Eagles vs Lions Odds, Spread, Preview: NFL Week 1 Predictions

Eagles vs Lions Week 1 matchup preview and current betting lines

The new-look Philadelphia Eagles will hit the road for a Week 1 matchup with the ever-struggling Detroit Lions. GM Howie Roseman put in a masterclass throughout the whole offseason, improving the roster at nearly every position and putting them on top of the NFC East.

The Eagles are poised to challenge the Dallas Cowboys to win their division after finishing last season on a high note. Nick Sirianni has found more balance in the running game and their defense looks much better ahead of this campaign.

The Detroit Lions competed and fought hard last season, but they just weren’t very good. Dan Campbell has made his players believe in him and they would go to war for him, so they should be a little better now that they have more talent and another year under his system.

It’ll be a while before the Lions are a legit contender, though. They’re still in desperate need of an upgrade at the QB position, but it’s not like they’re in a hurry to compete anyway. This could be another long season in Michigan, but another high draft pick is coming their way, at least.

Players to watch:

Jalen Hurts: The Philadelphia Eagles did everything they possibly could to put Jalen Hurts in a position to succeed. They landed an elite receiver in A.J. Brown, balanced the running game, and have a solid offensive line keeping him in check. All the pressure to deliver is on him now.

Aidan Hutchinson: The oddsmakers’ favorite to win Defensive Rookie of the Year will make his debut after dominating at Michigan. Hutchinson has the potential to single-handedly turn their struggling defense around, finishing second in Heisman voting in 2021.

Week 1 Predictions: NFL Bet of the week on Eagles vs Lions

Eagles -4

The opening Eagles vs Lions odds have the visitors as four-point favorites, which isn’t a surprise by any means. According to most projections and power rankings, the Detroit Lions will be a bottom-three team this season, whereas the Eagles could win their division.

They’re coming off a nearly-perfect offseason and have a plethora of weapons at their disposal. Aidan Hutchinson’s presence should improve the Lions’ leaky run defense, but their three-headed monster of Miles Sanders, Boston Scott, and Kenneth Gainwell could still find gaps against their front seven.

The Eagles also have a promising receiving corps and a quarterback that knows he needs to deliver and silence his critics once and for all. They will look to make a statement early in the season and prove that they can compete at the highest level.

Also, one knows better than to trust Jared Goff at this point. D’Andre Swift should do most of the heavy lifting in offense, and last season’s breakout Amon-Ra St. Brown can only do so much with Goff at QB. Simply put, the Eagles should win by at least a touchdown.

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A.J. Brown To Score A Touchdown

The biggest story of the offseason for the Eagles was A.J. Brown’s addition. He was disgruntled with the Tennessee Titans over a contract dispute, and they chose to trade him instead of paying him. Now, he’s one of the league’s highest-earners at the wideout position.

More than that, early reports state that Brown developed instant chemistry with his new QB, Jalen Hurts. They’ve been in constant contact since the trade went down, and he was by far his primary target throughout training camp.

So, we expect Hurts to feed him early and often in his first official game with the Eagles. The Detroit Lions may not be able to double him, as then the Eagles have two more elite weapons in Dallas Goedert and DeVonta Smith.

Brown wants to make a statement and remind the Titans he’s one of the best in the game, and they shouldn’t have let him go. So, facing a bad defensive team like the Lions bodes a perfect opportunity to kick off his season on a high note.

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