NFL Odds Week 5: Panthers vs Lions Lines, Spreads, Betting Trends

Patrick Everson Sports Betting Expert

3 minute read

The Week 5 NFL betting odds see the Lions as 7.5-point home favorites over the winless Panthers. Coverage begins from Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, October 8 at 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX.

Here's everything you need to know about the NFL odds for Week 5 Lions vs Panthers: the opening lines, spreads, betting trends and more. Check back regularly for updates.

Carolina Panthers vs Detroit Lions Odds

• Opening point spread: Lions -8.5
• Opening moneyline: Lions -450/Panthers +350
• Opening total: Over/Under 43.5 points scored
• Time: 1 p.m. ET Sunday (FOX)

UPDATE 10:30 A.M. ET SUNDAY: With 2.5 hours until kickoff, the Lions have receded to -8.5 (-115) at BetMGM. That matches the opener, and Detroit peaked at -10 before falling to -9.5 Friday and -8.5 (-115) this morning.

Still, it's all Lions on the spread, with tickets almost 4/1 and money almost 5/1. As was the case Friday at BetMGM (see below), the total is at 44 and still getting two-way action.

UPDATE 4 P.M. ET FRIDAY: It was steady upward movement for the Lions earlier this week in BetMGM's NFL odds Week 6 market. Detroit opened -8.5, went to -9 Monday, -9.5 Tuesday and -10 Wednesday.

This afternoon, however, the Lions crept back to -9.5. Still, ticket count is 4/1-plus and money 6/1-plus on Detroit to cover the number.

The total initially jumped from 43.5 to 45 Monday, then receded to 44 Thursday. Ticket count is almost dead even, and 57% of cash is on the Over.

UPDATE 11 P.M. ET SUNDAY: Detroit has been a money train for bettors since the middle of last season. The Lions are 11-3 SU/12-2 ATS over their last 14 games.

Detroit moved to 3-1 SU and ATS this season by rolling over Green Bay in the Week 4 Thursday nighter. The Lions darted to a 27-3 halftime lead, coasting to a 34-20 victory as 2.5-point road favorites.

By contrast, Carolina is a money drain at 0-4 SU/0-3-1 ATS. In Week 4, the Panthers lost to Minnesota 21-13 catching 4.5 points at home.

Click here for Vegas Insider senior reporter Patrick Everson's full NFL Odds Week 5 Report containing spreads, lines, and trends for every NFL matchup.

Panthers vs Lions Pick, Prediction

Action Network NFL betting expert Brandon Anderson offers this prediction:

Carolina is 0-4. Winless teams facing teams that are not unbeaten are 63% ATS.

Detroit is still sorting out some injuries on the line and at safety and Amon-Ra St. Brown hasn't been practicing all week. The Panthers also have line issues and are missing a couple key defenders, but it does look like Bryce Young is now healthy.

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The Lions should run all over a Panthers defense that ranks last in rushing DVOA. That sets up for a easy, boring win and a chance for Detroit to get its guys healthy.

Montgomery ran for three scores last game and has reached the end zone in all three games. It's also pretty clear he's taking that Jamaal Williams role as the short yardage and goal line guy. Williams scored multiple times in six games last season, so we're at 7-of-21 games with a multi-TD runner. That would imply +200, but we're getting +325 — a serious edge in our favor. Ben Johnson loves to run it in, and the Lions could run up the score again.

Pick: David Montgomery 2+ Touchdowns (+325)

For more NFL Week 5 picks, check out Action Network's NFL Week 5: How to Bet Every Game & Every Team.

The One Stat to Know About Panthers vs Lions

Action Network NFL researcher Evan Abrams offers his top betting stat:

Lions are 26-12 ATS since the start of the 2021 season, most profitable team ATS in the NFL (+1,171).

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For more NFL Week 5 betting stats, check out Action Network's NFL Week 5 Betting Trends, Stats, Notes.

Where to place a bet this NFL Season?

• Use our exclusive BetMGM Bonus Code VIBONUS1600 to unlock BetMGM's welcome offer for new sportsbook users!
• Compare the latest NFL Odds from the best sportsbooks before placing a bet on this week's games.
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Patrick Everson

Patrick Everson is a senior reporter for VegasInsider. Based in Las Vegas since 1994, he's worked in the sports betting journalism/content space for more than a decade. He's most known for his deep roster of contacts behind sportsbook counters, providing readers and viewers with the ins-and-outs of how events are being bet. He's also a thought leader in the sports betting space, often appearing on or moderating panels at national conferences. More from Patrick Everson