Despite their 2-6 record and having to use their third-string QB this week, the Washington Football Team is just one game back for the NFC East’s top spot. They travel to Detroit to take on a Lions team that sits last in the NFC North at 3-5.
This game was off the books for most of the week thanks to Matthew Stafford's possible concussion, but the QB will play, with NFL odds setting Detroit as a 3.5-point favorite with the total at 46.
Here are our NFL free picks and predictions for Washington vs Lions for Sunday, November 15 (1:00 p.m. ET).
Washington Football Team at Detroit Lions betting preview
Weather
This game will be played inside a dome at Ford Field. Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions of other Week 10 games with our NFL weather info.
Key Injuries
Washington: Kyle Allen QB (Out), Dontrelle Inman WR (Out)
Lions: Kenny Golladay WR (Out), Halapoulivaati Vaitai G (Out), Nick Williams DT (Out)
Find our latest NFL injury reports.
Betting Trend to Know
The Over is 9-1 in the Lions' last ten home games. Find more NFL betting trends for Washington vs. Lions.
Against the Spread (ATS) Pick
The Detroit Lions have not had any success at Ford Field this year, as the 3-5 Lions are 0-3 SU and ATS at home. Matt Patricia’s team has been favored just twice this year (Chicago and Jacksonville) and have covered just one of those games (Jags). Covering as a 3.5-point favorite against the league’s best DVOA passing defense is a tough task for the Golladay-less Lions.
The Lions have played four games in which WR Kenny Golladay had to leave due to injury, or missed entirely. Over those four games, the Lions are 0-4 SU and 0-4 ATS. The offense has managed 21.4 points per game without its best receiver, but it’s the defense that has been the biggest Achilles heel.
The Lions sport the league’s 25th-worst DVOA defense and have allowed an absurd 36.5 points per game over the four games that Golladay has missed.
Washington may not be a sexy pick with Alex Smith in control, but at least we can trust the Football Team’s defense to play like a Top-5 unit against a struggling offense.
PREDICTION: Washington +3.5 (-110)
Over/Under Pick
Washington managed eight yards per play last week with Smith taking the majority of the snaps. The eight yards plays per play were the second-highest output in Week 9. WRs Terry McLaurin and Cam Sims both went over 100 yards receiving and with Detroit's woes on the rush defense (25th DVOA), this Washington offense could turn into a balanced and competent attack on the indoor field in Detroit.
As we mentioned above, Detroit has struggled winning games without Golladay in the lineup. However, the Over has had no problem cashing without the No.1 receiver in the lineup, as Detroit is 4-0 O/U in the four games the receiver has missed this year.
Washington has allowed just 42 points over its last three games, but playing Dallas and the Giants twice certainly skews those numbers. This is still a defense that allowed at least 30 points in each game between Week 2 through 5.
We aren’t rushing to dump our savings on the Detroit team total Over at 25.5, but think this offense’s floor is 21-23 points, while we like Washington to top its team total of 20.5 points.
PREDICTION: Over 46 (-110)
Player Prop Pick
Washington RB J.D. McKissic got peppered in the passing game last week, as new QB Alex Smith targeted the running back 13 times in his 32 passes. The WFT back ran a league-high 31 passing routes in Week 9, finishing with nine catches for 65 yards. The production isn’t huge but if the RB can see even half of that volume this week against Detroit, hitting his reception total should be a layup.
McKissic and Smith have had a good relationship this year, as the running back also caught six balls on eight targets in Week 5 when Smith took over the offense. McKissic is 3-1 O/U on his receiving total over his last four games, which includes two 3.5 reception totals. We’d prefer his reception total at 3.5, but for the price (+124), we’re taking the 4.5.
PREDICTION: J.D. McKissic Over 4.5 receptions (+124)
Washington vs Lions Betting Card
- Washington +3.5 (-110)
- Under 46 (-110)
- J.D. McKissic Over 4.5 receptions (+124)
Did you know that if you parlayed this week’s NFL Washington vs. Lions picks, you could win $71.64 on a $10 bet?
Use our NFL parlay calculator to create your own parlays and see their potential payouts.
Where Can I Bet on the NFL?
You can bet on NFL odds at every online and casino sportsbooks, including NFL moneylines, spreads, Over/Under totals and a ton of NFL prop odds. Head over to our best-suggested sportsbooks for the top spots to bet on NFL odds in your area.
