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For the 0-2 Detroit Lions, things don’t get easier this week.
Detroit led the Green Bay Packers at halftime Monday night 17-14 before being outscored 21-0 in the second half to lose 35-17. Now the Lions play host to the 1-1 Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.
The Ravens, coming off a thrilling, come-from-behind 36-35 home victory over the Kansas City Chiefs last Sunday, face the Lions at 1 p.m. ET (CBS).
Michigan sportsbooks had the Lions as 9-point underdogs on the opening line and it’s down to +8 or +7.5. Detroit is currently at +310 moneyline with an over/under total at 50 at WynnBET MI. DraftKings MI has the Lions at +7.5, +320; Caesars MI +8, +320; BetMGM MI +8, +325; TwinSpires +8, +325.
The Ravens moneylines are: -400 (BetMGM), -420 (Caesars), -425 (DraftKings) and -435 at TwinSpires in NFL betting.
Lions Fade in Second Half
Detroit surprised viewers and bettors with the 17-14 lead at halftime against Green Bay. But the Packers defense shut down the Lions in the second half, leaving many of those taking part in Michigan online gambling at a loss.
Quarterback Jared Goff was decent, going 26-of-36 passing for 246 yards with two TDs and one INT. He also rushed for 46 yards on four carries to lead the Lions.
Goff was helped out by tight end T.J. Hockenson, who had a team-leading eight catches for 66 yards and a TD. Wide receiver Quintez Cephus had four catches for 63 yards.
Defense is letting the Lions down. The defense has allowed 30 or more points in eight straight games going back to last season. That's the longest streak in franchise history.
Ravens Pull Off Rally
After the third quarter, Baltimore trailed the reigning AFC champions 35-24. But the Ravens defense made some key plays to stifle the Chiefs and quarterback Lamar Jackson led the team back. He also converted a 4th-and-1 run late in the fourth quarter as Baltimore kept the ball and secured the victory.
The Ravens outscored the Chiefs, 12-0, in the final quarter. It was K.C. quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ first loss as a starter in the month of September since 2016. He was playing for Texas Tech then and lost a 68-55 shootout at Arizona State.
Jackson had 100-plus passing yards and 100-plus rushing yards for the ninth time in his career (the most since 1950). He completed 18-of-26 passes for 239 yards with one TD (along with two interceptions). Jackson rushed for 107 yards and two TDs on 16 carries.
Prediction: The Lions are a better team at home, but not by much. Can they stop Jackson and the Ravens offense? Despite having nine players on this week’s injury list, Baltimore will take advantage of the Lions’ mistakes and take over in the second half. Ravens 38-21.
@loumonaco
