Detroit Lions vs. New York Giants Betting Odds, Analysis, NFL Pick

A potential playoff preview will take place Sunday when the New York Giants (9-4) host the Detroit Lions (9-4) as small home favorites. The Giants and Lions are both coming off divisional home wins last week and will try to continue their momentum with just three weeks to go until the postseason.

Point spread: The Giants opened as 4.5-point favorites; the total was 44 early in the week, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. (Line updates and matchup report)

NFL pick, via OddsShark computer: 25.2-14.8 Giants (NFL picks on every game)

Why the Lions can cover the spread

Detroit has been as resilient as any team in the NFL this year, finding ways to win no matter what the odds have been. The Lions trailed the Chicago Bears 17-13 halfway through the fourth quarter last Sunday before quarterback Matthew Stafford willed them to the victory by scoring the game-winning touchdown on a seven-yard run with 3:17 left.

Stafford is nursing a hand injury but remains in contention for league MVP honors due to his heroics, which have the Lions with a two-game lead for the NFC North title.

Why the Giants can cover the spread

New York can certainly make an argument for being the best team in the NFL after sweeping the squad that previously had the top overall record in the Dallas Cowboys. The Giants upset the Cowboys 10-7 as 3.5-point home underdogs Sunday night and might be one of the most dangerous teams in the playoffs as a likely wild card.

They could still win the NFC East too after winning seven of their last eight games and going 6-2 against the spread during that stretch, according to the OddsShark NFL Database.

Smart pick

Stafford's injury is definitely worth watching as kickoff draws closer because he did have trouble throwing late in his team's most recent win. The interception he threw for a touchdown the other way nearly cost Detroit, and New York's opportunistic defense could take advantage too, especially safety Landon Collins, who leads the team in tackles and picks.

The Giants are 4-1 SU in their last five games after winning as underdogs, and the Lions are just 2-7 SU in their previous nine on the road versus teams over .500. Look for those trends to continue as New York beats Detroit by at least a touchdown and pays off at sports betting sites.

Betting trends

The total has gone over in five of the Lions' last seven games against the Giants.

The visiting team is 7-2 SU and 8-1 ATS in its last nine games in this matchup.

The Giants are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games in Week 15.

All NFL lines and betting trends courtesy of Bleacher Report’s official odds partner, OddsShark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted.

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