Lions at Cardinals: NFL Predictions & Stats
Week 5 is the first bye week of the NFL season, so we will have only 30 NFL teams in action. Kansas City and Carolina are off and won’t be playing a football game this weekend, but there are still plenty of other NFL odds. The Arizona Cardinals and Detroit Lions will meet in one of the three games set to kick off in the 4 p.m. ET time slot, while the Atlanta Falcons and Baltimore Ravens will close out the action for the NFL tonight.
NFL Games Today and Tonight
Probably the most important football game between NFL teams today will pit the Seattle Seahawks against the San Francisco 49ers. Seattle is the NFL betting favorite as the defending Super Bowl champion, but San Francisco is one of the NFL’s three remaining unbeaten teams.
Who Plays Football Tonight?
In the NFL tonight, the Falcons will look to win their third straight game, and Atlanta looks like a much different team with Michael Penix Jr. under center.
Top NFL Matchups to Watch Today
Other big NFL games today will showcase the Jacksonville Jaguars looking to prove they are for real against the Philadelphia Eagles in London, and both the Houston Texans and Los Angeles Chargers will look to avoid an 0-5 start. No team has ever made the postseason after losing their first five games to begin the season.
NFL Odds for Today’s Games
There aren’t any heavy favorites per the NFL lines today. The largest NFL odds on the board are in the game between the Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans. In all, there will be 13 games between NFL teams on Sunday, October 11, 2026.
NFL Moneyline and Point Spread Odds
Jacksonville Jaguars -7 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Green Bay Packers +2.5 vs. Chicago Bears
Tennessee Titans +7.5 vs. Houston Texans
Miami Dolphins +6.5 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
New England Patriots -3.5 vs. Las Vegas Raiders
New Orleans Saints +1.5 vs. Minnesota Vikings
New York Jets -1.5 vs. Cleveland Browns
Pittsburgh Steelers -2.5 vs. Indianapolis Colts
Washington Commanders -3.5 vs. New York Giants
Los Angeles Chargers +3.5 vs. Denver Broncos
Arizona Cardinals +5.5 vs. Detroit Lions
Seattle Seahawks -2.5 vs. San Francisco 49ers
Atlanta Falcons -3.5 vs. Baltimore Ravens
NFL Totals and Over/Under Lines
O/U 42.5 in Jaguars vs. Eagles
O/U 45.5 in Packers vs. Bears
O/U 37.5 in Titans vs. Texans
O/U 42.5 in Bengals vs. Dolphins
O/U 45.5 in Patriots vs. Raiders
O/U 42.5 in Saints vs. Vikings
O/U 39.5 in Jets vs. Browns
O/U 44.5 in Steelers vs. Colts
O/U 42.5 in Commanders vs. Giants
O/U 42.5 in Chargers vs. Broncos
O/U 54.5 in Cardinals vs. Lions
O/U 45.5 in Seahawks vs. 49ers
O/U 43.5 in Falcons vs. Ravens
NFL Matchup Previews
Our featured game is by far the football game with the highest total on Sunday. The over/under in the Cardinals-Lions game is currently nine points higher than any other game between NFL teams that day. This is largely because the Lions have one of the best offenses in the league paired with the worst total defense per NFL stats.
Offense vs. Defense Matchups
Both of these defenses rank in the bottom five in scoring defense. The Cardinals are surrendering 29.3 PPG (29th in the NFL), while the Lions are allowing 31.8 PPG (31st in the NFL). That should lead to big games for both Jared Goff and Jacoby Brissett, although Goff is clearly the better option from a fantasy football perspective.
Key Matchup Advantages
Detroit’s secondary has been the worst in the NFL this season. The Lions are allowing 304.0 YPG through the air, and opposing quarterbacks are averaging a whopping 7.9 YPA. Only one other team is allowing more than 265.0 YPG through the air, so Brissett could have his best game of the year.
NFL Players to Watch Today
Jared Goff could be the top performing quarterback of all NFL players today. Goff has yet to throw an interception this season, and he plays behind one of the top offensive lines in the league. The NFL stats show that Arizona is allowing an absurd 9.1 YPA through the air against NFL teams this year, and the Cardinals don’t have much talent at defensive back outside of Budda Baker.
Quarterbacks and Offensive Playmakers
Goff is having another very good statistical season with the Lions. The former No. 1 overall pick has completed 67.7% of his passes and is averaging 303.5 YPG with nine touchdown passes. Amon-Ra St. Brown is one of the top receivers in the league and already has five touchdown receptions this season. Javonte Williams is a very good secondary option, and Sam LaPorta remains a red zone threat. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs is one of the league’s best at his position too, and Gibbs has 540 total yards and seven touchdowns in just four games.
Arizona doesn’t have as much talent on offense. Marvin Harrison Jr. has been a big disappointment, so tight end Trey McBride is the main threat in the passing game. Rookie Jeremiyah Love was the No. 3 overall pick in the NFL Draft, and he has shown some real potential in the ground game.
Defensive Players Who Could Impact the Game
The Lions already have 15 sacks this season. Aidan Hutchinson leads the way for Detroit with 3.5 sacks, while D.J. Wonnum and Alim McNeill aren’t far behind with three sacks apiece.
Arizona doesn’t have any real playmakers on defense aside from Budda Baker. The safety leads the Cardinals with 1.5 sacks. Zaven Collins is talented, but he hasn’t lived up to the expectations of a first-round draft pick.
NFL Stats to Know Before Today’s Games
The NFL odds have the Lions favored by 5.5 points in this game, as the Cardinals are one of the least talented NFL teams. Detroit has many more notable NFL players, and that’s why the Lions are still favored to make the postseason after a 2-2 start. Meanwhile, the Cardinals have some of the longest odds to make the playoffs.
Offensive and Defensive NFL Stats
Jared Goff has thrown nine touchdown passes and no interceptions, but the NFL stats for Jacoby Brissett aren’t as impressive. Brissett has thrown six touchdowns and four interceptions this season.
Detroit leads the league in fewest turnovers with just one through four games, but Arizona has forced seven turnovers to this point.
Recent Team and Player Trends
Brissett had his best game in Arizona’s season-opening win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Since then, he has not been as good, and he threw three interceptions in last week’s loss to the New York Giants.
NFL Lines and Betting Movement
There hasn’t been much movement along the NFL odds for the game between Arizona and Detroit. The spread opened at 5.5 on Sunday night, and it has remained the same throughout the run-up to this football game.
Opening Lines vs. Current NFL Lines
In terms of movement in the NFL lines, the biggest move for Sunday games has been in the London game between Philadelphia and Jacksonville. The Jaguars were originally favored by 3.5, but the surprise retirement of Lane Johnson has led to major questions about the Eagles’ offensive line.
What Can Move NFL Odds Before Kickoff?
Injuries are the main impetus behind line moves prior to kickoff, but weather can also be a factor.
NFL Predictions for Today’s Games
Although they are the biggest favorite on Sunday by the NFL odds, I think the Texans will cover the number against the Titans. Houston has played pretty well despite its 0-4 start, and Tennessee doesn’t have the talent to test their lines like other teams have this season.
Predictions for Today’s Top NFL Games
In the featured football game, I like Detroit to cover the number against Arizona in a game that will go over the total. The Lions should be able to move the ball with ease against the Cardinals, and Brissett will have enough success to put this game over the number set by the NFL odds.
Potential Upsets to Watch
Although the New Orleans Saints are 1-3, they are short underdogs against the unbeaten Minnesota Vikings. Despite the Vikings’ unbeaten record, the advanced NFL stats don’t bode well for Minnesota the rest of the way. People are down on the Saints after their loss to Atlanta on Monday Night Football, but this is a decent team that can surprise opponents like they did against Baltimore in Week 2.
NFL Betting Angles for Today
There aren’t any big betting angles to highlight today, but this could be a day to take a long look at teasers. All of the NFL odds are under eight points, so you are essentially able to take every favorite down to a pick ‘em.
Final NFL Games Today Outlook
Detroit is the pick for the featured game, while New Orleans is a nice choice if you are looking for an underdog per the NFL lines. Houston should be able to cover the number in a battle of 0-4 NFL teams, while I expect Atlanta to win its third straight game in the NFL tonight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Plays Football Tonight in the NFL?
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The Atlanta Falcons and Baltimore Ravens will meet on Sunday Night Football.
Where Can I Find NFL Odds for Today’s Games?
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Betcris Arizona has NFL odds available on every game.
What NFL Stats Are Most Important Before Betting?
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Turnovers are the most important stat in a game, so that’s always something to watch when betting on the NFL.
Why Do NFL Lines Change Before a Game?
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Injuries and weather are the two biggest reasons that lines change before an NFL game.
Which NFL Players Should I Watch in Today’s Games?
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Jared Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Amon-Ra St. Brown could have huge games against this Arizona defense.
