Seattle Seahawks vs. Detroit Lions Betting Preview

NFL Week 8
Date/Time: Sunday, October 28, 2018 at 1PM EDT
Where: Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan
TV: Fox

Point Spread: SEA +3/DET -3
Over/Under Total: 49.5

The Seattle Seahawks take on the Detroit Lions on Sunday in NFC action at Ford Field in the Motor City. Both squads sit at 3-3, as each has won three out of four following a rough 0-2 start. Detroit won on the road last week over Miami, 32-21, in a win that was impressive in many ways. Seattle had the week off, which isn’t so bad considering the injuries they’ve accrued over the season. After beating Oakland 27-3 on the road in their last game, they look to peek over the .500 mark this week.

Both teams are on a roll, but I like Seattle to cover the spread this week on the road after the bye week. Some matchup components loom large, as does Detroit’s lack of consistency. Seattle has a lot of new faces since these teams last met in the playoffs a few seasons ago, but they can still run the ball and defend the pass well. While a lot of people are looking at Detroit’s newfound run-attack, it might be Seattle who thrives in that area this week, with Detroit ranked 30th against the run this season.

Good Signs from Seattle

Even if you thought Seattle’s demise was something that was overstated heading into 2018; they’ve been fairly surprising over the past month or so. Russell Wilson is still excellent and is now seeing some of his weapons start to come around. Doug Baldwin started the season injured and is showing his fangs. In his absence, Tyler Lockett has demonstrated his ability, and the two of them together sets up as a nice 1-2 punch. The run-game, while not what it once was, still has firepower with the cabaret of Chris Carson, Mike Davis, Rashad Penny, and even Wilson when he uses his legs. Look for that part of their game to be utilized this week. The improvement on the offense can be attributed to the OL that is playing a lot better recently.

While not the “D” of recent seasons, the Seattle defense is still good. Against the pass, they are still stingy and always seemed to be tough on Stafford when these teams previously met. Young players are vying to be stars on this defense, and it’s a growing bunch. Frank Clark is becoming a real difference-maker at DE. Bobby Wagner is still a massive presence in the middle. And they’re getting some pieces back on both sides of the ball, with impactful LB KJ Wright and TE Ed Dickson set to make their 2018 debuts. They aren’t as stingy up-front, and if Detroit’s newfound run-game is something they can consistently apply, they could have success. But something tells me Detroit’s run game is going to be an on/off attack that won’t always fire. It just might this week, though. Still, Detroit has the kind of aerial/mistake-prone offense that has always fed right into the hands of a Seattle “D” under Pete Carroll.

Detroit’s About-Face

Anyone watching Detroit get hammered by the Jets at home in week one wouldn’t have forecasted they’d be in this spot with over half the season left. One thing seems apparent, and that is that Stafford has one of the more-diverse offenses in his tenure with the Lions. It’s strange how the departure of Barry Sanders started a prolonged funk in this area, but with LeGarrette Blount and Kerryon Johnson, the ground-game looks legit. And let’s face it; Seattle isn’t impressing anyone in giving up over 4.7 yards a clip.

Blount and Johnson offer depth out of the backfield, with versatile Theo Reddick returning to give it even another dimension. With nearly 250 yards rushing against Miami and Johnson putting up 158 yards, it’s a potential bright spot that can provide this offense a whole new look. Aerially, young Kenny Golladay is proliferating in this offense and with ex-Seahawk Golden Tate and Marvin Jones; it’s a pretty vital group. And Like Seattle, the line is doing a lot better than what we saw early in the campaign.

How Will the Detroit “D” Match-Up with Seattle

There are parts of the Detroit defense that have things to like, but we’ve seen minimal playmaking from a secondary that is usually more in-the-mix. It doesn’t mean they aren’t good, as they are ranked seventh in the league, with good players like Glover Quin, Darius Slay, Quandree Diggs, and others. With two picks, though, they’ve been quiet. Talent-wise, they match up pretty well with Seattle’s aerial targets. The pass rush has been pretty deep, with Jarrad Davis, Devon Kennard, and Romeo Okwara getting after it. Alas, giving up 5.3 yards a run looms as a significant issue. Backs that struggle have big days against this group, and they give up a lot of big plays. Varied running-attacks like what Seattle brings to town loom as a major matchup concern.

Take the Points on the Road Underdog

Neither team is solid enough to be considered bankable. No result here is going to really register much shock, as both clubs are still in that yet-to-be-defined state. I see Seattle successfully running the ball, with their defense being more-rigid. It’s not hard seeing Detroit having more success than the 6 points they managed the last time around. Seattle should hang right in there and notch the cover in a tough game. I’m taking the Seahawks in this one.

Loot’s Pick to Cover the Point Spread: I’m betting on the Seattle Seahawks plus three points.