Lions Favored to Earn Rare Road Win in Washington

It’ll be hard for bettors to trust either team when the Lions visit Washington on Sunday to take on the woeful Redskins. Detroit has lost six of seven and is 0-5 ATS in its last five, while Washington has covered just two of its last nine. The Lions have lost 16 of their last 17 visits to Washington.

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

Detroit is laying points on the road for just the second time this year at Sportsbook. Washington is accustomed to the home underdog role, however, catching points for the eighth time in its last nine at FedExField.

Detroit News & Notes

Potentially without QB Matt Stafford (back) for the rest of the year, the Lions need production from their running game more than ever. That’s what they got in last week’s 35-27 loss to the Cowboys, collecting 121 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Bo Scarbrough scampered for 55 yards and a major in his Lions debut, while Jeff Driskel — Stafford’s replacement under center — added 51 yards and a TD.

It still wasn’t enough for the Lions to avoid their sixth loss in seven games after a promising 2-0-1 start. Penalties continue to be a huge issue for Detroit, which was flagged 11 times for 89 yards against the Cowboys and has been penalized the sixth-most times in the NFL.

The Lions were also gashed through the air once again, struggling to generate much pressure on Dak Prescott as the Dallas pivot picked apart the Detroit secondary for 444 yards and three touchdowns. It was the fifth straight game in which an opposing QB threw for three majors against the Lions, who are allowing an average of 27.2 points per game.

Washington News & Notes

You know things are bad when the head coach starts apologizing to the fans. That’s what interim coach Bill Callahan felt compelled to do last week, however, after the Redskins — favored at home for the first time all season — were routed 34-17 by the visiting Jets.

That score was actually flattering to the Redskins, who trailed 34-3 with 10 minutes left before making things more respectable with a pair of late touchdowns.

“I feel bad for our fans. They expect a quality product, and that wasn’t displayed yesterday,” Callahan told reporters Monday.

Not that Washington fans should be surprised to see their team fail to deliver at home against mediocre opposition. The Redskins are 0-4 SU and ATS in their last four when hosting teams below .500.

Betting Pick: UNDER 41.5

Washington doesn’t have the passing game to exploit Detroit’s secondary, and I expect both teams to keep the ball on the ground throughout.