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The Carolina Panthers head to the Motor City on Sunday in search of their first win as they take on the Detroit Lions at 1 p.m. ET.
Carolina (0-4) enters the week after losing 21-13 to Minnesota, while Detroit (3-1) is coming off a 34-20 win over Green Bay last Thursday.
Detroit Lions vs Carolina Panthers – game predictions
Contents
Note: Most sportsbooks include overtime when grading the following two picks.
Prediction 1: Bryce Young over 31.5 pass attempts @ -130 (1.77)
In all three starts, the No. 1 overall pick has eclipsed 31.5 pass attempts with 32, 33 and 38. In each of the three contests, the Panthers were underdogs, and that trend continues with the Lions being 10-point favorites.
Detroit is hosting, and if the game script goes according to what Oddsmakers are predicting, Young will have to throw a lot to come from behind, and the likelihood increases of him continuing to hit over 31.5 attempts.
This season, Young has averaged 34.33 pass attempts per game, 2.83 more than the 31.5 total. ESPN’s model is predicting Young to have 37 pass attempts for the contest. FantasyPros’ model, which combines six sources, has him at 31.9.
The -130 line provided by BetMGM is a great price thanks to other sportsbooks such as Bet365 (-145) and Bovada, listing Young at -165 (62.26% implied odds) to reach over 31.5. Other oddsmakers at FanDuel and PointsBet have the total passing attempts set at 32.5 and 33.5.
Prediction 2: David Montgomery anytime TD scorer @ -150 (1.67)
I’m not a huge fan of taking lines this steep at -150 (Caesars and Bet365), but there is value thanks to many other books such as FanDuel (-180) and Bovada listing Montgomery at -201 with 66.78% implied odds to reach the end zone.
Through four weeks, the former Iowa State Cyclone ranks third in the NFL in red zone touches with 19 total, behind only Christian McCaffrey and Tony Pollard. Had Montgomery not missed week three due to injury, he’d probably rank No. 1.
The 26-year-old has scored in every game this season and is coming off a three-touchdown masterpiece against the Packers. Montgomery had eight red zone touches last week compared to zero from rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs (doubtful to play). The 26-year-old also out carried the first-rounder 32-8.
Montgomery game log
- Week 1 @ KC: 21 carries, 1 TD
- Week 2 vs. SEA: 16 carries, 1 TD
- Week 4 @ GB: 32 carries, 3 TD
In three games, Montgomery is averaging 1.66 touchdowns per outing.
One of the best predictive models, 4for4.com, projects Montgomery to have 0.799 rushing touchdowns and 0.035 receiving touchdowns. FantasyPros’ model predicts Montgomery to have 0.7 rushing touchdowns and 0.1 receiving touchdowns.
Detroit Lions vs Carolina Panthers odds
The Lions are listed as 10-point favorites against the Panthers. The game total is set at 44.5 points.
Lions vs Panthers preview – can Carolina finally win?
The Panthers are in a rebuilding stage but surely would like to get the taste of defeat out of their mouths.
Detroit form, news and injuries
The Lions are 3-1 against the spread this season.
Lions injury report
- RB Jahmyr Gibbs (hamstring) is doubtful.
- WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (abdomen) is doubtful.
- LB Julian Okwara (knee) is questionable.
- WR Josh Reynolds (groin) is questionable.
- S Brian Branch (ankle) is out.
Carolina form, news and injuries
The Panthers are 0-3-1 ATS in 2023-2024.
Panthers injury report
- CB Donte Jackson (shoulder) is questionable.
- S Xavier Woods (hamstring) is out.
- G Austin Corbett (knee) is out.
Lions vs Panthers head-to-head record
| 12/24/2022 | Detroit Lions | 23 | @ | Carolina Panthers | 37 |
| 11/22/2020 | Detroit Lions | 0 | @ | Carolina Panthers | 20 |
| 11/18/2018 | Carolina Panthers | 19 | @ | Detroit Lions | 20 |
| 10/08/2017 | Carolina Panthers | 27 | @ | Detroit Lions | 24 |
| 09/14/2014 | Detroit Lions | 7 | @ | Carolina Panthers | 24 |
Key match details
- Date & Time: Sunday, Oct. 8 at 1:00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Ford Field in Detroit, MI
- Where to watch the match in the UK: Sky Sports, FuboTV or other live stream
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