Matthew Stafford of the Detroit Lions passes during Week 4. (Getty)
Carson Wentz and the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles visit Ford Field on Sunday to face the Detroit Lions.
Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. Eastern and the game will be televised by FOX.
Here’s a complete look at all the betting info you need to know, as well as a prediction of the Week 5 game:
Lions vs. Eagles Week 5 Betting Info
Note: All odds and numbers courtesy of OddsShark.com and are updated as of October 8
Spread: Eagles (-3.5)
Betting Percentages: 60 percent for Eagles (-3.5)
Over/Under: 46
Betting Percentages: 68 percent on Over 46
Season Results: Lions 1-3 straight up; 1-3 against the spread; 2-2 over-under total — Eagles 3-0 straight up; 3-0 against the spread; 0-2-1 over-under-push
Prediction
On one hand we have the surprising Philadelphia Eagles and rookie quarterback Carson Wentz, who are 3-0 and allowing a mere 9 points per game while scoring almost 31.
On the other we have the Detroit Lions, who have dropped three straight games while giving up more points (25.5) than they score (23.8).
On paper, this pick looks obvious. But this is the NFL, so of course it isn’t.
Wentz has played turnover-free football. Not bad for a rookie. Not bad for a veteran. This obviously will come to an end, but I’m not so sure Detroit is going to be the team to make it happen. The Lions have forced just 1 turnover (an interception back in Week 2) and have allowed 12 touchdown passes.
Even though the Eagles have been playing musical chairs at running back (Ryan Mathews should return this week, by the way), they’re still averaging 119 yards per game, 9th in the league. They should find holes — whatever back has the ball — against the Lions’ unit, which is allowing 114.5 yards each contest (4.8 yards per carry).
Don’t expect Eagles coaches Doug Pederson and Frank Reich to change the gameplan much. Maybe a wrinkle here and there — after all, NFL teams do have scouts and watch film — but what they’re doing is working and putting Wentz in position to succeed. And Zach Ertz’s return to the lineup (rib) won’t hurt, either.
A key for the Lions would be to get the Eagles into third down situations. Philadelphia is near the bottom of the league in that department, converting just 12 of 40 (30 percent) third downs attempts. But it’s an area where the Detroit D has struggled, allowing a 47.1 conversion rate (31st overall).
The Lions offense will be familiar with at least one face on the Eagles coaching staff. Former Detroit head coach Jim Schwartz is now Philadelphia’s defensive coordinator. And he’s got them flying around. Passing-wise, they give up just 203 passing yards per game and have yet to allow a TD pass — the only team in the league who hasn’t. The run game is just as stingy, yielding only 71 yards per contest, third-best in the NFL.
So quarterback Matthew Stafford and offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter will have their work cut out for them. Stafford is the fourth-leading passer in the NFL, but he and Marvin Jones (23 receptions, 482 yards, 2 TDs) can’t win games by themselves (TE Eric Ebron is out, too). With no running game (maybe a boost from Zach Zenner this weekend?), the Lions are one-dimensional. You won’t win many games in the NFL with offenses like that.
This is the NFL and as the saying goes “Any Given Sunday.” But these are two teams going in opposite directions right now. Eagles go on the road and go to 4-0.
The Pick: Eagles 30-17 (Eagles win straight up, Eagles cover the spread, Over wins)
