It’s a potential playoff preview between co-division leaders in one of the marquee games of Week 5 when the Carolina Panthers visits the Detroit Lions. It’s also a matchup of former No. 1 overall picks in Carolina’s Cam Newton and Detroit’s Matthew Stafford. The Lions are slight betting favorites in the NFL spread.
The Lions’ good start has been fueled, at least in part, to their ability to generate 11 takeaways. That’s enough to share the league lead. The Lions ranked 27th in Defense-Adjusted Value Over Average (DVOA) last season, a flaw somewhat hidden by their eight fourth-quarter comebacks. This season, the Lions rank fourth in DVOA, which “measures a team’s efficiency by comparing success on every single play to a league average based on situation and opponent.”
Detroit forced just 14 turnovers in 16 games last season, which was 28th in the league. Anthony Zettel was one of the Lions’ many defensive standouts vs. Minnesota. He had two sacks, two other hits on Vikings quarterback Case Keenum and a fumble recovery. Detroit’s defense held Minnesota to under 100 yards rushing (87), which is the third time in four games they’ve accomplished that feat against an opponent.
How to Bet Carolina at Detroit Week 5 NFL Spread & Game Info
When: Sunday, 1 PM ET Where: Ford Field, Detroit TV: Fox Radio: WBT 1110 AM (Carolina) / WJR 760 AM (Detroit) Stream Option: NFL Live Opening NFL Spread: Lions -3 (43.5)Special delivery! pic.twitter.com/PipFxwB6Du
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) October 3, 2017
Weather Forecast
- Clear: 22°C/72°F
- Humidity: 53%
- Precipitation: 0%
- Wind: 9 mph SW
- Cloud Cover: 1%
- Type of Stadium: Indoor
Last Meeting
In 2014, Carolina hosted Detroit and won 24-7. Newton threw for 281 yards and a touchdown and ran for 19 yards on four carries. Newton shook off a slow start and completed 22 of 34 passes and overcame five sacks. The Panthers had three takeaways, four sacks and held the Lions scoreless in the first half. Stafford was 27 of 48 for 291 yards, a TD and a pick.Latest NFL Spread Trends
- Carolina is 5-1 ATS in the last 6 games on the road
- Carolina is 4-8 SU in the last 12 games on the road
- The total went OVER in 4 of Carolina’s last 6 games when playing Detroit
- Detroit is 3-6 ATS in the last 9 games
- Detroit is 7-2 SU in the last 9 games at hom
- The total went UNDER in 11 of Detroit’s last 15 games
NY Jets at Cleveland Week 5 Odds, Preview & NFL Betting Pick
Why Bet On Carolina?
The Panthers played like the great team they were in 2015 last week in upsetting the Patriots 33-30 in Foxboro. Graham Gano hit a 48-yard field goal as time expired, and Newton threw for three touchdowns and ran for another. He threw four interceptions and just two touchdowns in Carolina’s first three games. Against the Pats, Newton became the first NFL QB with 50 career rushing TDs. They are the second most in the NFL since Newton was the first pick of the 2011 draft. Oakland’s Marshawn Lynch is first with 52. Jonathan Stewart rushed 14 times for 68 yards to pass DeAngelo Williams and become the franchise’s all-time leading rusher. He played only 28 snaps, 20 fewer than rookie running back Christian McCaffrey because of his ability to play multiple positions. This season, Stewart is averaging only 14.75 carries and 57.5 yards per game. That’s down from the 18.6 carries and 76 yards per game he had in 2015 when he helped the Panthers reach the Super Bowl. “Moving forward, this can be a jumpstart to a great thing for the season,” Newton said, “or it could just be a flash in the frying pan. We’re expecting great things for us as a team.” Carolina signed three-time Pro Bowl safety Jairus Byrd on Tuesday with starter Kurt Coleman set to miss multiple games with a sprained knee. Byrd was a three-time Pro Bowl selection early in his career with the Buffalo Bills but then flopped as a big-ticket free agent with New Orleans. Coleman, the starting free safety opposite strong safety Mike Adams, sprained his left MCL in the second quarter against New England. Offense:- Average Score For: 19.50
- Total Yards: 318.5
- Rush Yards: 116.25
- Passing Yards: 202.25
- Average Score Against: 17.50
- Total Yards: 282
- Rush Yards: 87.25
- Passing Yards: 194.75
Why Bet On Detroit?
The Detroit Lions are co-leaders of the NFC South at 3-1 following their 14-7 win in Minnesota last week. The Lions turned two fumbles lost by the Vikings in the third quarter into 11 points, taking the lead on Ameer Abdullah’s 1-yard touchdown run five plays after rookie Dalvin Cook fumbled at the Minnesota 29. Detroit RB Ameer Abdullah came close to ending a four-year stretch by the Lions without a 100-yard rusher, finishing with 94 yards on 20 carries. It’s the first time Abdullah has ever received 20 carries in a game, and the 94 yards sets a new career-best, besting his 86 from Week 2. Abdullah had a chance at a 100-yard game but hurt his foot/ankle in the fourth quarter and never came back in. Afterward, coach Jim Caldwell said Abdullah was fine and cleared by the medical staff. Stafford was sacked six times for 55 yards, but he hung on to the ball each time and completed 19 of 31 passes for 209 yards plus the key 2-point conversion to T.J. Jones to give the Lions a seven-point lead.
The Lions’ good start has been fueled, at least in part, to their ability to generate 11 takeaways. That’s enough to share the league lead. The Lions ranked 27th in Defense-Adjusted Value Over Average (DVOA) last season, a flaw somewhat hidden by their eight fourth-quarter comebacks. This season, the Lions rank fourth in DVOA, which “measures a team’s efficiency by comparing success on every single play to a league average based on situation and opponent.”
Detroit forced just 14 turnovers in 16 games last season, which was 28th in the league. Anthony Zettel was one of the Lions’ many defensive standouts vs. Minnesota. He had two sacks, two other hits on Vikings quarterback Case Keenum and a fumble recovery. Detroit’s defense held Minnesota to under 100 yards rushing (87), which is the third time in four games they’ve accomplished that feat against an opponent.
Team Statistics
Offense:- Average Score For: 24.75
- Total Yards: 299.75
- Rush Yards: 97
- Passing Yards: 202.75
- Average Score Against: 17.50
- Total Yards: 322.75
- Rush Yards: 86.25
- Passing Yards: 236.50
Series History
- Total Meetings: 7
- First Meeting: October 24th, 1999. Ericsson Stadium. Charlotte, North Carolina
- Last Meeting: September 14th, 2014. Bank of America Stadium. Charlotte, North Carolina
- All-Time Series: Carolina Panthers 5-2-0
- Largest Margin of Victory: Carolina 31-7 (2002)
- Longest Win Streak: Carolina 4 (2002-2008)
- Current Win Streak: Carolina 1 (2014)
