Los Angeles Rams vs. Detroit Lions: Picks, Predictions, Odds and Player Props

One of the more intriguing matchups in Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season pits the Los Angeles Rams against the Detroit Lions.

It’s no surprise that it is getting primetime billing as a Sunday Night Football showdown.

One, both teams are expected to contend for the playoffs.

Two, they are linked by a 2021 swap of quarterbacks – Los Angeles acquired Matthew Stafford from Detroit in exchange for Jared Goff. Three, this is a rematch of the wild-card round last season (the Lions survived in front of their home crowd via a 24-23 success).

Kick-off is set for 8:20 PM ET at Ford Field in Detroit and the game will be televised on NBC. Let’s take a look at the odds and best bets to be made on Rams vs. Lions.

Los Angeles Rams vs. Detroit Lions betting picks and predictions

Los Angeles Rams +4.5 (-110)

Last year’s playoff showdown literally could not have been any closer – after all, it was decided by just a single point. The rematch should be similarly competitive, as these are two teams that expect to be back in the postseason.

Los Angeles is slightly more of a question mark since future Hall of Fame defensive tackle Aaron Donald retired in the offseason, but the team used each of its first two draft picks on the defensive line – selecting Florida State teammates Jared Verse and Braden Fiske.

A growing front seven and duo of elite cornerbacks in Jordan Fuller and Ahkello Weatherspoon point to the Rams reloading rather than rebuilding on defense. Offensively, Stafford once again has dangerous weapons on his hands in the form of Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua.

There are not a whole lot of negative things to say about the Lions, but giving more than a field goal in Week 1 against a formidable opponent does not seem ideal. Let’s back the visitors plus the points.

Over 52.5 total points (-110)

The bottom line is that both defenses are works in progress, while both offenses appear to be well-oiled machines. That’s one reason why the game total is set at a relatively lofty 52.5, but the respective offensive attacks have enough potency to go over that number.

Head coach Sean McVay and the Rams enjoyed a full offseason and preseason to prepare new, creative plays heading into Week 1. Expect them to come out aggressively with a steady diet of passes from Stafford to Kupp and Nacua.

Detroit head coach Dan Campbell is similarly aggressive and won’t hold back during the season opener in front of a home crowd. Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown have wasted no time forming an incredible connection.

Anything less than another entertaining battle between Stafford and Goff would be a disappointment. The Over is probably the way to go for this matchup.

Puka Nacua anytime touchdown scorer (+150)

Nacua well into plus money (+150) has great value on the anytime touchdown scorer market.

The former BYU standout was a phenomenon as a rookie last season, going for 1486 yards on 105 receptions. His touchdown count of six was modest, but four of those came in the last eight games and he went crazy in the playoff loss to Detroit with nine receptions on 10 targets for 181 yards and one score.

That certainly inspires confidence in Nacua going into Week 1.

Read more betting picks and predictions for the NFL on site.

Los Angeles Rams vs. Detroit Lions odds

Los Angeles Rams	+175 ML
Detroit Lions	-210 ML
Spread	Lions -4.5
Total Points	O/U 52.5

Los Angeles Rams vs. Detroit Lions player props

Anytime Touchdown Scorer

David Montgomery (DET Lions)	-125
Jahmyr Gibbs (DET Lions)	-120
Amon-Ra St. Brown (DET Lions)	-110
Kyren Williams (LA Rams)	+100
Cooper Kupp (LA Rams)	+120
Sam LaPorta (DET Lions)	+110

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.