Saints vs. Lions NFL Betting Odds, Picks: Jahmyr Gibbs favoured on anytime TD market
The Detroit Lions will be aiming to rebound from a disappointing 2025 campaign when they kick off their 2026 regular-season schedule on Sunday with a visit from New Orleans Saints in NFL Week 1 betting action at Ford Field.
The Lions slipped to 9-8 SU and out of the playoff picture last season after winning 27 games over the previous two seasons.
The Saints remain on the long road back to respectability after compiling a meagre 6-11 record and missing the postseason for a fifth straight year, but managed to close out their schedule on an encouraging 4-1 SU run.
Saints vs. Lions Kickoff, Weather, TV, Streaming Info
Kickoff at Ford Field in Detroit is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET Sunday. The game airs on FOX with regional coverage in Canada on CTV2.
Weather will not be a factor inside the climate-controlled confines of Ford Field.
NFL Betting Odds, Point Spread, Trends
The Lions enter the new campaign perched as 7-point home favourites on the NFL Week 1 odds. The Saints lag as +260 underdogs on the NFL moneyline, while the total is listed at 49.5.
Detroit emerged as an NFL betting disappointment during last year’s downturn, finishing just 8-9 ATS. The Saints proved more reliable at the sportsbook, compiling a 9-8 ATS record despite winning just six games.
The Lions have won three straight meetings with New Orleans, capped by a 33-28 victory in their most recent matchup in 2023.
NFL Player Odds and Props
Jahmyr Gibbs remains one of the NFL’s most reliable touchdown threats after scoring 18 times last season, including 13 times on the ground. Gibbs is a -333 favourite in the Anytime TD market, but he offers more attractive value on the NFL player props as a -110 bet to top 85.5 rushing yards.
Chris Olave could also take advantage of a depleted Detroit secondary after compiling 1,163 receiving yards last season. The Saints receiver offers solid value as a +140 bet to score a touchdown against a Lions defence missing both starting safeties.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints hope the strong finish to Tyler Shough’s rookie campaign carries over into 2026.
Shough took over the starting passer’s job midway through last season and finished with 2,384 passing yards, 10 touchdowns and six interceptions while leading all rookie quarterbacks with five wins as a starter.
His supporting cast received a boost with the offseason addition of running back Travis Etienne, but New Orleans enters Sunday with injury concerns. Alvin Kamara was limited Wednesday by a knee injury, while veteran pass rusher Cameron Jordan sat out practice with a hamstring injury.
Detroit Lions
The Lions remained dangerous offensively even during last season’s decline. Jared Goff threw for 4,564 yards and 34 touchdowns, while Gibbs racked up 1,839 yards from scrimmage and 18 total scores.
The biggest concern is in the secondary, where safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph will both miss the start of the season.
The Lions still feature one of the NFL’s deepest collections of offensive weapons, led by Goff, Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, and should have opportunities against a Saints defence that surrendered more than 2,000 rushing yards last season.
Saints vs. Lions Week 1 Score Prediction
New Orleans showed signs of progress late last season, but keeping pace with Detroit at Ford Field is a much tougher assignment.
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