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Lions vs. Panthers Prediction and Odds for NFL Week 16 (Fade Detroit?)

By Reed Wallach

Dec 18, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) throws a
Dec 18, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) throws a / Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
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The Detroit Lions rapid ascent to playoff contender continues in Week 16 on the road against the Carolina Panthers, who are still in the mix for an NFC South title, but are off a disheartening home loss to the Steelers.

Both the Lions and Panthers need to keep winning in order to keep their postseason hopes alive, Detroit is in the mix for the NFC Wild Card while the Panthers remain a game behind the Buccaneers for the division title.

How should we handicap this matchup with Detroit entering as road favorites on Saturday afternoon? Let's first check out the odds:

Lions vs. Panthers Odds, Spread and Total

Lions vs. Panthers Betting Trends

  • The Lions have covered seven straight games
  • The Panthers had covered four straight before not covering last week against Pittsburgh
  • The Panthers are 7-3 against the spread (ATS) as underdog this season
  • The Lions have gone OVER in nine of 14 games

Lions vs. Panthers Prediction and Pick

I'm going to jump off the Lions bandwagon and take the Panthers, who have been far better on offense with Sam Darnold at quarterback (I know I can't believe it either). Carolina is top 10 in EPA/Play over the last three games on offense, which includes a game against the Broncos stout defense.

Now, the Lions offense is humming with a top 10 offense in terms of EPA/Play since Week 9, the start of the team's hot streak that includes six of seven wins, but I'm going to fade them in their second straight road game after a lackluster effort agianst the Jets in a cold weather road game.

Detroit needed a late fourth down conversion and touchdown to hold off the Zach Wilson-led Jets last week, but I don't believe they will be as fortunate on the road against a Carolina team that can thrive on the ground (ninth in Rush/EPA over the last three weeks) with Darnold under center.

I'll grab the home underdog as the market has reached its top with the Lions.

Track all of Reed's bets at Betstamp HERE!

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

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