Monday Night Lock: 2023 Week 8
Raiders @ Lions (-7), O/U 46.5
Raiders at Lions on Monday Night! A lot of grey on the screen tonight. That’s solid analysis right there.
At 3–4, this game could be the difference between the Raiders selling away some pieces before tomorrow’s deadline and them trying to make a push at the playoffs, which is puzzling to even think about considering how badly they looked last week. Jimmy G is back though, which should help steady them a bit. But even with him, this team has left a lot to be desired this season. Maxx Crosby is capable of ruining gameplans though and Davante Adams seems due to for a breakout.
The Lions were the darling of the NFL before last week. People had them in Super Bowl conversations. They looked like one of the more complete teams in football with everything going their way. And then they put their first true stinker of the season in Baltimore. What a disaster that was. For a fragile fanbase like the Lions, that gives some pause in their excitement going into this primetime game. The crowd at Ford Field is going to be absolutely electric and they’ll need it to be, considering the injuries this team is facing on both sides of the ball.
Ultimately, the Raiders are not a good team and the Lions are. And the Lions need to bounce back in a big way from last week. At home, in front of this crowd and a national audience, I expect the Detroit defense to really show up and stifle the Raiders offense. I’ll lay the number here with the Lions and take the under.
