Lions vs. Rams Point Spread: NFL Week 15 Odds, Prediction
The Detroit Lions quest for a playoff spot doesn’t get any easier this weekend when they visit the NFC-leading Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.
The 8-5 Lions are just outside the NFC playoff picture after bouncing back last week with a 44-30 win. Detroit’s well-rested too, having played two consecutive Thursday games before this crucial Week 15 matchup.
And while Detroit isn’t guaranteed a playoff spot this season, this Lions–Rams contest has game of the year potential. The total is well above 50 points as two of the top four scoring offences in the NFL go head-to-head, not to mention the next rendition of Jared Goff vs. Matthew Stafford; these franchises will forever be connected after that blockbuster trade in 2021. And four years, the 37-year-old Stafford enters the final month of the season as the favourite for MVP, with his Rams also Super Bowl favourites.
Kickoff at SoFi Stadium is set for 4:25 p.m. EST with the Rams -5.5 on the point spread and the over-under at 55.5 on the NFL odds.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
At +375 the Rams are currently Super Bowl favourites. Matthew Stafford is a -175 favourite to win the MVP too as he leads all quarterbacks with 35 touchdowns to go with just four interceptions. The Rams are coming off a season-high 45-point outing and now rank fourth in the NFL with 29.2 points per game. The Lions lead the NFL with 30.3 points per game and have scored at least 34 points in three of their last five showings.
Detroit has played the road warrior role late, winning 11 of their last 14 away from home. But it’s a different story when visiting the Rams as six of those last seven trips for Detroit have ended in defeat. And despite playing indoors, six of the last seven Los Angeles home games have finished under the total. But that’s more to do with the fact the Rams have yet to allow over 20 points in six home contests this season.
Detroit Lions
The Lions offence is starting to roll again and it’s with Jahmyr Gibbs producing at an all-time rate. Gibbs has a trio of three-touchdown games in Detroit’s last five outings, with the Lions scoring at least 34 points in all three of those wins. It’s starting to feel like the Lions need this kind of production though, as they’ve let up at least 27 points in three straight.
If there’s any silver lining for the defence, it’s they were getting to the quarterback in last week’s 44-30 win versus Dallas. Al-Quadin Muhammad had a career-high three sacks, while Jack Campbell registered a sack and forced a fumble in the win. Detroit is fifth in NFL with 37 sacks but are now up against a Rams team that has allowed a league-low 17 sacks all season.
Los Angeles Rams
Football is easy for 37-year-old Matthew Stafford, who cleaned up last week with a stat line of 22/31 for 281 yards and three touchdown passes in the 45-17 win at Arizona last week. Stafford’s got no shortage of offensive weapons though. Puka Nacua went off for 167 yards and two scores, while second-year running back Blake Corum had his breakout performance with 128 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries.
Davante Adams, the NFL’s receiving touchdowns leader with 14, missed Wednesday’s practice with a hamstring injury. Despite the plethora of options in this Rams offence, keep a close eye on Adams’ status as this matchup with Detroit is shaping up to be a good ‘ol shootout, requiring all hands on deck for both sides. Aside from Adams, the Rams are quite healthy for Week 15.
NFL Prediction: Who Will Win Lions vs. Rams?
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DET
LAR