This whole "covering tons of spreads" and "being a huge favorite" thing is relatively new for the Detroit Lions. Up until last year, they hadn't even won a playoff game since 1991. So it's not common to see them as nearly a two-touchdown favorite — in fact, it hasn't happened in almost 30 years.
This week against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Detroit is listed as a 13.5-point favorite. It's the biggest favorite they've been since 1995, which came in Week 16 also against the Jaguars, who were playing in their inaugural season. The Lions won 44-0.
If the spread closes -14 (where it's already touched at BetMGM), it would be the biggest spread for the Lions since 1977 against the Bucs, who were in their second year as a team and had not yet won a game in franchise history (0-23). The Lions won 16-7 as a 14.5-point favorite.
Last week, Detroit opened as a 10-point favorite against the Jaguars, and then after their comeback win on Sunday Night Football against the Texans, re-opened at -11.5. In the last few days, the Lions have reached as high as -13.5 at FanDuel and ESPN BET, and then once Jacksonville QB Trevor Lawrence was ruled out, it reached -14 at some sportsbooks.
Other Lions Betting Nuggets This Week
- Jared Goff has finished .500 against the spread or better at home in six straight seasons and is 3-1 ATS this year. Since 2018, Goff is 33-19-2 ATS (64%) at home, the best mark of any QB in the NFL.
- In his career, Goff has closed as a double-digit favorite 11 times. His teams are 9-2 SU and 7-4 ATS. This would be the second time since joining the Lions he closes as a double-digit favorite after beating the Titans 52-14 a few weeks ago.
- After the Lions fail to cover in their previous game, Goff is 14-4 ATS with Detroit, including 9-2 ATS at home.
- Goff threw five interceptions last week against the Texans. Teams to throw four or more INT in their previous game are just 31-47-2 ATS (40%) in their next game dating back to 2013, including 13-27-2 ATS as a favorite.
