The Detroit Lions were considered to be top NFC contenders heading into the 2024 season. They still have the second-best odds to win the conference, at +550 on DraftKings Sportsbook.
This edition of the Lions and its long-suffering fans were reminded that any actual glory will have to be earned, as Detroit was stunned by Tampa Bay in a four-point home defeat in Week 2.
Next up on the schedule are the Arizona Cardinals, who rang up 41 points in a rout of the Rams.
Lions vs. Cardinals prediction and best bets for NFL Week 3
I am taking the Over for this matchup, which is at -105 on Fanatics Sportsbook. Even though the Cardinals will lose, they will hang tough with Detroit, much like Buffalo was tested by Arizona in Week 1.
If you ride with the Cards on the moneyline, that is banking on them to possibly have the ball last and snatch the victory, as both defensive units will be looking gassed late in the matchup. That game script leads me back to the Best Bet.
Put more than one unit on the Over. This is the type of game where you want to tune in and see Goff and Murray trade offensive shots.
Harrison and Jameson Williams will provide some downfield thrills. Detroit’s bevy of playmakers will ensure an offensive bonanza is enjoyed by bettors.
The Lions will also cover the spread at -105. It would be even more shocking to see them get victimized in consecutive upsets.
Lions vs. Cardinals moneyline analysis
Why the Lions could win as the favorite
Best odds: -148 at DraftKings
Arizona allowed only 10 points to an injury-depleted Rams squad last week, but will face a much bigger challenge against a Lions team that is stacked with offensive skill position talent.
Keep in mind that the Cardinals allowed 34 points to the Bills in their season opener.
The highly potent visitors will be looking to exploit a defense that was widely considered to be one of the worst in the league heading into the 2024 season.
Jared Goff passed for 307 yards last week. It was his 37th 300-yard game, which is tied for seventh-best all time for any QB in the first nine seasons of a career.
Detroit has the best pass blocking advantage grade for an offensive line in Week 3 on Pro Football Focus.
Goff will have a lot of time to stand in the pocket and spray the ball around to his array of playmakers.
The Cardinals defense will be in for a long day, as the lofty projected point total indicates.
Amon-Ra St. Brown had 11 receptions for 119 yards last week, and he has caught a TD pass in seven of his last nine road games.
Jameson Williams might be on his way to a breakout year, with five-plus catches and 75-plus yards in each of the first two games.
Sam LaPorta was silent in last week’s loss, with two receptions for 13 yards.
Expect Goff to get him involved early and often. Jahmyr Gibbs totaled 106 scrimmage yards and caught seven passes in Week 2.
David Montgomery is aiming to rush for a TD in six consecutive games.
If that was all a lot to absorb about the Lions offense, you might feel bad for the Cardinals defense when they actually have to line up against such a potent unit.
Related: Jahmyr Gibbs player prop picks for Lions vs. Cardinals
Why the Cardinals could win as the underdog
Best odds: +126 at FanDuel
Murray is displaying the best version of himself early in the 2024 season. He was named the FedEx Air Player of the Week for the performance against the Rams.
Murray completed 17 of 21 attempts for 266 yards, earning a perfect passer rating of 158.3. He became only the second player in franchise history to pull off the feat.
The Cardinals may have made a statement by ending a nine-game losing streak against the Rams.
They have rolled up 69 points in the first two games of the 2024 campaign, which ranks second in the NFL.
Detroit ranks 21st in passing yards allowed, so Murray should be able to exchange some splash plays with Goff.
In Week 2, Arizona launched highly touted rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. out of the chute after he was held to one reception in the season opener.
In his second NFL game, Harrison announced his arrival as a dynamo, catching TD passes of 23 and 60 yards in the first quarter. By halftime, the Cardinals were up by a 24-3 count.
Some clock control is also possible behind James Conner, who rushed for 122 yards and a TD last week.
He has totaled nine TDs from scrimmage in the last seven games played. The Murray/Conner combination is one that keeps all defenses guessing when both are healthy.
Maintaining pace with Detroit until the Lions are ultimately outscored at the end can be the map to a second straight win for the Cardinals.
Offensive coordinator Drew Petzing will have his group ready to go punch for offensive punch with an explosive opponent.
Lions vs. Cardinals NFL Week 3 odds
Detroit is favored by three points on DraftKings Sportsbook, as the oddsmakers have apparently not shifted their view of the Lions based on last week’s result. In 2023, Detroit was 5-0 ATS after coming off a loss.
Arizona is at +124 on the moneyline, which is a tempting wager if you believe the Cardinals can withstand an opponent determined to put a painful Week 2 behind them.
The Lions likely want to make a statement and will come out throwing offensive punches, much like a fighter looking for a quick knockout.
This matchup will be a fun one to bet on and watch for offensive fireworks.
The Over/Under of 51.5 is the highest total on the board for Week 3. Detroit, however, has failed to approach that total along with its opponents in the first two weeks.
Meanwhile, Arizona and its opponents have totaled 52 and 51 points in its first two games of the year.
The bulk of the output was obviously provided by the Cardinals last week. The offense has looked rejuvenated with a healthy Kyler Murray at the controls.
It will be riveting viewing to see if Murray can scramble deftly enough to avoid Aidan Hutchinson.
Last week, the Lions superstar registered a career-high 4.5 sacks, and became just the fourth player since 1982 to notch three-plus sacks in a game in each of his first three NFL seasons.
