Detroit Lions vs LA Rams Betting Odds, Picks, and Predictions
- Winless Detroit Lions visit 5-1 Los Angeles Rams as massive road underdogs
- Sunday Betting Record: 0-0 ML; 2-3 ATS; 1-1 O/U; -3.20 units
- Read below for odds, analysis and a betting prediction
It’s wildly unfair, but Week 7’s clash between the visiting Detroit Lions and host Los Angeles Rams is quite literally the best-case, worst-case scenario of the Jared Goff-Matthew Stafford trade.
For the Rams, they’re a clear Super Bowl contender, a stellar 5-1 with Stafford under center — their lone loss to the undefeated Arizona Cardinals.
For the Lions, they’re … still the Lions, a sad-sack group that sits at 0-6 with Goff as their starter — the only team yet to win a game in the NFL this season.
The Rams are a whopping 16-point favorite at home. Kick-off at SoFi Stadium goes at 4:05pm ET. The game will be broadcast on FOX.
Lions vs Rams Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit Lions | +750 | +16 (-110) | O 50.5 (-110) |
| Los Angeles Rams | -1250 | -16 (-110) | U 50.5 (-110) |
Odds as of October 22 at DraftKings.
Since LA opened as a 14.5-point favorite, the line has continued to climb, as high as two points at some books.
Still, the betting public is backing the home side: 86% of the bets placed against the spread and moneyline are on the Rams.
The weather is expected to be cloudy and cool at Inglewood, with a temperature expected around 66 degrees.
Rams Rolling
How big of an impact has Stafford been in LA? Consider that he’s helming an offense that’s pumping out 29.8 points a game, which is good for sixth in the NFL.
Last year, the Rams put up just 23.3 points a contest, tied for 22nd. On an individual level, Stafford is in the MVP conversation, and runs one of the most electric offenses in the league.
He rates first in total QBR and according to Elias, his 16 TD passes through the first six weeks are the most in a player’s first six games with a team in NFL history.
Welcome to the #Rams offense: Matthew Stafford with a 67-yard BOMB to Van Jefferson for the TD.
Fireworks! pic.twitter.com/qaow2aSIt2
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 13, 2021
After the shine wore off of McVay’s early LA success, the Rams’ offense was considered a little smoke-and-mirrors, with gimmicks and motion needed to create big plays. Now? LA goes vertical.
Stafford ranks second in yards per attempt (9.2), while leading the league with seven pass plays of 40+ yards. They’re also third in the league with 26 plays of 20+ yards.
Matthew Stafford finds Cooper Kupp for the TD on FOURTH DOWN 🔥#RamsHouse
— TWSN (@TWSN___) October 17, 2021
Even if the Lions had their full complement of defensive backs (they don’t), they’d still be hard pressed to contain Cooper Kupp.
The Rams’ receiver is in a three-way tie for the league lead in receptions with 46, second in yards with 653 and leads the NFL in TD receptions with seven.
Lucky Leo?
A lot of ink has been spilled on how Detroit can be competitive in this one. Of course, 0-6 is bad, but the Lions are a respectable 3-3 against the spread.
In fact, they’re two plays away from being 2-4, completely mediocre and out of the conversation of being the first 0-17 team in NFL history.
Add Justin tucker to lions owners board #BALvsDET pic.twitter.com/pISLHGkugg
— Astro (@hoodied_ola) September 26, 2021
They just happened to be on the wrong side of a Justin Tucker NFL-record setting 66-yard field goal and another 50+ yard kick from Vikings’ rookie Greg Robinson as time expired. In the Vikings’ game, Detroit even went gutsy — going for two to take the lead with 37 seconds left.
If there is one pattern to be wary of, it’s that Detroit has alternated between blowout loss and one-possession loss. Last week, they were crushed by the Bengals 34-11. Hey, it’s the best we’ve got.
On Sunday, Jared Goff will visit the Rams for a showdown with his old team.
Goff is 42-20 with Sean McVay as his head coach.
He's 0-13 with everyone else. pic.twitter.com/mEpNPzYkuC
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) October 18, 2021
Unfortunately, Goff has shown all the tools that shipped him out of LA and out of McVay’s shelter, which worked hard to hide his deficiencies.
He ranks 29th in QBR (32.9) and 31st in yards per attempt (6.3), still unsure and reluctant to let the ball rip down the field.
Goff has also lost his last nine starts, the longest active losing streak by a starting quarterback. Last Sunday against the Bengals, he threw for just 38 yards in the first half.
What’s the Best Bet?
The Rams will bring a relentless defensive push to make their former teammate uncomfortable. LA ranks fourth in sacks with 18, and have PFF’s seventh highest pass rush grade, while allowing a paltry 6.9 yards per attempt. Say prayers for young Evan Brown, who will be starting his third game and will try to contain all-world Aaron Donald.
It’s a massive spread, but Detroit will have trouble stopping both Stafford and that Rams O, and moving the ball offensively themselves.
This one is going to be ugly.
Pick: Rams -16 (1.5 units to win 1.86 units)
Having worked in and around sports since 1997, Eric is truly a knowledgeable expert. The two-time journalism grad specializes in all things NBA and NFL. From TSN.ca to CTV's Olympic Broadcast Consortium, Eric's work has appeared in local and national publications alike.
