After two weeks on the road, the Detroit Lions get to return home to Michigan this week. Their opponent, the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles, who happen to be coming off a bye. The well-rested Eagles get to hit the road and take on the 1-3 club who lost 17-14 last week in Chicago against NFC North opponents the Bears. Both teams have offense, and this could easily turn into a shootout.
The Lions may be without one of their top targets this week, however. Tight end Eric Ebron is not expected to play in the game while he deals with ankle and knee issues. That could lead to an increased role for Golden “Maple Bars” Tate (If you do not understand the nickname, look it up), who has been off to a slow start this season in a diminished role. His smaller role is largely in part to the incorporation of Marvin Jones, who has been sensational to start the season, as well as Ebron and running back Theo Riddick.
But when all is said and done, their offense simply has not been enough to overcome a poor defense. And when the defense does play well, the offense decides to disappear. When all is put together, the team simply looks like it is bound for a top five pick in the 2017 NFL Draft that happens to be taking place in Philadelphia.
Speaking of Philadelphia (See what I did there), the Eagles have been one of the best stories of this young season. Rookie quarterback Carson Wentz has been phenomenal. Before the teams bye, Wentz and his crew lit up the Pittsburgh Steelers by a score of 34-3. That is a beat down that is even worse than that of what the Steelers did last week to Kansas City. So the Eagles are for real. And coming off a bye, I have no reason to doubt this will be their first clunker, as they are taking on a team that simply has not looked all that great.
For all week five NFL Spreads and Over/Under’s, check out our NFL week 5 Betting Odds master-sheet here.
Line: Phi -3, O/U: 46
Pick: Eagles and the over
Result: Det 24 – Phi 23, Lions and the over