Pick: Buffalo Bills -4.5
Thursday Night Football gives us one of the games of the week as the Detroit Lions head to Buffalo, but the circumstances around this matchup make the Bills difficult to ignore.
Both sides escaped Week 1 at 1-0, although neither defence exactly covered itself in glory. Buffalo gave up 31 points to Houston before Josh Allen dragged them to a 36-31 win, while Detroit needed overtime to see off New Orleans 31-30. The market clearly expects more points here too, with the total climbing from around 52.5 at opening to 54.5.
The bigger concern is Detroit’s offensive line
The bigger concern for Detroit is up front. Starting right tackle Blake Miller and left guard Christian Mahogany have both been ruled out, forcing the Lions to reshuffle an offensive line that now has to deal with Buffalo’s aggressive defensive front on the road.
That is a difficult setup against a Bills team that should be able to keep Detroit under pressure while Josh Allen attacks a Lions defence that allowed 30 points and 469 yards in Week 1. Buffalo also get the added emotion of the first regular-season game at their new Highmark Stadium.
The line has moved, so we’ve missed the best of the number, but Bills -4.5 is still the side I want. Detroit can absolutely score enough to keep this entertaining, but Buffalo’s advantage in the trenches should eventually tell.
Pick: Buffalo Bills -4.5
Odds change quickly. Please gamble responsibly.
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