The Detroit Lions open their 2024 regular season with a game against the Los Angeles Rams on “Sunday Night Football.” There are always a lot of unanswered questions at the start of the season, and the Rams have changed their defensive philosophy, but they have weaknesses that should benefit the Lions’ offensive talents.
Here are three bets you should consider, with betting odds of the people at Fan Duel Sportsbookwe like that in this matchup.
Jameson Williams, OVER 3.5 receptions (+122)
With only four wide receivers on the active roster, the Lions were expected to bring up one of their powerfully built WR-X receivers from the practice squad. They did bring up one receiver, but it was slot receiver Tom Kennedy, suggesting the Lions rely heavily on Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams at the outside position, which should increase the odds.
Right now, it feels like the national media and betting experts are underestimating Williams’ value to the Lions, and this is a prime opportunity for fans to capitalize. Four receptions is an attainable goal for Williams, but if you’re looking for a bonus bet on Jamo, his receiving yards odds are currently at 39.5, with the over odds coming in at -113.
Jahmyr Gibbs, OVER 2.5 receptions (-192)
With the Lions expected to use fewer players, each player’s involvement should increase. Coaches have repeatedly said they want to get Gibbs more involved in the passing game this season, and that odds seem quite attainable — especially considering he had four catches for 43 yards the last time these two teams met in the playoffs.
In case you’re interested, Gibbs’ prop line is 23.5 receiving yards, with the over odds at -113.
David Montgomery, OVER 12.5 rushing yards in the 1st quarter (-113)
Montgomery’s rushing yard total has increased throughout the week. It started at 53.5 and is now at 58.5, likely due to people betting on the Lions to give him the win in this game. And while the rushing yard total has increased, it’s worth noting that the first quarter rushing yard line has remained the same.
I particularly like this prop for several reasons.
First, the Lions want to establish the run early in games — especially early in the season — and Montgomery is their lead cow, their running back on the first series. In previous opening games under this regime, the Lions rushed for 59 yards in the first quarter alone in 2021, 83 yards in 2022 and 45 yards in 2023. And while they shared the runs in those games — as they likely will in this game — every running back exceeded that prop threshold, with the exception of D’Andre Swift in 2021, who fell just half a yard short of the target.
In the 17 games Montgomery was active last season (including the playoffs), he surpassed that total in 12 of those contests. Of the five contests where he didn’t perform to the required standard, he was injured in one, and the other four came in games where the Lions were facing that team for the second time this season (Bears, Packers, Vikings, Bucs), and the Lions seemed to change their approach to keep them guessing.
Additionally, in the 17 games he played, Montgomery averaged 31.7% of his total rushing yards in the first quarter.
Finally, in the Lions’ last game against the Rams, Montgomery totaled 57 rushing yards, 24 of which came in the first quarter.
