Detroit Lions vs. Arizona Cardinals Matchup Preview (9/27/20): Betting Odds, Depth Charts, Live Stream (Watch Online)

Kyler Murray and the offense look to build upon a 2-0 start against a struggling Lions team. However, Matthew Stafford is hoping to get his #1 target back in Kenny Golladay which should help give a much-needed boost to the offense. This will be a high-scoring affair between two efficient QBs. Enjoy Kyler vs Stafford in this Sunday afternoon barn burner.

For odds movement and full matchup history, visit the Detroit Lions at Arizona Cardinals Matchup Page.

TV Schedule

Date: Sunday, September 27th, 2020
Time: 4:25 PM ET
Location: State Farm Stadium – Glendale, Arizona
TV Coverage: FOX

Lions vs. Cardinals Live Stream

Where can you watch Lions vs. Cardinals online? You can stream this game and many other NFL games live online with Hulu. Hulu has a 7 Day free trial and is cheaper than cable options at $5.99/month. Watch Lions vs. Cardinals Free Online Now.

Injuries:

Detroit Lions: H. Bryant (Hamstring) Q, C.J. Moore (Calf) Q, D. Trufant (Hamstring) Q, H. Vaital (Foot) Q, N. Williams (Shoulder) Q
Arizona Cardinals : M. Cole (Hamstring) Q, C. Kirk (Groin) Q, J. Phillips (Ankle) Q

Detroit Lions Analysis

The Detroit Lions are coming off of back to back poor performances on defense. Unfortunately for them, it gets even tougher as they square off against an explosive Cardinals’ offense. Matt Patricia will need to figure out how to overcome the injuries he has faced on defense and put a stop to Kyler Murray. One way he can do that is by having an efficient offensive attack to keep the ball out of the hands of the Cardinals’ offense.

Matthew Stafford should be getting his #1 WR back in Kenny Golladay. This will be a huge boost for Stafford and benefits Marvin Jones on the other side of the line as he no longer will have to go up against the opposing team’s #1 CB. Stafford has played decently well in his first two games but needs to perform even better to carry this team with a lackluster defense. T.J. Hockenson has been pretty involved so far and I expect many more targets for him in this game against the Cardinals.

When it comes to the ground game there has been no predicting who will get the ball between Johnson, Swift, and Peterson. All three have played okay, but not spectacularly. It does not help that the defense has let them down and led to game scripts where running the ball is no longer viable. Hopefully, the defense can keep it close and the Lions can utilize this three-headed attack more to grind out 1st downs and keep control of the clock.

Defensively the hope is that Desmond Trufant is back and ready to go against this elite passing attack of the Cardinals. Jeff Okudah played his first game ever last week against the Packers and did not impress. It is hard to see exactly how Matt Patricia will reel in Murray and this offense, but he needs to come up with one heck of a plan.

Letting the opposing teams’ running backs get going both on the ground and through the air has been a massive issue for the Lions. They gave up 259 yards to Aaron Jones and company last week, and this week will be tasked with stopping the elite Kenyan Drake. To put it mildly, this game does not look good for the Lions on the defensive side of the ball. The front 4 will need to step up and cause some pressure on Murray and get some sort of push on the line to stop the run if the Lions are to have any chance.

Detroit Lions Depth Chart

QB: Matthew Stafford
RB1: Kerryon Johnson
RB2: D’Andre Swift
WR1: Marvin Jones
WR2: Kenny Golladay
WR3: Danny Amendola
TE: T.J. Hockenson

Arizona Cardinals Analysis

The Cardinals have looked fantastic so far this season. Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins have an incredible partnership going and coach Kliff Kingsbury has been calling fantastic games. Even the defense that struggled so much last year has looked great under Vance Joseph. The additions of rookie inside linebacker Isaiah Simmons and free-agent safety Dre Kirkpatrick have helped solidify that defense over the middle.

The first thing that you need to talk about when speaking about any Cardinals’ matchup is Kyler Murray. I am not sure that any team can stop him; however, I know that the Lions’ defense will do nothing to slow him down or slow down his connection to Hopkins. The two have already connected for 22 receptions, 219 yards, and a touchdown. This game may very well be their easiest one yet and I expect big things from this offense.

Kenyan Drake has yet to really get going. However, he has faced two of the toughest, if not the toughest, defensive lines in football in The Washington Football Team and the San Francisco 49ers. The Lions have looked inept when it comes to stopping the run so this is the game in which I expect a breakout game from Kenyan Drake. Both on the ground and through the air I think that he will make a huge difference and help this team to a blow-out victory.

On defense, the Cardinals have looked solid. They will not have to do much to win this game as their offense should be pumping points onto the scoreboard. Patrick Peterson will have the assignment of guarding Kenny Golladay and that will be a matchup to watch as a Cardinals fan. Another big one will be to see how they guard second-year TE TJ Hockenson. I would love to see how Isaiah Simmons does in one-on-one matchups against the former first-round pick.

Arizona Cardinals Depth Chart

QB: Kyler Murray
RB1: Kenyan Drake
RB2: Chase Edmonds
WR1: DeAndre Hopkins
WR2: Larry Fitzgerald
WR3: Christian Kirk
TE: Maxx Williams

Betting Corner Arizona -5.5

Odds:
Spread: ARZ -5.5
Moneyline: ARI -240 | DET +205
Over/Under:55.5

Prediction
Spread: ARZ -5.5
Moneyline: ARI -240
Over/Under: Over

This game should be a repeat of the Packers game from a week ago for the Lions. They are facing an even better offense in my opinion and have no way to slow down Murray and company. I do think that Matthew Stafford puts up enough points to push this game over the 55.5 mark but not nearly enough to cover the falling 5.5 spread that originally opened at 6.

I like the Arizona Cardinals 38-21 in this game.

Daily Fantasy Picks

Kyler Murray is still underpriced at $6,800 on DK. He is going to be a top QB pretty much every week with his running ability and insane weapons on a high-tempo offense. However, he is also in a huge plus matchup against this sad Detroit defense. Having him in as your QB slot should be a great cash or GPP play.

DeAndre Hopkins comes in at $7,900 on DK this week, but I still love him as a stack with Kyler Murray. While it is expensive there is no better WR/QB combo this week. There should be tons of targets coming Hopkins’ way, and even more, if Christian Kirk is out. I think that this is a good cash stack that should help you on your way to winning double-ups.

If you are not cashing in on the Murray stack with Hopkins, then I love Kenyan Drake at $6,000 on DK. He is being priced way under his value due to his tough first two matchups. Now he gets to go against the current worst rush defense in the league priced behind 16 other healthy backs. That is an insane value. GPP or cash you cannot go wrong plugging Drake into your lineups where you have chosen to go a different route than the Murray/Hopkins stack.