Philadelphia Eagles vs. Detroit Lions Predictions, Odds, Picks

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

5 minute read

Oct. 31, 2021

Joe Williams
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

The Detroit Lions look for their first win when they host the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday afternoon. Kick off is set for 1:00 p.m. ET and will air on FOX from Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan.

Score Prediction

Detroit 23, Philadelphia 20

Best Bets

Detroit +3.5

Under

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Detroit Lions Predictions

The Detroit Lions are the only winless team in the NFL. Detroit is 0-7 and will likely finish in the cellar of the NFC North once again, but the Lions have been competitive in most of their losses. They are 4-3 ATS with two of their losses coming from field goals of more than 50 yards, and that makes them a great upset pick this week against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Dan Campbell might not be in his job for more than a couple seasons, but it’s clear that he cares about making Detroit a winner. The Lions have been competitive in most of their losses, and the team continues to play hard for its coach.

Conversely, it feels like Philadelphia might be tuning out Nick Sirianni as his unique coaching style has not seemed to register with his players. Additionally, Jalen Hurts is this generation’s Aaron Brooks in that he is a top ten fantasy quarterback but a bottom ten actual quarterback.

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Detroit Lions Betting Odds

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Philadelphia Eagles vs. Detroit Lions Betting Resources

• Matchup: NFC East vs. NFC North
• Date: Sunday, October 31, 2021
• Venue: Ford Field
• Location: Detroit, Michigan
• TV-Time: FOX - 1:00 p.m. ET

• Weather Report
• Injury Report
• Super Bowl 56 Betting

Philadelphia Eagles Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 2-5
• ATS: 3-4
• O/U: 3-4
• ATS - Home: 1-2
• ATS - Away: 2-2

Hurts has thrived in garbage time. However, he is one of the worst quarterbacks in the NFL through the first three quarters of a game. He has thrown six touchdowns and four interceptions prior to the fourth quarter so far, and he is averaging just 4.4 YPC in the first half. This game won’t have garbage time as Detroit won’t pull away from Philly, exposing some of the issues with Hurts in the process.

There is a major problem with the lack of a run game for Philadelphia too. Hurts is the leading rusher on the team, and everyone else on the Eagles is combining to average just 14 carries per game. That has led to opponents simply spying Hurts and sitting back in coverage to stop this offense.

Philadelphia’s defense doesn’t look half bad when you look at conventional stats. However, the Eagles have benefited from opponents taking leads on them and then just running the ball. The Eagles have seen opponents run the ball against them more than any other defense, boosting their total defense and run defense averages. This defense ranks 23rd in Defensive DVOA, which is a better overall metric for the defense.

Detroit Lions Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 0-7
• ATS: 4-3
• O/U: 2-5
• ATS - Home: 2-1
• ATS - Away: 2-2

Jared Goff isn’t as efficient as Matthew Stafford was during his 12 years in the Motor City. He has yet to lead the Lions to a win, but he hasn’t played terribly for Detroit. Goff is completing over 66% of his passes, yet he has tossed four interceptions in his last three games.

To be fair to Goff, he doesn’t have a lot of help at the skill positions. D’Andre Swift and T.J. Hockenson are the leading receivers on the Lions, as Detroit has the least talented receiving corps in the NFL. Swift hasn’t been as efficient as expected as a running back, but he is averaging 9.3 YPC as a receiver. Hockenson is starting to live up to his potential as a top tier tight end and could finish with over 1,000 receiving yards in 2021.

Detroit has been somewhat unlucky on defense. The Lions rank dead last in points per play, surrendering 0.47 points per play. The pass defense has been the worst in the NFL, allowing 8.9 YPA, but Jalen Hurts and the Eagles won’t be able to make them pay.

The Detroit Lions have gone UNDER the point total in five straight games. (AP)

Inside the Stats - Philadelphia Eagles

• Record: 2-5
• Division Standing: 2nd - NFC East
• Points Scored: 159
• Points Allowed: 185
• PS/G: 22.7 (18th)
• PA/G: 26.4 (24th)

Inside the Stats - Detroit Lions

• Record: 0-7
• Division Standing: 4th - NFC North
• Points Scored: 128
• Points Allowed: 200
• PS/G: 18.3 (28th)
• PA/G: 28.6 (25th)

Key Players to Watch

• PHI: Jalen Hurts - QB (148/242, 1,716 yards, 10 TD, 4 INT)
• PHI: Dallas Goedert - TE (18 catches, 286 yards, 2 TD)
• DET: Jared Goff - QB (181/274, 1,773 yards, 8 TD, 6 INT)
• DET: D'Andre Swift - RB (78 carries, 653 total yards, 5 Total TDs)

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Detroit Lions Betting Conclusion

The Lions will get their first win of the season at home in Detroit this Sunday. Hurts will be unable to exploit this secondary, and Goff will do enough to beat the Eagles.

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Detroit Lions Betting Trends

• Philadelphia has failed to cover the spread in seven of its last eight games when playing as the favorite.
• Detroit has gone UNDER the point total in five straight games.
• Philadelphia has lost four straight games when facing a team with a losing record.
• Detroit has lost seven straight games.
• The point total has gone OVER in five straight meetings.
• Detroit has covered the spread in four of its last five games when facing Philadelphia.

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