Cardinals at Lions NFL Odds, Preview & Expert Pick for Week 1

Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions will be looking to hold down the fort at home when they host Carson Palmer and a visiting Arizona Cardinals. The Cards are actually have the NFL odds favored in this Week 1 pairing despite being on the road. Palmer and the Cards went 8-7-1 to miss out on a playoff berth and bring their two-year postseason run to a halt. The Lions went 9-7 to earn a wild card berth in the NFC, but they fell apart late to lose the NFC North title while ending in a one-and-done postseason appearance. Let’s find out right now if Palmer and the Cardinals can get the outright road win to cover the NFL spread for Sunday. These two NFC playoff hopefuls will throw down on Sunday, September 10, 2017 at 1:00 PM ET, live from Ford Field with this game airing on FOX.

Arizona Cardinals at Detroit Lions NFL Odds & Expert Picks

When: Sunday, September 10, 2017 at 1:00 PM ET Where: Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan TV: FOX Radio: 620 AM (Arizona) / 760 AM WJR (Detroit) Live Stream: NFL Game Pass NFL Odds: Arizona -1 / Total: 48 Weather Forecast

Clear: 19°C/66°F
Humidity: 48%
Precipitation: 0%
Cloud Cover: 8%
Wind: 9 mph E
Stadium Type: Indoor
Wind Field Impact: N/A

Why Bet the Arizona Cardinals Odds at -2?

Arizona had a solid 2-3 preseason campaign. Arizona beat Oakland and Atlanta in Weeks 1 and 4 while losing to Dallas in the Hall of Fame game, Chicago in Week 2 and Denver in Week 4. Last season, Palmer and superstar running back David Johnson helped Arizona finish the year ranked a stellar sixth in scoring by averaging a healthy 26.1 points per game. The problem for the Cardinals was that their once formidable defense took a sizable step backwards in finishing 14th in points allowed at 22.6 per game. To improve their roster Arizona signed linebackers Karlos Dansby and linebacker Jarvis Jones and veteran safety Antoine Bethea, in free agency while drafting linebacker Haason Reddick in the first round and safety Budda Baker in the second round. On offense, Arizona drafted wide receiver Chad Williams in the third round and guard Dorian Johnson in the fourth round while signing veteran kicker Phil Dawson and backup quarterback Blaine Gabbert in free agency. Heading into his 15th season, 37-year-old Carson Palmer said he feels as fresh as ever. “I’m right where I need to be condition-wise, strength-wise, arm-strength-wise, endurance-wise, with my shoulder and my elbow,” Palmer said. “I’m good. I haven’t felt this fresh so I don’t know if I get to November, [I’ll be like] all of a sudden, ‘Oh man, I feel so much better than I have in years past. And I hope to. I hope that’s the outcome.”

Latest NFL Odds Trends

Cardinals are 3-7 ATS in the last 10 games
The total went OVER in 5 of the Cardinals’ last 5 games
Cardinals are 2-4 ATS in the last 6 games on the road
Arizona is 2-4 SU in the last 6 games on the road
Total went OVER in 5 of the Cardinals’ last 5 games on the road

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Why Bet the Detroit Lions Odds at +2?

Detroit went 2-2 in the preseason by beating Indianapolis and the New York Jets in Weeks 1 and 2 before losing to New England and Buffalo. Last season, Detroit ranked an uninspiring 20th in scoring (21.6 ppg) but a respectable 13th in points allowed (22.4 ppg). To improve their roster, the Lions signed veteran guard T.J. Lang, linebacker Paul Worrilow, defensive end Cornelius Washington, cornerback D.J. Hayden, defensive tackle Akeem Spence and tackle Rick Wagner in free agency while drafting linebacker Jarrad Davis in the first round. The Lions parted ways with wide receiver Anquan Boldin, guard Larry Warford and tackle Riley Reiff from last year’s squad. For his part, Davis who will start at middle linebacker as a rookie, says he can’t wait for Sunday’s opener. “It’s a new stage, a new level,” the 21-year-old rookie said. “But I’m excited, man. I’m excited to play and have everything count and get the exact feel of what it’s gonna be like. … I’m excited to go out and put what we’ve got on the line.”

Are the Lions a safe bet in the NFL odds for Week 1?

Latest NFL Odds Trends

Lions are 0-5 ATS in the last 5 games
Lions are 1-4 SU in the last 5 games
The total went UNDER in 9 of the Lions’s last 11 games
Detroit is 5-2 ATS in the last 7 games at home
Detroit is 6-1 SU in the last 7 games at home

Expert Analysis and NFL Odds Pick

I find it strange that Detroit chose to improve their defense more than their offense this offseason when it was clear the Lions simply needed to add some more playmakers. The Lions have a Pro Bowler in wide receiver Golden Tate and an elusive running back in Ameer Abdullah, but they don’t have the kind of athleticism in numbers at the skill positions that ‘scares’ other teams. I like the way the Arizona Cardinals went about improving their defense and I believe they’re going to be a team to be reckoned with in 2017, starting with what I believe will be a Week 1 road win over Stafford and the Lions. Arizona is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games in the month of September and 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games overall while Detroit is 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games against their NFC counterparts. Cardinals running back David Johnson will be the best player on the field in this one while leading Arizona to the outright road win! NFL Odds Pick: Arizona Cardinals -2