Lions vs Chiefs odds and predictions: Who is the favorite in the NFL Thursday Night game?

In a remarkable turnaround, the Detroit Lions have gone from being one of the NFL’s perennial underperformers to one of the hottest commodities in the league.

Detroit Lions

Last season, they started with a disappointing 1-6 record, but something extraordinary happened. Over their last 10 games, they ignited an incredible winning streak, going 8-2 straight up. To put this into perspective, before this turnaround, they were a dismal 4-23-1 straight up over their previous 28 games.

Now, the Lions are riding high, with their season win total set at an impressive 9.5 wins after finishing last year at 9-8. They are the odds-on favorite to win the NFC North division, ahead of strong competitors like the Packers, Bears, and Vikings. Moreover, they’re currently ranked 11th in the Super Bowl odds.

Their first challenge of the season is no small feat, as they face off against the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs.

Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs and a few other teams have around 6-7 to 1 odds of winning the Super Bowl. Notably, the Chiefs and the Eagles are the only two teams with a season win total set at 11.5.

The question on everyone’s mind is whether Detroit has closed the gap enough to be considered less than a touchdown underdog against Kansas City in the season opener. It’s worth noting that teams favored by less than a touchdown win outright and cover the spread over 80 percent of the time. So, if you believe in the Lions, taking them at +6.5 and even considering a money-line bet could be a wise choice.

Lions vs Chiefs: Predictions

Let’s look at the total points scored in the game between the Lions and the Chiefs instead of discussing whether the Lions have improved this season. Betting on the over might be the best option here. In the NFL, the recent trend has been toward high-scoring games. Hence, the oddsmakers and the betting public have adjusted to this trend, leading to inflated over/under lines.

Kansas City and Detroit have consistently gone over more than under, with only seven out of 30 NFL teams having a neutral or over record. The over/under line currently stands at 54.5, a crucial number in total betting. So, if the number is 54.5 or lower, it’s worth considering betting on the over in this Thursday night matchup.

Both teams have explosive offenses, with the Lions having the highest first-quarter points per game last year. Meanwhile, despite their Super Bowl win, the Chiefs had to frequently come from behind due to their defense’s struggles, particularly in the red zone.

Therefore, if you’re looking for a good betting opportunity, taking the over on the total points line in this game seems like a solid option. The stage is set for a thrilling start to the season, and you won’t want to miss it.