Sam Panayotovich
FOX Sports Betting Analyst
The Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions have rather a lot in frequent.
Both groups are extraordinarily revered by Las Vegas oddsmakers, their harried fan bases crave high-level soccer greater than oxygen, and so they’ll seemingly make the NFL playoffs as a lot as their proficient quarterbacks will take them.
Josh Allen’s Bills and Jared Goff’s Lions meet Sunday afternoon at Ford Field in a recreation that many are hailing as a possible preview of Super Bowl LIX. Plus, we have had sufficient of “Patrick Mahomes and Friends” in February.
Just kidding, Chiefs followers. Deep breaths.
The rise of Buffalo and Detroit is not too shocking, particularly should you take a peek on the Super Bowl odds earlier than the season. Sure, the Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers had decrease costs, however the Bills and Lions had been proper up there.
“We had San Francisco in first place within the NFC and Detroit in second place,” Westgate SuperEbook vp of danger administration Ed Salmons instructed FOX Sports.
“Detroit’s rise is basically no shock. And the Lions had been profitable this 12 months till all of the accidents on protection began to take their toll. That’s why they completed -3 towards Green Bay and that is why the road it is so low this week.
“Buffalo was third within the AFC behind Kansas City and Baltimore earlier than the season. As the 12 months went on, Buffalo and Baltimore overtook Kansas City within the rankings, however Kansas City nonetheless wins in some way.”
As for Sunday, Salmons opened Detroit -3 with a complete O/U of 52.5. The “3” did not final half-hour. The wiser guys had been fast to hit Bills +3 on the low limits, then made one other push to +2.5. Some locations are right down to 2.
The complete involves 54.5, so bettors are hoping for fireworks.
“Highest complete of the season,” Salmons acknowledged. “When the good guys wager us ‘Over’ on Sunday and Monday, we have to increase shortly.
“It’s a recreation the place you think about there will not be many area targets. Campbell is aware of what he is coping with and that is why he was much more aggressive than ordinary, as a result of he is aware of his protection is shorthanded. Even Buffalo stays aggressive. I do not count on that to vary.
“It will probably be like a tennis match, and you’ll have to maintain serve.”
Are Sam Darnold and the Vikings a severe risk to Jared Goff and the Lions?
Salmons was impressed with Buffalo’s efficiency final week towards a determined Los Angeles Rams staff. The Rams took a 24-14 lead at halftime due to a blocked punt landing, however Buffalo did not hand over and continued to play blow for blow after halftime. In the ultimate minutes it was a three-point recreation.
“A lesser staff will get knocked out by the Rams,” Salmons stated. “I did not perceive Buffalo’s clock administration down the stretch, however the Bills had been unstoppable within the second half and who is aware of what occurs in the event that they get the ball again.”
Buffalo’s offense dealt with its enterprise even with out Keon Coleman and Dalton Kincaid, weapons who might each return for Sunday’s showdown.
Speaking of weapons, they’re all over the place on Lions.
“Goff has them all over the place,” Salmons stated. “The offensive line is so good, David Montgomery is taking part in nice, (Jahmyr) Gibbs can convey it residence on any play and (Amon-Ra) St. Brown and Jameson Williams are lastly 100%. They’re so deep that (Sam ) LaPorta is an afterthought proper now.
“They can assault you in so some ways and the coach is tremendous aggressive, which supplies the staff numerous confidence. You can see the arrogance on the sidelines. And I do not even assume Campbell’s choices are reckless.”
One very last thing value declaring is how the Lions have had their points over the past couple of years towards dual-threat quarterbacks. Look no additional than final season, when Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields rushed for 162 yards and a rating in two conferences towards Detroit.
Chicago in all probability ought to have gained each video games.
How a lot does Josh Allen have to win this 12 months’s MVP?
Aaron Glenn’s protection has principally confronted one-catch quarterbacks this season and most of them have been pocket passers. The solely exception was Anthony Richardson, who I might beat in a recreation of darts with the alternative hand.
“I keep in mind Fields working like loopy towards Detroit,” Salmons admitted. “They have not performed guys like him this 12 months. They have not performed Philadelphia or Baltimore. This is the primary actual take a look at towards a respectable twin risk.
“Josh Allen is the most important risk on the market.”
Sam Panayotovich is a sports activities betting analyst for FOX Sports and BetQL Network. He beforehand labored for WGN Radio, NBC Sports and VSiN. Follow him on Twitter @spshoot.
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