Detroit Lions Underdogs Again, But Within A Touchdown Against Visiting Philadelphia Eagles

After being more than two-touchdown underdogs out west, the Detroit Lions return home this Sunday to a more favorable projection from oddsmakers.

The winless Lions will try to avoid their eighth consecutive defeat, hosting the Philadelphia Eagles in a Halloween game oddsmakers see as a close one.

Detroit was listed as a 3- or 3.5-point underdog early Monday morning in a relatively even split among Michigan sports betting oddsmakers. Moneylines were ranging between the -160 and -180 marks for Philadelphia, with Detroit anywhere from a +135 to +155 underdog.

The line stayed steady throughout the week. On Friday afternoon, all Michigan sportsbooks that we’re tracking had the line at Lions +3.5.

The over/under for the 1 p.m. EST game at Detroit’s Ford Field was set at 48.5 points at DraftKings Sportsbook and 48 points at most other Michigan sportsbooks.

This is one of the more realistic chances the pathetic Lions have left on the schedule for a victory, which would avoid a looming 0-17 threat that is becoming more of a possibility with each week.

Former franchise great Chris Spielman, who works in the Lions front office, will be entering the team’s Ring of Honor. The linebacker is the franchise’s all-time leading tackler.

Live odds on all sides of this spread are below.

Philadelphia Eagles at Detroit Lions: NFL Week 8 Odds

Lions fight hard, still fall to familiar face Stafford, Rams

The winless Lions put a major scare into the NFC contender Los Angeles Rams on Sunday before succumbing to a 28-19 defeat. 

Detroit managed leads of 10-0 and 13-3 in the first half before the Rams, led by former Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, roared back to take a 17-16 halftime advantage. Another field put the Lions in front 19-17 heading into the fourth quarter, but the Rams (6-1) scored the final 11 points of the game to send Detroit down the familiar losing road.

Detroit quarterback Jared Goff, himself a part of this return storyline as the former Rams quarterback, had the Lions close to retaking the lead in the final 6 minutes. But an end zone interception nabbed by Jalen Ramsey with Detroit down 25-19 deflated the upset balloon.

Goff passed for 268 yards with a touchdown — a 63-yard catch-and-run by D’Andre Swift — and two picks. Stafford was 28-for-41, throwing for 334 yards and three touchdowns without a turnover.

Darius Slay, Eagles come to town after loss at Raiders

The Eagles come to town with a 2-5 record after a 33-22 loss against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Derek Carr was nearly flawless, going 31 of 34 for 323 yards with two touchdowns as the Raiders moved to 5-2 for their best start in five years.

The Raiders led 30-7 after the third quarter before taking the foot off the proverbial throttle in the fourth.

The game marks the return of Philly cornerback and second-round 2013 NFL Draft pick Darius Slay to Motown. A fan favorite, Slay joined the Eagles in a trade after the 2019 season. Slay spent seven seasons with the Lions.

Slay made three Pro Bowls with Detroit.

Several Lions questionable for Sunday vs. Eagles

The official Friday injury report for the Lions had several players listed as questionable, including defensive end Trey Flowers (knee), cornerback Jerry Jacobs (illness), cornerback A.J. Parker (neck), running back D’Andre Swift (groin) and running back Jamaal Williams (thigh).

The good news is that tight end T.J. Hockenson (ankle/knee) fully practiced on Friday after being limited earlier in the week and does not have an injury designation for Sunday.

Key players on the injury list for the Eagles included running back Miles Sanders, who is out for Sunday; and safety Anthony Harris, who is doubtful.