The Detroit Lions (+2) are heading across Lake Erie to face the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field. Kickoff for this game is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET and fans can catch the action by tuning in to FOX.
Detroit Lions vs. Buffalo Bills Betting Preview
The Lions enter into this Sunday matchup as the dog here and are currently receiving 2 points. The Lions are also receiving +110 moneyline odds while the Bills are -130. It appears that there will probably be multiple good in-game betting possibilities during the contest, and Vegas has set the over/under (O/U) at 38 points.
This game’s opening line was 0. The total hasn’t changed after it was set initially at 38.
The Lions have lost 3.5 units so far and are 7-6 against the spread (ATS). The team’s recorded an Over-Under mark of 6-7. The Bills are down 4.0 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 5-8 ATS and also have an O/U record of 6-7.
The Lions are 5-8 straight up (SU) in 2018 while the Bills are 4-9 SU.
The Lions hope to make it two in a row 17-3 victory over Arizona in Week 14. Matthew Stafford completed 15-of-23 passes for just 101 yards. Zach Zenner (54 rushing yards on 12 attempts, one TD) and LeGarrette Blount (33 yards on 12 carries) led the running attack while Bruce Ellington (four receptions, 17 yards) and Theo Riddick (four catches, 30 yards) handled the receiving duties in the win.
In Week 14, the Jets got the victory against this Buffalo team by a score of 27-23. Josh Allen completed 18-of-36 passes for 206 yards and two interceptions. Chris Ivory (42 yards on 12 rush attempts) and the signal-caller Allen (101 yards on nine carries, one TD) spearheaded the running attack as Robert Foster (seven receptions, 104 yards) and Isaiah McKenzie (four catches, 47 yards) led the pass-catching corps in the loss.
Detroit has run the ball on 40.3 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Buffalo has a rush percentage of 48.3 percent. The Lions have produced 103 rush yards/game and have nine scores on the ground this year. The Bills are averaging 125 rushing yards per game and have 11 total rush TDs.
The Lions offense has averaged 246 yards through the air overall and has 18 passing scores so far. The Bills have produced 187 pass yards per outing and have eight total pass TDs.
Defensively, Detroit has allowed 115 rush yards and 252 pass yards per game. The Buffalo defense has given up 200.0 yards per game to opposing passers and 104.8 yards per game to opposing runners. The Bills are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 5.16 to opposing QBs, while the Lions have given up a 7.44 ANY/A.
Passing-wise, Stafford has put up 2,942 yards this year, and has completed 67 percent of his 429 attempts with 17 passing scores and 10 interceptions. He’s got a 5.69 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 4.57 over the last two outings.
The Lions will probably try to control tempo by putting the ball in the hands of their running backs. In addition to tight end Levine Toilolo (86 receiving yards), Theo Riddick (70 rush yards, 342 receiving yards) and LeGarrette Blount (304 rush yards, five rush TDs) have brought significant production to the Detroit offensive scheme.
Josh Allen has completed 101-of-194 passes for 1,198 yards, three TDs and seven INTs for Buffalo. His ANY/A stands at a horrendous 3.50 for the season and 3.64 across his past two games.
The Bills should also look to control the clock by turning to their backfield. In addition to Josh Allen (zero receiving yards), Robert Foster (333 receiving yards and one receiving TD) and Isaiah McKenzie (62 rush yards, two rush TDs, 72 receiving yards) have gotten a lot of action lately.
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Notes
Team Betting Notes
The Lions offense has created four pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Bills have put up six such plays.
The Detroit defense has allowed seven pass plays of 40 yards or more, while Buffalo has given up one such play.
The Detroit offense has created nine rushing plays of 20+ yards, while Buffalo has created 13 such runs.
The Lions defense has allowed nine rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while the Bills have given up 10 such runs.
The Detroit defensive unit has sacked opposing QBs 37 times this year. Buffalo has registered just 31 sacks.
Detroit has rushed for 4.1 yards per attempt across its past three outings and 3.9 over its last two.
Buffalo has averaged 5.6 yards per carry over its last three contests and 6.0 over its past two.
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