Week 3 MNF Preview: Detroit Lions at Baltimore Ravens (Betting & Fantasy Angles)

Market Snapshot

Baltimore is laying ~5 to 5.5 at home with the highest total of the week (~52.5–53.5). Books are also dealing a robust prop menu—headline numbers include Lamar Jackson rushing in the mid-40s, Derrick Henry ~87.5 rush yards, Jahmyr Gibbs ~56.5 rush yards, and team totals around BAL 29.5 / DET 24.5. ESPN.com

Injury/Availability Check

Detroit will be down EDGE Marcus Davenport (chest), thinning the rush opposite Aidan Hutchinson on a night you need contain against Lamar. On the other side, Baltimore’s final report lists Isaiah Likely, Kyle Van Noy, Patrick Ricard, and DT Madubuike as out, with corners Marlon Humphrey/Nate Wiggins trending healthier—net: Ravens’ front depth takes a hit, secondary gets a boost. Pride Of Detroit+2ESPN.com+2

When Detroit Has the Ball

Jared Goff vs. a retooled secondary. If Marlon Humphrey/Nate Wiggins are in, outside windows tighten, nudging Detroit toward Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta in the slot/intermediate yards-after-catch game. With Van Noy out and DT depth taxed, play-action and inside zone to Gibbs/David Montgomery can keep the sticks moving and set up shot plays to Jameson Williams. Expect Detroit to test linebacker/fang coverage with LaPorta option routes and St. Brown choice concepts. ESPN.com+1

Fantasy: Start Goff (QB1 fringe in dome-offense efficiency even on the road), St. Brown (WR1), LaPorta (locked TE1). Gibbs is a high-end RB2 on usage; Montgomery a TD-chasing RB2. Prop leans: LaPorta receptions over; Gibbs rush+rec instead of raw rushing. (Book baselines align with those roles.) ESPN.com

When Baltimore Has the Ball

Lamar in conflict. Detroit’s front minus Davenport stresses edge integrity; QB run and boot keepers should be in the first 15 plays. If Detroit squeezes the edges, Baltimore can pivot to Henry downhill and Zay Flowers on RPO glance/over routes. The Lions’ best counter is muddying reads and rallying to YAC; but without consistent four-man heat, Lamar extends drives. Pride Of Detroit

Fantasy: Lamar (elite QB1), Flowers (volume WR2), Mark Andrews (TE1). Henry profiles as a workload RB2; his line (~87.5) implies 18–20 carries in neutral script. Prop leans: Lamar rushing over (mid-40s is live in high-leverage spots), Andrews receptions over versus zone on money downs. ESPN.com

Betting Read: Spread & Total

Side: Power-rated numbers make BAL −5/−5.5 fair, but Detroit’s passing game plus Campbell’s 4th-down aggression keeps backdoors live. If you want Lions exposure, consider DET +6.5 (alt) in a ladder or plug DET into teasers through +7/+8.5. ESPN.com
Total: The market is already at the ceiling. With both staffs aggressive on 4th downs, volatility cuts both ways—drives can end in touchdowns…or on downs. Slight lean Under 53.5 at the top, with a plan to live-bet overs if early red-zone execution appears clean. ESPN.com

Prop Card (Short List)

Lamar Jackson rushing – Over (mid-40s): Designed keepers + scramble equity vs. a thinned edge group. ESPN.com+1
Jahmyr Gibbs rush+rec – Over: Detroit’s best mismatch creator; numbers anchored near mid-50s rushing with receiving juice on top. ESPN.com
Sam LaPorta receptions – Over: Hot read vs. blitz and zone-drop voids; books hanging mid-tier reception ladders. ESPN.com
Derrick Henry rushing – Over (~87.5): If Ravens play from ahead or neutral, volume feeds this number. Hedge with anytime TD if you prefer goal-line correlation. ESPN.com

Final Verdict

Slight lean: Ravens win; Lions cover small. The cleanest angle at current prices is Under 53.5 (contrarian at the top) with targeted player-prop overs (Lamar rush, LaPorta receptions, Gibbs combo) to balance game-script risk. ESPN.com