The Lions finished just outside of the playoff picture a season ago and recently inked quarterback Matthew Stafford to the richest contract in NFL history. He will aim to lead his team to a home victory, but the bettors are clearly backing the Cardinals in this matchup.
Kickoff for this regular season Week 1 game is set for Sunday, September 10, 2017, at 1 p.m. ET at Ford Field.
Opening NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Arizona Cardinals -1.5
Detroit Lions +1.5
Over/Under 47.5
Odds Analysis
The Cardinals were initially underdogs in this game but the line has shifted, making them road favorites. Even with Detroit getting points at home, more than 67 percent of the action is still on Arizona to cover the spread. There is no doubt who the bettors are backing in this game.
The scoring total has been deemed too low as nearly 82 percent of the money has been hitting the “over” as bettors expect to see some points light up the scoreboard.
Injury Report
Ziggy Ansah - The Lions’ star pass-rusher had an ankle injury that sidelined him throughout the preseason, but he practiced on Monday and seems on track to play on Sunday. It would be a huge boost to Detroit, which does not have very many pass-rushing options otherwise. If Ansah can’t go or is limited, it’s a negative for Detroit.
Deone Bucannon -- The Cardinals’ inside linebacker missed all of training camp while recovering from ankle surgery. He is a key cog in the middle of the lineup and is questionable for the contest. If Bucannon can’t play, the Cardinals will rely heavily on Haason Reddick, the team’s first-round draft pick.
Robert Nkemdiche -- The defensive tackle had minimal impact as a rookie but had a strong preseason. He is hoping to fill in for the departed Calais Campbell on the Cardinals’ defensive line, but a calf strain has his availability in doubt.
Player to Watch
John Brown -- Fitzgerald is the Cardinals’ No. 1 receiver, but there are question marks behind him. Brown had 1,000 yards receiving in 2015 but learned he carried the sickle cell trait last season and saw his numbers decrease. Brown is battling a quadriceps injury but has two touchdown receptions in his most recent action in the preseason.
If Brown is carving up the defense, it will be hard for the Lions to cover him, Fitzgerald and star running back David Johnson. However, if he doesn’t have a big impact, it makes it easier for Detroit. Lions cornerback Darius Slay may get the assignment on Brown, and it will be interesting to see who wins the battle.
The Lions can’t give up a lot of yards through the air of they could be in trouble.
Free ATS Pick
The Lions were surprisingly competitive last season and hope to build on that. Ameer Abdullah is a talented running back and he needs to take the next step in his career to help Stafford out in this one against a talented Cardinals defense.
Arizona was bogged down by numerous miscues last year, but it was a weird season. The Cardinals have the better players and should be able to overcome playing on the road to capture this win and start the season on a promising note. The Lions will keep it close, but not close enough to cover. The “under” is the better choice even though most bettors are going the other way on the wager.
NFL Odds: Cardinals 24, Lions 20
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