NFL Preseason Odds: Detroit Lions Seek Week 3 Gains Against Stingy Colts

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On Friday, the Detroit Lions will conclude their 2021 NFL preseason schedule.

Will the oddsmakers predict a better outcome for Detroit in their preseason finale against the Indianapolis Colts, considering their two previous winless performances?

Colts vs. Lions: Detroit an underdog again

On Friday, Detroit once again finds itself in the familiar position of being an underdog in their game.

The majority of oddsmakers have the Lions as a 3.5-point underdog when playing at home against the Colts. Initially, FanDuel Sportsbook had the Lions listed as a 3-point underdog.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the moneylines for Detroit are typically between +140 and +150, while the initial over/under total ranged from 32 to 33 points.

The Lions’ spread, moneyline, and overall game total offer the most favorable live lines at , and .

Despite their 0-2 record in the preseason, the Lions managed to cover the spread with an impressive 20-point fourth quarter during their 26-20 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers last week.

The Indianapolis Colts have started the preseason with a perfect 2-0 record. They secured a narrow 12-10 triumph against the Minnesota Vikings and followed it up with a 21-18 victory over the Carolina Panthers. In terms of the spread, the Colts have a respectable 1-0-1 record across both games.

Starters struggle, backups rally in Pittsburgh

The performance of the Detroit Lions’ starters against Pittsburgh was underwhelming, much like their preseason opener against Buffalo.

Nevertheless, the substitute players managed to stage a remarkable comeback in the second half, injecting excitement into the game. Despite their efforts, the Lions ultimately succumbed to a 26-20 defeat, having initially fallen behind by a significant margin of 23-0.

The Steelers gained a total of 401 yards against Detroit’s defense, whereas the Lions only managed to accumulate 288 yards.

Several starters, including quarterback Jared Goff, were held out by Dan Campbell.

Tim Boyle and David Blough shared the responsibility of playing as quarterbacks. Boyle faced difficulties, completing only 7 out of 15 passes for a total of 44 yards. On the other hand, Blough successfully led multiple scoring drives and had an impressive performance, completing 12 out of 17 passes for 143 yards and a touchdown.

In his second preseason game, Craig Reynolds showcased another solid performance, impressively scoring a rushing touchdown towards the end of the match. This marked his second score of the preseason.

AJ Parker, the rookie cornerback, displayed exceptional defensive skills as he led Detroit with eight tackles, two of which were for a loss. Meanwhile, Derrick Barnes, a rookie linebacker, demonstrated his potential by contributing six tackles and securing a sack.

Top picks drawing criticism

Recent top Detroit Lions NFL Draft picks received more preseason jeers last Saturday.

Jeff Okudah, the 2020 first-round pick, is seeking a resurgence in 2021 after being labeled one of the NFL’s least effective defensive backs last year as the No. 3 overall selection.

Up until now during the preseason, Okudah is displaying minimal improvement under a newly appointed coaching staff.

Okudah experienced a tough defeat last Saturday, as he was caught off guard early on a 43-yard catch by Diontae Johnson. To make matters worse, he found himself in a highlight reel, but for the wrong reasons, as Najee Harris skillfully juked him to the ground.

Jahlani Tavai, a 2019 second-round pick and linebacker, seems to be at risk of being released during this preseason.

Tavai, the player hailing from Hawaii, is still grappling with pass coverage and adapting to the fast-paced nature of the NFL. Despite being in his third year, he has only managed to accumulate 108 tackles across 31 games in his professional career, with a mere two sacks to his name.

Penei Sewell, the first-round pick of this year, has displayed potential, but there have been instances where the transition to right tackle seems challenging.

In terms of experience, Sewell enjoys a significantly extended grace period compared to Okudah and Tavai, considering it’s only his second preseason NFL game. Despite a few missed assignments, Sewell has managed to deliver impressive pancake blocks and solid pass protection.

Colts overcoming loss of Carson Wentz

During training camp, Indianapolis suffered a major setback as their newly appointed starting quarterback, Carson Wentz, sustained a fracture in his left foot.

Initially, the original timetables indicated that Wentz would be sidelined until the early part of the regular season. Nevertheless, he maintains an optimistic outlook and believes he will recover in time for the season opener.

Despite Wentz’s absence, the Colts currently have Jacob Eason and Sam Ehlinger in a fierce competition for the new starting role.

Up until now, Eason has demonstrated better consistency by completing 31 out of 48 passes for 315 yards. In contrast, Ehlinger has only completed 18 out of 33 passes for 225 yards, along with three interceptions.

Indy has been facing challenges in establishing a successful run game during this preseason, currently averaging a meager 2.9 yards per carry.

The Colts’ defense has shown great strength in their first two games. They have successfully limited their opponents to an average of only 270 yards per game and have held them to a conversion rate of just 29.4% (5 out of 17) on third down.

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