Ricky Dimon
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Get your popcorn ready for an absolutely huge matchup that is part of Wild Card Weekend in the NFL playoffs. On Sunday night the Detroit Lions will host the Los Angeles Rams in a battle between 2 franchises that swapped franchise quarterbacks not too many years ago. In fact, those QBs are still with their “new” teams – which means this also marks an individual showdown between L.A.’s Matthew Stafford and Detroit’s Jared Goff.
Here is my Same Game Parlay for the festivities, which kick off at 8:15 pm ET on NBC. Also be sure to check out our full Rams vs Lions predictions.
Rams ML (+138)
Matthew Stafford to record 300+ passing yards (+350)
Amon-Ra St. Brown to score a touchdown (+110)
Parlay odds: +1024
Part of the value in a Same Game Parlay, of course, is that all of its components can be correlated if you so choose. That is some of the plan here, as Los Angeles quarterback Matthew Stafford throwing for plenty of yards would obviously work well with a Rams win. At the same time, plays that aren’t correlated drive up the overall payout of the parlay. That is the case with backing Detroit wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown to score a touchdown. But even if he does, there is no reason why the visitors can’t take care of business. Let’s break down each of the 3 legs.
Rams ML (+138)
Although the first round has plenty of fun matchups, it probably doesn’t get any better than this one. As mentioned above, the Stafford-Goff angle makes Sunday night’s showdown especially interesting. Beyond that, it should be an awesome game based on the quality and current form of the 2 teams involved. Los Angeles surged into the playoffs with 7 wins in its last 8 games, and its only loss during this stretch has come in overtime on the road against the best team in football (Baltimore). Detroit rolled to the NFC North title with a 12-5 record and is 3-1 in its last 4 – with nothing more than a very controversial loss at Dallas in those last 4 contests. The pressure is on the Lions. They favored to win, plus they are seeking their first playoff victory since the 1991 season. Stafford has been especially impressive throughout the second half of the season and the Rams’ defense has also improved of late. Detroit is playing well; L.A. is playing great. I’ll ride the hot hand.
Matthew Stafford to record 300+ passing yards (+350)
Stafford has been on fire dating back to the start of December. The former University of Georgia star has thrown 11 touchdowns compared to just 2 interceptions over the past 5 weeks despite facing some stout defenses in the form of Cleveland, Baltimore, Washington, New Orleans and the Giants. To say that he has a nice chemistry with receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua would be an understatement. Kupp and Nacua combined for 2,223 yards and 11 TDs during the regular season, averaging 13.3 yards per catch. All of that is really bad news for the Lions because their secondary has been a huge problem. Case in point: Minnesota third-string quarterback Nick Mullens threw for 807 yards in 2 games against Detroit. The Lions’ defense is bottom 5 in opponent passing yards per game and yards per pass attempt allowed. Count on Stafford having a big day against his former team.
Amon-Ra St. Brown to score a touchdown (+110)
St. Brown has solidified himself as one of the best wide receivers in football. In the last 4 weeks he has totaled 144, 90, 106 and 112 receiving yards. As Detroit’s WR1 and playing in the friendly confines of a dome, this sets up well for another big performance for ARSB. In 11 indoor games this season he has amassed 144, 90, 106, 112, 49, 95, 77, 156, 108, 102 and 102 receiving yards. Now Detroit faces a Los Angeles defense that has one of the worst secondaries in the NFL. Derion Kendrick is a second-year CB who loves to gamble and has had issues with pass-intereference calls, Cobie Durant is the 96th-ranked CB out of 128 according to PFF and Akhello Witherspoon has been gashed in recent weeks. It should also be noted that the Lions will be without WR Kalif Raymond, while TE Sam LaPorta is questionable. Goff would be wise to target St. Brown early and often in the red zone.
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