Carolina Panthers vs. Detroit Lions Point Spread Pick

Carolina Panthers (0-4 SU, 0-3-1 ATS) vs. Detroit Lions (3-1 SU, 3-1 ATS)

NFL Football Week 5

Date/Time: Sunday October 8th, 2023. 1:00PM (EST)

Where: Ford Field Detroit, MI

TV: FOX

Betting Odds:

Point Spread: CAR +9.5/DET -9.5 (Are you betting at the best sportsbooks?)

Moneyline: Panthers +345/Motor City -425

Total: 45

Fresh off an impressive Thursday night victory over the Green Bay Packers, the Detroit Lions will return home on Sunday with a few extra days rest when they host the winless Carolina Panthers at Ford Field. At 3-1 SU and 3-1 ATS, the Lions have been one of the more pleasant surprise stories in the NFL thus far this season and currently own the top spot in the NFC North. For this Sunday’s week 5 showdown with the Panthers, the Lions will enter the contest as 9.5 point favorites which is the highest Detroit has been favored in several years.

The visiting Carolina Panthers fell to 0-4 last week with a home loss against the Minnesota Vikings. The Panthers were able to get an early lead for the first time this year thanks to a 99 yard interception returned for a touchdown by safety Sam Franklin Jr. However, the Panthers offense continued to struggle with the return of QB Bryce Young producing just 232 yards of total offense against one of the worst defenses in the league. Obviously, things have not gone well for the Panthers’ #1 overall pick in QB Bryce Young in his 3 starts this season; however, the Lions currently rank as one of the least efficient passing defenses in the league allowing 250 yards per game through the air. Therefore, this will be another opportunity for the Panthers’ young quarterback to hopefully develop into the quarterback the organization desires.

Carolina Panthers vs. Detroit Lions Betting Analysis

From a match-up standpoint, the Carolina Panthers defense has given up a lot of yardage between the tackles against the run. Last week, the inept running attack from Minnesota gained nearly 150 yards on 22 touches between running backs Alexander Mattison and Cam Akers. I believe that will be even more worrisome this week against the combination of running backs David Montgomery and 1st round pick Jahmyr Gibbs. Montgomery had a breakout game against the Packers last week which resulted in 32 carries for 121 yards with 3 touchdowns. I believe the Lions can lean on the running game again this week with Montgomery and Gibbs.

However, QB Jared Goff is more than capable of exposing the Carolina secondary as well. WR Amon-Ra St. Brown is a mismatch for any Panthers defender and the Lions have a pretty underrated case of pass-catchers which includes the emerging threat of TE Sam LaPorta. Simply put, I believe Detroit has multiple paths to moving the football and scoring in this match-up. Meanwhile, the Panthers’ path to success rides solely on the arm of Bryce Young. The Lions run defense has been strong this season which limits the ceiling for Panthers RB Miles Sanders. As a result, I think that this game will be decided by Young’s ability to move the football and perhaps the Panthers’ ability to hold onto the football which they have done poorly throughout the year.

Carolina Panthers vs. Detroit Lions Betting Trends

• The Panthers are 1-4-1 ATS in the last 6 games.
• The Panthers are 1-5 SU in the last 6 games.
• The Panthers have hit the “under” in 4 of the last 5 games.
• The Panthers are 4-1 ATS in the last 5 games against Detroit.
• The Panthers are 2-10 SU in the last 12 games on the road.
• The Lions are 12-2 ATS in the last 14 games.
• The Lions have hit the “under” in 4 of the last 6 games.
• The Lions are 6-1 ATS in the last 7 games at home.
• The Lions are 8-2 ATS in the last 10 games against NFC opponents.

Carolina Panthers vs. Detroit Lions Betting Prediction

I don’t have any faith in the Panthers being able to keep pace with the Detroit offense this week based on the match-up. More importantly, Carolina’s turnover issues provide the opportunity for this game to get out of hand quickly if the Panthers offense stumbles. Simply put, the Panthers have not covered a single contest this season going 0-3-1 ATS and I don’t think this is the game to end that streak.
Jay’s Pick: Take Detroit -9.5

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