Detroit Lions vs. New Orleans Saints Betting Odds, Analysis, NFL Pick

The Detroit Lions aren't just coming from behind to win games; they're making money, going 6-1 against the spread their last seven times out. Meanwhile, the New Orleans Saints are even better, going 7-1 ATS over their last eight games. Two of the best bets in football as of late meet when the NFC North-leading Lions visit the Saints on Sunday afternoon at the Superdome.

Point spread: The Saints opened as five-point favorites; the total was 54 early in the week, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark. (Line updates and matchup report)

NFL pick, via Odds Shark computer: 33.8-15.4 Saints (NFL picks on every game)

Why the Lions can cover the spread

Detroit rides a three-game winning streak into this week, after nipping Minnesota on Thanksgiving Day 16-13. The Lions, as two-point favorites, trailed 13-10 in the fourth quarter, then tied the score at 13-13. Detroit's defense then came up with the key play, a great interception by cornerback Darius Slay that set kicker Matt Prater up for the game-winning field goal at the buzzer.

On the day, the Lions outgained Minnesota 308-306 and outrushed the Vikings 94-82.

Two weeks ago, Detroit scored the last 10 points of the game to beat Jacksonville 26-19 and cover at minus-5. And just before that the Lions tied Minnesota on a long field goal on the final play of regulation, then won in overtime 22-16. At 7-4 overall, Detroit now leads the NFC North by a game and a tiebreaker over the second-place Vikings.

Why the Saints can cover the spread

The Saints just snapped a two-game losing skid with a 49-21 victory over Los Angeles last week. New Orleans traded touchdowns with the Rams to a 14-14 tie, then scored twice to take the lead for good and later pulled away for the win and the cover as a seven-point favorite.

For the day, the Saints outgained Los Angeles 555-247, outrushed the Rams 209-69 and won time of possession by a 36/24 margin. New Orleans has now outgained each of its last seven opponents and outrushed four of its last five foes.

Also, that two-game losing streak consisted of a two-point loss to Denver and a three-point loss to Carolina. At 5-6, New Orleans trails Washington by a game and a half in the battle for the second NFC wild-card spot.

Smart pick

The Saints, somewhat surprisingly, are plus-16 in per-game rushing yardage this season, while the Lions are minus-22. And so far this NFL season teams that won the ground battles covered the spread 66 percent of the time. The smart money here on the Vegas odds likes New Orleans.

Betting trends

The Lions are 1-5 ATS in their last six games against the Saints.

The total has gone over in the Lions' last three games against the Saints.

The Lions are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games as road underdogs.

All NFL lines and betting trends courtesy of Bleacher Report’s official odds partner, Odds Shark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line-movement updates and the Odds Shark YouTube page for picks and analysis, or download the free odds tracker app.