A Detroit Lions team with postseason aspirations was upset at home on Thanksgiving by a division rival. Now it faces a New Orleans Saints squad that is spiraling but still has a chance of emerging from a mediocre NFC South.
Can Detroit atone for its rare home stumble and validate its status as a solid road favorite in The Game Day’s NFL Week 13 odds? Read on for our best bets for this NFC clash.
Lions vs Saints Odds
NFL odds used for this Detroit vs New Orleans preview were found at DraftKings Sportsbook and are current as of Tuesday, Nov. 28 at 11:30 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Lions (-205) • Saints (+170)
- Spread: Lions -4 (-112) • Saints +4 (-108)
- Total Points: Over 46 (-112) • Under 46 (-108)
- Implied Score: Lions 25, Saints 21
Lions vs Saints Predictions
Score Pick: Detroit Lions 27, New Orleans Saints 17
The Green Bay Packers ruined the Lions’ holiday with a mix of precision passing and opportunistic defense, giving Dan Campbell’s club quite the slice of humble pie on Turkey Day.
However, if the Lions are the serious postseason contender they envision themselves to be, it’s the type of loss that only serves as a bump in the road and a reminder to refocus and recalibrate.
Fortunately for Campbell and his charges, several factors line up favorably for a quick resurgence. For starters, they’ll come into this contest with the rest advantage afforded by playing on Thanksgiving.
Additionally, while this game takes place outside the friendly confines of Ford Field, it comes in a dome environment that should help Detroit feel in its element.
Just as important, it appears that the weakness of the Lions’ defense – its secondary – will catch a break from an opponent that may be ill-equipped to exploit it.
The Saints saw top target Chris Olave and No. 2 receiver Rashid Shaheed exit the Week 12 loss to the Falcons with a concussion and a thigh injury, respectively. Those injuries came just days after Michael Thomas was placed on injured reserve because of a knee issue.
Olave could be hard-pressed to clear protocol in time for this game, while reports are already indicating Shaheed is a long shot to play this week. It’s worth noting New Orleans’ pass-catching cupboard isn’t completely empty thanks to the eclectic offensive profiles of running back Alvin Kamara and the virtually positionless Taysom Hill.
Yet absences from Olave and Shaheed would allow for Detroit to focus plenty of resources on whoever’s left.
The Lions are already surrendering only 81.4 rushing yards per road game at 3.8 yards per rush attempt, so their ability to make teams one-dimensional isn’t really in question. If they can also flood the likes of A.T. Perry, Lynn Bowden, Keith Kirkwood and Juwan Johnson with their coverages, Carr won’t have options when dropping back.
The Lions’ offense won’t have an easy matchup against New Orleans’ defense, but Jared Goff will aim to bounce back from his turnover-filled performance. With Goff and his many skill-position assets well rested and healthy, and Marshon Lattimore (ankle) not available to cover Amon-Ra St. Brown, a 10-point win is attainable.
Lions vs Saints Best Bets & Props
Lions -4 (-112)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 unit
The Saints have struggled offensively this season when they’ve had a full arsenal, so assuming they’ll toil with a short-handed group seems logical.
The Lions have the run-stopping prowess and the offensive firepower to eventually force an opponent out of a balanced approach, which then tees up vulnerable quarterbacks for Detroit’s impressive pass rush.
With the Lions already 4-1 against the spread as a road team this season and this number a manageable one for a team that already has a pair of 14-point victories when traveling, I like Detroit to cover as my NFL bet of the day.
Under 46 (-112)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 unit
The Saints are averaging 20.8 points per game, but they’ve scored just 34 combined points in the last two contests. If Olave is able to get through concussion protocol – a relatively tall order – to suit up, Carr will at least have his top receiver, but Shaheed already looks unlikely to play.
A depleted pass-catching corps is going to lead to plenty of stalled drives for the Saints, leaving them unable to contribute a great deal to the point total in this contest. New Orleans’ defense is also an above-average unit, which will help keep a lid on Detroit’s impressive offensive arsenal.
As such, I’m leaning toward the Under hitting here, with the fact it’s 3-1 in the Saints’ home games thus far giving me even more confidence.
Saints Under 21.5 points (-135)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 unit
This bet naturally flows from the previous one, although I’ll build a little more safety than I did in my game prediction by giving the Saints up to three touchdowns.
As already explained, the Saints will have their moments primarily because of the unique skill sets of Kamara and Hill, but game script should eventually allow Detroit to build a big enough lead to pin its collective ears back and disrupt Carr significantly.
Lions vs Saints Same-Game Parlay
Lions vs Saints SGP (+328)
FanDuel Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 unit
- Lions (-198)
- Lions Over 24.5 (-110)
- Alternate Under 49.5 points (-186)
I’m getting a bit creative with this three-leg parlay in order to boost the odds, but I still feel each leg is realistic and true to my feelings on this game.
The Lions moneyline is self-explanatory, and given my prediction of a 27-point total for the Lions, the Over of 24.5 is one I’m confident in as well. The third leg was one I also was glad to find, as it gives us a bit more cushion with the projected total by adding a ful 3.5 points to the DK Sportsbook figure.
With the way this game sets up, I like the chances of these three legs cashing.
