Lions vs Rams Picks, Prediction, Betting Lines & Playoff Implications (Week 15)

• The Lions sit on the outside of the playoffs as of today
• The Rams are inching closer to the No.1 seed
• Keep reading for my Lions vs Rams picks and predictions

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The Detroit Lions (8-5, 3-3 on the road) head to Inglewood to face the Los Angeles Rams (10-3, 5-1 at home) in a potential playoff preview. Despite being on the outside of the playoffs today, the Lions have a path back into the dance. On the flip side, the Rams control their destiny for the NFC’s top seed.

SoFi Stadium will play host to the 4:25 pm ET kickoff on Sunday, Dec. 14. FOX will handle broadcasting duties.

I have locked in my four favorite Lions vs Rams picks below. Continue reading to see several key players to watch for as well as the updated Lions vs Rams betting lines.

DET Lions vs LA Rams Picks & Predictions

• DET Lions vs LA Rams Pick #1: Rams -5.5 (-115 on Fanatics)

The Rams have a stellar 9-4 record ATS this season. At home, they have a 4-2 record ATS with their only losses coming within the division. As favorites, the Rams are an eye-popping 9-3 ATS.

Blake Corum rumbles 48 yards for the TD!

LARvsAZ on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/aroS7jo0iI

— NFL (@NFL) December 7, 2025

The Lions, in contrast, have been shaky as underdogs. Detroit is 1-3 as an underdog ATS, only winning outright as 4.5-point underdogs back in Week 3 versus Baltimore. After a 4-1 start ATS, the Lions are 3-5 ATS in their last eight games.

With the Lions continuing to lose defensive pieces due to injury, I am backing the Rams to win this game solidly. I expect the Rams offense to have a productive day while the defense does enough to stifle the Lions.

• Lions vs Rams Pick #2: Jahmyr Gibbs Under 16.5 Rushing Attempts (-145 on BetMGM)

Gibbs averages 14.4 rush attempts per game this season. In 13 games played this year, he has exceeded this number just four times. In the game script I am expecting, Gibbs should be between 12 and 15 carries while he is heavily targeted out of the backfield. In Detroit’s five losses, Gibbs has had 12 or fewer carries three times.

Seven running backs have had at least 17 rush attempts in a game this season against the Rams. However, four of the seven came in the Rams’ losses. In games in which the Rams have gotten out to an early lead, only Derrick Henry has reached 17 rush attempts. Given that Baltimore was on its backup quarterback, that game should be considered an outlier.

• Lions vs Rams Pick #3: Jared Goff Over 22.5 Completions (-129 on DraftKings)

With a passing game script in mind, I expect Jared Goff to complete at least 23 passes. He has at least 23 completions in seven games this season, maxing out with 31 back in Detroit’s Week 1 loss to the Packers. In losses, Goff has had 23 or more completions in three of five games.

Goff has completed 70.1% of his passes on the season. In losses, Goff has 29 or more pass attempts in four of five games, giving him a solid shot at 23 completions even in a worst-case scenario. Against the Chiefs and Bears, Goff managed to complete 23 passes on fewer than 30 attempts.

Six of 13 opposing starting have hit this mark against the Rams this season. Five such efforts came in losses while Mac Jones completed 33 passes in San Francisco’s overtime win over LA. In the remaining five Rams victories, LA faced two rookies (Cam Ward and Tyler Shough), two split-quarterback efforts (Baltimore and Tampa Bay), and Week 1 C.J. Stroud.

• DET Lions vs LA Rams Pick #4: Puka Nacka Under 101.5 Receiving Yards (-115 on BetMGM)

Puka Nacua is averaging 98.8 yards per game this season. However, he has only topped this 101.5 mark four times. When he clears it, he goes well beyond it (including two games with 167 or more yards), but he has six games between 72 and 97 yards this season. I expect Nacua to have an efficient game that comes close to 100 yards without going over.

With Davante Adams out of the lineup, Nacua could get an even larger share of the targets, but he could also draw more coverage as the Rams do not have a top-tier No.2 across from him now. Nacua has six games with at least eight targets without surpassing 100 yards, including 85 yards on 12 targets in LA’s loss to the 49ers.

The Lions have allowed five 100-yard receivers this year. However, all five did so in losing efforts, including both CeeDee Lamb and Ryan Flournoy last week for Dallas. In games the Lions have lost, only Dontayvion Wicks (94) and Christian Watson (80) have even eclipsed the 80-yard mark.

Lions vs Rams Betting Lines

The Rams are home favorites with the total set between 54.5 and 55 in the current NFL odds. Over bettors can take over 54.5 at DraftKings for -115 odds. Under bettors can get under 55 on Caesars for -110 odds.

Los Angeles bettors can get the Rams on the spread at -5.5 with -115 odds on Fanatics, or on the moneyline at -245 on DraftKings. For Detroit bettors, take the Lions at +6 at Caesars (-110 odds) or +220 odds at bet365 on the moneyline.

DET vs LAR: Last Five H2H Matchups

The Rams hold the lifetime edge 45-43-1, but the Lions have won both playoff matchups, including a win in the 2023-2024 playoffs. Since the famous Stafford-Goff trade, the Lions have won two of three matchups.

Jared Goff vs. Matthew Stafford since the trade went down in 2021 👀 pic.twitter.com/xixci84hAA

— Woodward Sports Network (@woodwardsports) December 12, 2025

Last season, the Lions opened the season with a comeback win over the Rams. Both David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs found the end zone for the victorious Lions. In a losing effort, Matthew Stafford threw for 317 yards, a touchdown, and a pick.

Lions vs Rams Playoff Implications

Detroit’s Playoff Chances

According to the Athletic’s playoff predictor, the Lions have a 39% chance to make the playoffs. With a win over the Rams, the Lions would jump to 60%. However, a loss would send the Lions to just 31%.

The NFC North is not out of reach for Detroit, but a win would give the Lions a 13% chance at winning the division. Even if the Lions were guaranteed to win out, The Athletic gives them a 52% chance at winning the division at 12-5.

Los Angeles’ Playoff Chances

As it stands, the Rams have a 99% chance to make the playoffs. With a win, they clinch a playoff berth for the fifth time in six seasons. Even with a loss, the Rams would have a 95% chance to make the playoffs.

The more interesting predicaments are the Rams’ division chances and No.1 seed chances. Right now, the Rams have a 56% chance to win the NFC West and a 47% chance to be the No.1 seed. With a win, these chances rise to 63% and 56% respectively. With a loss, the chances fall to 39% and 27%.