The Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Chargers meet Sunday in NFL action from SoFi Stadium. Detroit is 6-2 overall this year. The Lions are coming off an open week, last appearing in a win over the Raiders. As for the 4-4 Chargers, they played the Jets on Monday. In that matchup Los Angeles got back to .500 with a three-score victory. Check back all season long for free NFL picks at Sports Chat Place.

Detroit Lions 

Detroit has a pretty solid offense overall this year, averaging 25.0 points per game with 24 total touchdowns. The Lions have managed 12 scores and five interceptions through the air alongside 11 rush scores with 4.3 yards per carry. On defense Detroit is competitive these days as well with 20.6 points per game allowed and seven interceptions. 

Way back on October 30 in their last appearance versus the Raiders, Detroit jumped out to a 16-7 halftime lead and cruised to the win 26-14. Jared Goff logged 272 yards with one TD and one interception, while Jahmyr Gibbs posted 152 yards rushing with a score. Amon-Ra St. Brown caught six balls for 108 yards to top the receivers in the victory. 

Detroit Lions Team Facts

• The Lions have lost 12 of their last 13 road games before a Division game.
• The Lions have covered the spread in each of their last nine games following a home win.
• The Lions have lost the first quarter in five of their last six November games as road favorites.
• The favorites have won the first half in each of the Lions’ last 10 games.
• The Lions have scored the first touchdown in each of their last eight games following a home win.

Los Angeles Chargers 

Over on the Chargers’ side, they managed a pretty strong offensive effort through their first seven games of the season, averaging 24.9 points per game during that time. Los Angeles posted a sketchy 3.9 yards per carry with six rush scores but did much better through the air with 14 passing TDs. The defense was a liability at times though with 24.0 points per game allowed. 

In game eight versus the Jets on Monday, the Chargers jumped out to a 14-0 lead after one quarter and rolled the rest of the way in a 27-6 victory. QB Justin Herbert finished with 136 yards on 16-of-30 passing, and Austin Ekeler did most of the scoring with his 47 yards and two TDs. Keenan Allen had a nice evening with 77 yards on eight catches as well. 

Los Angeles Chargers Team Facts

• The Chargers have won three of their last four games as underdogs against NFC North opponents.
• The favorites have covered the spread in each of the Chargers’ last five games.
• The Chargers have scored the first touchdown in each of their last nine games in California.
• The Chargers have won the first quarter in each of their last four games as underdogs following a road win.
• The Chargers have won the first half in each of their last five November games as underdogs against NFC opponents.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Chargers rank 32nd in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game this season (286.0).
• The Chargers rank 1st in the NFL in fumbles recovered this season (9).
• The Lions rank 2nd in the NFL in yards per game this season (390.6).
• The Lions rank 2nd in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game this season (76.8).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’ll probably stay with Detroit. The Lions have had plenty of time to rest and prepare for this one, and they’re coming off a nice effort versus the Raiders—outside of the three turnovers, that is. Detroit posted 486 yards (222 rushing) in that matchup, giving up just 157 yards (77 passing) on the other side. It was a solid bounce-back after the 38-6 blowout at the hands of the Ravens the week before. 

As for the Chargers, they didn’t do very well against the Jets defense on Monday with just 191 total yards (107 passing) and 14 first downs. That said, LA got a nice defensive effort with three takeaways and eight sacks—but to be fair it was against an inept Jets offense. Still, it’s good momentum overall coming into Sunday’s game. I don’t think the Chargers will stand quite so tall against a rested Lions squad here, though.