Monday Night Football Showdown: Las Vegas Raiders vs. Detroit Lions

Week 8 and the Sunday night football game was very exciting, but, the best is yet to come. In the heart of NFL Week 8, Monday Night Football serves up an exciting matchup as the Detroit Lions host the Las Vegas Raiders at Ford Field. Both teams are looking to bounce back from disheartening losses. The Lions were handed a 38-6 thumping by the Ravens, while the Raiders took a tough 30-12 hit from the Bears last Sunday. Can they recover and shine under the Monday Night lights?

Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. ET, and the consensus on the street is that the Lions are the favorites with an 8.5-point edge. The over/under for total points is hovering around 46.

But let’s focus on the real story here – the Raiders’ resilience and their potential to cover the spread.

Waiting for Jimmy G

With a current season record of 3-4, the Raiders are far from their best. Last week, they faced a formidable Chicago Bears squad and struggled to keep up the pace. A notable absence was their star quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo, who was sidelined due to a back injury.

However, the outlook is brighter for Monday’s game. Garoppolo appears ready to make a return, and his presence will bring much-needed stability to the Raiders’ offense. While we won’t predict an outright win, having Garoppolo back is a significant boost, and it should at least enable the Raiders to keep this contest closely contested.

Bounce Back for Detroit?

This optimism is fueled by the Lions’ recent performance. Detroit faced a devastating loss against the Ravens, surrendering 503 total yards. While we won’t overstate the Raiders’ chances of clinching a win in Detroit, Garoppolo’s potential return and the Lions coming off their first major setback this season make the Raiders an enticing pick to cover the spread on Monday Night.

But there’s no sugarcoating it, the Raiders need a significant offensive resurgence. They were held to a mere 235 yards of total offense by the Bears without Garoppolo. To make matters worse, their current average of just 16 points per game ranks them third worst in the NFL.

Addressing the concerns surrounding their offensive approach, Las Vegas head coach Josh McDaniels noted that while some adjustments are needed, a broader overhaul isn’t necessarily the solution. Small improvements across the board should do the trick.

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Adding to the Raiders’ offensive struggles are their quarterbacks’ unimpressive stats: 12 interceptions versus just 8 touchdown passes. Their mission won’t get any easier this Monday, with Aidan Hutchinson, a formidable defensive lineman for the Lions, ready to pounce. While he hasn’t registered a sack in the last two games, he’s known for being a game-changer and a relentless force.

To help Garoppolo regain his rhythm, reviving the running game is paramount. Running back Josh Jacobs, who once led the league with 1,653 rushing yards, averaging 4.9 yards per carry, has been held to just 347 rushing yards and a meager 2.9 yards per carry this season.

Time to Target Davante

On the other side, the Raiders will also need their star receiver, Davante Adams, to step up. Although he snagged an NFL-best 14 touchdowns in his first season with the Raiders in 2022, Adams has been in a dry spell lately, with no touchdown receptions in the past four games and limited to 75 or fewer receiving yards each time.

As the game approaches, the Lions have their own challenges. Running back David Montgomery, who’s been a cornerstone of their offense, is ruled out. Key players like offensive linemen Frank Ragnow and Jonah Jackson are nursing injuries, which could weaken their O-line. On the Raiders’ side, cornerback Marcus Peters, linebacker Divine Deablo, and placekicker Daniel Carlson face uncertainties due to various injuries.

Monday Night Predictions 

Monday Night Football is primed for an intriguing showdown between the Raiders and the Lions. It’s a chance for both teams to overcome their recent setbacks, regain their footing, and put on a memorable performance under the Monday Night lights. For now, our prediction is that the Raiders will cover the spread, but as we know in the NFL, anything can happen under those bright lights. Don’t miss this electrifying clash on Monday night!

Bet the Raiders +8.5