Arizona Cardinals vs Detroit Lions Picks and Predictions September 22nd 2024

Lions QB Jared Goff looks to be ‘better’ in visit to Arizona

The Lions are favored on the road as they take on the Cardinals at 4:25 ET on Sunday, September 22nd at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ. The Lions’ money line odds are -149, and the point spread is -3 in favor of Detroit. The game is being televised on FOX, and the over/under line is set at 52.5 points. The Cardinals’ money line odds are +125.

Detroit vs. Arizona Key Information

• Teams: Lions at Cardinals
• Where: State Farm Stadium Glendale
• Date: Sunday, September 22nd
• Betting Odds DET -149 | ARI +125 O/U 52.5

The Lions Can Win If…

Even though the Lions were favored by -7.5, they lost to the Buccaneers 20-16, resulting in a 1-1 record for the season. The combined 36 points were short of the over/under line of 52. Detroit fell behind early, with the Buccaneers leading 6-3 after the 1st quarter. The Lions managed only field goals in the 2nd quarter, trailing 13-6 at halftime. In the 3rd quarter, Detroit fought back and took a 16-13 lead on a 1-yard touchdown run by David Montgomery, but Baker Mayfield’s 11-yard touchdown run for Tampa Bay put them ahead for good.

The Lions didn’t score in the 4th quarter, missing a chance to pull off a comeback. Jake Bates helped Detroit stay in the game with multiple field goals, including ones in the 2nd and 3rd quarters. Despite the loss, Detroit will look to bounce back in their next game.

The Lions’ offense struggled to finish drives in their 20-16 loss to the Buccaneers, despite racking up 26 first downs and 324 yards passing. Detroit ran the ball 27 times for 139 yards and 55 pass attempts. However, they were unable to score a touchdown through the air, as Jared Goff finished with 307 yards on 34 completions (61% completion rate).

Jahmyr Gibbs led the team in rushing with 84 yards, averaging 6.5 yards per attempt, and also added 22 receiving yards. Amon-Ra St. Brown had a big game with 119 receiving yards on 11 catches. The Lions’ offense was 0-2 in the red zone and Goff threw two interceptions in the game.

In their 20-16 loss to the Buccaneers, the Lions’ defense allowed just 216 total yards. They defended the run well, giving up only 70 yards on 23 attempts. Despite their strong performance against the run, the Lions struggled on third down, allowing the Buccaneers to convert 80% of their third down attempts. Detroit’s defense also recorded five sacks and held Tampa Bay to a 63.2% completion percentage. In the passing game, the Lions gave up just 146 yards but allowed one touchdown. They also came up with one interception.

• Detroit has put together a record of 1-2 in their last three games (regular season). This also includes going 2-1 ATS, and posting an over-under record of 1-2.
• Through their last ten regular season contests, Detroit has a record of 6-4. Their record against the spread in this stretch is 7-3 to go along with an over-under mark of 5-5.

The Cardinals Can Win If…

Arizona is now 1-1 after a big 41-10 win over the Rams. The Cardinals took a 14-0 lead after the first quarter and never looked back. Kyler Murray connected with Marvin Harrison Jr. twice for touchdowns to start the game. The Cardinals added another touchdown in the 2nd quarter and led 24-3 at halftime.

James Conner and Kyler Murray added rushing touchdowns in the 3rd quarter, and the Cardinals capped off their win with a 2-yard touchdown run by Conner in the 4th quarter. Arizona easily covered the spread with their 31-point victory.

The Cardinals’ offense was firing on all cylinders in their 41-10 win over the Rams. Kyler Murray completed 17 of 21 passes for 266 yards and three touchdowns, finishing with a passer rating of 158. Arizona’s running game was equally impressive, racking up 231 yards on 40 attempts. James Conner led the ground attack with 122 yards, averaging 5.8 yards per carry, and found the end zone once.

Marvin Harrison Jr. was a big-play threat in the passing game, totaling 130 yards on four catches, including two touchdowns and a long reception of 60 yards. The Cardinals finished with 24 first downs and converted 63.6% of their third down opportunities. Murray also added 59 rushing yards on five attempts.

In their 41-10 win over the Rams, the Cardinals’ defense allowed just 53 rushing yards on 20 attempts and limited the Rams to 192 passing yards. They didn’t give up any passing touchdowns and held the Rams to an 18.2% third-down conversion rate. Arizona also came away with five sacks in the game.The Cardinals’ defense was effective in generating pressure, as they had a positive quarterback hit differential and won the tackles for loss battle. Overall, the Rams managed only 245 total yards in the game against Arizona’s defense.

• The Cardinals have gone 1-2 over their last three regular season games. They have held up well vs the spread in these matchups, going 2-1 as well as an over-under record of 2-1.
• The Cardinals have gone 3-7 over their last ten regular season games. The team’s record vs the spread was just 7-3, in addition to an over-under mark of 8-2.

The Lean

Our model has the Cardinals winning this week three matchup against the Lions by a score of 25-22. With the point spread sitting at -3 in favor of the Cardinals, we like them to not only win but cover the spread. Arizona is our pick to cover as home underdogs.

For this game, we have a point total prediction of 47, and with the O/U line at 52.5 points, we are leaning towards taking the under.

Latest NFL expert Picks

Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions are set to face the Arizona Cardinals in a crucial road game this Sunday, with Goff looking to rebound from a rough start to the season. Despite signing a massive four-year, $212 million extension in the offseason, the three-time Pro Bowler has yet to deliver the kind of performance expected of a franchise quarterback.

Goff’s Early Struggles

Goff’s start to the season has been uneven. In the season opener, the Lions managed an overtime win against the Los Angeles Rams, but Goff’s contribution was limited to 217 passing yards. More concerning were his two interceptions and the fact that he came close to being picked off twice more. These issues continued in last week’s 20-16 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, leaving Lions fans hoping for a sharper performance from their quarterback.

“I have to do a better job of taking care of the ball,” Goff admitted. “We moved the ball well, but putting it in harm’s way is something I need to avoid. If we clean that up, I think we’re headed in the right direction.”

Lions’ Resilience and Response

Despite the setback, Goff remains confident in the team’s ability to bounce back, a characteristic that has defined Detroit under head coach Dan Campbell. The Lions haven’t lost two consecutive games since a five-game losing streak in the first half of the 2022 season, and Goff expects the team to rise to the challenge again.

“It’s part of our identity now,” Goff said. “Dan has built a culture where we respond to adversity. We’ve done it before, and I believe we’ll do it again this week.”

Facing the High-Flying Cardinals Offense

The Lions will need to be at their best against a rejuvenated Arizona Cardinals team led by quarterback Kyler Murray. Returning from an ACL tear that sidelined him in December 2022, Murray has been sharp, throwing four touchdown passes with no interceptions across two games. Arizona’s offense is thriving, leading the NFL in third-down conversions (58.3%) and producing a league-high 12 plays of 20+ yards.

First-round draft pick Marvin Harrison Jr. is a key weapon in Arizona’s offense. After a quiet debut, Harrison exploded in the Cardinals’ 41-10 rout of the Rams last week, recording four catches for 130 yards and two touchdowns. His growing chemistry with Murray is something the Lions’ defense will need to address.

“He’s a dangerous player,” Lions head coach Dan Campbell noted. “But we have experienced corners like Carlton Davis III who can match up with him. We’ll be ready.”

Aidan Hutchinson: The Defensive Anchor

One of Detroit’s best chances to slow down Arizona’s explosive offense lies with defensive end Aidan Hutchinson. Hutchinson is coming off a career performance with 4 ½ sacks, and his ability to disrupt Murray in the pocket will be crucial to limiting the Cardinals’ big-play potential.

“He’s special,” said Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon. “The freedom he has in their scheme really showcases his skill set. He’s a game-changer.”

If Hutchinson and the Lions’ defensive front can consistently pressure Murray, it could ease the burden on Detroit’s secondary, which will need to keep tabs on Harrison and other playmakers.

Injury Report: Detroit’s Challenges

Detroit heads into the matchup dealing with several injuries. Linebacker Alex Anzalone (concussion), cornerback Terrion Arnold (illness), and guard Graham Glasgow (knee) all missed practice midweek. Although top wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (quad) was a full participant, the offensive line injuries could make protecting Goff more difficult, especially against a capable Cardinals defense.

The Cardinals, in contrast, are relatively healthy. The only significant injury concern is defensive lineman Dante Stills, who is dealing with a shoulder injury and was limited in practice.

Mental Focus and Preparation

For both teams, maintaining mental focus will be critical. Despite their recent dominant win over the Rams, Kyler Murray emphasized that the Cardinals can’t afford to relax.

“You can’t be hung over from last week’s success,” Murray cautioned. “Every game is a new challenge, and we understand that any team can win on any given Sunday.”

Similarly, the Lions are determined to clean up their mistakes and avoid a second straight loss. Goff and the offense will look to build on their ability to move the ball, focusing on finishing drives and protecting the football. With their resilience tested, the Lions hope to maintain their reputation as a team that responds under pressure.

Key Matchups to Watch

• Jared Goff vs. Cardinals’ Defense: Goff will need to be more efficient and avoid costly turnovers, especially with injuries on the offensive line potentially limiting his protection.
• Lions Corners vs. Marvin Harrison Jr.: Carlton Davis III and Terrion Arnold will face a tough task containing Harrison, who can break the game open with his big-play ability.
• Aidan Hutchinson vs. Kyler Murray: Hutchinson’s ability to disrupt the Cardinals’ offense by pressuring Murray could be the key to Detroit’s defensive game plan.

Conclusion: Must-Win Game for Goff and the Lions

This game is critical for both teams. The Lions need Jared Goff to perform like the franchise quarterback he’s paid to be, while Detroit’s defense must rise to the challenge of containing the dynamic Kyler Murray and his high-powered offense. The Lions’ resilience and ability to bounce back from adversity will be tested, while the Cardinals will aim to continue their momentum without getting complacent.

In a league where every game can turn a season, the outcome of this matchup could set the tone for both teams moving forward.