Heading into Sunday’s Week 1 game against the Philadelphia Eagles, here are three best bets to make on the Detroit Lions.
The worst loss of the 2021 season for the Detroit Lions came in Week 8 against the Philadelphia Eagles. Philadelphia did whatever it wanted on the ground, to the tune of 236 yards and 5.1 yards per carry without a individual rusher getting to 75 yards. Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts actually led the way with 71 rushing yards.
Seemingly in line with an injury report that has Lions center Frank Ragnow listed as questionable with a groin injury, the point spread at FanDuel for Sunday has moved a full point toward the Eagles in the last few days to a -4.5.
But the Lions should not just be ignored from a betting perspective, even possibly still on that point spread as one of many home underdogs to start the 2022 NFL season.
With that, here are our three best bets to make on the Lions in Week 1. (Odds courtesy of FanDuel).
Best Detroit Lions bets for Week 1 vs. Eagles
T.J. Hockenson: Over 47.5 yards (-114)
This is the easiest bet on the board for the Lions in their Week 1 game against the Eagles. It’s a great matchup for Hockenson, which makes him a top-notch fantasy start. He has his own nice history in season openers. A potentially very thin Lions’ offensive line stands to make shorter passes an order for Jared Goff on Sunday, and a core part of the game plan.
Smash that over on 47.5 yards for Hockenson.
T.J. Hockenson: Over 4.5 receptions (-122)
Right in line with the over on Hockenson’s yardage, comes a way too easy bet on the over of 4.5 receptions. In last year’s game against the Eagles, the Lions’ tight end had 10 catches for 89 yards on 11 targets. If he gets halfway to that catch total in Sunday’s game, the over will hit and surely carry his yardage to the over as well.
Amon-Ra St. Brown: Over 5.5 receptions (-114)
The Eagles were tough on outside receivers last year (second-fewest fantasy points allowed) and offseason acquisition James Bradberry has joined Darius Slay to make it an even tougher bargain this year. But St. Brown ran around 80 percent of his routes out of the slot last year, which gives him a better matchup against Avonte Maddox.
The Lions probably don’t want to bet on Goff having enough time in the pocket to throw downfield much on Sunday. So in parallel with Hockenson, St. Brown is lined up for plenty of short area targets. The over on 5.5 catches feels easy here.