The LA Chargers and Detroit Lions both had to work overtime in their season openers, and another tight game is projected this week when they clash at Ford Field. LA is 3-point road chalk to improve to 2-0 following a 30-24 OT win over the Colts in Week 1, while Detroit seeks its first victory of the season after settling for a 27-27 tie in Arizona.
Los Angeles Chargers vs Detroit Lions (Matchup Report)
Date/Time: September 15, 1 p.m. ET
TV Coverage: CBS
Sportsbook Odds: Chargers -3 | O/U 47 (Line History)
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
The Lions are catching points at home for the sixth time in their last eight outings at Ford Field, but early action indicates the sharps like the home dog. After Sportsbook +3, Detroit had been bet down to +2.5 at several sportsbooks as of Monday. The OVER/UNDER did not see any early movement after Sportsbook at 47.
Los Angeles News & Notes
They got the win last week, but the Chargers couldn’t have been completely happy with their performance against the Colts. LA was gashed for 203 rushing yards, squandered a 24-9 second-half lead and turned the ball over at the Indianapolis seven-yard line with a chance to go up two scores with less than nine minutes left.
On the bright side for the Bolts, they don’t seem to miss holdout running back Melvin Gordon. Starting in place of Gordon, Austin Ekeler racked up 154 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns — including the game-winning score on the Chargers’ first possession in OT.
Detroit News & Notes
Through three quarters last week in Arizona, all was looking rosy in Motown. Matt Stafford was well on his way to a 385-yard, three-touchdown, zero-interception performance, rookie tight end T.J. Hockenson was enjoying a breakout debut (six catches for 131 yards and a TD), the defense had held Kyler Murray to 150 passing yards and the Lions were up 24-6.
Then everything suddenly fell apart. Arizona stormed back with 15 points in the final six minutes of regulation, tying the game with a touchdown and two-point conversion with 43 seconds left. After the teams swapped field goals in OT, Detroit was forced to settle for a very unsatisfying tie. “This tie is definitely like a loss to us,” Lions cornerback Justin Coleman told reporters afterward. It’ll be interesting to see if there’s a carryover effect into this week.
Betting Pick
LA’s defense sure seemed to miss injured star linebacker Denzel Perryman in the opener, and I don’t trust them to hold back a decent Lions attack here on the road. Detroit +8.5 makes for a really attractive leg on a 6-point teaser.
- The total has gone UNDER in 7 of the Lions’ last 8 games.
- The Lions are 1-7 SU and ATS in their last 8 home games against teams with winning records.
- The Chargers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games against the Lions.
