Lions vs. Ravens Prediction Tonight: Monday Night Football Odds & MNF Picks

My Lions vs. Ravens prediction has landed on the Over for tonight's prime-time game, as two of the league's most explosive offenses clash on MNF.
Lions vs. Ravens Prediction, Odds: Tonight's Monday Night Football Best Picks
Pictured: Baltimore Ravens wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) shakes hands with Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (7) after making a catch for a touchdown. Photo by Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images

A wild week in the NFL concludes tonight on Monday Night Football (8:15 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN) with the Detroit Lions facing the Baltimore Ravens, and my Lions vs. Ravens prediction focuses on the total in a potential shootout.

One of my final NFL predictions for Week 3 expects both teams to thrive on the offensive side of the ball, cashing the Over 52.5 in the process. With that much scoring, there are plenty of players that should shine, and my NFL picks also highlight my favorite player prop for Lions QB Jared Goff.

The Ravens are the 4.5-point home betting favorite ahead of kickoff at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore at 8:15 p.m. ET (ESPN).


🏈 Lions vs. Ravens prediction for Monday Night Football

NFL expert picks based on the latest Monday Night Football odds; subject to change.

  • Moneyline pick: Ravens (-225 via Caesars) ⭐⭐⭐
  • Against the spread pick: Ravens -4.5 (-108 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐
  • Over/Under pick: Over 52.5 (-115 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
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💡 Monday Night Football expert picks


📝 Monday Night Football best bet

Track the latest NFL scores for line movement and matchup info.

⬆️ Over 52.5 (-115) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Lions vs. Ravens Prediction, Monday Night Football Odds & MNF Picks
Pictured: The Baltimore Ravens celebrate a touchdown. Photo by Mitch Stringer via Imagn Images.

The Ravens scored the third-most points per game at home last season (31.1) and have averaged 34 per game at M&T Bank Stadium in the last eight regular-season home games. In seven of those games, they scored at least 30, with the lone exception a 19-point output against the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. 

To further reinforce their status as an offensive powerhouse, Baltimore has the second-best offensive DVOA and best EPA per play through two games. 

I won't harp on about the Lions' 52-point offensive explosion against the Chicago Bears, as it occurred at home against a defense much worse than the Ravens'.

I'll instead focus on the absences of Ravens' Pro Bowl pass rushers Nnamdi Madubuike (neck) and linebacker Kyle Van Noy (hamstring), who combined for 19 of the team's 53 sacks last season. Noy had the most (12.5) and Madubuike the third-most (6.5).  

That's the best possible news for Lions QB Jared Goff - who's highlighted in Dustin Saracini's best Lions vs Ravens player props - as he had the second-best passer rating (120) last season of QBs with at least 100 dropbacks with no pressure. So far this season, he is fourth on that list (129.5). 

While Detroit's offense is still ostensibly unproven on the road under offensive coordinator John Morton, the conditions are ripe for a productive evening. Check out Esten McLaren's anytime touchdown scorer piece to take advantage.

FanDuel is the only one of the best sports betting sites offering the lower 52.5 option. You don't have to pay up the wazoo, either, with the -115 odds just slightly shorter than the higher total of 53.5 offered at BetMGM (-110) and DraftKings (-112). 

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💰 Best Lions vs. Ravens player prop bet for Monday Night Football

Our NFL player prop odds tool shows the best odds for every market across legal sportsbooks in your area.

⬆️ Jared Goff Over 260.5 passing yards (-114) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Lions vs. Ravens Prediction, Monday Night Football Odds & MNF Picks
Pictured: Jared Goff makes a pass. Photo by Junfu Han.

Based on the Ravens' aforementioned defensive absences (Noy and Madubuike), I'm confident in backing Goff to amass at least 261 passing yards. Goff hit the Over on that number in seven of the previous 10 regular-season games, including three of the last four on enemy terrain. 

Goff, who benefits more than most from an extra second in the pocket, should have enough time to pick out his multiple weapons. And if the game script goes as I envision, the Lions will be chasing the game in the fourth quarter. That might force Morton's hand, making him air it out more frequently.

Although FanDuel offers the lowest total (260.5 yards), it doesn't overcompensate by charging a ridiculous price (-114), still offering the second-best odds. BetMGM has the highest total (263.5 yards), offering -115 odds. 

A winning $10 bet at FanDuel would yield an $8.70 profit. 


📊 Lions vs. Ravens odds: MNF

NFL odds update live in real time.

📈 Lions vs. Ravens opening odds

  • Moneyline: Lions +200 | Ravens -250
  • Spread: Lions +5.5 (-110) | Ravens -5.5 (-110)
  • Over/Under: Over 51.5 (-110) | Under 51.5 (-110)

🔍  Lions vs. Ravens game-day odds analysis

As expected, FanDuel joined the rest of the best sports betting sites by moving off its 52.5 number, jumping all the way to 53.5 BetMGM is currently offering a flat 53, but its shaded up to -120 and it will likely move the half point before kickoff. I wouldn't play anything higher than 53.5.

The Ravens' spread decreased from -5.5 to -4.5. With the odds between -105 and -115, I don't see any further shift occurring. You can get the visitors at +5.5 (-118) at FanDuel if you're looking to back Detroit, while if you're on Baltimore DraftKings presently has a -4.5 (-108) line.


🔢 Lions vs. Ravens stats

Season stats courtesy of Pro Football Reference.

Lions (1-1) Statistic (per game) Ravens (1-1)
32.5 Points 40.5
24 Points allowed 29
+0.5 Turnover margin +0.5
267 Passing yards 195.5
111.5 Rushing yards 141.5
196.5 Passing yards allowed 298
106 Rushing yards allowed 111.5
0.7 Net yards per play 1

🚑 Lions vs. Ravens injury report


📺 How to watch Monday Night Football

  • When: Monday, Sept. 21
  • Kickoff: 8:15 p.m. ET
  • Where: M&T Bank Stadium (Baltimore)
  • How to watch: ESPN/ABC

❓ Monday Night Football FAQs

Who plays on Monday Night Football?

The Baltimore Ravens host the Detroit Lions for Monday Night Football. 

When is Monday Night Football?

MNF starts at 8:15 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN). 

Who is favored to win Monday Night Football?

The Baltimore Ravens are the 4.5-point betting favorite against the visiting Detroit Lions. 

How do NFL odds work?

When betting on NFL odds, the point spread shows how many points the favorite needs to win by in order to cash the bet. For example, a favorite of -3 must win by more than 3 points to cover the spread, while an underdog at +3 must win outright or lose by fewer than 3 points to cover the spread.

Moneyline odds represent the payout for picking the outright winner (+200 means a $100 bet wins $200, while -200 means a $200 bet wins $100). Over/Unders let you wager on whether the combined total will be higher or lower than the set number.

You can determine the payouts and implied probabilities for any wager - or convert odds to different formats - with our odds converter.

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