Bettors and bookmakers alike expect fireworks in the upcoming Bills-Lions showdown.
On Sunday afternoon, the Buffalo Bills, led by quarterback Josh Allen, will face off against the Detroit Lions, guided by Jared Goff, at Ford Field. This matchup is generating buzz as a potential preview for Super Bowl LIX, especially among fans tired of the Kansas City Chiefs dominating the February spotlight.
A lighthearted note for Chiefs supporters: take a moment to breathe.
The rise of both Buffalo and Detroit is not entirely unexpected, particularly when examining Super Bowl odds from the start of the season. While the Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers may have had shorter odds, the Bills and Lions were close contenders.
According to Ed Salmons, Vice President of Risk Management at Westgate SuperBook, “We had San Francisco rated No. 1 in the NFC and Detroit No. 2.”
Salmons added, “Detroit’s rise isn’t really a surprise. The Lions were performing well until injuries on defense began to impact their game. This is why they closed at -3 against Green Bay and why the line is so low this week.”
For the upcoming game, Detroit opened as a -3 favorite with an over/under total set at 52.5. However, that line quickly shifted as savvy bettors jumped on Bills +3, leading to a decrease to +2.5 in some locations.
The total has now risen to 54.5, indicating that many are anticipating a high-scoring affair.
Salmons noted, “This is the highest total of the season. When sharp bettors are pushing us ‘Over’ early in the week, we have to adjust quickly.”
He compared the game’s pace to that of a tennis match, emphasizing the need for teams to maintain their momentum.
Salmons expressed admiration for Buffalo’s resilience in their recent game against the Los Angeles Rams. Despite falling behind 24-14 at halftime due to a blocked punt touchdown, Buffalo fought back, making it a close contest in the final moments.
He remarked, “A lesser team would have been blown out by the Rams. While I had questions about Buffalo’s clock management, their second-half performance was impressive, and it’s hard to say what might have happened if they had gotten the ball back.”
Buffalo’s offense managed well without key players like Keon Coleman and Dalton Kincaid, both of whom could return for this critical matchup.
On the other hand, the Lions boast a diverse arsenal of offensive talent.
Salmons stated, “Goff has a wealth of options at his disposal. The offensive line is exceptional, David Montgomery is in great form, Jahmyr Gibbs can score from anywhere, and both Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams are back to full health. They have so many weapons that even Sam LaPorta feels like an afterthought.”
He also praised the aggressive coaching style of Dan Campbell, which instills confidence in the team. “You can see the belief on the sidelines, and I don’t think Campbell’s decisions are reckless,” he added.
However, the Lions have struggled against dual-threat quarterbacks in recent years. A notable example is Justin Fields from the Chicago Bears, who rushed for 162 yards against Detroit in two games last season.
Chicago arguably should have claimed victory in both matchups.
Aaron Glenn’s defense has mostly faced traditional pocket passers this season, with Anthony Richardson being the only exception. Salmons pointed out, “Josh Allen is the biggest threat out there.”
