Detroit Lions vs. Los Angeles Chargers: Prediction, Odds, Depth Charts (11/12/23)
Detroit Lions vs. Los Angeles Chargers kicks off this Sunday (11/12/23) at 4:05pm EST in Los Angeles California as a home game for the Chargers. Get Detroit Lions vs. Los Angeles Chargers predictions and best bets below as our best bet is on the Lions moneyline in what will be a thrilling contest.
Detroit Lions vs. Los Angeles Chargers Prediction & Best Bet
The bye week could not come soon enough for the Detroit Lions as they have dealt with injuries since week one. Various offensive lineman traded sitting out games while dealing with nagging injuries while the likes of Brian Branch, David Montgomery, and Jahmyr Gibbs all went down for a few weeks at some point this season. That doesn’t even include key starters James Houston, CJ Gardner-Johnson, and Emmanuel Moseley who are currently on IR and will still remain out.
Coming off the bye, the Lions welcome back David Montgomery who will make an immediate impact to their already stout ground game. This brings more versatility as a true physical runner, serving as the better option in the red zone by running up the gut behind a top-3 offensive line. The red zone has been an issue as of late for the Lions while they toyed with different schemes revolving around trickery since his absence, now getting the ability to revert back to their successful way of pounding it down the middle with Montgomery.
Capitalizing on points in scoring position is vital as the competition ramps up, not getting the same benefit as they did against the Raiders who served as no threat in mounting a comeback. Against the Chargers, the Lions will have to capitalize on scoring opportunities as the LA offense is a far greater threat. Luckily for Detroit, the Chargers defense is abysmal in nearly every facet as they rank 21st in Def Pass DVOA and 20th in Def Rush DVOA. This mainly due to their lack of generating pressure, ranking 25th in Pressure Rate.
With little to no pressure, Jared Goff should have no issue with picking apart a weak secondary that clocks in at 24th in Def Pass Success Rate. Especially when the Lions excel at getting their playmakers out in the open field, streaking across the middle and creating separation with their elite route running. Once the defense is spread out in an effort to limit the pass attack, this opens up the ground game for Gibbs and Montgomery to continue to find success and consistently move the ball down the field.
Detroit Lions vs. Los Angeles Chargers Prediction & Best Bet: Detroit Lions ML
Detroit Lions vs. Los Angeles Chargers Betting Odds
Oddsmakers originally had this game pegged in the Chargers favor, setting them as a -3 favorite on the lookahead line. That has since flipped towards the Lions favor, reopening at -1 and getting steamed up to the current spread of -3. That comes as no surprise as Herbert has continued to struggle under center, now facing a vaunted Lions front seven.
As for the total, points are expected to be scored at a quick pace as oddsmakers opened the number at 48.5. Bettors believe that number is about right, failing to take a firm stand on either side of the total as of writing. It’s tough to pick a side not knowing what form of the Chargers offense we will get as they have continued to struggle since Herbert got injured.
Detroit Lions vs. Los Angeles Chargers Key Injuries
Both teams come into this contest fairly healthy with the only notable starter on an injury report being the Lions Halapoulivaati Vaitai who is currently listed as questionable.
Detroit Lions vs. Los Angeles Chargers Key Matchups
Can the Lions pass rush continue to dominate and rattle opposing quarterback Justin Herbert?
Justin Herbert Vs. Lions Pass Rush
One of the bigger revelations this season has been the Lions ability to generate pressure with their front four defensive lineman, routinely collapsing pockets and forcing opposing quarterbacks into high pressure situations. While sacks have been inconsistent, their pressure has been routine by ranking ninth in Pressure Rate.
They now get another great opportunity to show out once again as the Chargers offensive line ranks 13th in Adjusted Sack Rate and 29th in Adjusted Line Yards. That spells potential disaster for Herbert who is already dealing with inconsistencies, now having to make plays on the run with a hobbled group of pass catchers.
Detroit Lions Depth Chart
QB: Jared Goff
RB1: David Montgomery
RB2: Jahmyr Gibbs
LWR: Jameson Williams
RWR: Josh Reynolds
SWR: Amon-ra St Brown
TE1: Sam LaPorta
Los Angeles Chargers Depth Chart
QB: Justin Herbert
RB1: Austin Ekeler
RB2: Joshua Kelley
LWR: Jalen Guyton
RWR: Quentin Johnston
SWR: Keenan Allen
TE1: Gerald Everett
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