The Detroit Lions are unfortunately off to another 0-1 start to the NFL season.
While they did manage to cover for the loyal Michigan sports bettors, it was a loss nonetheless.
Detroit now turns its attention to the Washington Commanders for a Week 2 matchup on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
Carson Wentz rallied Washington to a win with four touchdowns in Week 1. Can Detroit find a way to limit him this week?
After a career-high 144 rushing yards from D’Andre Swift, will we see more production from the third-year back?
Lions vs. Commanders NFL Week 2 Odds
Though the Lions lost on Sunday, they must have done enough to impress some oddsmakers.
Most sportsbooks are listing the Lions as a slight favorite at home against the 1-0 Commanders. The over/under total is also largely listed at 46.5 points.
Detroit Lions betting trends
The Lions continued to do well when it comes to NFL game odds on Sunday. They covered a spread that was at 4 points most of the week and grew to 5.5 points at some sportsbooks by kickoff.
Detroit is now 12-6 against the spread in its last 18 games.
Washington was trailing most of its Week 1 game with the Jacksonville Jaguars, but rallied for a 28-22 victory. That also led the Commanders to a cover.
Both the Lions and the Commanders went over the total for their respective games on Sunday.
Lions end underdog streak
With the Lions as a favorite this week, it puts an end to a streak of 24 consecutive games where Detroit was an underdog. It was the longest active streak in the NFL.
The last time Detroit was a favorite was Nov. 22, 2020 when it was a 1-point favorite on the road against the Carolina Panthers. It didn’t turn out well, as the Lions suffered a 20-0 loss.
Interestingly enough, the last time Detroit was a home favorite was on Nov. 15, 2020 when it hosted Washington. The Lions were a 2.5-point favorite at kickoff and won 30-27.
Lions vs. Commanders history
The Lions actually have a pretty good recent history against Washington.
Detroit has won and covered the spread in four of the last five meetings. The two have gone under the total in four of their last six encounters.
How to watch: Lions vs. Commanders NFL Week 2
- What: Washington Commanders at Detroit Lions
- When: Sunday, Sept. 18 at 1 p.m. ET
- Where: Ford Field
- TV: FOX
- Radio: Lions Radio Network
- Sirius XM: Channel 226 (Lions broadcast), Channel 382 (Commanders broadcast)
How to bet on NFL odds in Michigan
Michigan has 15 different online sportsbooks for you to consider wagering on Detroit Lions odds.
Betting on NFL football in the state can be done in a wide range of ways. That includes:
- Spread
- Moneyline
- Total
- Live betting
- First Half/Second Half Betting
- First/Second/Third/Fourth Quarter Betting
- Player Props
- Team Props
- Adjusted Spreads
- Adjusted Totals
- Single-Game Parlays
NFL Week 2 Prop Odds: D’Andre Swift rushing yards
One of the highlights for Detroit in Sunday’s loss to the Eagles was D’Andre Swift.
The third-year Lion looked every bit the top back many projected him to be this season. He busted open a 50-yard run on the opening drive and finished with a career-high 144 yards on 15 carries with a touchdown. He also caught three passes for 31 yards.
Injuries have been an issue for Swift in his first two seasons, so coaches may have him on a pitch count. However, it was pretty clear on Sunday that he was the team’s best offensive weapon.
Will Dan Campbell look to use Swift more in Week 2, hoping to avoid an 0-2 start?
Swift’s 15 carries would have been the second-most he had in the 2021 season. In the tie with Pittsburgh, he had a career-high 33 carries, but that was an anomaly. He maxed out at 14 the rest of the season.
Washington gave up 123 rushing yards to Jacksonville on Sunday, led by 66 yards on 11 carries from James Robinson.
“The Jacksonville Jaguars were able to rush for over 100 yards against the Commanders’ defense. D’Andre Swift had a stellar opener and now looks to be the focal point of Detroit’s offense,” said John Maakaron of All Lions. “I would expect Swift to be given 15-18 carries and to rush for over 100 yards in back-to-back games. The offensive line is too good for a back of his caliber to be held back. One thing to monitor will be the number of carries Jamaal Williams gets as the season progresses, since the Lions are trying to do whatever it takes to keep Swift healthy.”
Swift has been limited in practice this week due to an ankle injury. However, oddsmakers are listing him with an over/under of 60.5 rushing yards for Sunday’s game.
NFL Week 2 Prop Odds: Carson Wentz passing yards
While it would have been predictable to see the Lions give up 90 rushing yards to Jalen Hurts in Week 1, seeing him throw for 243 passing yards may have been somewhat surprising.
The Lions tried to address the defense in the NFL Draft, but it didn’t do much to improve on a pass defense that ranked in the bottom third of the league last season.
Washington was forced to throw more than it would like against the Jaguars, as it trailed most of the game. Wentz threw 41 passes, completing 27 for 313 yards and four touchdowns. It was his just the fourth time since the 2020 season he surpassed 300 passing yards.
Currently, oddsmakers are listing Wentz’ prop odds for passing yards at an over/under of 238.5. He went over that mark just five times in the 2021 season.
While Wentz has some mobility, his threat to run is nothing compared to Hurts. That should give the Detroit defense a chance to bring pressure and not fear that Wentz can break contain.
“Carson Wentz had a very solid debut for his new team. He was able to pass for 313 yards and four touchdowns against the Jaguars. Detroit’s defense struggled to limit Jalen Hurts productivity on the ground, but he also passed for 243 yards. Detroit’s defense must dial up the pressure due to the fact Wentz is not considered a mobile quarterback. I think Wentz is able to pass for right around 300 yards again with a couple of touchdown passes. There is an opportunity with a revamped defensive line to force a turnover or two, if the pressure can be consistent,” said Maakaron.
This week may give us a better indication of what the addition of Aidan Hutchinson will really do for this defense.
If Wentz is able to sit in the pocket and pick apart the young Detroit secondary, it could be another long season for Lions fans.
NFL Week 2 Betting Promos
As the weekend of games approaches, online sportsbooks in Michigan are offering up special promos.
Boosted SGP’s and Up-Early Wins at DraftKings
DraftKings Sportsbook MI is offering up a pair of promos for Week 2 in the NFL.
First, DraftKings is dishing out a Single-Game Parlay boost to use on Thursday, Sunday and Monday. By opting-in, you get one SGP boost to use each of the three days. The Boost starts at 20% for 3 legs and works up to 100% for 10+ legs. Minimum odds of each leg must be -300 or longer. Total SGP odds must be +100 or longer.
On Thursday, if your SGP loses, DraftKings will credit you back with a free bet up to $10. That’s just for Thursday’s game only.
DraftKings is also bringing back the Up 10 Early promotion it had in Week 1. For each Sunday game, bet the moneyline on a team in any Week 2 matchup. If the team goes up by 10 points at any point in the game, your wager wins automatically. Opt-in and get 13 bonuses to use, one for each game. Max wager for each game is $50.
Earn $10 of FREEPLAY at BetMGM
BetMGM Michigan is offering $10 of FREEPLAY on Detroit Lions Blackjack or Detroit Lions Roulette live dealer games each Sunday. All you need to do is place a $20 wager on an NFL game with minimum odds of -200.
Just visit the BetMGM promotions page and opt-in to start earning your FREEPLAY each week.
BetMGM also has One Game Parlay insurance. Opt-in and place a One Game Parlay on a NFL game with at least four legs. If just one of your legs misses, you’ll receive up to $25 back in free bets.
Parlay Insurance at BetRivers
Like BetMGM, BetRivers Sportsbook MI is also offering up parlay insurance.
Place a 4+leg NFL Same Game Parlay and get your money back in free bets (up to $25) if just one of your legs loses.
BetRivers is also offering up first touchdown insurance for Sunday Night Football this week. Place a wager on a player to score the first TD in Sunday’s Bears vs. Packers game. If your pick doesn’t score first, but does score a TD, get refunded in free bets, up to $25.
Free bet for a SGP wager at SI Sportsbook
Michigan’s newest online sportsbook, SI Sportsbook MI, is offering up a $10 free bet if your same game parlay wager of $15+ loses. Odds for the SGP must be +300 or longer.
SI Sportsbook also will give you a $20 free bet if a 3+ leg parlay on Sunday of $25 or more wins. Odds for the parlay must be +300 or longer. Same game parlays and BetBuilder are not eligible in this promotion.
