The Detroit Lions have not moved to the NFC West; their early season time table simply makes it appear that approach.
Detroit (2-1) edged the Los Angeles Rams in time beyond regulation in its opener. The Lions crowned Arizona 20-13 of their first street take a look at closing weekend.
They are going to now host undefeated Seattle on Monday night time, with the 3-0 Seahawks’ training body of workers led via Mike Macdonald.
ODDS AND TRENDS
The Lions are 4.5-point favorites at maximum books, even though the road has held secure at 4.5 at BetMGM with the general public backing the Seahawks with 68 p.c of the spread-line bets and 73 p.c of the cash.
The moneyline motion has been cut up, with Seattle (+180) sponsored via 51 p.c of the overall bets, whilst Detroit (-225) has drawn 64 p.c of the cash wagered.
The Over has been one of the most extra lopsided performs at BetMGM, attracting 68 p.c of the bets and 73 p.c of the cash with the issues general transferring from 48.5 to 46.4.
PROP PICKS
–Jahmyr Gibbs 60+ Dashing Yards (+140 at DraftKings): This has been the preferred participant prop for this recreation on the guide. Gibbs enters with 207 dashing yards thru 3 video games, together with 84 and 83 in his previous two video games. Whilst Seattle enters Monday with the league’s top-ranked protection relating to yards allowed according to recreation (248.7), that has been generated in opposition to 3 sub-par quarterbacks. Fighters are averaging 116.3 yards according to recreation at the flooring.
–DK Metcalf Over 63.5 Receiving Yards (-115 at BetMGM): This may well be accomplish with one giant play in Seahawks coordinator Ryan Grubb’s new offense that has observed Metcalf produce two consecutive 100-yard video games. Detroit is permitting a mean of 216.7 passing yards according to recreation.
LIONS SEEKING EFFICIENCY
Detroit did not rating in the second one part in opposition to the Cardinals, however its protection was once stout and the offense was once well-balanced. Quarterback Jared Goff finished 18 of 23 passes for 199 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Operating backs David 1st viscount montgomery of alamein (one TD) and Jahmyr Gibbs blended for 188 yards.
Lions trainer Dan Campbell anticipates that his offense will wish to be extra dynamic to move right into a bye week on a successful be aware.
“We should be very environment friendly, first and 2nd down, after which, truthfully, I believe we need to win the explosive struggle,” he mentioned. “We need to get some explosives on offense, and we need to close theirs down.”
Goff threw for 323 yards and 3 touchdowns closing season in opposition to Seattle, however the Seahawks pulled out a 37-31 time beyond regulation win. Then again, Goff sees numerous adjustments on movie between closing yr’s Seahawks protection and this yr’s crew.
“It is a utterly other scheme,” he mentioned. “I am certain there is a couple avid gamers which are nonetheless there, however so far as what you are looking at schematically, it is fully other.”
NEW-LOOK HAWKS OFFENSE
Seattle quarterback Geno Smith handed for 328 yards and two touchdowns in opposition to the Lions closing season.
Smith attached with DK Metcalf on a 71-yard scoring go in closing week’s 24-3 house victory over Miami. Zach Charbonnet, filling in for injured Kenneth Walker, rushed for 91 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries.
Metcalf mentioned he labored all the way through the offseason on snagging extra passes in site visitors.
“That without a doubt was once a focal point for me this offseason,” he mentioned. “Contested catches or 50/50 balls going up and attacking the ball, as a substitute of looking to let it come right down to me and catch it over my shoulder.”
A technique the Lions can neutralize Seattle’s passing offense is to get force on Smith. Detroit’s height defensive participant, Aidan Hutchinson, has already recorded 6.5 sacks.
“We’ve got were given to seek out 97. He is off to a super get started,” Smith mentioned of Hutchinson. “Clearly, he is a top draft pick out and he is a man who they will depend on. So if we will be able to stalemate him, stay him from making giant performs and getting within the backfield, getting (tackles for losses) and sacks, then we will make it onerous on their protection.”
INJURY REPORT
Detroit can be with out beginning middle Frank Ragnow, who has a partly torn pectoral muscle. Tight finish Sam LaPorta overlooked Thursday’s follow because of an ankle harm however was once a complete player the following two days. Linebacker Alex Anzalone, who overlooked closing week’s recreation because of a concussion, totally participated in follow.
Walker (indirect) was once a complete player on Saturday after being restricted on Thursday and Friday. Defensive starters Leonard Williams (ribs) and linebackers Uchenna Nwosu (knee) and Jerome Baker (hamstring) sat out.
SERIES HISTORY
Seattle has gained the previous six conferences, with Detroit’s closing victory over the Seahawks coming in 2012.
“I’d be mendacity regardless that if I advised you that I have no idea that now we have misplaced to them 3 years in a row,” mentioned Campbell, Detroit’s head trainer because the 2021 season. “I know that. So, you get bored of that. You become bored with that when one loss, a lot much less 3.”
PREDICTION
Whilst the Seahawks are 3-0, their 3 wins have come in opposition to a rookie quarterback making his first get started (Bo Nix), a journeyman (Jacoby Brissett) and an harm alternative (Skylar Thompson). Seattle is also trending in the proper route, however the Lions pose a wholly other take a look at at the street. Detroit will regulate the road of scrimmage defensively and benefit from a Seattle protection nonetheless honing in on Macdonald’s complicated scheme. — Lions 27, Seahawks 20
–Box Stage Media
