2017 NFL Picks & Guide For Detroit Lions
On the surface, it would appear as though Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions had a fine season in going 9-7 and reaching the postseason for the second time in three seasons in 2016. However, upon further review, Detroit’s 2016 campaign ended poorly seeing as how they lost their final three games of the regular season before getting smacked out of the playoffs in the wild card round by Seattle. Now, whether Stafford and company get back in the playoffs or not in 2017, there are undoubtedly a handful of Lions games that no NFL picks enthusiast should miss out on. Right now, let’s take a look at six of Detroit’s most attractive betting matchups on their 2017 schedule.
In Depth Analysis On The 2017 NFL Picks & Guide For Detroit Lions
Week 1
Cardinals at Lions (-3)
Analysis: The Lions will get a real test in their regular season opener against an Arizona Cardinals team looking to rebound after going 7-8-1 last season. For this Week 1 matchup of NFC playoff hopefuls, I’m going to urge you to back the Cardinals to get the outright road win, mostly because they will have the best player on the field in running back David Johnson and have the more explosive offense in ranking sixth in scoring last season (26.1 ppg) as compared to Detroit’s 20th-ranked offense (21.6 ppg).
Pick: Cardinals 28 Lions 27
Week 2
Lions at Giants (-3)
Analysis: Detroit was on the wrong end of a humbling 17-6 road loss against Eli Manning and company in Week 15 last season while never coming close to covering the spread as a 4-point road dog. Simply put, you should expect another nearly identical outcome in this Week 2 pairing.
Pick: Giants 27 Lions 21
Week 3
Falcons (-1.5) at Lions
Analysis: With the Falcons playing inside on a fast carpet, I just don’t see any way that Stafford and the Lions can keep up with Matt Ryan and the high-scoring Falcons in this Week 3 showdown. With the Falcons putting up almost 14 points per game more than Detroit last season, this one looks like a lock.
Pick: Falcons 31 Lions 21
Week 5
Panthers at Lions (-2)
Analysis: The Carolina Panthers may have had a down year in going 6-10 last season, but this is a team that is still just two years removed from reaching Super Bowl 50. With that said, I’m also expecting Cam Newton and company to bounce back nicely from their horrific 2016 campaign and can easily see the Panthers marching into Detroit to get the road win simply because I expect their defense to get back to being elite after finishing last season ranked an uncharacteristic 26th in points allowed.
NFL Picks: Panthers 27 Lions 20
Week 8
Steelers (-1.5) at Lions
Analysis: Again, while Detroit is playing at home in this Week 8 matchup, I just don’t see the Lions being able to stop Pittsburgh’s trio of Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell. The Steelers averaged a solid 24.9 points per game last season to rank 11th in scoring and that will be the difference in this Inter-conference clash.
Pick: Steelers 31 Lions 27
Week 12
Vikings at Lions (-2.5)
Analysis: The Lions swept the Vikings last season, winning 22-16 in overtime in Week 9 to cash in as a 4.5-point road underdog before beating the Vikes again in Week 12 16-13 to cover the NFL betting line as a 1.5-point home favorite. Maybe it’s me, but I’m thinking the Vikings return the regular season sweep in 2017 after addressing their lack of offensive weapons this offseason. Minnesota wins and gets the narrow ATS cover despite being on the road.
Pick: Vikings 24 Lions 20
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