There are playoff implications on the line for both teams here as the Detroit Lions take on the Carolina Panthers. No one would have believed that at the start of the season, but the Lions have been on a tear in recent weeks to get into wild-card contention, while the Panthers currently sit just 1 win behind the Buccaneers in the NFC South. Who will bolster their chances of reaching the postseason? Our expert has their picks, predictions and best bets for this Lions vs Panthers matchup.
Be sure not to miss any of our NFL picks for Week 16 — we’re 128-91-5 on sides for +45.3 units of profit this season
NFL Detroit Lions vs Carolina Panthers expert predictions
The Lions just won’t stop rolling but the Panthers have shown plenty of grit in recent weeks, earning some solid victories with the team rallying around quarterback Sam Darnold. There’s a new-found sense of belief in this Carolina team that they can make a real push to reach the playoffs with the Bucs’ problems appearing to have no end in sight. That could make them valuable, especially as a home underdog.
Detroit Lions vs Carolina Panthers spread, odds & betting lines
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing.
Point Spread: Lions -3, Panthers +3
Total Points Over/Under: 43.5 points
Money Line Odds: Lions -145, Panthers +125
This Lions vs Panthers game is available to bet on at DraftKings Sportsbook, where new customers can Bet $5 and get $150 if their team wins! Click this link to take advantage of this great offer.
NFL Week 16 Promo Codes
- BetMGM Promo Code: Bet $10 Win $200 if either NFL Team scores a TD
- DraftKings Promo Code: Bet $5+ On Any NFL Pre-Game ML, Get $200 If Your Bet Wins
- Caesars Promo Code: Up To $1,250 Back On Your First Bet + 1000 Tier Credits + 1000 Reward Credits®
- PointsBet Promo Code: Get 4x $200 Second-Chance Bets For The NFL
Find all the latest Sportsbook Promo Codes and Bonuses for NFL Week 16, including sportsbooks live in your state.
Detroit Lions vs Carolina Panthers expert picks
We’ve got 2 standout NFL picks for the clash between the Lions and Panthers.
Lions vs Panthers point spread pick: Panthers +3 (-110)
The Lions keep on rolling and have inserted themselves into the playoff picture. The Lions escaped with a win over the Jets at MetLife and while the Carolina defense isn’t as good as the Jets, they are giving up just 22 points per game at home. Carolina’s defense continues to assert itself as one of the tougher units in the league. They have 15 sacks over the last 5 weeks and have only allowed 19 points per game over their last three games. How much Carolina’s offense can have success in the run game will likely determine the outcome. If they have success on the ground, they can keep the Lions’ high-scoring offense off the field.
The Lions’ run defense has struggled on the road this year and that should help Carolina control the tempo. The Lions have been great ATS this year going 10-4, but I don’t like them laying points on the road. This is one of those games that will tell you how real the Lions are, especially with this being their second straight-road game. Carolina is 4-1 ATS over their last five games. I’ll take Carolina plus the points.
Be sure to check out our full Lions vs Panthers predictions
Lions vs Panthers Over/Under totals pick: Over 44 (-110)
It’s a high-scoring Lions offense against an emerging Panthers defense. The Lions’ offense keeps rolling but was challenged last week against the Jets. And while the numbers don’t tell you the Panthers’ defense is great, over the last five weeks, they’ve been much improved, allowing just over 16 points per game in their last four home games.
This is a lower total than the Lions are used to which makes it very enticing. This may come down to how much the Panthers can score. If they can get to at least 20, I feel the Lions can do the rest. The problem for the Panthers is that they don’t get to 20 often. Of their 9 losses on the season, they’ve only reached 20 points 3 times. If the Lions get a lead, it could be hard for the Panthers to play catch up. Still, with the Panthers’ playoff hopes on the line, I think we get their best effort and points.
Lock in our NFL Best Bets — we’re 47-32 this season (+32.7 units!)
Pickswise is the home of free NFL Picks and NFL Odds. Check out the latest NFL Prop Bets and NFL Parlays as well as expert NFL Underdog Picks and NFL Computer Picks.
