Detroit Lions at Baltimore Ravens Pick – Lions Have Been Money in the Bank

Detroit Lions (5-1 SU, 5-1 ATS) at Baltimore Ravens (4-2, 4-2)

Date/Time: 1 pm ET Sunday, Oct. 22

Where: M&T Bank Stadium

TV: Fox

Betting Odds:

Point Spread: Det +3/Balt -3

Money Line: Det +135/Balt -155

Over/Under Total: 43

Sunday’s early games offer up a great inter-conference match-up when the AFC North-leading Ravens host the NFC North-leading Lions in Baltimore.

Detroit already owns a big divisional lead as it chases its first division title in 30 years. Meanwhile, the Ravens sit atop what looks like one of the toughest divisions in the League.

NFL Betting Lines

The Week 7 NFL betting market opened Baltimore at -2.5 over Detroit, with an over/under of right around 44. Early betting action then slid the Ravens up to -3 and dipped that total to 43.

Lions-Ravens NFL Betting Preview

Detroit drives a four-game winning streak into this Sunday after beating Tampa Bay last Sunday 20-6. The Lions turned an early take-away into a field goal and led 10-3 at the half. Detroit then let the Buccaneers get within 10-6 midway through the third quarter but immediately answered with a touchdown and held on from there for the W and the cover at -3.

The Lions out-gained Tampa 380-251 and dominated time of possession by a 37:23 split.

Four games ago Detroit beat Atlanta 20-6 and covered at -3; three games ago the Lions won at Green Bay 34-20 and covered at -2.5; and two games ago they beat Carolina 42-24 and covered at -10.

Most importantly, at least to us, Detroit ranks 7th in the League in total defense, holding opponents to 286 yards per game.

Meanwhile, the Ravens bounced back from a downer loss at Pittsburgh two weeks ago to beat Tennessee last Sunday in London 24-16. Baltimore drew first blood with an early field goal and led 18-3 at the half. The Ravens then let the Titans get within 18-13 midway through the third quarter but scored the next six points and held on from there for the W and the money at -5.5.

Baltimore out-gained Tennessee 360-233, recorded six sacks, and dominated time of possession by a 36:24 split.

The only real problem for the Ravens last week was ineptitude in the red zone; Baltimore settled for four field goals of 29 yards or less.

The Ravens are riding a roller-coaster over recent weeks. Five games ago they won a big game at rival Cincinnati, then followed that up with an upset loss to Indianapolis. Baltimore then won a big game at rival Cleveland but followed that up with a loss at the Steelers.

But one thing that remains consistent for the Ravens is their defense, which ranks 2nd overall, limiting foes to just 261 YPG.

On the injury front Detroit might be down its top two running backs Sunday while Baltimore is nicked-up on defense. Which almost sounds like a wash.

These teams last met two seasons ago, that 19-17 Ravens victory at Ford Field won on Justin Tucker’s record-setting 66-yard field goal at the buzzer.

NFL Betting Trends

Detroit is 7-1 both SU and ATS over its last eight road games.

Baltimore is 2-8-1 ATS over its last 11 home games.

Totals Report

The totals are split 3-3 in Lions games this season, which are averaging 47 total points.

The unders are 5-1 in Ravens games this season, which are averaging 37 points.

After going 13-2 last week, the unders are 56-37 in the NFL this season.

Free NFL Betting Pick

Detroit’s rolling while Baltimore is bouncing. However, the Lions look like they might be a bit one-dimensional on offense, down a couple of running backs, and that’s not a good way to attack a Ravens defense. Meanwhile, we figure Baltimore’s been working on its red-zone offense this week, after kicking six field goals last week. Ultimately, we believe the Ravens will win the ground battle in this game and in the NFL, teams that win the ground battles cover the spread about 65 percent of the time. We’re betting Baltimore Sunday.