Commanders vs. Lions Point Spread: NFL Week 2 Odds, Prediction
The Washington Commanders look to build on last week’s impressive 28-22 comeback victory over the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars when they visit the Detroit Lions on Sunday in NFL Week 2 action. The Commanders now travel to the Motor City aiming to open their schedule on a 2-0-0 run for the first time since 2011. Conversely, the Lions are on the rebound seeing a three-game home win streak snapped by last week’s 38-35 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in a game that was not as close as the score indicates.
There has been plenty of line movement since the Commanders opened as slim 1-point favourites to win on the NFL odds. Washington improved to 2.5-point chalk before settling at its current position at -1.5 despite garnering the support of just 33 per cent of sports bettors. The total has steadily inched up since opening at 44.5, vaulting to 48.5, with the OVER claiming 78 per cent of the betting action.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Sunday afternoon’s matchup at Ford Field marks the first meeting between these long-time NFC rivals since 2020. The Lions claimed a 30-27 win when Washington last visited two years ago to improve to 5-1-0 straight up and against the spread in their past six head-to-head dates. That contest also marked a rare victory for the OVER when these teams meet, which has paid out in just two of 13 clashes between these teams since 1995.
Last week’s loss to Philadelphia extended what has been a lengthy run of frustration for the Lions. Detroit has mustered just three outright wins over their past 22 contests. But despite that run of futility on the scoreboard, the Lions have remained a steady bet, covering the spread in eight of their past 10 contests. Detroit is also an impressive 10-3-0 straight up in their past 10 when pegged as home underdogs by two or fewer points. However, they face a Commanders squad that is unbeaten in their past four as road chalk.
Washington Commanders
Commanders fans were introduced to both the highs and lows of having Carson Wentz as their starting quarterback in last weekend’s season opener. Wentz powered Washington to an early 14-3 lead with a pair of scoring passes, but subsequently let the Jaguars back into the contest with a pair of interceptions that Jacksonville converted into two scores and a fourth quarter lead. Wentz subsequently redeemed himself by guiding the team on a pair of late scoring drives. The question now for the Commanders is which version of Wentz will show up on Sunday, and how will he fare against a Lions pass defence that ranked ninth in the NFL last season.
Detroit Lions
The Lions failed to capitalize on a strong start in last week’s contest, in which they reached the end zone on their first drive before forcing Philadelphia to turn over the ball on downs. Beyond that, it was the Jalen Hurts Show, with the Eagles QB leading the team on a pair of long scoring drives to seize a lead they would not relinquish. Fortunately for the Lions defence, Wentz does not enjoy the mobility of Hurts, whose 90-yard rushing performance was key to Philly’s victory.
However, injuries are now a massive concern for the Lions. In addition to the ankle injury that has kept rusher D’Andre Swift out of practice, key injuries on both the offensive and defensive lines loom large. Among the casualties on the O-line is Halapoulivaati Vaitai, who is out indefinitely after undergoing back surgery, while centre Frank Ragnow and tackle Taylor Decker have both been missing from practice.
WAS
DET