The Detroit Lions are coming off a tough 37-31 overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2 to drop them to 1-1 on the season. In Week 3 the 2-0 Atlanta Falcons, who rallied to beat the Green Bay Packers 25-24 in Week 2, will visit Ford Field for their first road game this season. The Falcons will of course have Bijan Robinson, the first running back taken in April's draft before the Lions made the Jahmyr Gibbs the second.
The Lions will leave all the pomp, circumstance and ultimate disappointment of the home opener behind them this week, and try to get back on track by beating what looks to be a beatable Falcons' team. The friends and family of "Good Morning Football's" Kyle Brandt are surely hoping the Falcons lose, so Brandt can lose the mustache he's sporting to channel head coach Arthur Smith's look.
The mustache grows on, @KyleBrandt pic.twitter.com/rMfyZzXvOb
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) September 18, 2023
With that, via FanDuel Sportsbook, here are the opening betting odds for Lions-Falcons in Week 3 with a prediction to follow.
Detroit Lions vs. Atlanta Falcons: Early Week 3 odds and a prediction
Point Spread:
Lions: -3.5 (-110)
Falcons: +3.5 (-110)
Moneyline:
Lions: -180
Falcons: +152
Over/Under (45.5 points):
Over: -115
Under: -105
It's notable the 1-1 Lions are favored over the 2-0 Falcons, though the 3.5-point opening spread on FanDuel pretty much encompasses the general idea that home field gives you a 3-point edge. Only three games on the Sunday Week 3 slate have a higher over/under right now.
Prediction: Lions 27, Falcons 20
The Lions need a get-right game very badly, especially defensively, and this will be it against a Falcons' team that is not equipped to beat them as long as they play clean, at least close to mistake-free, football. On the betting lines, the Lions cover and also win outright (of course), while the over narrowly hits.
Note: Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.