“When last we saw these Lions hit the road, it wasn’t pretty, with Baltimore serving Detroit enough humble pie to last through the winter. But the Chargers are not the Ravens, and SoFi Stadium is not M&T Bank Stadium. In fact, given how strikingly Lions fans have taken over hostile venues from Green Bay to Tampa, you’d expect to see a healthy amount of Honolulu Blue in Los Angeles — as well as a healthy Lions team. The offensive line, which really serves as the tone-setting heartbeat of Dan Campbell’s bunch, is whole again for the first time since Week 1. Bad news for a Chargers defense that’s been routinely overwhelmed by offenses with a pulse.”
“This matchup might quietly be the game of the week. The Chargers have done everything in two-game streaks (lose two, win two, lose two, win two), so it appears they could be headed for a loss. But they’ve also looked much improved, particularly on offense in back-to-back wins. The Lions are coming off a bye, which should work in their favor, but a trip to Los Angeles could be a decent test against a defense that has at times been shaky against the pass. The model is leaning Chargers in a pick ‘em, while Caesars has the Lions as 3-point road favorites.
“The Lions have the second-best offense in the NFL and will turn this road game in Los Angeles into a home game thanks to their passionate fan base. The Chargers aren’t as cohesive as the Lions have been and will lose another close game because of their trepidation offensively with Justin Herbert still navigating new coordinator Kellen Moore’s scheme in decisive moments.”
“Don’t sleep on the Lions as the potential 1-seed in the NFC. At 6-2, they’re currently second, behind only the 8-1 Eagles. According to the betting markets, the Lions have the sixth-easiest remaining schedule. This is a feisty, well-rounded, well-coached team.”
“But I like this Lions team, and I’m not getting sucked back in by the Chargers.”
“The Lions were on bye in Week 9, so they’ll be by far the more rested team over the Chargers, who are playing on Monday night. Under Dan Campbell, the Lions are 6-2 ATS when they have the rest advantage. Under Chargers head coach Brandon Staley, L.A. is 5-6 ATS when they have the rest disadvantage. The Lions are 3-1 ATS on the road this year and the Detroit fans have traveled extremely well. When factoring in how previous fan bases have engulfed SoFi Stadium, this could feel like a home game for the Lions. The Chargers are 2-2 ATS at home this year.
“The Lions had a bye week to get rested up for this game, while the Chargers had to play on Week 9′s Monday Night Football game. Doesn’t seem fair, does it?”
“The Chargers had a noteworthy win against a championship Jets defense but Lions have too much firepower with Jared Goff playing great, and the 1-2 punch of backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.”
