Rams vs. Lions prediction: Odds, lines, best bets, Stuckey's expert picks for 'Sunday Night Football'

Rams vs. Lions Picks

SPREAD

If I'm going to bet the spread, it will be live. If the spread gets to Lions -3 early, I'll be interested.

MONEYLINE

I have no bet on the moneyline for this game.

TOTAL

Similar to the spread, I'm looking for a live bet here. If the total goes down to 48 early in the game, I'll be looking to bet the over.

PLAYER PROP

If I'm going to bet this game, it will be here. Sam LaPorta has a great matchup, and I'd recommend targeting his player props

Rams vs. Lions Pick: Sam LaPorta Receptions & Receiving Yard Overs

Rams vs. Lions Odds

Sunday, Sept. 8

8:20 p.m. ET

NBC/Peacock

Odds via BetMGM. Get up-to-the-minute NFL odds here.

• Rams vs. Lions Point Spread: Rams +4.5 | Lions -4.5
• Rams vs. Lions Total: Over/Under 52.5
• Rams vs. Lions Moneyline: Rams +185 | Lions -225

How to Watch Rams vs. Lions

Rams vs. Lions is scheduled for 8:20 p.m. ET live from Ford Field on Sunday. The game is live on NBC and will be streamed on Peacock and streaming platforms, such as YouTube TV.

Rams-Lions Betting Trends

• 42% of bets and 79% of the money are on the Lions to cover the spread.
• 80% of bets and 76% of the money are on the over.
• 98% of bets and 85% of the money on the moneyline are on Detroit.

Rams vs. Lions: NFL Week 1 Picks

For reference, the Lions closed as 3.5-point favorites with a total of 53.5 in that playoff game. The market was sitting around Detroit -3.5 with a total of 51 for a while, but the Lions and the over have since taken money — and I agree with each move. I think the Lions should now be heavier home favorites since they improved their roster on paper, while the Rams have taken a step back.

The Lions offense is mostly intact outside of swapping guard Jonah Jackson (now with the Rams) for Kevin Zeitler. The Lions boast one of the league's best offensive lines, a plethora of skill-position talent, in addition to one of the better offensive coordinators in the game.

In his career, Jared Goff has gone 35-17 (67.3%) ATD indoors (25-9 past three seasons) compared to just 36-35-2 ATS when not.

Detroit's biggest weakness last season was its pass defense, which it addressed by bringing in Carlton Davis and Amik Robertson, while also selecting two corners in the first two rounds of the NFL draft. Meanwhile, the run defense was already rock solid and should only get better with the addition of D.J. Reader (questionable), one of the better interior run stuffers in the NFL.

I'm still not fully sold on defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn from a schematic perspective, but this pass defense doesn't have to be elite. If there's even just a little bit of improvement, the Lions are a serious Super Bowl contender. Plus, in fairness to Glenn, he was pretty handcuffed with what he could do with the talent he had at his disposal in the secondary in recent seasons.

For the Rams, let's start on defense, where I think they could suffer one of the biggest year-over-year declines in the NFL.

It all begins with Aaron Donald. The future Hall of Famer was still one of the best linemen against both the run and pass. He drew so much attention with constant double and sometimes triple teams that created opportunities for others on the Rams defense. The Rams also traded their best linebacker Ernest Jones to the Titans, leaving questions in the second level.

The Rams hit on both Kobie Turner and Byron Young in the 2023 draft, but both benefited from playing with Donald. Maybe L.A. struck gold once again with Jared Verse, Braden Fiske and Omar Speights in this year's draft, but there should at least be some significant early growing pains.

Additionally, the Rams lost defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, who I valued highly. Also, cornerbacks Darious Williams and Derion Kendrick will start the season on IR, while new starting CB Cobie Durant is also dealing with an injury but should suit up. It also remains to be seen how productive new addition Tre'Davious White will be after coming back from injury.

Offensively, he Rams still have Matthew Stafford and one of the league's best wide receiver duos under the guidance of one of the best offensive minds in the league in Sean McVay. However, the offensive line is in a current state of flux with starting left tackle Alaric Jackson serving a suspension and right tackle Rob Havenstein (questionable) dealing with an injury. They also had Jackson and Steve Avila swap positions in the interior. The lack of continuity could be a major issue.

Best Bet for Rams vs. Lions

I'm not a huge fan of betting overs (especially this high) in Week 1, but that's the only way I could look here. However, with both quarterbacks not getting any work in preseason, there might be some rust. If the game starts slowly, I'll look for a nice live over.

I'll be doing the same for the Lions spread if they fall behind early. The Dan Campbell fourth-down variance could also have an impact on this game. For example, if he goes for it early and fails to convert, that might present an opening for the Lions and/or the live over.

I just can't see how this Rams defense can hold up against this Detroit offense if it gets going. It's also worth mentioning the Rams have one of the worst special teams units in the NFL.

So, for now, my focus will be on Sam LaPorta. The Rams did not defend tight ends well last season, and LaPorta quickly became an important part of the Lions offense as a rookie.

Pick: Sam LaPorta Receptions & Receiving Yard Overs

About the Author

Stuckey covers all sports for The Action Network, with the exception of the NBA and soccer. He has been betting on sports almost daily for 15-plus years, loves Hendricks gin, rarely sleeps and will smoke you in Jeopardy. Go Ravens.

Follow Stuckey @Stuckey2 on Twitter/X.