Detroit Lions fans itching to watch their new-look team compete won’t see the full product on display tonight, but there’s still PLENTY of reasons to tune in!
Detroit opens a new NFL season tonight against the New York Giants in Week 1 of the preseason and even though many Lions starters aren’t expected to play at all, there’s still betting value to be had and position battles to watch.
Let’s dig into the odds on tonight’s preseason opener.
Lions vs. Giants preseason Week 1 odds
Lions vs. Giants preseason Week 1 prediction
There’s a lot on the line for many Lions players who will see playing time tonight, but especially for backup Nate Sudfeld and second-year receiver Jameson Williams.
The Lions’ recent signing of veteran QB Teddy Bridgewater makes Sudfeld suddenly expendable on the 53-man roster and this could be his last chance to prove he belongs.
Williams, on the other hand, already has a role carved out in Detroit, but will miss the first six games of the regular season due to suspension and will therefore play more in the preseason than he otherwise might have.
"We’re going to douse him with a ton of game reps,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said last week. “He needs that. As he does practice, but, man, and I’m telling you, as with anybody, the more reps he gets, the more time on task, the more consecutive practices and reps he can put together, he’ll just grow, I really believe that. And I do believe he wants it.”
Campbell has been especially cautious with the preseason as Detroit’s head coach. Last season, he allowed starting QB Jared Goff to play part of the first preseason game while sitting out the entire offensive line and key players like Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jamaal Williams and D’Andre Swift, among others.
That’s been reflected in Campbell’s 1-5 preseason record leading the Lions.
Last season, New York Giants coach Brian Daboll played his starters for one quarter in their preseason opener to help them adjust to new coaching schemes, but likely won’t do the same in Year 2.
With most starters likely to sit on both sides, I’ll take Detroit to win the first half at +130 odds – especially with so much on the line for Sudfeld and Williams.
Pick: Lions First Half Moneyline (+130)
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.