Detroit Lions (0-0) vs. Indianapolis Colts (0-0)
August 20, 2022 1:00 pm EDT
The Line: Indianapolis Colts +1.5 / Detroit Lions -1.5 ; Over/Under: 40
(Get latest betting odds)
The Detroit Lions and the Indianapolis Colts meet Saturday in NFL preseason action from Lucas Oil Stadium. The Lions are coming off an exhibition matchup versus the Falcons. Detroit took a four-point loss in that one. As for the Colts, they played the Bills in preseason activity last weekend. In that game, Indianapolis lost by three points. Check back all season long for free NFL picks at Sports Chat Place.
Detroit had another tough season in 2021, going just 3-13-1 overall. That result left the Lions in the basement of the NFC North and kept the team out of the playoffs for the fifth straight year. Detroit started 0-8 and didn’t win a game until Week 13 versus the Vikings.
The Lions took on the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field last Friday. Detroit went punch for punch with the opposition until the fourth quarter, eventually falling 27-23. David Blough posted 141 yards on 18-of-28 passing, and Tom Kennedy caught eight balls for 104 yards.
Over on the Colts’ side, they had a disappointing season themselves in 2021. Indianapolis would ultimately go 9-8 overall and finish second in the AFC South. The Colts were knocked out of playoff contention due to a stunning loss versus the Jaguars in the final week.
Indianapolis kicked off their preseason back on Friday versus the Bills. In that matchup the Colts gave up 17 points in the final quarter during a 27-24 defeat. Sam Ehlinger posted 10-of-11 passing for 88 yards and two scores, while Michael Pittman caught two balls for 30 yards.
PICK: I’m going to take a stab on the Lions in this one. Detroit had their offense working reasonably well in the preseason opener, but there are certainly a few issues to address. With 393 total yards, 5.1 yards per play, 26 first downs and a solid 10-of-17 on third- and fourth-down tries, the Lions were moving the ball with regularity. Detroit kept their penalties in check (four for 35 yards) but did have a couple of turnovers. The rush defense needs to get some better numbers (168 yards allowed versus Atlanta) but overall I think the Lions are in a decent spot to cover here.
