After taking a step backwards in 2018 from their two prior winning seasons and struggling mightily in Year 1 under head coach Matt Patricia, the Detroit Lions will have a sense of desperation surrounding them as they look to bounce back from their uninspiring season a year ago.
For the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots, it’s business as usual as Tom Brady and company look to repeat as Super Bowl champions. Now, let’s find out which one of these teams is offering the best betting value when they meet for their preseason opener at Ford Field on Friday night.
Patriots vs Lions 2019 NFL Preseason Week 1 Odds, Preview & Pick
- When: Thursday August 1, 2019, 10:47 PM ET
- Where: Ford Field, Detroit, MI
- TV: None
- Radio: New England / Detroit
- Live Stream: NFL Network
- NFL Preseason Week 1 Odds: New England Patriots -1.5 / Total: 36
Weather Forecast
- Partly Cloudy: 28°C/82°F
- Humidity: 60%
- Precipitation: 20%
- Wind: 13 mph W
- Cloud Cover: 44%
- Type of Stadium: Indoor
Why Bet On New England at -1.5?
The Patriots went 11-5 last season while ranking a stellar fourth in scoring (27.3 ppg) and impressive seventh in points allowed (20.3 ppg). The major core players are almost all back for New England in Brady, surprising running back Sony Michel and veteran running back James White. While the Pats lost Pro Bowl tight end Rob Gronkowski to retirement, they did do a good job by address their receiving core by adding free agent veteran Demaryius Thomas while using their first round draft pick on wideout N’Keal Harry. Defensively, the Patriots also remain mostly intact and they made a great addition by trading for Philadelphia Eagles veteran defensive end Michael Bennett.
Team Statistics
Offense:- Average Score For: 27.74
- Total Yards: 406.53
- Pass Yards: 273.79
- Rush Yards: 132.74
- Average Score Against: 20.37
- Total Yards: 349.11
- Pass Yards: 247.74
- Rush Yards: 101.37
Why Bet On Detroit at +1.5?
The Lions went an uninspiring 6-10 in 2018 in their first season under former Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia after going 9-7 in each of the previous two seasons under former head coach Jim Caldwell. Detroit ranked an awful 25th in scoring (20.3 ppg) while finishing a modest 16th in points allowed (22.5 ppg).
Veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford is back to lead the offense after passing for 3,777 yards with 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Second-year running back Kerryon Johnson is looking to contribute even more in 2019 after rushing for 641 yards and three touchdowns last season. The Lions added veteran wide receiver Danny Amendola to their receiving corp and the Lions drafted Iowa tight end T.J. Hockenson with the eighth overall pick in the NFL Draft. Defensively, the Lions return stars like defensive end Trey Flowers and cornerback Darius Slay among others.
Team Statistics
Offense:- Average Score For: 20.25
- Total Yards: 327.25
- Pass Yards: 223.50
- Rush Yards: 103.75
- Average Score Against: 22.50
- Total Yards: 335
- Pass Yards: 224.94
- Rush Yards: 110.06
Patriots vs Lions NFL Preseason Week 1 Betting Trends
- Patriots are 4-1 ATS in the last 5 games
- Patriots are 5-0 SU in the last 5 games
- The total went UNDER in 9 of the Patriots last 12 games
- Detroit are 4-1 ATS in the last 5 games when playing at home against New England
- Detroit are 3-7 SU in the last 10 games
- The total went UNDER in 7 of the Lions’ last 7 games
Expert Analysis and Prediction for Patriots vs Lions
I know New England has gone an insanely blistering 19-8 ATS in their last 27 road games while Detroit has gone an uninspiring 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games, but for me, that’s not why I like the Patriots to win and cover the chalk despite being on the road in this one.
No, I’m going with the defending champs because I believe their backup quarterback situation of Brian Hoyer, Jarrett Stidham and Danny Etling is better than Detroit’s which features Tom Savage and Connor Cook. I’m going with the deeper, more experienced Pats to get the road upset here while their younger players show up in a big way and Bill Belichick out-coaches former student, Matt Patricia.
Pick: New England 21 Detroit 14
