Rams vs. Lions Week 1 Prediction | NFL Picks Today, Best Bets

Week 1 in the NFL sees a rematch of last year’s NFC Wild Card round between the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams. SportsGrid previews Sunday Night Football.

Here are our best bets for the action and player props you need to check out.

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Where to Watch Rams vs. Lions

Location: Ford Field (Detroit, Michigan)
Time: 8:20 p.m. ET | Where to Watch: NBC
Spread: Lions -4.5 | Moneyline: Lions -215 | Total: 52.5

Rams vs. Lions Best Bet ATS: Rams +4.5 (-114)

The Rams couldn’t quite pull off the road upset in the postseason last year, but they were right there until the final horn. The Lions are expected to be right in the mix against as a Super Bowl contender, while the Rams should again be in the conversation for a playoff spot. The biggest concern that I have right now is about the Lions’ secondary. They’ve continued to put high draft capital toward improving it, but youth doesn’t always translate to immediate success in the NFL, especially on defense. With the Rams passing attack that features stud wideouts Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, it could be a long night for the Lions defensively. Matthew Stafford has consistently shown up in these spots, and you have to think he wants some revenge after the bitter taste of last year’s postseason loss left in his mouth. That doesn’t even factor in the 12 seasons Stafford spent lining up under center for the Lions.

Rams vs. Lions Best Bet Total: OVER 52.5 (-105)

This matchup has shootout written all over it, and the total coincides with that line of thinking. The number is the highest total in Week 1, and for good reason. The Rams have plenty of question marks on defense, but we’re not sure what to expect from the Lions’ secondary in the early portions of the 2024 regular season. The Lions and Rams were able to move the football well when they collided in the playoffs last year, and we expect that to be even more prevalent with the stakes not nearly as high. The Lions will score points easily this year, while the Rams shouldn’t be far behind in that regard. The teams combined for 47 points in a tight playoff atmosphere last season, and we believe there will be some new creativity brought to the table to go over the number here in Week 1.

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Rams vs. Lions Best Player Props

Cooper Kupp OVER 66.5 Receiving Yards (-114)

Cooper Kupp is back for the Los Angeles Rams and is set to begin the 2024 season with a clean bill of health. It’s pretty evident the connection that Kupp and Stafford have had together in the past, and we’re expecting that to be on full display in Week 1. Kupp and Nacua have the potential to register consistently strong weeks in this passing offense, and we don’t believe their values cancel one another out. There’s enough room for these weapons to eat in this offense. We expected Kupp’s receiving prop to be in the 70’s with Nacua in Week 1, and we’re more than content to take the discounted price of Kupp, knowing very well that it won’t last throughout the season.