The Detroit Lions saved their season with an outstanding offensive performance against the Cowboys Thursday night, but for sports bettors there is a bigger picture to notice. Lost among Jahmyr Gibbs’ touchdowns and the collapse of the Cowboys’ season is the fact that this Lions team has become an Over cash cow. Detroit gets big contributions from Amon-Ra St. Brown and Gibbs, but that production isn’t unusual for an offense that also features David Montgomery, Jameson Williams, and several other explosive players. This week’s total was the highest on the board, yet the Lions made it look easy by scoring 44 points themselves. They have now posted 44 points twice in the past five weeks, with a season high of 52. Detroit has reached the 30s in more than half of its games and has scored at least 24 points in every home matchup.
Detroit’s offense is impressive, but there is another angle bettors should consider if they prefer not to play team totals. The Lions’ defense has been downright poor lately. They allowed Dallas to score 30 points, marking the second straight week they surrendered 30 or more after giving up 31 to Green Bay. Even Jameis Winston, a third-string quarterback, put up 27 points just three games ago. That makes four straight games in which the Lions have allowed at least 27 points. They also lost their best secondary player when Brian Branch was ruled out for the season.
The upcoming schedule includes MVP favorite Matthew Stafford this week, followed by Pittsburgh at home, the Vikings indoors in a rematch of a game that totaled 51 points, and a trip to Chicago. There is a real chance the Lions go Over the total in each of their final games, and bettors should note how explosive the offense is and how vulnerable the defense has become.