Ravens vs. Lions: NFL Week 3 betting odds, preview, and pick

The Baltimore Ravens will look to pick up their first road victory of the season when they visit the winless Detroit Lions in NFL Week 3 action Sunday.

Let's take a look at the matchup and formulate some wagers.

Lamar Jackson has the Chiefs monkey off his back

After he failed time after time against Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson finally led the Ravens to a victory over Kansas City, in a thrilling 36-35 win Sunday night.

Jackson told coach John Harbaugh that he wanted to seal the game with a fourth-down attempt rather than punt and delivered with a conversion.

Jackson rushed for 107 yards on 16 carries and two touchdowns, both in the final quarter, and threw for 239 yards and a touchdown, with 18 completions on 26 attempts. It was the fourth game of Jackson’s career where he gained at least 200 passing yards and 100 rushing yards, which is a new NFL record. He also moved to 9-0 in the regular season when he rushes for at least 100 yards.

The Ravens outrushed the Chiefs, 251-62, and both Jackson and running back Ty’Son Williams have averaged more than six yards per carry this season.

The Baltimore defense has not been nearly as impressive, and the Lions should be able to put up some yards. Mahomes threw for 343 yards and three touchdowns, a week after the Ravens allowed Las Vegas to gain 409 passing yards in a 33-27 Raiders victory.

Despite a nearly a 2-1 time-of-possession advantage this season, the Ravens will need to improve on the 8.3 yards per play allowed against the Chiefs, if they want to hold an opponent to fewer than 30 points for the first time this season.

Goff doing his part, while Lions defense falters

Many wondered how Jared Goff would fare in Detroit, and so far he has performed fairly well. In two games, the former member of the Los Angeles Rams has completed nearly 70% of his throws, for 584 yards, and has five touchdown passes, with just a pair of interceptions.

However, his lack of weapons at wide receiver has held back his production, as tight end T.J. Hockenson and running back D’Andre Swift have both caught more passes and gained more yards than anybody lined up outside.

Quintez Cephus has just seven catches for 75 yards to lead the wide receivers on the team, which is a big reason why the Lions failed to hold a 17-14 halftime lead Monday night, as the Packers held them scoreless after the break on their way to a 35-17 victory. 

Goff is also is getting no help from his running backs, as he led the Lions in rushing yards Monday night.

None of that will matter if the Lions defense can’t figure out a way to improve.

Aaron Rodgers threw four touchdown passes against the Detroit secondary Monday, and through two games, the Lions have conceded an average of 38 points per contest. While the stout Detroit defensive line has allowed opponents to gain just 227 yards rushing on 59 carries, it is unlikely it will do more than slow down the Ravens.

Ravens and Lions Betting Trends

• The Ravens are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games.
• The Under is 4-2 in Baltimore’s last six games.
• The Lions have failed to win their last six games.
• The Over is 4-1 in Detroit’s last five games.
• The Over is 5-2 in the last seven meetings between the Ravens and Lions.

Ravens will rip Lions apart

There will likely be some letdown from the Ravens, after their emotional victory Monday night, but they are also going from one of the best teams in the NFL to one of the worst.

The Ravens’ ability to run the ball, with multiple players, will cause the Lions fits and keep Goff on the sideline. Baltimore earned 31 first downs against the Chiefs, and Jackson will likely find it even easier to attack downfield in the passing game against the wretched Detroit secondary.

While Travis Kelce hurt the Ravens on Monday night, their defense held Tyreek Hill to just three catches for 14 yards. With no real threats in the passing game, aside from Hockenson, look for Baltimore to take him away from Goff and force someone else to beat them. That is unlikely to happen, which will lead to a runaway victory for the Ravens and a low-scoring performance from the Lions.

Take Baltimore to cover the spread, then buy the half-point and pair it with the over on the Ravens team total for a Same Game Combo.

Score prediction: Baltimore 31, Detroit 17

NFL Week 3 picks: Ravens -8 (-112); Same Game Combo: Ravens -7.5 and Ravens team total Over 29.5 (+130)