As the Detroit Lions keep trying to stack wins for a push to a playoff spot, here early odds and a prediction for Week 16 against the Carolina Panthers.
The Detroit Lions have won six of their last seven games, and wins in their last two have multipled their odds to make the playoffs very nicely. With a win over the Carolina Panthers in Week 16, and losses by the Washington Commanders and Seattle Seahawks, they will wake up Christmas morning with the gift of the No. 7 seed in the NFC under the tree.
The Panthers have played better under interim head coach Steve Wilks, and being in the bad NFC South gives them a chance to make the playoffs right now. But they are just 5-9 this season, and the Lions should go there and beat them this week. A team who is worthy of a playoff spot goes to Carolina and comes home with a win over a team that’s not as good as they are.
Via FanDuel Sportsbook, here early odds followed by a prediction for Lions-Panthers in Week 16.
Detroit Lions at Carolina Panthers: Odds and prediction for Week 16
Point Spread:
Lions (-2.5): -115
Panthers (+2.5): -105
Moneyline:
Lions: -148
Panthers: +126
Over/Under (44.5 points)
Over: -105
Under: -115
Based on the early point spread, and accounting for what home field usually means, the Lions would be a 5.5 or 6-point favorite if Saturday’s game was at Ford Field. The Panthers are 4-4 at home this season and 1-5 on the road, so being at home looks to be meaningful for them. They have also won two of their last three games with Sam Darnold starting under center, and however obviously he’ll start again against the Lions.
Prediction: Lions 24, Panthers 17
The Panthers will not be a doormat for the Lions as they try to keep the playoff push rolling. But when it comes down to it they don’t have enough talent to finish, and the Lions pull out a win to get to over .500 here. As for the betting angles, the Lions cover, win on the money line and the under hits.
Note: Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.