Lions vs Rams Prediction: Amon-Ra can get Motor City firing

Super Wild Card Weekend continues into the early hours of Monday morning, as the 12-5 Detroit Lions host the 10-7 Los Angeles Rams. We've previewed this match-up, taken a look at the betting odds and given you our two suggested picks. 

The Super Wild Card Weekend has some great stories but none with as good a narrative as the Lions vs Rams. These two sides traded quarterbacks in January 2021, with Matthew Stafford going to LA and Jared Goff heading to Detroit.

This led to immediate success for Sean McVay & Co with the Rams picking up the Super Bowl title just a year later. However, could the long term winner be the Lions, who picked up a solid QB in Goff and also a raft of draft picks, which has turned Detroit from a laughing stock into a side that picked up their first divisional title for 30 years.

Now the two face off at Ford Field, just three games away from a Super Bowl appearance and with both men keen to prove they are the top dog in that much talked-about trade.

Team news

The Lions are struggling in the Tight End department, with all three big men currently on the injury report. James Mitchell was the latest addition to a roster already including Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright. At least two of them are expected to play, however.

As for the Rams, they have their own injury concerns in the form of Jordan Fuller and Tyler Higbee. The Safety injured his ankle in the win over the 49ers and DNP this week. Meanwhile, the 31-year-old Tight End was limited, as he continues to recover from a troublesome shoulder issue.

Game odds

Detroit are a -3.5 favourite for this huge match-up and are as short as 4/7 straight up. Meanwhile, the Rams are a 7/5 shot to pull off the upset. This one looks like being a shootout, with the points total currently hovering at u/o 51.5 points.

Detroit Lions -3.5 Hcp - EVS

What a job Dan Campbell is doing in Michigan. After finishing 5-11 and trading Stafford, new GM Brad Holmes used the newly acquired draft capital to build one of the most explosive offensive sides in the NFL, combining a excellent pocket passer in Goff with hugely talented options in Sam LaPorta, Amon-Ra St. Brown (see below) and Jameson Williams. Then you have the deadly duo of veteran running back David Montgomery and rapid rookie Jahmyr Gibbs, which gives a true test for any defense.

Yes, the Rams have Stafford, Kyren Williams, Cooper Kupp and superb rookie Puka Nacua but they have been way more inconsistent than Detroit and I really like the chances of the Lions with home field advantage. Either way this should be a whole heap of fun to watch for the neutral.

Amon-Ra St. Brown +99.5 Rec Yards & a TD - 9/4

The USC Alum was drafted in the fourth round in 2021 and has gone from strength to strength in his NFL career to date.

After a couple of solid seasons, the 24-year-old has exploded onto the scene spectacularly with 10 touchdowns and over 1500 receiving yards.

St. Brown has a receiving touchdown in his last four games and has passed this line in three of his last four games.

You can read all our latest NFL Betting Tips on our dedicated Insights hub...