in Week 1, they became the fifth Ravens opponent in the last 21 games to score at least 13 points on this D in the fourth (they allowed Dallas, Cincinnati — twice — and Tampa Bay to catch fire down the stretch last year).Another potential issue tonight will be the run defense with Madubuike and Van Noy on the sidelines. The Ravens bottled up the Bills’ running game in Week 1, allowing just 108 yards on 31 carries, but the Browns had some success on the ground last week (22 carries for 115 yards, including 10 for 61 by rookie Quinshon Judkins).The Lions ran for 177 yards last week, and whether they can challenge Baltimore tonight might come down to how their running game fares against the Ravens’ shorthanded front seven. It’s not a hot take to suggest that if Baltimore consistently forces Jared Goff to win on third-down-and-long, this game might be all Ravens.But if Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery are effective on early downs, Baltimore is going to have its hands full.Lions vs. Ravens Prediction, Best BetsThe Ravens are strong on both sides of the ball. Given some of the big wins they’ve had at home in primetime in recent years, it’s easy to see why they’re the clear favorites tonight.But I think the Lions will be able to move the ball on this defense, especially on the ground. And until the Ravens defense shows the ability to consistently finish games against potent offenses, the possibility of a backdoor cover will make it dicey to back Baltimore on the spread in games like this.So, give me the Lions at +4.5. I also like the over, as the Ravens alone could virtually guarantee that hits if they stay hot (even if they hold Detroit’s offense in check). If Detroit is able to move the ball, then a high-scoring, back-and-forth affair would (obviously) guarantee that the over ends up hitting. This is a big number, but a low-scoring game feels unlikely for several reasons.Best bets:
Over 53.5 (-110 at bet365) — 1 unit
Lions +4.5 (-105 at FD) — 0.5 units
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