The Ravens will be seeking their third consecutive win in Week 13 when they host the 6-5 Detroit Lions. Oddsmakers have installed Baltimore as a three point favorite and set the point total at 43, representing a final score of 23-20 Ravens.
The Lions will be on extra rest following their 30-23 loss to the Vikings on Thanksgiving. Matthew Stafford leads their fifth best scoring offense and 10th ranked passing offense. Detroit fields the 26th ranked total defense and has allowed 5.4 yards per rushing attempt over their last three games.
Baltimore has won three of four all-time meetings between these franchises. Most recently, Justin Tucker’s six field goals earned the Ravens a 18-16 victory in 2013. Lions head coach Jim Caldwell and defensive coordinator Teryl Austin both served on the Ravens staff that season, as offensive coordinator and defensive backs coach respectively.
As for gambling trends, the Ravens have covered in four of their last six home games when favored by a field goal or less. However, Baltimore is just 2-8 against the spread over their last ten non-conference games. Detroit is 12-17 as an underdog and 1-5 against the spread off a a divisional loss since 2015.
Other games with AFC playoff implications slated for this weekend include New England laying eight points at Buffalo, the Chargers favored by two touchdowns against the Browns and the Raiders favored by 8.5 against the Giants. In the AFC South, the Jaguars host Indianapolis as 9.5 point favorites while the Titans will be touchdown favorites when they host the Texans. And the Steelers are five point road favorites in Cincinnati on Monday night.