The first Sunday night game of the 2024 NFL regular season is also a playoff rematch from the NFC last season as the defending NFC North champion Detroit Lions host the Los Angeles Rams.
The Lions are 3.5-point favourites on the NFL odds.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Just a few years ago, the Detroit Lions were essentially persona non grata when it came to the NFL’s TV partners and playing in a prime-time game, but now the Motor City Kitties are prime-time darlings off a trip to last season’s NFC Championship Game and as one of the rising powers in the NFL. The Lions are the only NFC franchise to never play in a Super Bowl, and I absolutely believe that drought could end this season.
The Rams won the Super Bowl in their own building following the 2021 season in large part because the team acquired former No. 1 overall pick and quarterback Matthew Stafford from Detroit in a big trade ahead of that campaign. The Lions got back QB and former No. 1 overall pick Jared Goff and draft picks.
It was a deal that worked out great for both teams, although you would have to say the Lions won it even if Stafford got the Rams a Super Bowl title. He is near the end of his potential Hall of Fame career and hadn’t returned to Detroit since the trade until the Rams lost to the Lions 24-23 back on Jan. 14 in the Wild-Card Round. Stafford threw for 367 yards and two scores, while Goff threw for 277 and a TD in the win. That would prove to be the final NFL game for Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who retired. He is a future first-ballot Hall of Famer and won NFL Defensive Player of the Year a record three times.
The last regular-season meeting between these franchises was October 2021 in Los Angeles with the Rams winning 28-19. Stafford had 334 yards and three scores in his first game vs. Detroit post-trade. Goff threw for 268 with a TD and two picks.
Los Angeles Rams
In addition to losing All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald to retirement this offseason, the Rams recently traded 2023 starting linebacker Ernest Jones to Tennessee for a late-round draft pick. The 24-year-old Jones led the Rams with 145 tackles and also had 4.5 sacks — both career highs — last season, his third with Los Angeles. But he’s entering the final year of his rookie deal, and the Rams apparently didn’t want to pay for an extension. The Rams also have some injury questions on the offensive line for Week 1, while left tackle Alaric Jackson is suspended the first two games. He allowed just one sack in 968 snaps last season.
Starting tight end Tyler Higbee is on the PUP list, meaning he has to miss at least the first four games. Wideout Puka Nacau, who had a record-breaking rookie season in 2023, didn’t play in the preseason due to injury but will be ready. Should QB Matthew Stafford get injured, it would be third-stringer Stetson Bennett replacing him in Detroit as backup Jimmy Garoppolo is suspended the first two games. The over is 4-1 in the Rams’ past five road games.
Detroit Lions
Two of the Lions’ stellar young offensive players, running back Jahmyr Gibbs and tight end Sam LaPorta, both missed a substantial portion of training camp and each preseason game due to hamstring issues but are on track for the opener. Detroit hit a grand slam in the 2023 draft by taking Gibbs at No. 12 overall and LaPorta at No. 34. Both were Pro Bowlers last year and LaPort had arguably the greatest season for a rookie tight end in history.
For the most part, the Lions are back intact from last year’s NFC North championship team as the club spent big money this offseason to re-sign QB Jared Goff, WR Amon-Ra St. Brown and offensive linemen Penei Sewell and Taylor Decker while keeping both coordinators — Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn — despite both interviewing for head coaching jobs. The only injury concern for Sunday is defensive tackler DJ Reader, signed from Cincinnati and one of the league’s top run-stuffers. He’s dealing with a quad injury and might have to wait until Week 2 but not yet fully ruled out. Detroit is 8-1 in its past nine at home.
NFL Prediction: Who Will Win Rams vs. Lions?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 16 May 4:54pm | DET | -3 -115 | O +51 -110 |
| Closing 9 Sep 2:44am | DET | -4.5 +110 | U +37.5 -155 |
- Regular Season
Rams Team Leaders
| Touchdowns |
7 |
| Rushing |
360 |
| Passing |
1238 |
| Receiving |
19 |
| Sacks |
3 |
| Interceptions |
1 |
| Touchdowns |
4 |
| Rushing |
285 |
| Passing |
1015 |
| Receiving |
27 |
| Sacks |
6.5 |
| Interceptions |
3 |
- Regular Season
Lions Team Leaders
| Touchdowns |
7 |
| Rushing |
360 |
| Passing |
1238 |
| Receiving |
19 |
| Sacks |
3 |
| Interceptions |
1 |
| Touchdowns |
4 |
| Rushing |
285 |
| Passing |
1015 |
| Receiving |
27 |
| Sacks |
6.5 |
| Interceptions |
3 |
Weather
| temp | 68 |
| condition | dome |
| wind | Northwest 10mph |
Injuries
Jordan Whittington (WR)
Kamren Curl (S)
Braden Fiske (DE)
Matthew Stafford (QB)
Demarcus Robinson (WR)
Conor McDermott (OL)
Bobby Brown III (NT)
Kevin Dotson (OL)
Cobie Durant (CB)
Derion Kendrick (DB)
Kerby Joseph (S)
Levi Onwuzurike (DL)
Dan Skipper (OT)
Brian Branch (DB)
Derrick Barnes (LB)
Marcus Davenport (DL)
Frank Ragnow (C)
Sam LaPorta (TE)
Nate Lynn (DL)
Terrion Arnold (CB)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan Whittington (WR) | Ques Oct 20 | Shoulder - 08 / 10 / 24 | 0-0 | 0-0 | + - |
|
Whittington is managing a shoulder injury, and it is unclear if he will dress against the Raiders on October 20th. |
|||||
| Kamren Curl (S) | Ques Sun | Back - 07 / 10 / 24 | 0-0 | 0-0 | + - |
|
Curl is hampered by a back injury, and it remains to be seen if he will dress against the Raiders on Sunday. |
|||||
| Braden Fiske (DE) | Ques Sun | Shoulder - 07 / 10 / 24 | 0-0 | 0-0 | + - |
|
Fiske is dealing with a shoulder injury, and it remains to be seen if he will feature in the lineup against the Raiders on Sunday. |
|||||
| Matthew Stafford (QB) | Ques Sun | Back - 07 / 10 / 24 | 0-0 | 0-0 | + - |
|
Stafford is hobbled by a back injury, and it is up in the air if he will participate against the Raiders on Sunday. |
|||||
| Demarcus Robinson (WR) | Ques Sun | Groin - 01 / 10 / 24 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Robinson is managing a groin injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Packers on Sunday. |
|||||
| Conor McDermott (OL) | day-to-day | Undisclosed - 27 / 09 / 24 | 1-1 | 2-0 | + - |
|
McDermott is placed on the injured reserve list with an undisclosed injury, and it is unclear if he will take the field against Raiders on October 20th. |
|||||
| Bobby Brown III (NT) | Ques Sun | Ankle - 19 / 09 / 24 | 1-2 | 3-0 | + - |
|
Brown is hampered by an ankle injury, and it remains to be seen if he will partake in Sunday's game versus the 49ers. |
|||||
| Kevin Dotson (OL) | Ques Sun | Foot - 19 / 09 / 24 | 1-2 | 3-0 | + - |
|
Dotson missed the previous game with a foot injury, and it is unknown if he will play against the Packers on Sunday. |
|||||
| Cobie Durant (CB) | Ques Sun | Toe - 19 / 09 / 24 | 1-2 | 3-0 | + - |
|
Durant is nursing with a toe injury, and it remains to be seen if he will dress for Sunday's game against the 49ers. |
|||||
| Derion Kendrick (DB) | Out indefinitely | Knee - 17 / 09 / 24 | 1-2 | 3-0 | + - |
|
Kendrick is placed on the injured reserve list due to a knee injury, and it is unknown how long he will be debilitated. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kerby Joseph (S) | Ques Sun | Hamstring - 11 / 10 / 24 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Joseph is nursing a hamstring injury, and it is up in the air if he will participate in Sunday's clash against the Cowboys. |
|||||
| Levi Onwuzurike (DL) | Ques Mon | Knee - 26 / 09 / 24 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Onwuzurike is battling a knee injury, and it remains to be seen if he will be in Monday's lineup versus the Seahawks. |
|||||
| Dan Skipper (OT) | Ques Sun | Ribs - 26 / 09 / 24 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Skipper is battling with a rib injury, and it is unclear if he will face the Cowboys on Sunday. |
|||||
| Brian Branch (DB) | Ques Sun | Concussion - 25 / 09 / 24 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Branch is hobbled by a concussion injury, and it is unclear if he will face the Cowboys on Sunday. |
|||||
| Derrick Barnes (LB) | out for season | Knee - 23 / 09 / 24 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Barner is placed on the injured reserve list with a knee injury, and he has been shut down for the remainder of the season. |
|||||
| Marcus Davenport (DL) | out for season | Elbow - 23 / 09 / 24 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Davenport is sidelined due to an elbow injury, and he is projected to miss the remainder of the season. |
|||||
| Frank Ragnow (C) | Ques Sun | Pectoral - 23 / 09 / 24 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Ragnow suffered a partially torn pec injury, and it is unclear if he will face the Cowboys on Sunday. |
|||||
| Sam LaPorta (TE) | Prob Mon | Ankle - 22 / 09 / 24 | 2-1 | 1-2 | + - |
|
LaPorta exited the previous contest with an low ankle sprain, but he is expected to play against the Seahawks on Monday. |
|||||
| Nate Lynn (DL) | Out indefinitely | Shoulder - 20 / 09 / 24 | 2-1 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Lynn has been placed on the injured reserve with a shoulder injury, and his return is unknown. |
|||||
| Terrion Arnold (CB) | Ques Sun | Illness - 18 / 09 / 24 | 2-1 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Arnold is ailing from an illness, and it is unknown if he will play Sunday against the Cardinals. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 16 May 4:54pm DET -3 -115 O +51 -110 Closing 9 Sep 2:44am DET -4.5 +110 U +37.5 -155 -
- Regular Season
Rams Team Leaders
Touchdowns 7
Rushing 360
Passing 1238
Receiving 19
Sacks 3
Interceptions 1
Touchdowns 4
Rushing 285
Passing 1015
Receiving 27
Sacks 6.5
Interceptions 3
-
- Regular Season
Lions Team Leaders
Touchdowns 7
Rushing 360
Passing 1238
Receiving 19
Sacks 3
Interceptions 1
Touchdowns 4
Rushing 285
Passing 1015
Receiving 27
Sacks 6.5
Interceptions 3
-
Weather
temp 68 condition dome wind Northwest 10mph -
Injuries
Jordan Whittington (WR)
Ques Oct 20 Shoulder - 08 / 10 / 24Kamren Curl (S)
Ques Sun Back - 07 / 10 / 24Braden Fiske (DE)
Ques Sun Shoulder - 07 / 10 / 24Matthew Stafford (QB)
Ques Sun Back - 07 / 10 / 24Demarcus Robinson (WR)
Ques Sun Groin - 01 / 10 / 24Conor McDermott (OL)
day-to-day Undisclosed - 27 / 09 / 24Bobby Brown III (NT)
Ques Sun Ankle - 19 / 09 / 24Kevin Dotson (OL)
Ques Sun Foot - 19 / 09 / 24Cobie Durant (CB)
Ques Sun Toe - 19 / 09 / 24Derion Kendrick (DB)
Out indefinitely Knee - 17 / 09 / 24Kerby Joseph (S)
Ques Sun Hamstring - 11 / 10 / 24Levi Onwuzurike (DL)
Ques Mon Knee - 26 / 09 / 24Dan Skipper (OT)
Ques Sun Ribs - 26 / 09 / 24Brian Branch (DB)
Ques Sun Concussion - 25 / 09 / 24Derrick Barnes (LB)
out for season Knee - 23 / 09 / 24Marcus Davenport (DL)
out for season Elbow - 23 / 09 / 24Frank Ragnow (C)
Ques Sun Pectoral - 23 / 09 / 24Sam LaPorta (TE)
Prob Mon Ankle - 22 / 09 / 24Nate Lynn (DL)
Out indefinitely Shoulder - 20 / 09 / 24Terrion Arnold (CB)
Ques Sun Illness - 18 / 09 / 24Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Jordan Whittington (WR) Ques Oct 20 Shoulder - 08 / 10 / 24 0-0 0-0 + - Whittington is managing a shoulder injury, and it is unclear if he will dress against the Raiders on October 20th.
Kamren Curl (S) Ques Sun Back - 07 / 10 / 24 0-0 0-0 + - Curl is hampered by a back injury, and it remains to be seen if he will dress against the Raiders on Sunday.
Braden Fiske (DE) Ques Sun Shoulder - 07 / 10 / 24 0-0 0-0 + - Fiske is dealing with a shoulder injury, and it remains to be seen if he will feature in the lineup against the Raiders on Sunday.
Matthew Stafford (QB) Ques Sun Back - 07 / 10 / 24 0-0 0-0 + - Stafford is hobbled by a back injury, and it is up in the air if he will participate against the Raiders on Sunday.
Demarcus Robinson (WR) Ques Sun Groin - 01 / 10 / 24 0-1 1-0 + - Robinson is managing a groin injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Packers on Sunday.
Conor McDermott (OL) day-to-day Undisclosed - 27 / 09 / 24 1-1 2-0 + - McDermott is placed on the injured reserve list with an undisclosed injury, and it is unclear if he will take the field against Raiders on October 20th.
Bobby Brown III (NT) Ques Sun Ankle - 19 / 09 / 24 1-2 3-0 + - Brown is hampered by an ankle injury, and it remains to be seen if he will partake in Sunday's game versus the 49ers.
Kevin Dotson (OL) Ques Sun Foot - 19 / 09 / 24 1-2 3-0 + - Dotson missed the previous game with a foot injury, and it is unknown if he will play against the Packers on Sunday.
Cobie Durant (CB) Ques Sun Toe - 19 / 09 / 24 1-2 3-0 + - Durant is nursing with a toe injury, and it remains to be seen if he will dress for Sunday's game against the 49ers.
Derion Kendrick (DB) Out indefinitely Knee - 17 / 09 / 24 1-2 3-0 + - Kendrick is placed on the injured reserve list due to a knee injury, and it is unknown how long he will be debilitated.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Kerby Joseph (S) Ques Sun Hamstring - 11 / 10 / 24 1-0 1-0 + - Joseph is nursing a hamstring injury, and it is up in the air if he will participate in Sunday's clash against the Cowboys.
Levi Onwuzurike (DL) Ques Mon Knee - 26 / 09 / 24 2-0 1-1 + - Onwuzurike is battling a knee injury, and it remains to be seen if he will be in Monday's lineup versus the Seahawks.
Dan Skipper (OT) Ques Sun Ribs - 26 / 09 / 24 2-0 1-1 + - Skipper is battling with a rib injury, and it is unclear if he will face the Cowboys on Sunday.
Brian Branch (DB) Ques Sun Concussion - 25 / 09 / 24 2-0 1-1 + - Branch is hobbled by a concussion injury, and it is unclear if he will face the Cowboys on Sunday.
Derrick Barnes (LB) out for season Knee - 23 / 09 / 24 2-0 1-1 + - Barner is placed on the injured reserve list with a knee injury, and he has been shut down for the remainder of the season.
Marcus Davenport (DL) out for season Elbow - 23 / 09 / 24 2-0 1-1 + - Davenport is sidelined due to an elbow injury, and he is projected to miss the remainder of the season.
Frank Ragnow (C) Ques Sun Pectoral - 23 / 09 / 24 2-0 1-1 + - Ragnow suffered a partially torn pec injury, and it is unclear if he will face the Cowboys on Sunday.
Sam LaPorta (TE) Prob Mon Ankle - 22 / 09 / 24 2-1 1-2 + - LaPorta exited the previous contest with an low ankle sprain, but he is expected to play against the Seahawks on Monday.
Nate Lynn (DL) Out indefinitely Shoulder - 20 / 09 / 24 2-1 1-2 + - Lynn has been placed on the injured reserve with a shoulder injury, and his return is unknown.
Terrion Arnold (CB) Ques Sun Illness - 18 / 09 / 24 2-1 1-2 + - Arnold is ailing from an illness, and it is unknown if he will play Sunday against the Cardinals.