NFL Week 8 Picks: Seattle Seahawks vs. Detroit Lions

NFL handicappers will be happy to see that wide receiver Calvin Johnson is listed as probable on the Detroit Lions' injury report, as they get set to face the Seattle Seahawks at Ford Field, with Sunday's opening kickoff scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX.

The Lions are listed as one-point home favorites in the current Week 8 NFL betting odds (courtesy of SBR Forum), while the over/under has settled in at 43 in the market.

Johnson finished with just three catches for 34 yards in last Monday night's 13-7 setback to the Chicago Bears, but he's still averaging 98.7 receiving yards per game on the year.

Let's take a closer look at this NFC contest from a betting perspective, while offering an against-the-spread (ATS) pick along the way.

Seattle Seahawks

Sports bettors are going to be instantly drawn to picking the Seattle Seahawks in this contest due to the underdog being 7-0 ATS in their games during the 2012 NFL regular season.

I'm not exactly interested in following that betting trend, especially with quarterback Russell Wilson's 55.7 passer rating in four road starts.

Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions have won and covered their last two opportunities as a home favorite of three or fewer points, with quarterback Matthew Stafford combining to throw for seven touchdowns and a single interception in those games.

I'm expecting a big effort out of this team in Week 8, especially with this Sunday's game being the only home game on Detroit's schedule in a five-week period.

Las Vegas Perspective

I reached out to Jimmy Vaccaro earlier this week about this high-profile affair. He serves as the public relations director for William Hill US, and here's what he had to say:

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Two teams going in opposite directions. Look for it to continue, as Seattle should beat them outright.

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Prediction

I'm going to recommend that readers back the Detroit Lions at a basement-level price in this matchup, as they've covered nine of their last 11 games in October.

Don't get carried away at the betting window in this spot, especially with Calvin Johnson being hampered a bit.  

NFL Week 8 Pick: Detroit Lions -1

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